Taylor Made Computer Solutions

"Back in 2001 we talked to three public relations companies, two of which advised us to change our logo, which is clearly one of our major selling points," says Nigel Taylor, managing director of Taylor Made Computer Solutions, a regional IT supplier to medium sized businesses and public sector organisations.

"This experience made us take a pretty cynical view of PR and marketing companies. They seemed too much about themselves, so we binned the idea of outsourcing," he says. After all the company had already established a high profile for itself, attracting regular local press coverage and popular attention through an eye-catching fleet of branded cars.

Five years after its disappointing experience the company revisited the idea having committed itself to launching Taylor Made Training Solutions, a training subsidiary. "We had made a success of the IT business, but it had taken us years. We didn't want training to take that long."

"Training was a different market for us. The IT business is very much about smaller businesses, but the training is aimed at larger ones, who need highly technical training for their IT managers, or application training for the staff using their systems, or to develop the softer-skills of management, personal development and leadership."

This is when LCM was invited to help. "It worked really well right from the start," says Nigel. "LCM understands the company inside out and only takes over where we need help, while most marketing companies generally want everything," says Nigel. "So we thought, why not migrate the PR for computer solutions across?"

"LCM has given us a lot more discipline and structure. Before we might have a meeting and come up with five ideas and ditch all but one, but with LCM we come up with four we can use. The brainstorming process was only 20% efficient now it is 80%. Consequently it has gathered a lot more momentum."

"It is all about chucking in the thinking pot and give it a big stir,"says Nigel. On top of the improved creative hit-rate, LCM provides personal support at networking events to make sure the company mixes well.

"It's a joy to work with TaylorMade because they are always doing so much," says LCM account manager Colin Bridgman. "They win Microsoft and HP awards and their staff are always busy doing something newsworthy such as raising money for Children in Need. They also regularly win high profile contracts at famous local attractions, such as the Hampshire Rose Bowl cricket ground and the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu."

The company has built a reputation as an outstanding employer. Only four of its 70 staff have left over the last four years. "We offer things like 'duvet days' and shopping days in December and January and the option for staff to work from home. We got Investors in People accreditation in just three weeks. We just won Hampshire Life's Business Award for 'the' place to work in Hampshire." "Another reason we have good staff retention is that they don't do a lot of miles," says Nigel. 45% of customers are within 15 miles of its Fareham headquarters. But Nigel believes TaylorMade still only serves 4% of the 50-to-250 employee businesses within 45 miles of the office.

With so much new business so close at hand, there is an obvious benefit to making sure the company is well-known and liked in the locally. "It is good to get recognition because it is a good 'door opener'. "If people know we are a good solid company then it makes it easier for them to decide to appoint us," Nigel concludes.