The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 32: Aug/Sept 2017 | Page 41

BUSINESSWISE
A TRIO OF TALENT WHO BELIEVE IN
WORKING TOGETHER
BusinessWise members Paul Eagles, of Midwinter Web Design,
Lis McDermott of Lis McDermott Photography and Fiona Scott,
of Fiona Scott Media Consultancy, often work together on
projects large and small. Here they share their thoughts on how
BusinessWise has helped them come together as a creative team.
Paul Eagles: Lis McDermott:
I’ve run my own website design business for almost 15
years in Swindon and I’ve known Lis McDermott since
the beginning of the BusinessWise group and I’ve got
to know Fiona Scott over the last couple of years.
As a website designer I understand the importance
of strong and high quality imagery on a client’s website.
When a client trusts me to sort this out for them, I
would often struggle to find a photographer who was
the right fit, who would listen to what was required
and deliver a range of images to fit the brief. Lis just
does it and is never afraid to call me to ask questions or
contact the client to ensure she meets their needs.
Fiona and I have got to know each other well over
the last two years and now we even share an office.
She values a strong website and brand online but
what she brought out in me was the power of telling
a story and how that can add value to a business. She
absolutely understands the value of strong, interesting
and clear content and video. Today, Fiona not only
manages my social media profile and any press
relations, she also refers me to her clients or contacts -
that level of trust is humbling. Working with both Fiona Scott and Paul Eagles is like
fitting your hand into a pair of comfy gloves. There is a
natural synergy between our businesses.
I’m very lucky to be one of several photographers
Fiona chooses to work with. On my part it means I get
to photograph a huge range of interesting people,
businesses and events which I may not otherwise have
access to.
We’ve become great friends and she looks after
my press relations including securing me a double
page spread in the magazine of a very well known
supermarket with a lot of orange in its logo. Very
unexpected but extremely thrilling.
As a web designer Paul is brilliant. He understands
what is required from a photographer, and if his clients
need photography, he can help them. Plus I know I have
an expert I can turn to when I need help with my own
website.
I have learnt a great deal from both of them about
their businesses which in turn impacts on my own.
As a solo business owner, working with both Fiona
and Paul has its own added bonus. Occasionally it can
get quite lonely working alone, and I know I can always
turn to them, or share niggles and problems.
Fiona Scott: for me – and I don’t always need to be physically
present as she knows the brief and what’s required.
Paul is another best buddy in business and is often
my voice of reason. As a creative person, I can get
carried away in all that is positive and negative and Paul
keeps me grounded. Given that we now share an office
that’s a really good thing.
He also looks after my website, understanding
completely what I want it to achieve in the short and
long term and he just makes it happen. I refer him to
clients with confidence that he can deliver a website
which is modern, mobile friendly, flexible, scalable a nd
secure.
Prior to running my own business I was part of a team
– often I was running that team. I quickly realised being
in business also requires a team effort even if you don’t
employ anyone.
Lis & Paul are part of my team. They are among
the tight knit group of business people who support
me week in and week out with the challenges and
opportunities brought by running your own company.
Lis and I have got to know each other really well
when I committed to being a BusinessWise member.
Now we understand each other’s roles and how we can
help each other. Lis has done many photography jobs
Let us help
spread the word
about your business
www.businesswise.org.uk
Member Benefits:
• Not for Profit Organisation
• Fees re-invested into the group
• Exclusive business category
• Opportunities for new business
across all sectors
• Low annual membership fee
VISITORS
If you are interested in visiting BusinessWise (all visitors
can come along free of charge), we meet on Friday
morning at 6.45am at Jury’s Inn, Swindon town
centre. We are run on a not-for-profit basis and, as a
non-competing group, one member will be the only
member representing his or her sector in the room.
We are currently looking for new members in these
areas:
Architecture Retail
Dentistry Opticians
Graphic Design
Floristry
Restaurant or food industry
Plumber
Fitness Sport
GP practice Education
Wellbeing/health-based
Interested?
If you would like to find out more – or come along
as a visitor, please visit our website or call the
BusinessWise Chair, Fiona Scott:
07789 270030
For more info:
www.businesswise.org.uk
THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2017
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