Case Study – 1968 Limited

Here at Yorkshire Powerhouse, we believe in the value of studying other successful businesses and organisations to allow you to develop new ideas and strategies that could benefit your own business. We keep these case studies snappy and easy to access to allow you to rapidly gather the relevant information:

When did 1968 Limited start trading:

4 May 2010

Who started the business:

I did, Brian Schur, it was an easy decision in the end

Tell us what you do and how you do it:

With over 25 years of digital experience, I work with clients to achieve their online objectives. I share my knowledge and guide them through the many pitfalls that ‘doing business online’ can have – without speaking jargon!

The main service I offer is helping a client prepare their online strategy, including social media. Teaching how to embrace social media channels and their website to make them work effectively for their businesses. We help clients define a simple step by step plan to follow, boosting their online channels into a tool that drives traffic to their products or services.

Who buys your services:

Most clients fall into 2 camps, small and large SMEs. The large SMEs are looking for the range of experience I have to help them determine whether their online channels are effective, this is carried out initially with a digital audit and competitor research.

The smaller clients are looking for advice and guidance to help them achieve better results online. Both are very similar in approach – in fact, you could say that all online work is similar it’s just a matter of scale, time and effort.

The best clients are the ones who know and understand that a website and social media presence is usually the first view of your business and what they first see matters. Users tend to be fickle if they do not like what they see within 2-3 seconds they move on to the next website (your competitor).

What makes your business stand out from your competitors:

Me! I’m straight-talking, knowledgeable and have no affiliations – I find the best solution for the project.

What are the main strength/s of your business:

The amount of experience I have – I built my first website in 1994 and haven’t stopped learning yet! In this industry, the true strength is keeping up with the pace of change, something I have manged to do.

What are the values that drive your business:

The core values I have kept since I started working for myself is to be fair with everyone, be honest and if I feel I am wasting a clients money I will stop and tell them why.

What’s your favourite business book and why:

Bill Gates; Business at the Speed of Thought. Considering it was written in the 90’s so much of it has and is happening; mobile business, online shopping, online banking, instant communication.

What is the most useful lesson you’ve learned through experience:

Have a backup plan, you never know what is around the corner. I landed my first client about 1 week after going it alone – based in London – was a great contract win. Within 4 weeks I broke my leg and was in a full leg pot for the next 12 weeks, not able to drive or walk. My back up plan was video conferencing, which saved the day and the contract – I’m still working with that client 9 years on.

What is the main mistake to avoid in future:

Don’t put all your eggs in 1 basket, diversify with your client base, services and keep up to speed with the market.

Which business success are you most proud of:

A current client I developed an online strategy for, had some pretty radical ideas … most of which have been produced and have successfully increased revenue. I’m still working with them on market-leading products including a home configurator, that I have been working with a team from Kiev and Chicago on for the last 12 months – it’s brilliant!

What are your future ambitions:

To grow my client base and network to carry on delivering to my high expectations.

If you are a successful Yorkshire based business and you’d be willing to share your experiences by completing a case study then please contact us.Yorkshire Powerhouse, Case Studies

Have you any questions?

Here at Yorkshire Powerhouse, we’re happy to help as much as possible – is there anything else we can do to help you, do you have any further questions or can we help introduce you to an expert – please let us know: