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Designated Driving Force Elaine Owen of Designated.org.uk talks to us about keeping up-to-date with the latest technology and how a good work/life balance is key in running a successful business.
Elain Owen is Managing Director of the firm. She tells us a little more about the company, its ongoing strategy and more about its client base. “We were formed in 1994 with the aim of helping corporates to make the most of IT, PC and system developments at that time e.g. to help to improve efficiency and effectiveness of their investment in IT. Clients include the likes of General
Motors, Google and Vodaphone. As my family grew, I wanted to work closer to home so we changed our strategy - my husband runs the analysis and systems side of the company and myself and my team on digital engagement, content creation and management. I typically work in and around the North West but our data analysis and CRM side of the business works throughout the UK and Europe.” In order to develop the business, Elaine has always kept a close eye on emerging technology and business communication styles to stay ahead of the curve. “Digital progress can present numerous challenges and opportunities for businesses,” she explains. “They must carefully rethink everything in order to properly manage, monitor and evolve what they do and how they do it and this in turn creates work for my business. My approach is no different; we are
always monitoring, constantly researching, learning and evolving to be able to provide the skills and services required by our clients. Obviously, technology is critical in Elaine’s world and the speed of change within the digital sector means Designated continue to evolve with their clients and make use of new tools, apps, platforms and methods to ensure continued success. “Technology is our lives - it’s our bread and butter and we use it internally and for our own business requirements as well as we help our clients to use it. Without the emergence and development of technology for business we would not have a business. “A website is not for life, it should be regularly content managed, evolved and renewed regularly. Social media needs a strategy and action plan to ensure results rather than just posting willy-nilly to anyone who is out there.” Being an award-winning MD of a successful business takes skill, and Elaine believes she has certain key attributes which contribute to this.
“I believe from my team’s feedback that I am a coach/ mentor style leader and they like this, I listen and reflect before I make decisions. My clients tell me that they feel they can trust me and that my team’s commitment to myself and the company reassures them of a trusted service. “I have the best job in the world, a great work/life balance and a cracking team!” Elaine recently won the title of MD of the Year for the Merseyside area, an accolade of which she is very proud. However it is not the only highlight that Elaine has seen of late as Designated clinched a project in Europe for the European Centre for Disease Control. This has further fuelled Elaine and her team with aspirations of continued expansion into Europe. “I would like to thank all the team at www.designated.org.uk who are simply fantastic and without whom we would not have the success we have had or the lifestyles we all enjoy.”
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Designated, www. designated.org.uk, provides website design, digital engagement, social media management and data analysis. The clients it caters for are typically businesses who want to improve their online presence, sell more, rank higher on Google and who typically don’t have an internal team dedicated to managing and creating content and social media.
Company: Designated Associates Name: Elaine Owen Email: Elaine@designated.org.uk Web Address: www.designated.org.uk Address: Vale House, Vale Park, Magazine Lane, New Brighton, Wirral CH45 1LZ Telephone: 0151 653 3338
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