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Craig Mackenzie Ontracks Consulting
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ome people might think that all an entrepreneur needs is a great idea and an opportunity to bring it to market. But Ontracks Consulting founder Craig Mackenzie says there’s far more to it than that. “Being able to identify an opportunity is certainly a critical component,” he says. “But the necessary drive and focus to convert this from an idea to a viable business is what really defines success.” Mackenzie has been defining success since leaving his career in IT consulting and co-founding Ontracks in 2007. Since then, Ontracks has become a multimillion-dollar company serving a niche market in IT and management consulting in the oil and gas sector. He says that while his business is focused on technology, its success lies with its people. “We’ve been very fortunate in having the best people in our space, but as we continue to grow, finding the best people will ultimately define our future,” he says. “Whether we’re looking to increase sales, deliver value on our projects or tackle complex business problems for our clients, we ultimately rely on highly skilled team members.” Having started with just two people, Ontracks has grown to more than 50 and today has four partners. The continuous growth year-over-year shows Mackenzie and his team that they’re doing all the right things. “Over 90 per cent of our business over the last six years has been from word of mouth,” he says. “The continued growth and referrals really makes you feel proud about what you’re delivering and gives you real affirmation that you have something that is different.” That difference, according to Mackenzie, is a personal touch in a technological space. A commitment to service and quality work has earned the company the title of one of IBM’s top premium partners in Canada.
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EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013