About Enterprise Design

My Story and Enterprise Design

Enterprise Design began as an idea while I sat drinking coffee during a break in voluntary work. It grew from the impression that it was a good idea, to the realisation that it was something that really needed to happen.

My working life was in the oil industry in Peterhead until, in the 1980’s, I found that I had a serious heart disorder. This came to light when I went to the doctor feeling unwell and had some tests, then six weeks later my brother died suddenly, and the post-mortem showed he had the same heart condition that I had. He was only 21 years old. My younger sister was tested and she was found to have the condition but in a milder form. So I changed my life style, and became a professional freelance photographer. This was not enough of a change however, and as my health deteriorated my doctor recommended that I stop full time work and claim Incapacity Benefit.

However, I decided that I needed to keep going and went to college where I studied for three years to gain my Higher National Diploma in Computing, and in the meantime began working as a volunteer with a number of charities throughout Aberdeenshire where I began creating websites for them and for friends of mine.

Over the years my health has improved due to better treatment, and meeting the love of my life, Flora, now my wife, who has helped my realise my hopes and ambitions.

In August 2006 I decided that I had to get back into full time work again and increased my voluntary work. Marina Lawlor who is the Disability Working Advisor at Fraserburgh Job Centre was a great help as she worked with me to find suitable employment. Ross Martin from Remploy Aberdeen was also supportive, and when they heard of my ideas for a business using my skills and experience, they supported me wholeheartedly. Business Gateway has been a source of information, advice and ideas and I would like to thank Roz Caudwell and Dave Percival in particular, for their help.

On August 1st 2007, my 50th birthday, Enterprise Design was born and already with the support of friends, and a lot of hard work, it’s making its mark in Aberdeenshire.

My Ethos

There are lots of really poor websites on the Internet. They are difficult to use, you can’t find what you want, the graphics and photographs are poor and the text is littered with spelling mistakes. I believe that websites start in the heart and mind. If you want a good website it needs to project exactly the message and image you want your company or charity to have. That means planning and conversation. It means working together to find just the right words, photographs, colours, and graphics to make your website a success.

Too many website designers want everything on a plate. They want you to provide all the text so they lift it straight out of one of your leaflets, they want you to give them pictures so they scan them out of your literature, and then they want to slot it into the boxes they have made on the website. They don’t particularly want to meet with you, or help you find answers to your questions, the drive is to complete the job, not find the best solution to your needs.

I believe that the Internet is still a difficult place for many.  Web designers who explain things in “geek speak” don’t help. Many people have only a vague idea of what a website can do and how it can achieve their plans, but they do understand their business or their charity like no one else can.  That’s why I believe the greatest asset to a website is the Client, and working along with them I can achieve remarkable results.