Real name: Julian Ross
UKBF user name: Games4Business
Company name: Something2Play Limited
Location: Essex, UK
Company website: www.games4business.biz, www.something2play.com
Company contact: [email protected]
How did you start your business?
In 2005, after working in the IT industry for over 12 years, I left both my full time job as a network manager and my comfort zone. I had the opportunity to start my own business after moving house and I decided that it was make or break time. I had already been considering my options for at least a year and concluded that I was ready for the challenge. The change after so many years was a scary but exciting moment in my life.
One month later I launched my first business, Pebble Technologies, in IT consultancy and web development which today is slowly moving into software development. Three months after launching my first business, Something2Play Limited launched as an online games retailer, buying and selling games on auction web-sites. This proved to be a very competitive industry indeed. It provided a steep learning curve: making sure that the right amount of stock was purchased at the right price, without having surplus stock which would then have to be sold off at a reduced rate as the game became less popular and less in demand; thereby protecting your profit margins. After setting myself a one year time limit to gain experience in retailing and marketing games, it was time to move the business into game development as I had originally planned. I came up with an idea for a game, secured an investor, then hired a team of 12 contractors to work on various elements of the game. Just over fifteen months later I'm on the verge of releasing my first commercial grade game aimed at the home user.
In July 2007 the idea of creating Games 4 Business was born. We enable businesses to market their business brand, products and services, in a fun and entertaining way through online games. This is fast becoming a major part of our business as more and more people recognise the advantages of viral marketing on the internet.
What products or services does your business offer?
At Games 4 Business (a sub division of Something2Play) we develop web based games for marketing businesses based on their trade and industry, using viral marketing techniques to give them momentum and become self propagating. We can provide a client with a complete package: ideas consultancy; project planning; artwork; game development and monitoring and campaign management tools. Something2Play also develops commercial grade games for retail distribution.
What were the main challenges you faced when setting up your business?
The biggest challenges have been: juggling staff, managing all the different and diverse projects that we have undertaken, balancing budgets and making sure that everything is working as it should and importantly keeping the creativity going.
How would you rate the success you've achieved so far?
In such as short space of time, with minimal investment developing a games business that is producing games at the standard of a large games company, we have come a long way.
Why should customers and clients use your services?
We can help clients ranging from new startups with minimal budgets to large corporations to create a game that promotes their particular business in a way that entertains and educates both existing and prospective clients on what their business is all about. The games are eco-friendly (in comparison to paper based marketing campaigns), and can be available on the internet for as long as you want them to be.
How has UK Business Forums benefited your business?
Since joining UKBF, it has proven to be our main source of bringing in business. We've not had the need to establish our presence elsewhere in the short-term. It has also provided opportunities for us to get quick feedback on our ideas and our work.
What are your plans for the future?
We would like to expand our games business further. We're currently working on developing a full-featured games engine that will enable the creation of games through a web-site. This would allow enthusiasts to develop their own projects without the need for any specialist knowledge of games development.
What are your three tips for business success?
1) Manage your time more effectively by concentrating on the areas that matter now, but not losing focus on your long-term goals.
2) Don't lock your ideas up in your head, put everything down on paper first, and then improve it.
3) Do your research, know your market.
Fancy being the subject of our next UKBF Member Spotlight and gaining some free publicity for your business?
Email us at [email protected] with no more than 100 words outlining why we should pick you. Please note you must be registered with UK Business Forums to take part. To register, click here.
UKBF user name: Games4Business
Company name: Something2Play Limited
Location: Essex, UK
Company website: www.games4business.biz, www.something2play.com
Company contact: [email protected]
How did you start your business?
In 2005, after working in the IT industry for over 12 years, I left both my full time job as a network manager and my comfort zone. I had the opportunity to start my own business after moving house and I decided that it was make or break time. I had already been considering my options for at least a year and concluded that I was ready for the challenge. The change after so many years was a scary but exciting moment in my life.
One month later I launched my first business, Pebble Technologies, in IT consultancy and web development which today is slowly moving into software development. Three months after launching my first business, Something2Play Limited launched as an online games retailer, buying and selling games on auction web-sites. This proved to be a very competitive industry indeed. It provided a steep learning curve: making sure that the right amount of stock was purchased at the right price, without having surplus stock which would then have to be sold off at a reduced rate as the game became less popular and less in demand; thereby protecting your profit margins. After setting myself a one year time limit to gain experience in retailing and marketing games, it was time to move the business into game development as I had originally planned. I came up with an idea for a game, secured an investor, then hired a team of 12 contractors to work on various elements of the game. Just over fifteen months later I'm on the verge of releasing my first commercial grade game aimed at the home user.
In July 2007 the idea of creating Games 4 Business was born. We enable businesses to market their business brand, products and services, in a fun and entertaining way through online games. This is fast becoming a major part of our business as more and more people recognise the advantages of viral marketing on the internet.
What products or services does your business offer?
At Games 4 Business (a sub division of Something2Play) we develop web based games for marketing businesses based on their trade and industry, using viral marketing techniques to give them momentum and become self propagating. We can provide a client with a complete package: ideas consultancy; project planning; artwork; game development and monitoring and campaign management tools. Something2Play also develops commercial grade games for retail distribution.
What were the main challenges you faced when setting up your business?
The biggest challenges have been: juggling staff, managing all the different and diverse projects that we have undertaken, balancing budgets and making sure that everything is working as it should and importantly keeping the creativity going.
How would you rate the success you've achieved so far?
In such as short space of time, with minimal investment developing a games business that is producing games at the standard of a large games company, we have come a long way.
Why should customers and clients use your services?
We can help clients ranging from new startups with minimal budgets to large corporations to create a game that promotes their particular business in a way that entertains and educates both existing and prospective clients on what their business is all about. The games are eco-friendly (in comparison to paper based marketing campaigns), and can be available on the internet for as long as you want them to be.
How has UK Business Forums benefited your business?
Since joining UKBF, it has proven to be our main source of bringing in business. We've not had the need to establish our presence elsewhere in the short-term. It has also provided opportunities for us to get quick feedback on our ideas and our work.
What are your plans for the future?
We would like to expand our games business further. We're currently working on developing a full-featured games engine that will enable the creation of games through a web-site. This would allow enthusiasts to develop their own projects without the need for any specialist knowledge of games development.
What are your three tips for business success?
1) Manage your time more effectively by concentrating on the areas that matter now, but not losing focus on your long-term goals.
2) Don't lock your ideas up in your head, put everything down on paper first, and then improve it.
3) Do your research, know your market.
Fancy being the subject of our next UKBF Member Spotlight and gaining some free publicity for your business?
Email us at [email protected] with no more than 100 words outlining why we should pick you. Please note you must be registered with UK Business Forums to take part. To register, click here.
