Bill Emmerson Celebrates – A Decade at C>Ways
Friday, 21st May 2010
It has been an eventful 2010 so far at C>Ways, with much to be celebrated, and after a decade at C>Ways, Bill Emmerson talks about his experience below.
‘When I started at C>Ways in August 1999, Nick said this would be my last job. I’ve never been sure if that was threat or a promise!
In those days, Compaq had just acquired Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) and Microsoft had recently released Windows 98.
I was working for Computacenter in 1999 and had been to a seminar in Leeds. By co-incidence I met Nick there and he asked if we could talk. C>Ways had been established for about 2 years and was a very good technical organization but needed some commercial input.
I was excited by the prospect of working for a smaller company and having the opportunity to make a real difference to the organization through my efforts.
Nick and me had worked together since 1987 first for ICI Computer Systems and then for P&P so we knew we could work effectively together.
It was hard work trying to take the company to the next level but very rewarding.
Nick secured a contract to design and develop an IP CCTV system for The Goodwin Centre in Hull which was a ground breaking solution in 2001 and which won great acclaim. C>Ways were presented with an award by Business in the Community for the impact on crime reduction in the area.
The next breakthrough came when we won the contract for a network upgrade at Leeds Metropolitan University.
In my career I have been fortunate to have been involved in securing many significant business contracts. But none was more important than Leeds Met.
I walked into a room full of people who wanted to win the contract and I thought ‘how the hell are we going to win this!’ But win it we did.
Seven years later, C>Ways continue to enjoy a very close relationship with Leeds Met for which I would like to thank every one of the people involved there.
In recent years, we have been successful in moving the company from a projects based business to one that is more service and support orientated.
But the most important part of business is the customers and I can say that I have never worked for a company that values its customers more than C>Ways.
If there is a secret to having a successful career it would be to work hard and be honest at all times. In that way we can create mutual trust and respect.
Services Manager
Bill Emmerson
C>Ways Ltd
