This month's client interview
Why start your own business? What in the world is an app anyway? How do you survive in a competitive market? These are all questions we put to one of our valued clients, Nick Davies, Founder of Spark Digital here in Melbourne. Our thanks to Nick for taking the time to share his knowledge of all things digital.
1. What motivated you to start your own business?
Throughout my studies and early career, I was interested in learning more about business and entrepreneurship. After returning from a 2.5 years working in web roles in the UK and The Netherlands, I had some people contact me that were after someone that could design and build them a website. I started freelancing in early 2004 and continued in my spare time while working full-time. An opportunity came up to partner with some others on a new website for an extensive corporate and Spark Digital was born.
2. Your business designs mobile apps [along with many other things], while we may all use apps many still don’t really understand what they are, can you explain what they are?
Mobile apps are small computer programs or applications that run on mobile phones or tablets and allow people to get information, be social, have fun or perform micro-tasks. If you have an iPhone or Samsung phone chances are you are using mobile apps every day.
3. As a business owner, how do you juggle the many hats you have to wear?
I find it important to prioritise, delegate, and plan ahead.
4. What is the future of websites? How will they evolve over the next 5 - 10 years?
Over the past four years, websites have become cleaner, more simplified, and straight to the point. The average visitor only spends 1-3 minutes on a businesses website, so you have to establish clarity around your offering, credibility and a call to action fast. 5-10 years is a long time on the web considering devices such as Apple’s iPad are only six years old and the iPhone 10 years old. In the next 5-10 years, I expect to see advances in wearable augmented reality devices, as well as in-car displays that will make businesses re-think how their website can interact with potential customers. For example, voice-driven websites may become more prevalent.
5. Many industries find themselves competing with overseas providers, how do you feel about that competition?
While remote providers can work in some circumstances, for us we find meeting our clients face-to-face and building relationships, along with being able to work collaboratively with our team in the same office is the most effective way of ensuring a great result.
6. You deal with clients every day, what makes a good one?!
A great brief and vision; a willingness to work with experts, however also in a collaborative manner for the best possible result.
7. You work with a cross section of businesses, how do you think small businesses can stand out in today’s crowded markets?
Be clear on what you do, or work with professionals to help you articulate that. Highlight your credibility, and have clear next steps to take with your business.
8. What has been the best piece of advice someone has given you along the way?
There has been a lot of advice along the way! Under promise and over deliver is a great piece of advice we have taken in recent years.
9. Someone gives you $200 to invest, what would you do?
I would invest in further learning - perhaps your greatest asset is yourself, or building assets in the business.
10. In three words how would you describe the team at McPhail & Partners?
Supportive, available, reliable.
Thanks Nick. If you would like to check out Nick and his team's work, please feel free to head over to their website by clicking here. 
