Last week Warrington & Co hosted the Warrington Annual Business Conference: World-Class Warrington. As members of the Warrington Business Exchange (WBEx), we are great supporters of creating a better connected and stronger economy in Warrington. Events like these enable businesses to get to know each other to learn, make connections and collaborate.
Over 200 people from a variety of businesses across Warrington and the local area attended the event. It was a great way to learn about what other businesses are doing in Warrington. This is a key part of being part of a connected community, helping each other to thrive.
We were invited to present to share our story of selling globally from our HQ in Warrington. We wanted to share our thoughts on why Warrington is a great place to run a global company. We also wanted to highlight how companies can use digital technologies to do more with less, increase sales and reach new markets.
We also shared how DriveWorks software enables companies around the world to have an online presence, opening up new opportunities and new markets for businesses large and small.
Our Home in World-Class Warrington
Warrington has been the home of DriveWorks for over 18 years.
In Warrington we are well connected in terms of networks and initiatives that connect businesses with each other, and with other organisations and schools. We’re also well-connected in terms of location. Our location makes it easy for our visitors from far and wide to find us and for travelling to and from the office ourselves, without getting caught in the city traffic.
In recent years, Warrington has ranked in the UK’s top 20 destinations for high-growth technology businesses. We are proud to be developing our award-winning software in Warrington.
In 2018, we received two local High Sheriff Awards, for Innovation and Export. Then in 2019, we were honoured to be awarded Queen’s Award for Enterprise. This is the highest accolades available to UK businesses. The Queen’s Awards recognise businesses for outstanding achievement. We were honoured to receive two awards for Innovation and International Trade.
Businesses Inspiring Each Other
Time Square in Warrington Town Centre has recently undergone a £142 million redevelopment. It is a great asset to the town, and made the ideal location for the World Class Warrington event.
The morning started with coffee and networking in the Cineworld foyer. This is always a great opportunity for us to catch up with other businesses in Warrington.
After networking, attendees were guided through to the impressive super screen cinema and took their seats ready for the conference to begin.
We were pleased to see once again the event was being hosted by Chris Maguire, Co-founder of Tech Blast UK, founder of iMEG and Northern Spin podcast co-host.
To kick the morning off, Professor Steven Broomhead, MBE, Chief Executive for Warrington Borough Council gave an opening address. Stephen ended his address with the line “Business confidence builds business confidence”. It set the tone for the event. The event was an opportunity to look at the great successes in Warrington. Businesses would share stories, ideas and tips to inspire and encourage each other.
Connecting Businesses in Warrington
Next up we heard from Bill Esterson, MP, Shadow Minister for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. Bill talked about how the government could support businesses with energy plans and business export opportunities.
The Warrington Business Exchange is all about connecting businesses across Warrington to learn from each other. We heard from Warrington-based business, Verde Spaces. Carl Oates took to the stage to share Verde Spaces’ innovative bespoke, modular buildings. They are selling around the world and transforming key industries.
Sharing Knowledge & Supporting Each Other
Next up was DriveWorks Marketing Manager, Jessica Taylor. Jessica spoke about the many benefits of selling anywhere. She shared DriveWorks’ journey of becoming a global company, supported by our network of Value-Added Resellers around the world. As DriveWorks is an Export Champion company, Jessica also shared tips about how other companies can expand to more markets. Jessica explained how using digital technologies has been key to our success and we have appreciated the support and resources of the Department for International Trade (DIT).
After a coffee break with more opportunities to catch up and connect, we heard from the first panel of the day. The panel, made up of Charlotte Nichols, MP for Warrington North, Chris Sheppard from EMR Metal Recycling and Neil Warren, Business Director of Jungheinrich was titled Corporate Warrington. The panel discussed many of the challenges faced by businesses, including the effects of Brexit, recruitment difficulties, being greener and rising business costs.
Well-Connected Warrington
The second panel of the day included two SMEs from Warrington – Lucie Hyde founder of LNH Transport and Gary Jenkins co-founder of No Brainer Agency, alongside Andy Carter, MP for Warrington South. This panel discussed the benefits of being based in Warrington. We completely agreed with the much important transport links Warrington provides and the ever-growing community here to support each other.
To close the event, we heard final remarks from Councillor Tom Jennings, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Innovation at Warrington Borough Council. Tom rounded up all the positive comments from the day about Warrington and the businesses operating from here.
Following the conference, delegates were invited next door to the Botanist for lunch and more networking. This gave us a chance to catch up with our connections from the Cheshire & Warrington LEP, the DIT and other local businesses.
Selling Anywhere & Everywhere
DriveWorks was founded in 2001. Our software is used by businesses of all shapes and sizes from across the world. These businesses operate in a wide range of industries and market sectors.
Over 90% of our revenue now comes from overseas.
We have built a strong channel, with an international network of Value Added Resellers (VARs). This spans 57 countries, that work with us to sell and support our software.
Companies using DriveWorks software range from SMEs to multinationals and globally recognised brands.
We support this channel every day by facilitating meetings, training and learning materials. This is to ensure consistent quality from the people who sell and support DriveWorks Software.
By doing this, it means we have a strong global channel to provide support for our software. We work hard to ensure our software is easy to use and is supported, no matter where you are in the world.
Think Global – Act Local
We have a great network of Value-Added Resellers across the globe. This means that we can have a global presence without having to have offices and employees in every country.
Our resellers provide a local point of contact for all our customers. Customers have support from someone who speaks their language, understands their market and is also in their time zone.
We also provide our resellers with training and resources, and second-line technical support.
We spend a lot of time getting to know our customers and our resellers. We listen to ideas and feedback and provide useful content and resources.
DriveWorks enables companies anywhere in the world to sell online and sell digitally.
Explore our customer stories to learn more about how DriveWorks customers are embracing digital technologies and the benefits they’re seeing as a result.