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Focus Group

Website
Telephone
03300242000
Location
Europa House
Southwick Square
Southwick
West Sussex
BN42 4FJ
GB

In 2004 Focus Group stepped out into what was already a saturated market, selling a solution that many claimed was already on its way out – 12 years later we have over 250 staff and a business with annual revenues exceeding £40m.

Ralph Gilbert (MD) and Chris Goodman (Sales Director), founded the business, and its first few months saw the business being run from a home office. Joined by Paul Tolhurst as financial controller the following year, the operation moved to a tiny office in Hove Technology Centre – with just enough room for 3 desks, a white-board and a kettle!

Our product centred on the re-sale of voice minutes, commonly referred to a ‘calls and lines’. This was complimented by sales of telephone system and broadband via strategic partners. Many in the industry would have argued that our business model was flawed. Articles in industry magazines already had headlines of, ‘No margin in minutes’ and ‘Is this the end of the PBX?’.

With this in mind we chose a commercial strategy that gave us the greatest opportunity to deliver consistent growth. Our route to market was both via Direct Sales and via a Reseller community. We took opportunities to diversify the portfolio with complementary products and services.

We’re award winning and we’ve made a number of successful acquisitions. But most importantly…we still have fun. We enjoy an annual summer party where everyone and their families are invited to a day of fun in the sun. We play cricket on the green at lunch-time, dress up in silly costumes on the occasional Friday, and take every opportunity to embarrass the senior management with obscure challenges!

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