RETURN TO AIMZINE FRONT PAGE | January 2010
   
Ringing in the New

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New Year Wishes and Resolutions from AIM Companies

 

It is that time when we all look forward to the year ahead and consider what we can do better this time around.

 

We asked six AIM-listed companies to tell us their wishes and resolutions for 2010. Their thoughts and plans for 2010 make interesting reading. It is refreshing to note that shareholders feature highly in these plans. Also, it is good to see that profits are a major focus. Indeed one CEO is anticipating ‘surging into profit without pausing for breath’.

 

We wish all 6 of these companies a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

 

  1. Software Quality Systems
  2. Nexus Management
  3. Forbidden Technologies
  4. Planet Payment Inc
  5. Intellego
  6. Avisen

Click on one of the links above to go directly to a Company's contribution.

Software Quality Systems (SQS)

By Rudolf van Megan, Chief Executive Officer

 

Our primary hopes for 2010 would be for more companies to outsource their software testing to truly independent third parties such as SQS. We would also like to see European governments push through legislation to make it a requirement for public IT projects to be verified by an independent software testing company. Such measures would help to increase the number of IT projects that are a success - i.e. delivered on time, on budget and on scope - above today’s level of only 32% (Source: CHAOS Report, Standish Group, April 2009).

 

In most cases today’s major outsourced IT projects are still tested by the very same companies that carry out the development of the project’s software and systems. This is in many ways akin to a schoolchild marking his or her own homework and, as such, is rarely the most thorough or accurate manner in which to operate.

 

The reality of this situation has been demonstrated by a number of high-profile project failures in the media over recent years, the Heathrow Terminal 5 fiasco being a notable example. Events such as these are helping to raise awareness of the importance of using a software testing firm that is independent to a project’s development. However, there is still some way to go before all firms and governments recognise the benefits of impartiality in software testing.

 

In addition, many companies perform routine software testing in-house – i.e. following system updates or upgrades - and this is likely to be far less rigorous than that performed by a testing specialist. For example, SQS uses methodologies and software tools developed through 27 years experience in supplying testing services, enabling us to provide consistent and measurable results.

 

We therefore hope that 2010 sees a more widespread acknowledgement of the ability of independent software testing companies to supply more effective solutions that are not compromised by a vested interest in a project’s success.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rudolf van Megan: CEO Software Quality Systems

Nexus Management (NXS), provider of specialist IT Managed Services

By Roger Richardson, Chief Executive Officer.

 

2009 was a shocking year for most companies – those which survived were largely considered lucky, many were not so fortunate. The spectre of unemployment still looms over many sectors in the UK and our business leaders, in the absence of any political leadership, need to take a hard look at themselves as to what are they doing to stop their employees losing their jobs. At Nexus I consider equally 3 groups of people, Staff, customers and shareholders, keeping them all happy all of the time may be impossible but in these tough times 2 out of 3 is a noble effort.

 

For someone contemplating the year ahead with a glass half full in their hand and emptying rapidly at the thought of the in-laws arriving for the festive season, they might be inclined to think “things can only get better” – I on the other hand feel rather more optimistic as I sit here contemplating what 2010 might behold for Nexus, partly because I feel our fortunes are largely in our own control.

 

Indeed – in keeping with my rather up-beat tempo when it comes to analysing the current state of affairs, I approach the New Year as a time for opportunity; a time to make resolutions to ensure that 2010 proves to be a marked improvement on 2009. A year when I am able to keep all 3 groups of people associated with Nexus happy.

 

To this avail, my New Year’s resolutions are:

 

  • I will not look back; I am sick of the financial crisis and just want it fixed
  • I will endeavour to ensure all Nexus works together diligently towards progressing and continuing the good start to the new fiscal year we have experienced thus far
  • Establish the operations of the UK arm of Nerd Force
  • Maximise profitable revenues from each division
  • Be green – saving energy and therefore costs, while also doing my bit for the planet, and encouraging all employees to follow suit
  • Deliver a trading profit over the calendar year

  • Finally, I resolve to keep my resolutions!

 

 
   

Forbidden Technologies (FBT),   leading web-based video platform provider

By Stephen Streater, Chief Executive Officer

 

The date for New Year’s Day may not necessarily be the same in every culture – but it is accepted as a time for celebration and reflection, an opportunity to look forward to the future and good luck in the coming year.

 

Forbidden's staff and shareholders have made the remarkable FORscene internet video platform a reality, so for next year I resolve to continue to:

 

  • trust my staff to use their freedom well  
  • reward our shareholders with free offers

 

2010 will need creative innovation, dedication and conviction - mixed with a dash of daring. To this avail, my plans are to:

 

  • push forward with exciting R&D  
  • sell outside our comfort zone  
  • surge into profitability without even pausing for breath

History now presents FORscene with the chance to change the world - through the vast worldwide audience for TV and internet video.

 

Stephen Streater: CEO Forbidden Technologies

Planet Payment Inc. (PPT), International Data and  Payment Processor.

By Philip Beck, Chairman and Chief Executive.

 

2010 promises to be an exciting year for Planet Payment and our resolutions are:

 

- As an international transaction processor, I would like to see transactions that "count". I hope to continue the trend of Planet giving back to the community.

 

- Any company is only as good as its people; our team has gone above and beyond, maintaining our momentum as we move into new countries, working with our banking customers to grow our business. I would like to see our team continue to get the right balance between working and playing hard so as to continue to be happy and hard working!

 

- To continue to demystify the shopping experience for international customers. In the last year, Planet Payment's technology helped approximately 6 million people pay in their own currency when shopping abroad or online, letting them know exactly how much they were spending.

 

Finally, we hope that over the next year, we will be able to drive additional shareholder value given the huge growth we are experiencing and our enormous potential for the future.

Philip Beck:  CEO and Chairman

Planet payment Inc            

Intellego (IHP), eLearning and Compliance Courseware Solutions Business

By Angus Forrest, Chairman

  

We look forward to 2010 with the hope the New Year will bring with it greater economic stability empowering companies to better plan and meet their business objectives.

 

Many companies’ New Year’s wish lists are normally confined to their own personal aspirations and more akin to shopping lists, but if our wishes come true 2010 may be one of the best in recent history for British, and indeed worldwide, companies. A period of relative calm and stability should not be a great ask, but a little respite from the economic and financial turmoil of 2008/9 would allow everyone to plan and constructively work towards both long and short term business goals rather than perpetually worry what nasty surprise and new hurdle might be awaiting around the next corner.  

 

At Intellego, we have resolved to embark on the following New Year’s Resolutions to be delivered in 2010: 

  • Focus on our staff, the human assets and driving force of our company upon which our own success is dependent
  • Concentrate on continually ensuring we deliver the highest level of service to our customers – in turn increasing high margin sales and recurring revenues – thus delivering greater returns to our shareholders 
  • Overall – to work towards delivering our Shareholders positive returns over the forthcoming calendar year

 

 

 

Avisen (AVI), Performance Management Specialist

By Nick Waters

  

2010 is around the corner and in the context of the proliferation of social media our New Year Resolutions centre upon using these technologies to our advantage and being savvy with the bottom line – specifically to engage in person with customers, and encourage our employees to do the same; relish the opportunities afforded by The Cloud; learn from certain MP’s mistakes and never compromise our IP’s security; and above all be proud to be different.

 

Note to self – I resolve to:

 

1.      To be different! –  I never have, never will and absolutely refuse to abbreviate all software and technology terminology as ‘TLAs’ (Three Letter Acronyms) – which only manage to alienate and exclude the vast majority of the otherwise intelligent and  literate population! I guess that makes Avisen the “black sheep of the BI crowd”.

 

2.      To be more social – Dedication to best practice means you never rest on your laurels – you should always be thinking about manners in which you can enhance communications with customers. Businesses that build stronger and long-term relationships with their customers are those that will thrive in difficult economic climates. Encourage your employees to engage with customers in *person* and through the use of social media tools; this will further breed customer loyalty and drive new business  – not everyone wants a tweet, a poke or a permalink you know! The human touch is quite, well, ‘personable’, didn’t you know?!

 

3.      To work smarter to save costs - Use Business Intelligence to beat the downturn and work towards helping enable a smarter planet. The financial crisis might have jolted us awake, but it was not the first call to action we have had this century – climate change, energy issues, global supplies of food and medicine, security concerns from identity theft and terrorism… we live in a hyperconnected world. We need to work together, become digitally aware, connected and smart. Smarter infrastructures are helping cut IT usage by almost 60%. I want Avisen to be a part of the smart brigade!

 

4.      Stick my head in the cloud(s) - I want to fully embrace the use of free and low-cost emerging cloud technologies to do important tasks easier and reduce overheads. It is not a cloudy issue, it really is a rather clear win, win scenario. 

 

5.      To backup and protect myself more – Finally, I will constantly and consistently back up my important files and sensitive data and protect my intellectual property… I don’t want to learn the hard way – instead I will let others’ mishaps teach me the road not to tread. 

 

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