Adam Joesbury
March 11, 2021
I’ve recently finished Matthew McConaughey’s autobiography, Greenlights. I confess, I’m an avid fan of the guy’s screen work. Dallas Buyers Club anybody? what a film! Yet, I’m always sceptical with autobiographies, regardless of author. Am I getting the whole story, warts n all, if you like?
Greenlights is a pretty balanced read/listen. He talks about a lot of the issues that affected him over the years, good and bad. His story’s set against the context of world growth and massive social change in recent years. It runs right up to #metoo, BLM & COVID 19, so it’s current. It resonates. Through his life journey, McConaughey describes all the positives that headed his way. He was getting a go sign, a reason to carry on, a Greenlight!
So, whilst I see and hear from all sorts of folk wanting to consign 2020 to the bin, calling it a lost year or a year to forget. I’d like to talk about the key things that happened at Arcus through 2020. Why we grew as a business, what 2020 events were our “Greenlights”.
2020 began with us winning two massive contracts with great new customers. We held post sale wash ups with our new customers. Our ability to deliver solutions that drive transformation was a common win theme. With them we’ve laid the foundations for a better way of working. More efficient, effective and customer centric. Greenlight!
From March 2020 we’ve taken lockdowns in our stride. We moved to remote working overnight, no fuss or drama. We’re a “born in the cloud” company. So perhaps, easier for us to react. We know many traditional place or presence based organisations have struggled. We focussed on core tasks, ensuring we continued to deliver to our customers. We were, and remain excellent at working remotely. The customer feedback agrees. Greenlight!
Expansion into other markets with the tools we have is a natural way for us to grow our business. The capabilities built for local government apply to Central Government too. Don’t shoot me licensing officers. But, there are some fundamental building blocks to all licensing processes.The Home Office’s Gang Master and Labour Abuse Authority agree. They took a look at our core product for their licensing needs. They then worked with us to put in place a new solution. The new Licensing application gives them exactly what they needed and wanted. New customer, new market, same core solution. Greenlight!
Early in 2020 a company approached us about selling our Amazon Web Services division. We discussed it, considered the benefits and agreed to proceed. We went through a lengthy procurement process two times.The first buyer pulled out due to the effect of COVID 19 on their business. We started again, searching for the right kind of buyer. We found one with whom we’ve constructed a deal that gives us twice the value of deal no 1. All the proceeds are going back into growing our software business. Supporting our customers, helping them to help their customers. Greenlight!
Growing a team and changing the dynamic of an organisation are perilous tasks. You have to get it right. For us, culture is everything. Hiring people who, to quote Simon Sinek, ‘believe what we believe’ is a challenge. But, we’ve managed to do so. Capturing the hearts & minds of some great leaders. They are commited to our cause. They have assimilated into Arcus life. Delivering benefits to colleagues and customers alike. Greenlight!
So, 2020 was a growth year for Arcus. We augmented capacity. We ehanced capability. We evolved processes.We executed. Greenlight!
In 2021 we will continue to build on our 2020 sucesses, moving Arcus forward. We’ll focus in on maturing our existing offerings. We’ll build new Salesforce based solutions. They’ll deliver great outcomes for Local and Central Government.
We’ll continue to make some mistakes. The only way to avoid making mistakes is to forget about innovation or stop taking risks That we won’t do. We continue to work with forward thinking dynamic, customers and prospects. Supporting change. Underpinning evolution. Working in partnership to be better. In that regard we’ll be on the same page.
For our Local Government customers reorganisations looms large on the horizon. This presents a great opportunity to talk about what are going to be your Greenlights in 2021.
I’m looking forward to productive Zoom,Teams, Googlemeets with you.. Or, heavens forbid, a face to face meeting. Coffee & biscuits mandatory, regardless of channel.
Wishing you & your teams many a Greenlight in 2021 and beyond.
About Arcus Global
Arcus Global, formed in 2009 and based in Cambridge UK, is a market leading GovTech cloud company, delivering mission critical technology solutions that enable public sector organisations to transform their service delivery.
Arcus has developed a platform-based suite of Applications for Local and Central Government. Addressing the challenges inCitizen Digital interaction, Citizen relationship management and through specific platform based case management solutions for Planning, Building Control, Licensing and Environmental Health etc.
Arcus has grown to over 30 customers including Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, The London Borough of Islington, Wiltshire County Council, Department for Culture Media & Sport and the Home Office.
Contact
Charlotte Fionda, Marketing Manager at Arcus Global
