Why did you make the shift into the Icehouse after having your own premises for a number of years?
We have a long relationship with the Icehouse. We used to be in our own offices upstairs, and by pure coincidence I ended up speaking on their Owner Manager Programme. We found there was a real synergy in what we were both doing and felt the relationship could be strengthened by cohabitating. They had room, we had desire for room and we felt it would create better opportunities for all.
I think ecosystems and collaboration are now key factors for success in business. There's a realisation that you don't have to do everything. Instead you need to figure out what your strengths are and work alongside other people to add to those. I see the Icehouse's key strength is its network, and a lot of the clients within the Icehouse network are target clients for us, so it made sense for us to be here.
In an environment like the Icehouse, there's an ability for someone to just walk up to your desk and say 'we've just been talking to so and so about such and such and we reckon you could be some help to them'. It's much easier than flicking an email, or text, or picking up the phone to arrange a coffee. People understand each other's strengths and a sense of collaboration can be fostered. It's like one plus one equals three.