Lyles Sutherland

Q: What's your name and position in the company?
A: My name is Brian Ramsay and I am Lyles Sutherland's Digital Marketing Analyst

Q: Describe your company in 5 words.
A: Collaborative, Personal, Open, Ambitious, Professional

Q: What's your business philosophy?
A: "It's a team effort". Whether you are the developer, the marketer or the designer. If you can offer something to another side of the project than you're used to then we encourage it. This ends up providing the clients with professional insight and services of more than just the few directly involved. Our staff get the chance to not only work on great projects but to develop their own personal skill-set. Working in different areas keeps things fresh and the team really get invested in the projects.

Q: Describe your office environment.
A: We work within the collaborative space within the Creative Exchange which allows us to network and collaborate with a range of unique professionals that you simply wouldn't find in a standard working environment. We have our own office space and access to the buildings range of facilities and meeting areas.

Q: Describe how your team interact and work together.
A: We very much focus on a team ethic of collaboration. We have deliberately put together a team with interweaving skills and talents and this allows us to assist each other in a range of different areas. More of a holistic approach to digital services and team-work, and it certainly works.

Q: What makes you different from other web design companies?
A: Our dedication to study and development within our team. We don't simply find a way to do something and stick to it, we develop it further. With a range of web and software developers within the team and other members with software skills we are in a great position to not only build great websites, but to build them uniquely with out own personal touches. This gives clients websites that go that little bit further. If a client want's something unique, we will find our own way of developing it.

Q: How do you get the majority of your business?
A: Through word of mouth. At present we don't directly advertise as the contacts we have made and the quality of our work has given us a strong foundation and steady stream of clients.

Q: Describe how you manage projects from the initial client contact to completion and handover.
A: At each step of the process a member of the team working on the project will liaise with the client.

Q: What do you think is the most crucial element of creating a good client relationship?
A: Listening. Until you can learn to really listen then you will find yourself time and time again back at the drawing board. There is a big difference between hearing and understanding what a client wants, and you really have to get to know them before you can dive into a design. Once you fully understand what a client needs out of a site then you can get started. It's often the case of going through what they think they want a few times before you can really understand and facilitate what they need.

Q: How do you manage demanding clients?
A: Of course there will be instances like this when a client is more demanding. The question is whether you have provided the client with everything they were offered. By maintaining a tight track record we can show a client the extent of the work we have done for them and this is often above and beyond the requirements. Of course we are happy to go above and beyond where we can but as any business understands there are limits to how far you can go. We focus on making sure we do what is required.

Q: If a client was trying to decide between a shortlist of web design companies, how would you recommend they go about selecting the right one for them?
A: I would feel that they always need to speak to someone directly within the company. A company can throw together a brochure or a quote fairly quickly but this will often just add up to a few impressive numbers or the cheapest price. You can't build your website based on past examples of work or the cheapest offer, you need to get to understand the company and what they can offer you. Why are their services right, what ideas can they bring to the table? A company that takes the time to discuss your plans with you is always going to provide a better outcome that a straight down the line sales pitch.

Q: Where do you see your company in 10 years time?
A: I have high hopes for Lyles Sutherland as this is one of the first companies that I've worked for that I felt had everything moving in the right direction together. From the skilled staff to the approach to client support and networking the company has a positive progressive approach. With that in mind, I can only say that I see the company growing and going from strength to strength. To what extent... I think my estimations might fall short.

Q: Where do you see the web design industry in the future?
A: Already the web is about a lot more than simple pages on a browser. There's the need for responsive and adaptive designs for tablets, mobiles and a host of other devices. The way we view and use information is changing dramatically and you only keep up by staying ahead. Applications and more concise software are going to fuel the web environment and the websites that contain them will have to be future-proofed to adapt to rapid visual and functional changes.

Q: What computers do you have use in your offices, PCs or Macs?
A: Both PC and Mac

Q: How was your company name chosen?
A: Lyles Sutherland comes from the names of the 2 founding members, Robin Lyles and Fraser Sutherland. They seem to be on a level with regards to their plans for the company so their names give both a professional and personal emphasis to the company.

Q: If you were to give your clients one tip on how to get the most from their website what would it be?
A: It will sound obvious, but they need to know exactly what they want out of the website. Not what functions it should have or what content and additional features. These can all be worked out down the line. The fact is that if a client can indicate to us that they want people to visit their website to do one specific thing; be it a sale, a sign up or a unique conversion, we have the team to facilitate this. Our designers, developers, UX and usability expert have the knowledge and expertise to give any exactly what they need.