Welcome to Year 4: Celebrating 15 Years of ITMAGINATION.

In 2011, ITMAGINATION ’s team got to work with a multinational construction and development company. We moved our office to Chmielna Street in Warsaw, upgraded from two rooms to three. But the successes did not happen on their own. Read more to learn from our experience, and don’t forget to check the previous articles out.

Lessons from Year Four

Our #business started to be more and more international. We worked with clients from France, Germany, Luxembourg, and our home country, Poland. This was the beginning of our international recognition, with clients reaching out to us directly, realizing the value of our services.

1. Everything is Negotiable

Negotiation is just a clear communication with one purpose – finding the middle ground, a situation where both sides are happy with the result. From contract terms to project deadlines – being open and regular with updates goes a long way.

2.?????????????Invest in your business

Building strong relationships with clients requires time, effort, and a willingness to go the extra mile. As a business owner, I have strived to put my client's needs first, even if that means spending long hours meeting and negotiating with them. While some of these meetings ended up with me accumulating parking tickets, I viewed those costs as necessary investments in my clients and my business. As an entrepreneur, I must think strategically about where to best allocate my resources for maximum growth. Though small expenses like parking fines cut into my profit margins, the business I gain from maintaining excellent client partnerships more than makes up for it. Any costs that foster goodwill, trust and long-term client loyalty are investments worth making.?

3.?????????????Great Services Mean More Clients

We noticed that once a project was completed, clients usually got in touch if they needed something else developed. That’s how we learned about an upsell. Clients that already trust you will be more likely to agree to additional services that will make their operations easier. And upsells? They will help your company grow faster.?

Think of it this way: When our solutions enabled people at client companies to achieve success in their projects, get promoted, and implement new innovations, it opened the door for more partnerships and opportunities for our business to expand alongside their progress.?Supporting clients to reach their full potential spins off benefits that feedback into our own company's advancement. As our clients thrive and achieve more, it creates a rising tide that lifts all boats. Our company's growth is inextricably linked to our client's success - as they expand, and develop breakthrough solutions, it creates opportunities for us to grow and prosper alongside them.

4.?????????????True Leadership Fuels Company Development

Our biggest client to the day wasn’t just that. We got to know the people at the top, who were truly passionate about developing and growing the company. Not only that, but they were also genuine leaders who cared about the people they worked with, which left a lasting impression on the whole ITMAGINATION team.

5.?????????????Working Towards Goals Tops Comfort

This, of course, is my opinion, but I remember the time when I worked on the code in my client’s lobby, sitting on the sofa and a laptop on my lap. I didn’t need the adjustable desk, an expensive office chair or an Instagrammable background. Delivering the project was, and still is to this day, the goal.

So stop the excuses in your head – and ‘just f*cking do it’!?

6.?????????????Deliver High Standards and Great Value for Money

In 2011, we also worked with a biotech company, developing Profit and Loss reporting, and implementing financial and laboratory analysis solutions. One of the things most clients mention in their feedback is that we always deliver projects at the highest standard, but also the pricing is reasonable.?

Before sending an offer to the client, consider the best value for money in terms of your services. And once you decide – be confident and show them your worth.

As we continue with this series, you will get more first-hand knowledge and experience from ITMAGINATION ’s journey. Remember, everything is negotiable, upselling is a natural progression, passionate #leadership matters, goals require #determination, and delivering high standards creates lasting value.

Stay tuned for my next article covering our expansion and lessons from 2012. Let's make the most out of our experiences and leave a legacy for the next generation of business leaders.