Each week we ask small businesses some key questions. Here we speak to Andrew Smith, co-founding director of Aberdeen Business Network
How and why did you start in business?
Business partner Mike Watson and I launched Aberdeen Business Network (ABN) in March 2008, and the next 12 years went by in a flash.
We wanted to provide unique, effective and value-for-money business development services and opportunities to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that weren’t available elsewhere.
We had a vague idea about being at the centre of a network where people and businesses or other organisations could work together and help each other.
But we had no idea what shape that would eventually take, and whether it would be offline or online or both.
How did you get to where you are today?
Our first full month of trading (to April 2008) after much research, preparation, nerves and excitement resulted in no clients or revenue, but we quickly got into our stride.
Clients and our ABN Community – the online membership now numbers nearly 7,000 businesses – gave us ideas and feedback on the services we should develop and deliver.
They’ve been incredibly loyal over the past 12 years, and I hope we’ve delivered what they were looking for.
In 2008 we launched our first service, Ambition, and in July 2009 our first networking event.
We now deliver six different business development services, including networking events, training, sales intelligence groups and one-to-one relationship-building to an ever-growing and diverse mix of businesses and organisations across the north-east.
Who helped you?
Family and friends have been great, despite me continuing to test their patience.
Also clients, online members and lots of other good contacts.
We have had excellent support from the Federation of Small Businesses, including vital information and networking opportunities, and other organisations and their teams – such as BNI Scotland North, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, and Business Network Scotland.
The other two people in our small team are terrific. They are online success manager Jessie Crawley and events assistant Jeanette Lowe, of Redballoon PA.
What has been your biggest mistake?
We all make mistakes every day but, fortunately, they are mainly small ones. The important bit is to learn from them.
What is your greatest achievement?
We have helped our clients, almost all local SMEs, to win more than £20 million in new business and that’s extremely satisfying.
Nothing happens without a sale. It’s great to be able to play a small part in that for so many businesses and organisations.
It was also very satisfying to finally shoot level par at Murcar Golf Links – well before lockdown. It’s a tough course.
If you were in power in government, what would you change?
I’d make it mandatory for everyone at Westminster to spend time with people who are very different to them to help their understanding.
The more diverse the make-up of people in government, the more they should be able to appreciate the issues and pressures faced by different parts of society.
What do you still hope to achieve?
I’ve always wanted ABN to connect with and help as many people and businesses/organisations as possible, while online I’d like ABN Community to reach 10,000 members.
I have a networking book that has been part-written for a long time which I absolutely have to stop updating. It’s time to finish it and get it out there to try to help more new and existing networkers.
What do you do to relax?
I like to read and there is even more opportunity to do that at the moment.
I also like playing golf – not too much of that just now – and watching good movies.
I work fairly long hours Monday to Friday, but when it’s time to stop working I cut it off completely with no calls, emails or social media.
What are you currently reading, listening to or glued to on the TV?
I’m finishing off reading Islamic Imperialism by Efraim Karsh, and then it’s on to Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA by Tim Weiner.
Recent TV has been Homeland, Mindhunter and Manifest. I miss live sport, especially golf and football, but both will be back.
What do you waste your money on?
German cars, golf balls and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
How would your friends describe you?
Positive, likes a laugh, and tall. I’m very fortunate to have some great friendships that go back decades.
What would your enemies say about you?
Enemies sounds a bit dramatic, but we can’t get on with everyone and that’s OK.
What do you drive and dream of driving?
Possibly a mid-life crisis but I have a Golf R, which I absolutely love.
My dream car is a Savage Rivale Roadyacht GTS.