We live in interesting times! On the one hand, over the past decade, we have seen the rise of a "green" approach to life, while in the past few months alone, the rampant consumerism that flourished alongside it (and to which "green" was a reaction) has suddenly foundered, as the global economic system hits the rocks. "Sustainability" has become a buzzword - in business, no less than in other areas of life. But, when survival becomes every business's most pressing issue, what does "sustainable business" really mean?
SEA-Tech is a community of Marine IT experts and enthusiasts - we're certainly not global economists. But we like to think that the SEA-Tech approach to business delivers sustainability.
Our approach focuses on nurturing customers - helping them to use IT to power ocean going projects, appropriately and cost-effectively; recommending solutions that will work for them in the long-term instead of just selling a ready-packed-solution that only solves today's problem; and becoming their trusted adviser, not just a supplier. Quick fixes only work in emergencies, when the show must be kept on the road - but the our approach is to assess and anticipate, thus preventing problems before they occur and allowing customers to grow their businesses without constantly replacing their ICT infrastructure.
We share the knowledge too, daring? Maybe, but our course reflect leadership, the fact we pioneered marine ICT at a time computers were mostly office fournitures... The SEA-Tech approach is based on fair trade - making sure that the price we charge reflects the value we have delivered to our customer, and that the customer is happy with the work we have done, it goes the same with the brands we represent.
And, for us, sustainability is about being here in the long-term - investing in ourselves as a business and as individuals, so that we can continue to serve our customers into the future.
Radical? We don't think so. Unusual? Perhaps - but it's what makes us different - and what brings our existing customers back to us again and again, and encourages them to recommend us to their colleagues and customers. We look forward to welcoming you as a customer in the not-too-distant future!
Arnaud Disant & Brian O'Kane
This article was first published on our website on October 21st, 2008
