Launch pad for Zero-21

The power of the Cambridge Women network has helped Communication consultancy Zero-21 launch itself in the city with a bright new face.

Zero-21 Communication's Director, Lynn Fraser said: “I've been in business for some years, working mainly in London, but felt that the time was right to launch here in Cambridge. I've been working with a local law firm and a training consultancy. The businesses are thriving and the people high calibre and great to work with. I thought, why am I travelling into the City so often when there are great opportunities and people right on my doorstep?”

The first steps Lynn decided to take were to get more involved in the local business community and to put her marketing house in order. Luckily the one turned out to help the other when she joined Cambridge Women and met local graphic designer, Tami Brown and Jane Horwood of Catfish Web Design.

Lynn said, “As a copywriter and being involved in marketing, I knew what I wanted the words to say but I also knew how important it was to get the visuals right and to have a professional website that works. I met Jane at a networking lunch and she introduced me to Tami. It was great working with other small businesses because they understood both what I was trying to achieve and my practical constraints. I think this project has proved my point that you don't need to go to London or to the big firms to find skilled and professional people to work with.”

The Zero-21 website (www.zero-21.com) went live during the first week of February to coincide with one of Cambridge Women's monthly networking lunches. It doesn't just provide information about the company's business services but also useful articles, tools and checklists to help people improve their communication. Lynn said: “I am in business to help people use communication to achieve the results they want – selling more, raising more money, changing staff behaviours… I wanted my website to provide content that would start helping clients and potential clients straightaway.”

Jane Horwood said: “I've already suggested to people I know that they should read Lynn 's article on ‘Less is more'. Being able to articulate exactly what your business has to offer in a few well-chosen words is vital for an effective website.”

Lynn is now looking forward to helping other local businesses to find the words and create the tools they need to make the most of the opportunities out there – and to travelling to more meetings by bus rather than by train.

Read Less is More and other useful stuff by Lynn at www.zero-21.com/resources.htm