Running to success in IT Recruitment

Alatron, IT recruitment company, run by ethnic minority female, celebrates first anniversary of trading.

British athlete Denise Lewis -- successful, ambitious, and well-prepared. Sorry, that Denise Lewis was not interviewed but her namesake who runs Alatron, an IT recruitment company based in Londons Square Mile, who wholeheartedly embodies those qualities that has seen her celebrate Alatrons first year of trading.

As a result of a first years hard work, Denise --and Alatron -- has tasted early commercial success with O2, Thales Antennas and Nestle, all in the UK. Denise and Alatron celebrated that first birthday milestone -- important for any business - by recently acquiring approved supplier status with Berkshire-based company, Rockwell Collins, international company Doubleclick, and Smiths Industries, based in Cheltenham.

But like all good stories, lets start at the beginning. Inspired by working with great people and driven by a need for autonomy in all aspects of her life, Denise left a 16-year long, successful IT recruitment career in the City to run her own show, Alatron, just over a year ago, specialising in delivering high-quality IT Professionals to public and private sectors across the European Union.

Before launching Alatron in April 2002, Denise spent four months doing intensive market research. Her research comprised identifying target market and audiences, creating a database management recording system, and checking out the competition.

Amongst extensive research, Denise -- encouraged and supported by friends and family -- sought further business advice. She said: I contacted several enterprise agencies who were key in assisting with my business plan which was invaluable."

For Denise, using her business plan is integral to Alatron and she uses the document, regularly updated, as a road-map of her future destination, keeping her and Alatron on track.

Going self-employed or creating a business is one of the biggest challenges anyone can take, but it also takes money and determination. Using personal savings to fund Alatron, Denise stopped working full time in December 2001. To achieve success, Denise often puts in lengthy hours -- a common experience with many entrepreneurs.

Denise feels it is important that people should have the confidence to follow their dreams. She said: You can achieve anything you want to and having your own business is a good way of achieving your ambitions."

For the immediate future, Denises vision is to employ three consultants to enable Alatron to grow larger and be profitable. Any advice for would-be entrepreneurs? Denise said: You need persistence, motivation, self-belief, positivity, hard work and a good support network." Just the recipe the other Denise Lewis must have followed for a successful athletic career.