Diamond Networks filling connectivity gap
Staying ahead is crucial for any business and Diamond Networks CEO Christopher Williams is pushing onwards, offering a reliable, stable and premium solution for internet connectivity.
Please share some background on yourself and how the business was started.
I have been in IT for 14 years and worked at many national and local businesses throughout this time, until I eventually decided to venture off and start Diamond Networks.
The business was always meant to be solution-based, and that is how it was birthed.
We looked at internet connectivity and realised there was a gap in the market for a reliable, stable and a premiumtype solution that didn’t exist in certain areas, or was not available as an alternate option.
What is your core service?
We offer internet connectivity for businesses, and professional IT services.
What makes your business unique?
Internet connectivity is not unique, but what sets us apart is the way in which we deliver that connectivity to our clients.
We have chosen to build our network infrastructure with a world-renowned brand that has proven to be reliable and stable in the toughest conditions.
If someone wanted to copy your business model, how would they start?
It’s always important to find a solution to a problem, and then run with that.
What are some of the biggest
inhibitors your business faced before getting off the ground? Being the new guy on the block is tough. Building trust in your brand is important and vital, and that takes time.
Do you have any tips for budding entrepreneurs or new business owners?
Never forget about relationships when doing business.
Always be hungry to learn more, and surround yourself with other entrepreneurs who are ahead of you.
Mentors are so valuable. Having one doesn’t show weakness, it shows that you recognise you still have stuff to learn and experience.
What are some of your biggest challenges in day-to-day business operations and your particular industry?
That there are so many companies selling something similar.
What is the best advice anyone gave you on success?
Stay in a humble space.
How do you measure or define success in your business?
As this is a service-related industry, I always say we should be calling our clients to check up on them.
So I measure the success of what we are doing by knowing that our clients are almost never having any issues with their services through us.
What are some of the best practices that have made your business successful?
Partnering with the right people such as suppliers and businesses who fit alongside the vision of Diamond Networks.
Also staying focused on what we had planned to do and not giving up on that.
What kind of advertising do you do?
Social media and online advertising mostly.
What is your company’s vision?
To expand on the existing telecommunication infrastructure and bring premium connectivity and services to various parts of SA. What is your target market? Businesses, whether it be small, medium or large. What have some of your highlights been in running your business? The highlights have definitely been that a few global partners have come on-board to enable Diamond Networks to achieve what it has set out to offer.
How important are social media and an online presence for your business?
They are very important. Being in the technology industry you must have an online presence. How many people do you employ?
Five people at present.
Do you have any plans for expanding the business, and how would you go about this?
When the business initially started we formed somewhat of an alliance with a good friend of mine in Johannesburg, called Evolution Networks.
And the goal with this was always to have a national footprint by leveraging off one another.
So far we have Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape areas covered. We are working on getting the Western Cape on that list as well.
How did you acquire funding for the business?
Through an investor.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from your business journey so far?
Staying ahead of things is so important. Don’t let anything slip behind, don’t drop the ball, make sure you’re thinking five steps ahead, always.
What have been the greatest challenges and advantages of running your business in a city like Gqeberha?
Once again, a challenge will always be being the new child on the block.
Advantages I would say is that there was a gap in the market, and that’s why we went for it, with a lot of plans still in the works.
What do you believe are the three key traits of a successful entrepreneur?
Be teachable, work harder than any of your staff and always think ahead.
What do you believe are the key traits of a successful employer?
An employer who is relevant, understanding people and their personalities, while also being willing to change as times change.
What do you wish people knew about your industry?
If you unplug the power and plug it back in your problem will be solved. Just kidding.
I wish people took the time to actually try to understand what the internet is, where it comes from, how it all works. It makes for really interesting conversation.
It’s been a part of our lives for many years, people just expect it to work and to be there, but not many know how it all comes together.
Always be hungry to learn more, and surround yourself with other entrepreneurs who are ahead of you.