Case Study: How MGISS benefited from being part of Peer Networks

Michael from MGISS shares his experience with delivery partner Pete Lawrence from AI-CM around what he has taken from Growth Platform’s Peer Networks programme and how MGISS  adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic. MGISS are a technology company who have been based in the Baltic Triangle area of Liverpool City Region for the last four years. The business leverage high accuracy satellite services to provide high-accuracy location intelligence solutions for utility and infrastructure businesses.

Michael Darracott, Managing Director, at MGISS explains how “during the pandemic MGISS had an increase in demand, because they were supporting critical infrastructure organisations. We found many businesses we work with hadn’t been able to stop and in fact they were more mandated to ensure they provided a continuity of supply, so as a supporting organisation we found our services even more critical during this time. This emphasised the importance of us really thinking about our purpose, how to build more capacity and be ready to build back a lot stronger.”

Michael shared what attracted him to join the Peer Networks programme and how it went:
“I had an opportunity and made an intention to start a business in 2011, with an aspiration to build a business from within my home city of Liverpool. The Peer Networks programme was an opportunity to start networking more locally. We are a very specialist organisation so don’t often get the chance to get business opportunities through local networks so, it was also about raising our profile. It also gave us an opportunity to give back, as businesses are at different stages of their journey. Business leaders have similar challenges just sometimes at different scales and at different times. So, if you have already been through a particular pain point or difficult part of a journey, then you find that your advice is well received.

I found the programme really exceeded expectations. The virtual nature was at a great level, so there was no difficulty in engaging in a conversation, everyone was on a level playing field. I think the balance between trying to make sure that everybody’s voice is heard and also then to ensure it is a great, safe, environment to have the discussions is something which is really commendable from the Peer Networks team. You don’t have to worry about what you say, as it is going to be taken within the context of being a peer to peer conversation. It was a great sounding board with lots of great advice that I personally have taken from the process and I would like to think that I have being able to offer a little bit at the same time.” Michael Darracott, Managing Director at MGISS.

You can hear Peter and Michael talk around the Peer Networks programme on the below video.