Glance

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the Product Owner and Director of the Stoke App.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Glance?

We required mobile app development services for the Stoke App, the Stoke App is a new members only travel app brought to the market by the Stoke Travel Co.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Glance has developed our mobile app and supporting admin panel. They took over from another technology company who were developing the app for us, but they did such a bad job that we completely started again, so  glance have been involved in the entire process from creative assesment through to development and they’ve built everything using native technologies for iOS and Android.

Our platform is an exclusive app for members only. Our members get benefits on every product they buy on the app. We have a curated travel inspiration section, user-generated maps, as well as an administration panel.

What is the team composition?

Currrenlty we have a dedicated team on the project including two Android developers, two iOS developers, a tester, a backend developer, a designer and a project manager. Additionally, we have a really close relationship   with Simon the owner.

How did you come to work with Glance?

I found them on Clutch and then did my own research into them. We specifically hired Glance because of their experience. Now, I'm really happy with them.

How much have you invested with them?

The project investment is upwards of €200,000 (approximately $214,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started the project in March 2022, and our collaboration is ongoing. We’ve finished phase one of the project which is in the app stores. Initially, we were considering continuing with phase two internally, but we were so happy with Glance’s work that we continued working with them.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

One of our main objectives was to convert at least 70% of our travel audience over to the app. Since working with Glance, we’ve consistently reached that goal.  Our beta test results came in late in 2022, and we had around an 80% conversion rate. Since then, we’ve been consistently hitting between 60%-90% client conversion rates.

How did Glance perform from a project management standpoint?

I’m very happy with Glance’s project management — they’ve performed very well. We have a daily stand-up meeting, and we work on a sprint cycle basis. Thus, I get a demo of what they’ve been working on every two weeks. So far, everything has gone well. Additionally, Herinder is very communicative and friendly, and their whole team is very approachable.

Obviously, not everything goes according to the deadlines when it comes to technology. Still, I don't believe that delays have anything to do with Glance’s lack of project management/development skills. Learnings along the way happen and can change the original plan that often for the better.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The thing I like about Glance the most is their transparency. I really enjoy working and communicating directly with Simon. Communicating with the CEO was something I wasn’t able to do with other development companies. Simon has a background in business, so he really understands the business model side of things, as well as our business needs. Without him, the project would be very different.

On top of that, Glance doesn’t only do what we tell them to do. Additionally, they constantly offer advice and explain their decisions, which I really appreciate because they’ve helped me build my technical knowledge of the product too.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing Glance could improve on.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Founder of a logistics company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Glance, and what were your goals?

We needed a tech based sales, booking and allocation system which automated connection of work to suppliers. We were told the actual tech was fairly simple and that they had built peer to peer systems before. Our goal was to build a working system to prove the concept and launch publicly before looking for further capital to further iterate and expand. They assured us a complete working system was easily achievable.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Upon reflection I have placed too much blame with Glance, perhaps unfairly. The developers they subcontracted are the ones who essentially derailed the project and I projected this entirely onto Glance - while of course it was their decision, and their responsibility to ensure the work was going as planned, I also believe that the devs were being obtuse and presenting work that appeared good on the surface but was actually badly built.

This was not apparent until later in the project, and as such have softened on my opinion on Glance, and amend my overall rating to a 3.

How did you come to work with Glance?

Recommendation from a mutual partner who had previously worked with them

How much have you invested with them?

Around £140,000 and a further 40k or so to get it completed.

What is the status of this engagement?

The new developer that Glance found before they left the project has now completed a functional MVP, although it cost a further £40,000 and took 9 months more.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

How did your relationship with the vendor evolve?

To reiterate, I always liked Simon personally and its worth repeating that he was very helpful before I was funded - in fact he assisted without payment for a good few months to help it happen.

How did Glance address the challenges that arose?

I think more transparency would have helped me make better informed decisions.

Describe the impact this engagement has had on your business.

It was fairly profound, we were meant to launch 2.5 years ago, Covid had some impact but the issues here really caused problems, and our first mover advantage in the market is now gone.

How was project management handled?

I think the 3rd party devs should have been handled better.

Is there anything that the vendor did well or that you would consider a strength?

Very helpful, creative solutions, with good eye for UX and design.

In what specific areas can they improve?

Have tighter reins on subcontractors.

What advice do you have for clients with similar needs to yours?

Have clearly defined KPIs or targets, which release payments when reached.

UPDATED REVIEW

This review was published on October 5, 2022.

Founder, Logistics Company

Logistics & Supply Chain

1-10 Employees

London, United Kingdom (9307)

$50,000 to $199,999

Nov 2019 - Ongoing

Project summary:

Glance was hired by a logistics company to develop a website and mobile app for sales, booking, and supplier management. After discussing the client's demands and needs, the team commenced with the development. 

Feedback summary:

Glance failed to deliver what the client asked — the team presented a nonfunctional MVP and only copied the company's previous website. They changed their staff a few times and showed no progress on the project. Their over-promised outputs and poor management style led to partnership termination.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Founder of a logistics company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Glance, and what were your goals?

We needed a tech based sales, booking and allocation system which automated connection of work to suppliers. We were told the actual tech was fairly simple and that they had built peer to peer systems before. Our goal was to build a working system to prove the concept and launch publicly before looking for further capital to further iterate and expand. They assured us a complete working system was easily achievable.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We went through many potential agencies, including one who created market leading software for a blue chip company. Prices were similar however Glance were highly responsive and helpful in the early days (pre funding) and the other company were not confident in their design abilities, where Glance absolutely were.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and technologies used.

This is where things went wrong. Key deliverable were not met, early designs were direct copies of another website, and the project was handed to a new member of staff who we had no history with. I considered pulling out at this point, and regret that I didn't - but we had already committed a few months and £35,000 to the project. The build was scheduled for 3-4 months, but after that time very little true progress seemed to have been made. I knew something was wrong but couldn't get honest answers - completion was always apparently a few weeks away.

In fairness it was during covid and there was a few major personal issues with the CEO but progress halted at every hurdle and took weeks to resolve. It became clear that they had outsourced to a team they didn't really know, who were not delivering. This dragged on for months, a deeply frustrating and worrying time. After 18 months I had to threaten legal recourse, at which point they closed the company. I have considered that it may have been an elaborate scam, but they had received money long before this so could have done it far sooner - the good faith interpretation is simply over promising and bad management.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Many different people during meetings, all of whom eventually left. It was down to the CEO and one project manager by the end.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

We never got a working product from Glance. They brought in another dev team to try to fix the mess made by the first team, and when Glance said they were going under I continued directly with the new developer. After another year, and a lot more money, we finally got a working product.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

They were highly communicative and helpful in the early stages. I liked Simon, and he was generous with his time and ideas. However, a cynic might say that this was the bait before the switch. We had regular updates and meetings but after around 6-8 months it was clear that they had overpromised and were possibly unable to fulfil. It became an extremely stressful and miserable time for me, and I wondered often if I would be forced to sell my house, return money back to investors and give up.

However they kept reassuring it was nearly done, made incremental additions to the build and were obviously still trying. But really, when they said it was 95% done all we got was a shell of a product which didn't work. Basically a non functional prototype. It was meant to be at least a working MVP. At this point Simon told me he could not continue with the project financially. He promised as much of his time and help we required to get it finished but that never materialised, he effectively walked away.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The early days were great, but everything went downhill once the first payment was made.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

The worst interpretation of events is that it was a scam but frankly even that could have been done much better and quicker if that was their intention. So I have to assume it was simply mismanagement, bravado, misplaced confidence and bad outsourcing choices. But there was also a lot of bluster and bluffing as time went on. It was obvious there were problems but honest answers had to be dragged out of them. I am still deeply upset about the way it happened but have little recourse except to write honest reviews to help others avoid the same issues.

RATINGS

Overall rating: 1

The one star is for the early enthusiasm and ideas which were promising. After that, it was all failure.

Quality: 0.5

They abandoned the unfinished product because they could not complete it.

Cost: 2.5

It was on par with other providers.

Schedule: 0.5

a 3-4 month project became 3 years.

Willing to refer: 0.5

Unfortunately I would actively discourage people from using Glance.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder of a social app that helps people find friends and events in their area. We’re located in London.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Glance?

We were looking for a development agency to partner with for the software engineering of our product. We needed them to build the initial version before we transitioned to an internal team.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Glance has developed a mobile app for us that’s available only on iOS. Initially, we gave them a document outlining our requirements and started working hand in hand from there. They’re working on a lot of custom components on the backend, which is built on Golang, AWS, and Firebase. They also handle the UI/UX design and use Figma to create designs.

What is the team composition?

At first, we worked directly with their project manager, but we ended up transitioning away from this setup. We now just have direct contact with their developers.

How much have you invested with them?

Once we complete the project, we would’ve probably spent about £60,000 (approximately $72,000 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in February 2022, and it’s still an ongoing collaboration.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

Glance has delivered a working MVP, and we’re about to launch the app soon. In terms of their general approach to the project, we’ve been extremely happy with their services — especially with the quality of the code and their outputs across all phases of the project.

How did Glance perform from a project management standpoint?

There’ve been some delays and other issues at times due to the lack of long-term planning and communication. Moreover, the cost, which is largely kept under control, could’ve been slightly better reported. Nevertheless, we’re still okay with how they’ve managed the project.

We communicate with them mainly through video calls and Slack. We use Jira as our project management tool. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team has been awesome to work with and are very good communicators — they really understand what we’re trying to do and know at what level our business is at.  Overall, we’re very happy we chose to work with them. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I would’ve preferred to spend more time on the design before jumping into the development. I was in such a rush to get a product out of the door, and it actually took us longer in the end because we had to go back and change things along the way.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure you're very clear on who is working on the project and exactly how much time they’ve allocated to you. This way, you will know if you need to extend the project or add more resources.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the project manager at Artbet.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Glance?
We hired them to develop our app.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?
Essentially, they’re building a gaming platform. It features quizzes, a news feed, a real-time leaderboard, and chat functionality. Their team is working on the front- and backend of the app as well as handling the UI/UX designs. The app is for Android and iOS.

What is the team composition?
I work with a technical director, project manager, six developers, UX designer, and other designers.  

How did you come to work with Glance?
I did some research on UK-based developers. Glance had great reviews and ratings. I needed a company that had experience and an understanding of developing games for mobile apps. Their team has done some games for previous clients, and I liked their work. Ultimately, we decided to sign with them because their technical director was tremendously knowledgeable about the world of apps in general. We were impressed with his attitude and ability to give us flexibility if we wanted to make some changes in the scope of work. 

How much have you invested with them?
We’ve invested around $150,000.

What is the status of this engagement?
Our ongoing engagement started in December 2020. We’re going to keep them on to manage the app.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 
We started from scratch with Glance, and one of our objectives was to get the design right. We needed certain functionalities that were quite complicated. Glance delivered on all the requirements in the scope of work. We’re happy with the goals we set out to achieve. Their team has done a great job of accomplishing all the requirements in a timely and transparent manner. They’ve been absolutely amazing.

How did Glance perform from a project management standpoint?
Communication has been great. We speak on a regular basis and have open conversations. They’re always open to feedback and are very agile. Their team is willing to change things very quickly if the direction changes.

What did you find most impressive about them?
They provide a lot of value. 

Are there any areas they could improve?
It would be nice to have more access to direct conversations with their resources.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Ask any questions you may have to their technical director. He will sit down and explain everything to you.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing director of Scape. We’re student living specialists.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Glance Creative Ltd.?

Glance Creative created our app called The Scape App. It’s a tool for our residents to enhance their stays and lives throughout university.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

The app is built for iOS and Android. We have a very diverse audience, so it was important for us that the app is usable for a wide range of users. We did analysis beforehand so that knew what we wanted. After that, we needed to select a provider that could bring such an ambitious project to life.

Glance Creative provided app development and now offers maintenance and will develop any subsequent versions. The app combines features that previously were siloed in our old system. Now, these functionalities work together.

What is the team composition?

I mainly work with Simon (CEO), a project manager, a project developer, and a couple of other members

How did you come to work with Glance Creative Ltd.?

We did an RFP process. We started with a long list of the 18 best app companies and narrowed it down five; Glance Creative was in the top two. They blew the competition out of the water because of how considerate, transparent, and thoughtful they were in the whole process. It was visible that they wanted what was best for our company instead of just trying to sell their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

The project started in October 2019 and is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The project was delivered on time. We needed to meet or beat the deadline for internal reasons, and Glance Creative made it happen. Everyone in our company, when they saw the new backend, remarked on how this was the simplest way to communicate something so complicated.

How did Glance Creative Ltd. perform from a project management standpoint?

Glance Creative really took our needs as a company into consideration. Because of that, we always felt like we were in great hands throughout the project. Their team was also able to foresee issues so they could bring it up well before it happened. 

We had weekly calls, live projects trackers, and daily interactions. We used Jira to track issues, Slack for other communication. Our project manager was spot-on with managing our expectations and setting a clear road map, so we always knew what was happened at every step. They were always on call, but if whatever reason, we wanted to go see something, it was all in line. They even managed their relationship with our creative agency in a fantastic way. All in all, the project went without a hiccup.

What did you find most impressive about them?

There were so many things that were impressive that it’s hard to pick out one! If I had to pick, though, I’d say it was their ability to go above and beyond for what they were scoped to do. The team gave incredible guidance at every step concerned things we hadn’t foreseen. It was the first app I’ve developed with an agency and it was by far the easiest and smoothest run I’ve done, despite being the most complicated project as well!

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything from Glance Creative’s side. On our side, if I knew beforehand how good their team was, I would have brought them in much earlier in the RFP process. 

Any advice for potential customers?

I highly recommend that future clients have a chat with them before launching an RFP. They had good ideas to help us develop our ideas and scope. I’d also say they should have a talk with Simon. He’s a great representation of the company and will really instill trust in you. Lastly, talk to their references! I’d be happy to chat about my experience to anyone.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a director of an IT company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Glance Creative Ltd?

We had an idea for a dating app, and we approached a few companies to help us with it.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They built the app from scratch, and they made suggestions on the design. They did research of the technologies we use within the app, and they made suggestions about which technologies were our best options. The finished product will be a cross-platform app for iOS and Android. I believe the work they're doing is native to each platform. They're also managing some paid and social media advertising for us ahead of launch.

What is the team composition?

We work directly with their owner, a main point of contact, a marketing lead, and one other team member.

How did you come to work with Glance Creative Ltd?

We met with several companies, but Glance had the best knowledge of the technologies we hoped to use. They had good ideas, and they stood out from the other agencies we considered.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent £140,000 (approximately $173,000 USD) on their work so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in March 2019, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

This is a new endeavor for us, but they helped us through the process. Their market research is strong, and the whole collaboration is pretty seamless. Anytime something needs to be changed, they keep everything up to date, and their documentation is very good. We're very happy with the app itself, and the results are better than we expected.

How did Glance Creative Ltd. perform from a project management standpoint?

They managed the project in sprints. We can see what's been done in the development process, and we meet with them once a month. All the changes are logged, and they send adjustments to billing if we amend anything. They used Jira to log the project and send demonstrations. We also use Google Drive for documents, and they send links to anything extra we need to know.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're very professional, and they deal well with everything. All their work is easy to access or view, and they supply us with all the information we need. They made the whole process simple.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can't think of anything they could improve or do differently.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I don't have any specific advice but to go with them. They made sure our whole project went well, and I'd recommend them highly to anyone who was considering them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the company director of Emoji Who Limited. We offer a messaging app. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Glance Creative Ltd.?

We hired Glance Creative to build the app. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Glance Creative is helping us ideate and develop a messaging app for iOS and Android. It started as a simple idea but quickly grew to a complicated concept. We wanted to avoid bullies and trolls taking advantage of the app, and so we drew upon Glance Creative’s expertise to create a solution. They came up with excellent ideas and delivered them to perfection.

What is the team composition?

We work with about five people: Simon (CEO, Glance Creative); Gaby (Project Manager, Glance Creative), a project manager; Ariana (UX Strategist, Glance Creative), who handles design; Tyrell (Junior Marketing Assistant, Glance Creative) who steps in when others are away; and Irena (Marketing Manager, Glance Creative), who’s involved in marketing but helps with brainstorming as well.

How did you come to work with Glance Creative Ltd.?

I searched online for companies based nearby in London—having face-to-face interaction during the project was important to us. After finding a few companies and setting up meetings, we instantly clicked with Glance Creative. We met with Simon and found him calm and knowledgeable. Their website impressed as well—they had worked with a lot of big companies. Their team was our first choice, hands down.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in late September or early October 2018, and the project is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

We’ve tested the app with about 18 people so far, and everyone has been nothing but complimentary, especially of the designs. Our team is also very happy with the app, and we’re pretty difficult to please. 

Glance Creative has taken over our marketing efforts, and we’re already taking notes on what we want in version two of the app. We’d definitely have their team update the app down the road. That’s how much we like them and trust them.

How did Glance Creative Ltd. perform from a project management standpoint?

The team has been very good. I especially appreciate their level of organization and structure. When we first discussed building the app with Simon, we had multiple meetings to go over what we wanted and what was required. Everything is done sequentially and explained to us very well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

What's amazed us has been working with Simon. The team is all excellent, but Simon especially stands out. He doesn't take no for an answer. When we have a difficult problem that we can't seem to solve, he finds a way around it. He's a calm, relaxed person who breaks down technical jargon into layperson’s terms that I can understand. I call him, “Simon the diamond.” He's a great guy to work with.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’m not a tech person, so I occasionally struggled to understand the concepts they were explaining to me. I think they dumbed it down as much as they could. I can’t think of anything they could have done better for us. If another company did what Glance Creative does for half the price, I still wouldn’t leave. I appreciate Glance Creative that much.

Any advice for potential customers?

Before you write off something as impossible, speak to Simon; he may well have the answer to your problem. He's always had for us. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the CEO of Select Developments, a real estate firm that develops a variety of properties influenced by the latest advancements in technology.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Glance Creative Ltd.?

I hired Glance Creative to develop a mobile application for iOS and Android with web admin panels. The app was for both current and new residents to use it as a tool for their daily routines while interacting with smart home devices.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted a functional product that met our requirements delivered in the most effective way possible.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

After searching extensively on Google and contacting other development agencies, I eventually came across Glance Creative. I was impressed with their portfolio and user-based approach to app development. That solidified my decision to collaborate with them.

Describe the project in detail.

I provided Glance Creative with my initial concept. With their expertise, they formulated the appropriate focus groups, determining my target audience. Then, they created wireframes and designs.

What was the team composition?

We worked with a project manager, UX strategist, UI designer, a tech lead, and a QA engineer. We also engaged with their marketing team and several frontend and backend developers.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The project was successfully implemented within the planned budget and timeframe. I was extremely satisfied with their level of professional services.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We communicated through Slack and partook in weekly calls. Sometimes those calls were skipped due to minor issues being resolved during Slack conversations. Communication flow seamlessly between their team and myself.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Glance Creative delivered what they promised. Their team is reliable and knowledgeable. Glance Creative exhibits years’ worth of technical expertise, bringing innovative and creative approaches to every solution. 

Are there any areas for improvement?

There are no areas of improvement. Their team allowed me to see the overall picture and provided the resources to ensure my app had a seamless development process.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the research director for PemTech, an energy medicine business.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Glance Creative?

We wanted an app that could exploit the electromagnetic energy of a smartphone to treat a range of conditions in the human body.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Glance built the native app from scratch. It’s fairly simple, using a start-stop-reset function to control a pulsed electromagnetic signal created by the phone’s normal hardware. They also designed the graphics and consumer interface.

We’ve launched the prototype to test its usability with the Google Play Store, and Glance is now engaged with the project’s second phase, improving graphics and UI. The app is only available for Android at this time, but we plan to build an iOS model in the future.

Free of charge, Glance has also offered guidance for commercialization of the app.

What is the team dynamic?

Simon [Lee, CEO, Glance Creative] was our initial contact. He introduced us to Gaby [Clebsch, Project Manager, Glance], who served as lead on the project, and Anthony [Cannon, Android Developer, Glance] worked on coding.

How did you come to work with Glance Creative?

I initially reached out to Simon, who I knew from a previous project, but my business partner wanted to hire a San Francisco-based development company, believing a Silicon Valley name would lend credibility to our project. I disagreed with this decision and was proven correct. The US company managed to overcomplicate what should have been a simple project, adding functions we never asked for, so we ended that relationship and went back to Glance.

How much have you invested with them?

About £5,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

I first contacted them in November 2016. After attempting to work with the San Francisco company, we started work with Glance in September 2017 and our relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The app works and performs exactly as we requested. They delivered the prototype on time, in full, and I'm delighted with the results.

How did Glance Creative perform from a project management standpoint?

They're a very personable team. We communicate primarily through instant messaging, which I prefer to the indirect back-and-forth quality of e-mail, and they’re always available through phone calls.

Gaby kept the project well-defined throughout, which we appreciated after our chaotic experience with the previous vendor. Glance kept it simple, creating a product that fit our specifications.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Glance has technical expertise, but they also know how to interact on a human level. They’re pleasant, responsive, and they treat clients with respect.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing comes to mind. We're midway through our project, and they have so far provided excellent service.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the CTO of Dotegy, a start-up designed at providing low-cost online brand protection services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what reason(s) did your company hire Glance Creative Ltd.?

We needed help to establish a mobile footprint. Essentially, we were looking at how to reinvent a "traditional" way of doing things with a fresh perspective.

What were your goals for this project?

Instead of providing a concrete solution or application, we were looking at conceptual designs of how to grow our mobile presence. The idea was to brainstorm now, and then further down the line create a complete platform (integrated web, mobile etc.).

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I'd previously worked with the Simon Lee [CEO, Glance Creative Ltd.] during my time with NetNames and had followed him and his company's work with Locassa and then through to Glance. So I was already familiar with the quality and integrity of the company and their work.

Describe the project in detail.

We used an agile process to review the project's output. We met every two weeks to discuss the latest iterations of designs, discuss new avenues, and then set-off on another two-week cycle. As mentioned, the project was primarily brainstorming in advance of launching a large development project because the online brand protection industry is very traditional in how they 'think' or how vendor 'believes they think'. The idea was to break the mold.

What was the team composition?

In the early stages of the creative brief, we worked directly with Simon and the designers. Then as we moved into an iterative cycle of work, review, re-work, we were assigned a project manager and had direct access to designers who were very responsive to the project's demands.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

I'm very satisfied with how the project went. We were working on a small budget, with tight timescales in a demanding sector, so the outcome was more about where we could pilot the project in the future. In terms of achievements, we met our goal of trying to shake up an established industry with some fresh ideas.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We've had a very effective workflow; the exchanges were very fluid, whether it was commercial, technical or UX/UI. The team at Glance are down to earth and able to articulate in a way which didn't require years of background in the tech industry.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their attitude was very impressive. You can choose an agency to create something for you and it will probably work but here everyone was striving to do something better than just "normal" or "good."  Exceptional was always their goal, and not being satisfied with ordinary was refreshing to work with.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Overall we had no complaints. We would like to have taken the project further but we had constraints that were completely on our side of the business.