Can ICT be more social? As far as we're concerned, yes!

Let's start at the beginning: the definition. Being social means understanding and sensing how people should interact. That means taking others into account by showing empathy and having respect for one another. But it also means doing just a little bit more than is expected of you. How do you do that in a world often centered on automated processes and systems, and the seemingly ever-decreasing role of people? We would be happy to explain.

Social from the start

When Socia saw the light of day in 2003, we started out as a group of friends, and fortunately, we still are. It was a time when the internet and social media were still in their infancy, and we engaged in cold calling, often over the phone. Back then, that quickly meant answering the phone, providing a quote the same day, and tightly managing delivery times. We believed even then that the difference lies in the people who serve other people quickly. Anyone can deliver products.

Doing more at customer request

Over the years, the customer base grew. We were asked not only to deliver, but also to unpack hardware and, for example, ensure that the correct images were pre-installed. Customer requests to do more allowed us to grow from a product-selling party into the ICT service provider we are today. But we like to do things just a little differently than others.

What does 'more social' mean?

Computers are smart things, but we love human thinking, acting, and taking responsibility. That is where we hope to make a difference. We are therefore social in the following ways, among others:

• A single point of contact for every customer. This means there is no such thing as being passed from pillar to post with us; we guarantee the shortest possible line of communication for customers, and we truly know each other.
• The solution the customer wants is our starting point, not the choice of supplier. This means that our account managers look for the best solution to fit every ICT challenge. Even if we had more suppliers or manufacturers than customers, we would still choose this approach.
• Think logically. If a hard drive has crashed or a director cannot continue working because his smartphone is lost, we jump in the car and don't send an automated message saying that we have received the complaint in good order.

Inspiring each other is also social

We don't need to explain to anyone that the world in which we work, collaborate, and inform each other has changed drastically. However, there is much to report. That is why we have decided to update you every two weeks with inspiring topics that can also help move your business forward. After all, no company can do without ICT anymore. Furthermore, staying current and keeping up (technologically) is a challenge we are happy to help with.

Gaston Ludding, Director Socia BV