Ilona Filipi is the CEO of Moove a WordPress Development Agency in London. Ilona is a thought leader, influencer, visionary, and successful entrepreneur. Ilona provides the leadership and energy that has inspired the creation of Moove. Ilona Filipi joins other leading CEOs and Founders taking part in our Leader Roundtable Interview Series. The DotCom Magazine editorial team has recently awarded Moove with our Impact Company of 2019 award. We are delighted to have Ilona join us for our Leader Roundtable Interview.
Ilona, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy day for this interview about your company, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
1. Ilona, please tell us about Moove.
Moove Agency is one of the leading WordPress Agencies in the UK.
We work with mainly Corporate Marketing Teams who require a fast, pro-active support that they can rely on through our WordPress Support Services.
We build high performing websites and over the years we’ve worked with global brands such as Sony, Lexus and Toyota as well as Enterprise companies. Our clients usually have diverse and bespoke requirements so we design and build everything from large multi-lingual sites, to complex booking systems and eCommerce websites.
2. How did you come up with the idea for Moove?
I studied both Computer Engineering and Multimedia and when I graduated I started out as a Freelance Web Designer. As I became busier and busier it became clear that I needed an extra pair of hands to help! So I started Moove Agency in 2010 and recruited more people to help with the work. Nine years on, we work with some of the world’s largest brands and companies and help them to execute their digital strategy – the website is often a key part of our client’s marketing mix and they are usually driving millions in revenue from the sites.
3. What is the key to your company’s success?
The main pillars of our delivery are speed and quality. We have a very senior experienced team so our clients benefit from working directly with very skilled people. We really focus on providing excellent customer service, working fast so that we can get things done for our clients – they always comment positively on the speed at which we work and we know it makes a real difference to their business.
4. Many of our readers are just starting to build a company. What advice can you give entrepreneurs just starting out with a new venture?
I think that a good place to start is to focus on your potential clients pain points and what problems you can solve for them. Learn what is most important to them, how you can be of service and how you can add value to their business. From there, you can build out your product or service to meet those needs – rather than coming up with the product or service first and then having to find ways to make it resonate with your key audience.
5. For other entrepreneurs seeking to build a business as successful as yours, what advice can you give them when times get a little challenging?
There will be challenging times and those are the times that you often take the greatest lessons from; we all need some friction to grow and move forward. If you embrace those challenges with a learning mind-set and think how can I improve from this then that will stand you in good stead!
6. How do you make sure your customers will become raving fans of your company?
We’ve been in business for 9 years and I’m proud to say that many of our clients have been with us for most of the journey. As well as our customer service focus, we have embraced new approaches and technologies, ensuring that we don’t stagnate which is very important in all businesses but particularly in tech. Our clients have in turn benefitted from this and they appreciate that we focus relentlessly on providing them with outstanding support.
7. In today’s fast changing business environment, how do you stay abreast of things?
I read industry news, attend and speak at conferences and through this I’m exposed to new ideas and emerging trends. Whilst now and then there truly are game-changing developments and improvements in our industry, overall I try to strike the balance of being aware but still keeping my focus on our core business and how we can keep on improving to the benefit of our clients – rather than getting distracted and chasing down every new idea and development.
8. What is your “Why”? Why do you get up in the morning, and how do you keep yourself at peak performance to lead Moove?
I enjoy the freedom that comes with running my own business – I can have an idea and execute it in one day. I work with a really great team who understand our core pillars of fast, high-quality delivery so it’s a pleasure to work with professional, high-performing people. I love to travel so I make space and time to take breaks and recharge – I think that’s important over the long-term in business and a good way to take care of yourself.
9. Can you recommend a book that has had an influence in your career? How did it influence you?
I would recommend a couple of the usual suspects that are often cited as great business books: ‘Good to Great’ – Jim Collins and ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ – Stephen R Covey. I read both of these books early on in my career and I think they have really sound principles for people who want to build and sustain a successful business.
10. What makes a great leader?
I think it’s the responsibility of a leader to provide clarity and I respect people who walk the talk and who consistently deliver. The ability to get ‘the right people on the bus and in the right seats’ as Jim Collins would say is a huge part of being a leader. Training and coaching your team and then giving them space to create their best work is also important.
Ilona Filipi, thank you so much for participating in the DotCom Magazine Leader Roundtable Interview Series. We very much appreciate the time you spent helping our readers learn more about what it takes to build a great company and become a great leader. We wish you, your family, and of course Moove, nothing but the best.
Thanks again!
