When personal development company EkoYou did a spot of naval-gazing of its own it found itself asking Company-X to help in its own development.

The online global business, EkoYou.com, offers ways for people looking to change and grow as individuals and offers support for them to live the best lives they can.

“We offer many free resources and also a three-month membership-only program called Just Do You!” said Lisa Clausen, co-author of the Hamilton-based company’s Just Do You! membership program.

“We needed a website that could offer all the usual features you expect, plus support custom-made software.”

“Our paid-for program’s ultimate value for our members comes from using our software solutions. The main outcome of the program is achieved through a personalized action plan which members create for themselves using the web-based software, and through online exercises. We also needed a secure platform where members of the Just Do You! Program could congregate and share confidential information with our membership community, facilitated by us.”

Clausen and her partner Mike Overwater, co-founder of EkoYou, needed help reaching clients with EkoYou’s particular brand of personal development services around aspects of life, including giving, lifestyle, money, relationships, wellness, work and any other areas raised by the client.

Company-X had to be adaptable as the EkoYou program evolved, and therefore utilized an agile software development approach with the flexible team they assembled to manage the delivery.

“We started our journey with Company-X with chief technology officer Rob Scovell, with director David Hallett overseeing things, as we scoped the project into the future – to pretty much where we are now.”

The process took more than two years.

“The process was organic yet we were all clear on where we were heading,” Clausen said.

“Company-X specialists for particular pieces of work were brought in and out of the team, as and when required, along the way to meet needs. Rob is still across our project now and has stayed an integral part of the development and delivery process.”

The Company-X team are all highly-professional, very smart and very creative, Clausen said.

“We were able to work together to scope each piece of work to the desired outcome for that piece, with the big picture still in sight. Then the team would create the how-to, based on the best result for us”.

This meant integrating existing solutions already found in the market, where possible, and then adding other custom elements only if necessary.

“That was a great approach, rather than building everything from scratch,” Clausen said.

“The communication lines are always open between us and Company-X, and responses to questions always come quickly. Over the time we’ve worked together we’ve come to know each other well, and have become friends along the way. There’s still more we want to achieve and develop.”

So, would Clausen recommend the Company-X team?

“Absolutely,” she said.

EkoYou’s 5 Steps to Self-Care and Relaxation

Have you ever wondered how the entrepreneurial superstars of the world manage to fit everything in? People like Richard Branson, Ariana Huffington, Oprah? While there’s no written formula for it, these five steps will definitely help you to focus on your self-care and relaxation.

1. Find an activity that helps you relax – meditation, exercise, reading – anything, and schedule
regular time for it. Don’t skip it.

2. Prioritize your tasks. If you’ve only slept for five broken hours the previous night – the household chores can definitely wait. Get some sleep. Even a 20-minute nap can do wonders for you.

3. Unplug and disconnect. Spend some time away from technology, e.g. your cellphone, TV, computers, and engage in some playtime.

4. Always eat regularly. Often when we’re stressed or life is hectic, eating is one of the first things that falls out of routine. We skip breakfast, do late lunch, and takeaways for dinner. Starting your day with breakfast is just one simple way to ensure you are looking after yourself.

5. Use your support networks. If you’re overloaded, stressed, feeling like a sinking ship – connect with people. Whether it’s talking to family and friends, or chatting to EkoYou, sharing your thoughts and feelings can be an enormous weight lifted.