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A GOLD COAST-based security company has launched a 'gopher' style business to handle tasks such as site inspections and sensitive document delivery for time-strapped clients.
It's the brainchild of Gold Coast Young Entrepreneur finalist Francis Populin (pictured), who founded security technology supplier C-Cure Systems in 1999.
The new business, JFP & Co, provides a wide range of commercial services out in the field for law firms, administrators, consultants, property managers and insurance brokers.
C-Cure Systems already counts Gold Coast Airport, Queensland Government and Ramsay Health Care among its clients, with the potential to extend its work with JFP & Co.
Populin says he came up with the concept while completing work for a law firm as a security consultant.
"I identified that a lot of the field work that law firms and professional services needed they couldn't access," Populin says.
"If they were stuck in the office but needed to meet a tradesman or see how a structure was made, it was very inconvenient for them to leave their workplace as it creates a lot of downtime to retrieve this information that isn't easily accessible.
"I discussed it with the team I was working for and asked if providing services in that manner was feasible. They said it has always been a problem for law firms and various professional industries."
Although complementary, Populin says managing the additional workload has its challenges.
"The nature of C-Cure Systems is very reactive, people aren't typically proactive," he says.
"It's extremely stressful and it's hard to tick all the boxes when people think it's a case of add water and their wishes appear.
"So trying to keep that running and manage staff while trying to promote and work on other things such as this is a real balancing act."
With businesses increasingly looking to outsource routine tasks, Populin foresees growth for JFP & Co in the future.
"I think it's a case of many business models are shifting to web-based, offshore or virtual platforms," he says.
"JFP & Co are able to provide services for sought-after, hands-on field work on an as-need basis designed specifically to streamline operations.
"I would like to extend the reach the new business has, particularly with more government departments, because I know they can be resource-poor."
The public sector will be a key focus for JFP & Co in the next 12 months, as well as building relationships with top-tier law firms across the Gold Coast and Brisbane.
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