The past year certainly has been 'interesting'. Whilst many of our larger competitors have suffered ... E-creation has grown both in terms of staff and turnover. Being a smaller specialised agency, our growth is intrinsically easier, but have no doubt - we are achieving something special at E-creation. This was recognised earlier this year when E-creation won the Thames Valley Business of the Year award. By beating over 3,500 other companies in the Thames Valley, E-creation has shown itself to be a leader in business performance. E-creation's performance was reflected in Design Week's Top 100 Digital Design Agencies chart, where E-creation entered into the UK's top 100. There should be no doubt that the future of the Internet industry lies in the hands of smaller agencies and this is key to E-creation's growth strategy for 2001/2002. E-creation is a 100% self-funded venture. E-creation's performance has won it awards and at the core of it's performance is a true love of what can be achieved by combining creativity with technology. 2001 2001 was a successfull year for E-creation, winning the Thames Valley Business of the Year award, entering into Design Week's list of the UK's top 100 digital design agencies, and moving into new, larger, offices. 2000 In 2000 E-creation grew by 400% in the first half of the year. Other year highlights include winning the Thames Valley Business of the Month award, and being nominated for the Business of the Year award. Design Week ranked E-creation as number four in its list of the UK fastest growing design companies. 1999 Lighthouse Multimedia is re-branded 'E-creation' and becomes a full-time venture for Jan-Erik. E-creation re-focuses it skills on Internet and Intranet development and takes on is first employee. 1998 E-creation is founded by Jan-Erik Paul as a part-time venture under the name 'Lighthouse Multimedia Limited', focus is primarily on CD-ROM and touchscreen development. The number of employees has remained relatively level, with 6 full-time employees and 3 ‘perma-lance’ employees. The skill base is still 60% developer, 20% design and 20% senior management. Existing in-house skills now cover SQL, ASP, Flash, Photoshop and resources will be directed at developing skills in Director as over 50% of turnover is derived from Director projects. E-creation will be continuing to expand using ‘perma-lance’ resources, due to the tax efficiency, reduced running costs and level of performance currently achieved through ‘perma-lance’ resourcing. In-house design skills have been reduced, with the elimination of in-house print design capabilities and a stronger focus on capabilities in digital design. Although creative and design work will continue to be developed at E-creation, partnerships with design companies will be playing an increasing role in the creative process.