It occurred to me the other day that although I have been blogging for Fire Protection Online for quite a long time, I haven’t really though about where the company came from, and what its mission statement is. So, I thought I have a little look into this for you.

So, FPO is run by Jon Butt. He is the managing director and started the company up in 2007. However, he started working in the fire protection industry way back in 1983. He worked as a service engineer, which involved a lot of sales work. At that time, it was common practice for service engineers to recommend that customers upgrade their current equipment with high-priced replacements. Customers would often do this, without checking the prices anywhere else, and often with their being no problem with the existing equipment – bad times!

This practice didn’t sit well with Jon, and with the rise of companies such as Amazon.com, the world was becoming aware that you could get things much cheaper and more easily online. People have realised that you can do almost anything online now. You can order your weekly shopping, buy your clothes, do your banking – all from the convenience of your own home, and often for a smaller price than you would have done previously.

With this in mind, Jon came up with the idea of a purely online fire protection company. He had previously built up and sold a company called Triangkle Fire Protection, so had experience in running a fire protection company. So, he set up FPO in 2007, more as an experimental online store than anything else.

The company was very successful, and met with a massive customer need. At the beginning, Jon actually labelled and sent out the boxes himself, but as the company grew, staff were hired, and FPO are now in their third warehouse, which was purpose-built for them.

Customer service is the important thing for FPO, and this can be unusual for an online company. However, this is very high up on the priority list, and I think the popularity and success of the company shows that this is obviously working well!

So there you are, that’s where FPO came from, and seem to be going from strength to strength. Hopefully you’ll agree that the customer service and low prices are a winning combination – happy shopping!

Do you have a shiny, beautiful iPhone? Are you app-crazy? And are you also a fan of Fire Protection Online? Well, if the answer to these questions is ‘yes’, then I have a treat for you!

FPO has now got it’s very own fire extinguisher guide app! This natty little app helps you to identify which fire extinguishers to use in which situations, and also where the best place is to position them. What more could you want??!!

Best of all, this app if completely free, and you can easily download it from the iTunes App Store. All you need to do is to search for ‘Fire Extinguishers’, and then click to download it. You can easily identify it by the red icon. Tip top.

Now, they say that a picture speaks a thousand words, so therefore a video must speak even more. So, I shall now let the technology do the talking, and give you links to a couple of videos which show the app in action. Don’t delay – download it now!!

Video One

Video Two

We are famous! Fire Protection Online has been featured in a national newspaper supplement!!

The Telegraph’s Travel supplement did a feature on must-have items that people take with them when they go travelling, and one lady chose an FPO product – hurrah! Susan Irvine from Scotland said that her must-have item was the FlareSafe travel smoke alarm torch.

The natty little item is multi-functional. It is an LED torch – so good for those late night treks back from town. It also features an SOS attack alarm in case of any trouble – you’ll be able to fend off your attacker using the power of 110dB. Most importantly though, it is also an optical smoke detector, so you can sleep easy anywhere in the world.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Ms Irvine says that she always takes a travelling smoke alarm with her when she goes away, as she was once caught up in a hotel fire at a big international chain hotel, and yet the fire alarms did not go off. This device will give you some piece of mind, and according to Ms Irvine, the FlareSafe is the best of its kind.

So, there you have it. FPO has had five minutes of fame in the national press, and thanks to that one piece of writing, we have taken over £700 worth of orders for this item! Informative and lucrative – that’s the kind of press we like!

Here’s your chance to find out a bit more about the FPO staff – this month it’s Debbie!

What is your job at FPO?

I am the Company’s bookkeeper.

How did you get involved with FPO?

I run my own bookkeeping company and Jon asked me to work for him way back in the early days of 2007 when the Company first started.

What is your favourite part of your job?

Being able to get everything to balance – then that’s the same for everyone who works in accounts!

What is your least favourite part of your job?

Sounds cheesy but I don’t have a least favourite – I enjoy it all!

Talk me through a typical day

Well I work in the office on Fridays only but I do the majority of my work for the Company from home.  No days are really the same but Fridays usually see me at my desk just before 0800.  I then proceed to make supplier payments/input invoices/deal with any manual refunds to customers accept cheques for paying-in and deal with any accounts-based queries and once a month deal with the payroll.  From home I deal with all the nitty gritty bank reconcilations!

What do you get up to when you’re not taking over the world one extinguisher at a time?

I love walking, photography, antiques and collectibles, painting and sewing.

I hear that you are a knitting goddess – tell me all about that!

I wouldn’t say a ‘knitting goddess’ – just about able to read a pattern and make something to wear now and again! I love making smaller things like gloves and scarves, tea cosies and stuff like that!

Do you like olives?

Yes I love them – especially the ones stuffed with pimentos!

Thank you Debbie – it was good to talk to you!

So, I’ve got another member of the FPO team for your to meet today. I’ve been asking Paul some questions, and here are his answers…

What is your job at FPO?

My job at FPO as Warehouse Supervisor is to make sure my team are competent in what they do, have all the safety training they need and are motivated to do a good job.

I hear that you used to own a vineyard – tell me about that!

My family and I had a vineyard for 14 years – we gave up the uneven struggle in 1994 when tax and VAT was about £1.50 per bottle. At that time you could go to France and bring a car load back, duty free. Being only 9 miles from Dover it became very difficult to compete.
My parents, my brother and I, started with 1 acre and over time built this up to 14 acres of planted vineyard, producing a German-style, still white wine. We did well to keep a roof over our heads, with high interest rates and bank repossessions at the time.

After your vineyard adventures, how did you get involved with FPO?

Jon used to give me a lift to sports club on a Monday night and during the journey we would talk about business amongst other things. I was in a dead end job at the time when Jon offered me the position at FPO. As a dynamic company at the forefront of web marketing I jumped at the chance.

What is your favourite part of your job?

My favourite part of the job is to finish a busy day with all orders despatched, stock re-ordered, a professional job done by all concerned – and all with good humour thrown in!

What is your least favourite part of your job?

The worst part of the job is when Sue from Customer Services phones down to ask us to re-send an order as it has either been lost or damaged by the carriers.

Talk me through a typical day.

A typical day involves opening up for 8am unless Julien has done it first (early bird makes the coffee!) We then fire up the computer and print orders and consignment labels, pick, check and pack orders ready for despatch. To finish the day we re-order stock where necessary. We’re looking forward to when the new stock control system is installed.

What do you get up to when you’re not taking over the world one extinguisher at a time?

When not working I like to be at home with my family and hear how they got on at school etc. At weekends I like to take the boys to rugby and bike club. We have a large garden and I like to sit on my lawnmower and cut the grass!

Do you like olives?

No, I don’t like olives but I do like jacket potatoes with butter in them.

So, there you have it. Now you know all about our lovely warehouse supervisor, and have a little insight into the man who makes sure all your orders are picked, checked, packed and sent out to you. Thank you Paul!

This month I have a treat for you – an interview with the fabulous television presenter and internet entrepreneur Sarah Beeny, who recently became a Fire Protection Online customer.

Sarah set up her own property development and investment companies at the age of 24 along with her brother and partner (now husband).  With her business a success, Sarah was approached to be the presenter of Channel 4’s prime time show ‘Property Ladder’.

Enjoying the opportunity to bring property to the nation, Sarah has fronted many other shows such as ‘Pay Off Your Mortgage’, ‘Streets Ahead’ and ‘Britain’s Best Home’, as well as being a regular contributor to magazines such as Homebuyer, New Woman and At Home.  Sarah is a regular writer for The Sunday Times and has written several best selling books, as well as writing a blog for Sainsbury’s Little Ones site.

In 2005 Sarah created the online website, www.mysinglefriend.com it has been a phenomenal success and changed the attitude to online dating in this country.  On the back of the success of MSF, Sarah has launched the property website www.tepilo.com which aims to bring a change to the way we buy and sell houses.

Sarah will be appearing in her brand new Channel 4 series, ‘Beeny’s Restoration Nightmare’ this month – watch out for some FPO extinguishers making a guest appearance!

So, Sarah Beeny, mother of four, well know TV property presenter, internet entrepreneur and now a Fire Protection Online customer – how do you deal with such heady heights of fame and pressures?!

Actually its the four children that is more pressure than the fame!  Actually I am not recognised that much and we generally only go out to Pizza Express anyway!

Your new show outlining the restoration of your beautiful Yorkshire property in to a wedding venue (Rise Hall) is going to be aired this month on Channel 4. It features you and your husband dealing with the issues of restoration, whilst trying to making the site into a money generating and public venue…what were the most memorable experiences whilst completing this project?

Actually it’s probably the people we met along the way – new tradesmen and new suppliers.  It was great to find out about really interesting things I didn’t know anything about (like fire regulations for one from you guys!).

What initially caught your interest about property and the possibilities it has to offer – especially in a commercial venture?

We never expected Rise Hall to be a successful financial venture – in fact we wouldn’t have bought it if we needed it to make sense financially.  However we do feel very strongly that if we can make Rise Hall earn its own keep to fund its restoration and survival then it stands a chance of still standing in 200 years time.

How does it compare to running your two online ventures (one aimed at the property developer the other is a dating website), there’s a bit of difference in the two niches isn’t there?!

I worked in property development and investment for years before I started working on television – actually mysinglefriend is more of a hobby in many ways as I have always meddled around in other peoples business and thoroughly enjoy introducing people to each other.  Tepilo was a natural progression of being involved in the web and knowing and being very interested in property – it seemed mad that buyers now head straight online and sellers still have to pay around £10,000 to get an estate agent to put them online.  We just wanted to have a place that homeowners could sell their homes free without having to pay any commission.

What made you get into the online business?

I think good websites make life easier, quicker and cheaper – I actually am a bit of an IT Idiot, but love sites that are simple – which ours are.

So as an internet entrepreneur would you regularly buy products online? What sort of things do you look for in a website when you buy from them?

I do buy most things online – but I hate websites that assume you are an IT Whizz – they have to be super humanly easy.

So what bought you to Fire Protection Online? And why did you choose to buy from us?

It was the simplest site with answers to questions I wanted answers to.  Fire protection is a terrible minefield and Fire Protection Online made it considerably easier to understand.

Was there anything different or surprising about dealing with us?

That I finally managed to understand quite what was needed, versus what was required.

As a renowned property expert, how easy did you find the new Fire Regulations to understand?

A total nightmare – they seem illogical and confusing.

Would you encourage people to look at alternative sources for buying products – such as the online market?

Definitely it’s cheaper and there is more choice and better advice.

Is there anything you feel people should be made aware of in the course of buying online?

I would use a website that has good reviews.  You can find reviews about most websites on the internet.

So, a big thank you to Sarah for talking to us – we can’t wait to tune in and see the new show (nor brag to all our pals about the shiny extinguishers and signs being ours!) It’s on Channel 4 at 8pm this Thursday (25th November) and next Thursday (2nd December), and after that you can view it at www.4od.com

I went to the cinema last night, which is always a good thing. There is something about seeing film on the massive cinema screen that is just so right. The sound, the big picture, the moderately uncomfortable chairs…all a good night’s entertainment.

So, anyway, we went to see The Social Network. It is a film about the origins of the web phenomenon that is Facebook. Now, for those of you who have been living under some form of giant rock, Facebook is a social networking site, where you can interact with your friends and share photos, comments and information with them. It is basically a haven for those of you who are as nosy as I am! Lol

So, the film charts the creation of the site, by Mark Zuckerberg – now a multi-billionnaire. It looks at how it all started, and also about the controversies surrounding it. There was litigation that ensued after the page began it’s life, as two brothers claimed that Zuckerberg had stolen their idea, and his bext friend also sued him separately for doing him out of his share of the company – which is now estimated at being worth $25 billion. Not bad for a site that a college undergraduate created as a way to meet girls!

I thought the film was really well made, and would definitely recommend that you go to see it. It is well scripted, and actually hugely interesting. Now, don’t worry if you’re not a huge Facebooker. The story itself is quite gripping – centring around the character of Mark Zuckerberg – and the technological bits and bobs are incidental. It might not be your sort of thing if you only like films with massive car chases and explosions, but if you like character-driven films, then I definitely recommend it.

Facebook itself is a very groovy website. I use it almost on a daily basis, and there’s probably not many websites that you can say that about. Fire Protection Online also have a Facebook page, which you should take a peek at. You can see all of these lovely shiny blogs on that page, and share the good news of FPO with all your friends – good times! So, what are you waiting for? Add FPO as a friend today!

This month, we are meeting the lovely Sue – read on to find out all about her and what she does here at FPO!

What is your job at FPO?

I am the Customer Service Supervisor. Having worked in customer service for British Gas for many years (oops does that make me sound old) I wanted to spend more time at home with my children so jumped at the chance of redundancy. Since then I have worked in various small shops including an Electrical wholesalers where I spent my days sorting out the lighting displays and bossing around the men in the sales department,  which I seem to be quite good at (ask the guys in our store of my husband)

Your background isn’t in online sales (or whatever it is that you do – please change this question so the job title is sort of relevant!!), so how did you get involved with FPO?

I was working at home for my husband but decided as my two boys became teenagers I needed to get back out there.

What is your favourite part of your job?

I like talking so I am well equipped for the job!  No really I do enjoy talking to people and it’s nice to be able to help with any problems customers may have.

What is your least favourite part of your job?

Dealing with couriers!  Say no more.

Talk me through a typical day

I start my day with a lovely cup of tea made by Jackie. I then deal with any Customers queries which can lead to many other jobs to do such as arranging replacement item to be sent or picked up, chasing couriers or checking any failed orders on the system.  As we have two new Ladies recently started I try to spend time helping them with any problems they may have. Then comes lunch which means a ww pointed salad and some fruit. After lunch it’s more dealing with customer queries which again can be quite varied.

What do you get up to when you’re not taking over the world one extinguisher at a time?

Time at home is spent with my family. My husband is a builder so quite often I go to work with him at weekends, tiling, painting and decoration is my specialty although  I did once plaster the kitchen wall!

Do you like olives?

Wow I love them! I have been going to Corfu for years and hated them, I tried for ages to like them but just couldn’t .  This year I went to a party and had some since then I can leave them alone.

Another member of the FPO Team for you to meet – this time it is Fiona Morgan (who also happens to be my best friend!!)

What is your job at FPO?

My job at FPO is technically Online Marketing Supervisor. However a lot of my job is keeping the boss on track, learning on the job and trying to expand the reach fire protection has to the consumer. Oh and the most amazing hot chocolate maker. EVER.

Your background isn’t in online marketing, so how did you get involved with FPO?

Hahahhaa no my background wasn’t originally in marketing at all! After school I went to Uni and studied a for a bachelors degree in law. I always thought I would become a defense barrister (you know one of those wig-wearing types, fighting for justice and making the world a safer place) but during the course of my degree and doing some training in chambers, I decided it wasn’t for me. I ended up doing a variety of other jobs (estate agent, nightclub manager, copywriter for an NGO (Non-Governemental Organisation – part of the UN), PR assistant, barmaid etc) for a couple of years before Jon (aka big Giant Bossman) came across me pulling pints at an evening job in a local pub. He soon realised he couldn’t function without my greatness – or rather needed someone to help during the summer to get him on track and then I just never left. (Shhhhh… he may not have noticed I’m still here!)

What is your favourite part of your job?

I actually really enjoy the close working relationship I have with Jon, and everyone here is so nice it’s great. (I also get to wear jeans/fluffy socks and treat it like a second home!)

The depth of knowledge I have acquired in the last two and half years working here really blows my mind, not only am I pretty clued up on fire extinguishers (often commenting when I’m at a restaurant about the lack/wrong/type/make of their extinguishers), but also I’ve discovered a whole new breadth in an area I knew nothing about (mainly internet related marketing and how to set up simple sites etc, yes I am becoming a geek), it’s also pretty damn cool when the bossman lets me go to places like Google/America through work – although BLATANTLY he needs to send me to more places like this

What is your least favourite part of your job?

There’s nothing really I dislike about my job per se. I’m not great with mornings so I struggle to get my rather curvaceous rear out of bed in time for when the bossman rocks up to take me into work, and I guess I’m not great with taking my breaks so that’s something I need to work on – but they’re not like yucky aspects of the job. I guess the only things I don’t like doing is having to explain a task to an outsourcer, then they fail to understand or complete. No one likes playing the bad guy – but I must say I do rather do it in a stylish – rabid Rottweiler  - type of way (so although I do it and do it well – its not something I relish)

Talk me through a typical day.

Ok so I snooze my alarm at least 3 times, roll out of bed hop in the shower, try and find my glasses/phone/clothes/handbag/shoes, clamber into my car if the bossman is off floating around the globe (which he is doing an average of twice a month at the mo) or if he’s back slump into the passenger seat and start gabbling away to him. Drive into work – trying not to hit/get caught behind tractors and lorries, rock up at work, kick my shoes off, fill my bottle up with squash and juice, have some brekkie, make the bossman a drink (if he’s about), plan his day, answer my emails, then start on my tasks for the day – planning outsourcer work, reading some new strategy etc. Throughout the day I shout at Jon (and possibly throw things) to get him to do his work on time and be more productive, then before I know it, it’s half five so I drag bossman kicking and screaming outta the building and demand to go home. Then I’m back in my pit and all is right with the world.

What do you get up to when you’re not taking over the world one extinguisher at a time?

Mmmm… I’m a internet addict – I seriously get the shakes if I can’t check my Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, blog, emails, eBay etc accounts at LEAST once a day. Apart from that I like horse riding, reading, films, seeing my pals, and travelling. Trying new stuff as much as possible is a big thing for me (I’ve recently been to Biarritz in France and this weekend I’m off to Dorset), also I guess I’ve kinda got into exercising – now I know what your thinking fat bird don’t run unless there’s cake, and it’s true I don’t, but I reward myself with Ben and Jerry’s or cake so all is right with the world.

Do you like olives?

I really like green olives in oil stuffed with garlic or almonds, or coated in herbs. I don’t like them in brine and I’m not too fussed about the other colours. Does that make me prejudiced to other olives? Oh god I’m an olivist….

Thank you Fiona – fab interview responses! Next time I’ll be chatting to Jackie, who is the FPO Administrator – so keep an eye out for that.

As part of my ‘Meet the FPO Team’ series, I have the pleasure of introducing to you Jackie Lewis. Read on to find out more…

What is your job at FPO?

I am the administrator.  I have always worked in an office, starting off as a secretary and then up to roles such as PA/Office Manager.  I started at FPO last July.  I had been made redundant the previous November – out of work 8 months.  One of the agencies that I was registered with invited me to attend an interview.  Obviously I was successful.

What is your favourite part of your job?

My favourite part of my job is going home – only kidding!  I like the contact I have with suppliers and the rapport I have built up with them.

What is your least favourite part of your job?

My least favourite part is helping out in customer services.

Talk me through a typical day.

I start the day by making a drink for the office staff.  I then check all the emails for all the sites and Jon’s.  Depending on what emails have arrived depends on what I then do.  Any emailed queries from customers get printed off and customer services deal with them.  Any enquiries that are emails only or overseas I deal with.  I place orders with suppliers – liaise with the warehouse.  Make more drinks, open the post and action.  Anything to do with paperwork is my responsibility.

What do you get up to when you’re not taking over the world one extinguisher at a time?

When not taking over the world I love cooking – especially curries.  I’m always on the lookout for authentic Indian/Sri Lankan recipes.  I also enjoy reading but don’t really have much time these days.

Do you like olives?

Love olives and I actually subscribe to a cooking magazine called ‘Olive’ – spooky!