Today is a good day to…
Well it is Thursday 16th and I sit at home on a damp and chilly day having decided to type up a Blog entry as it has been a while. Claire, my wife, is at home downstairs on strike from the school she teaches at.
For a variety of reasons, which I won’t explain here as it would lead to a long Blog entry, I have been somewhat silent since I suppose Q4 of last year. I have re-emerged, and today thought it would be handy for myself and anyone interested (or plain bored) to detail some observations on the current climate.
found us
This February saw 9 years since I incorporated my limited company and so began the journey of my own business. The business and I are still here, as are clients, as are suppliers. So what’s the “scores on the doors”?
I still work on senior level head hunting for the media, marketing, and advertising verticals. So don’t hesitate to get in touch if looking for a move, or seeking to find the “right” person for your business. I have always enjoyed this side of my work.
I work also on Consultancy “jobs” for clients (well to be honest, “business friends”) and get much pleasure from this. Predominately operating as a Sales and Marketing, Commercial, or Non-Exec’ Director. One notable piece of work is to grow searchup, and I am currently on the hunt for new business for them. See below for more information on searchup.
As to me? Back Fell Running, out on the bike, plus swimming. Full details if you are that bored, intrigued, or just plain nosy can be found at PeterCobley.com.
Observations
Well it has certainly been a trying time for humanity, especially those of the British Isles. We have Global winds of change including an energy crisis, Ukraine conflict, USA and China tension, not to mention the Middle East falling out of love with the West. Meanwhile back home we have Brexit finally showing its impact and the after affects of COVID.
(NOTE: I am not a doom and gloom Monkey and certainly do believe that in uncertainty and turmoil there can be a raft of opportunities.)
Presently it does seem to be the case (and I generalise) that the agency vertical struggles with the acquisition of new business. Focus from this sector appears to be on the retention of clients and their growth.
The media owner/technology vertical is tight in terms of growth. Again I generalise in that there are exceptions.
Client side vertical varies massively across sector.
I see in middle/senior recruitment a clear downturn. People are not moving nor does there seem to be a desire to hire senior staff.
Consultancy requirements are lower than expected and I rely on personal contacts.
Conclusion
Erm… bit of tricky one in terms of advice. So, what am I doing? Well I seek to trade out of the doldrums and I do that in my own inimitable way.
I make sure that I keep abreast of trends, economically and in the Advertising, Marketing, Media verticals. But, and a big but, I don’t believe everything that is read.
I contact people who I know or don’t know and let them know what I am up to. And what am I up to? I do what makes me and others happy and try my best to deliver on this. Yes I can advertise, do speaking events, network, or post for example ad nauseum on LinkedIn. But I don’t. People buy from people and I was always taught that, or read that, or just plain leant it from seeing it in action. For me, meeting and greeting and chatting with people is what I enjoy and learn from. It establishes relationships and from these business flows.
KISS - if you call or talk to enough people in a genuine way, letting them know what you are good at, and how you could possibly help them, then…. shock and horror a new contact (client if you must use that) pops out the other end, and a bilateral relationship is born . I embrace and love this approach and it works for my contacts and businesses.
Have a read of the following. I read and implemented its methodology years ago. It is one of my recommended books.
searchup - an example
A loving client and eCommerce focused business that specialises in Search, eCommerce Marketing, and Data. I thoroughly enjoy working with Terry and Craig the founders as we grow the business. And this agency paints a picture of how to thrive in a vacumn of new business as is the status quo presently.
Cheshire based searchup concentrates on start ups, and smaller businesses.
eCommerce led and bipartisan.
Strong on SEO and PPC, with deep dive Data analysis of such media and client sales metrics.
Other Digital Media is utilised where necessary for clients.
Peter Cobley has been more than happy to recommend the agency to trusted business contacts.
Why? They simply put People first. My mantra.