Mantra Magazine Issue #12

Mantra Marketing Magazine Issue #012

Expansion & Strategy for 2020 Rapid growth and opportunities.

We discuss our big goal for this year and expansion strategies for 2020

09

The Strategy of Success We catch up with Phil Reid and Rob Cotterell to discuss their plans for expansion over the next quarter

13

2020 Vision

Vision 20:20 #012

Times are changing. We discuss expansion, personal development and how we develop our diamonds in the rough

19

Couple Goals & Collaboration We catch up with Magda Zaworksa & Josh Keeble to discuss couple goals and collaboration

33

CATEGORY OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Our contributors Francis Colam Chief Editor

Fran is Chief Operations Officer for Mantra Marketing working with people and companies to help the business become more efficient and profitable.

Alex Rae

Art Director / Designer Alex is the Managing Director of Bristol based film production company Falcon Productions.

Rose Lucas Editor / Author

Rose studied at the University of Bristol where she obtained a BA in English Literature, before moving to London to study at Identity School of Acting and continue her work as a writer/ editor.

Nic Kane Photographer

Nic is a Bristol-based photographer specialising in the commercial, events and fitness sectors.

001

CATEGORY INDEX

In this issue Welcome 003 Vision 2020

007

Expansion & Strategy 2020

009

The Strategy Of Success

013

2020 Vision: A New Lense in the Eye of Recruitment

019

Developing our Diamonds in the Rough

021

Couple Goals and Collaboration

033

Re-branding over in Russia

037

Work Hard Play Hard

039

Sri Lanka

043

Ibiza 2019

049

Cheltenham Races

053

Social Media: Get Savvy on Your Socials

059

Books & Podcasts

065

Photo Pool

067

Travel Competitions

075

Office List

079 002

CATEGORY EDITOR'S LET TER

Hello & Welcome TO ISSUE #012 2020 EDITION

Hello and welcome to the 2020 edition of our Magazine! We hope you've all had a great start to the year; we have high hopes for this year and can’t wait to share our plans in celebration of the start of this new decade!!

Hello and welcome to the 2020 edition of our

expands, we need to find the right people to start

Magazine! We hope you have had a fantastic

running our new offices, and we’re really looking

opening quarter and we are looking forward to

forward to bringing on board some fresh talent.

sharing with you the latest success stories and plans for the next few months - it's an exciting time!

Before we get started, we would like to extend a warm welcome to the newest members of the team!

After a somewhat ‘tumultuous’ year in terms of

Introducing Natalia, Kristina, Pierce, Amber and

politics and the media, there has been a noticeable

Sarah who have recently joined our recruitment

shift

processing

department - we are really looking forward to

information. As opposed to simply guzzling down

working with you! Congratulations are also in order

the latest headlines, blindly absorbing buzzwords

to Magda, Josh, Vik, Mike and Paul who have all

and filling our brains with misinformation, it is more

been promoted to Crew Leader and we are very

important than ever to scrutinise what we read. We

excited to see what the next quarter brings for

must focus on activating our sense of autonomy,

everybody!

in

throwing

our

approach

away

habitual

towards

modes

of

passive

engagement and pledging to move forwards with curiosity, with hard work and with hope. How does this relate to Direct Sales? Well, our line of work is all about engaging with the public, communication, and forming connections with the public. Whilst this ‘digital age’ opens up a world of possibility in terms of accessibility and connecting with people across the globe, it also interrupts our human-to-human contact time. What we love about this industry is the face-to-face engagement. Every door we knock on offers up a unique conversation and therefore we

are

required

to

appreciate,

observe

and

understand the person with whom we are engaging.

Our industry is all about subjectivity; noticing the individual amongst the group and making an effort

2020

to make each conversation feel special.

In this edition of the magazine, we will be taking a more in depth look at Social Media and what is

Five countries - fifty cities five years

means to be ‘on-brand’, not just as a company, but as an individual; how do you want to present your own version of ‘Entrepreneur’ to the public and what will you choose to share with your audience? We will also be looking at new methods of recruitment, sharing with you alternative modes of headhunting and the benefits of reaching out to people from a whole wealth of backgrounds. As the company

003

Welcome From Fran Colam...

The end of last year was the best quarter we've ever had and we ended up raising over £7.4 million for different charities. We experienced huge bursts of progression with lots of teams hitting personal bests and smashing their targets, so congratulations all! The new office over in Bristol - Promotions Company, headed by Phil Reid - was one of the big achievements of 2019; in less than a year he has lead the company to an extraordinary place and we can’t wait to see what’s next for the team.

Now our main focus over the last quarter has been recruitment. We’ve been talking to our target market in a different way and have been making an effort to think about how we can do things differently. We want to break the mould and so we have been real students lately, constantly updating our approach and up-skilling our practise. We’ve been running workshops, inviting in guest speakers - Sam Rathling from LinkedIn and Chris Taylor from Instagram and really focussing on ensuring that everybody, company-wide, has the skills and strategy in place to meet this expansion with energy, commitment and dedication. It’s an incredibly exciting time.

CATEGORY EDITOR'S LET TER

004

05

CATEGORY EDITOR'S LET TER

'We’re always looking at how to improve, how other businesses are working, and for the next generation of talent. '

have dedicated a lot more time to our Social Media accounts. We have begun to adapt our approach to sharing content, including the personal story behind the Entrepreneurial journey with the public alongside the more habitual posts. We are learning how to include the more human elements of our day-to-day practise, alongside the typical business content and are seeing an increase in our reach across various platforms.

Considering

we

work

in

a

face-to-face

industry, we’re not the biggest fans of being glued to our phones; however it’s just the way the world works these days, so rather than banging our heads against a brick wall, it’s far more productive to reframe our attitude towards online content. If we think of it as another mode of forming a connection and ‘sharing’ what we do with others, then it becomes exciting. We love bringing in people from alternative backgrounds, and many of the new recruits we’ve recently taken on are what we called ‘passive job seekers’, so people who aren't necessarily looking for a new job, but who also aren’t particularly thriving in their current employment. It’s lovely to be able to open their eyes to this industry, help them begin their career in Sales and watch them grow as Entrepreneurs.

So there's lots to be proud of! We’ve experienced a significant expansion over the last few months and during that process we have produced the greatest output and content for our clients which is fantastic. The goal is to keep expanding, of course, but we can only do that if we have the right people, so the drive now is very much on recruitment as well as continuing to cultivate and exercise the student mentality that will take us to the next level. We’re always looking at how to improve, how other businesses are working, and for the next generation of talent.

' We feel it’s important to be able to have conversations outside of the office environment, to nurture social dynamics away from home and reward our team for hitting their targets ’

006

VISION

-2020-

OWNER'S MEETING RENAISSANCE HOTEL IN MANCHESTER

T

o kick start the quarter we had our

Owner’s

Meeting

in

January, hosted at the beautiful Renaissance Hotel

in

M a n c h e s t e r.

We brought together the top members of the team to look at our Map of Expansion, to then consider what our individual team

' These Owner’s Meetings are a fantastic means of checking in

goals are. We’re going to be dealing with

with one another - ensuring that

a lot of inexperience over the next few

we establish a cohesive strategy -

months as people will be doing things for the very first time, so it’s important that we are strategising effectively - up-skilling people quickly and efficiently - to ensure that

and also a brilliant opportunity to kick-start with a celebration of our achievements. ’

everyone feels confident in their roles. These Owner’s Meetings are a fantastic means of checking in with one another - ensuring that we establish a cohesive strategy - and also a brilliant opportunity to kick-start with a celebration of our achievements. We are very much looking forward to the next quarter and hope you are too.

008

CATEGORY STR ATEGY

EXPANSION & STRATEGY

for 2020 T

‘Our business is growing very rapidly and as a result we are able to offer a vast array of opportunities to future recruits. It’s an incredibly exciting time to join the company.’ - James Buckley -

he big goal this year

the hard work - there are many more of these to

is to open 20 offices

come, so let’s get the ball rolling!

here in the UK by the end of 2020. We are

Finally, some words of advice from James Buckley,

mirroring this expan-

company director of Mantra Marketing…

sion strategy over in Russia, and our aim is

My advice for the teams out there is simply this:

to eventually be work-

make sure you get a good start to the year. Get the

ing with a global net-

ball rolling, make sure your strategies are water-

work of 40 offices by the end of the year.

tight, and that you start as you mean to go on.

At the end of 2019 we spent a lot of time planning

The big focus for the next 3 months is recruitment,

and strategising to ensure that we could hit the

recruitment, recruitment. That’s our Mantra! If we

ground running for this milestone year. We are ex-

are going to open 8 more offices this year then

tremely excited for this phase of expansion; howev-

we need people! We can’t do anything without the

er, in order to make it happen, not only do we need

right people to expand the company, so we’re in a

people, but we need to ensure that each individual

really exciting phase at the moment where we’re

is being coached to their optimum potential.

looking to bring in lots of new faces, fresh energy

TRENDS 2019

and emerging talent that will go on to lead teams

009

SO! We are packing each quarter with meetings,

of their own. If you think that could be you, then

coaching sessions and workshops. We are setting

get in touch! We’d love to meet you. Our methods

quarterly targets as usual and ensuring that we are

of recruitment are changing and we are pushing

educating not just the new recruits, but the entire

our socials in order to connect with the best people

team. We are continuing to host Owner’s Meetings

out there. We are looking forward to connecting

and keeping up regular in-person contact with our

with people from all sorts of backgrounds and de-

offices around the country to ensure that each

mographics over this year. It’s an exciting time and

Team are hitting their personal targets. Then, of

there is an opportunity for rapid progression if you

course, we have our away days and ‘congratulatory

put your mind to it.

experiences’ to keep up the team spirit and reward

'My advice for the teams out there is simply this: make sure you get a good start to the year. Get the ball rolling, make sure your strategies are water-tight, and that you start as you mean to go on.'

011

012

The Strategy of Success

T he FormulaBehind Expansion ‘Our business model is all about taking baby-steps. We teach our Brand Ambassadors how to sell. Once they can sell we give them Leadership skills. Then we teach them how to build a team, how to replace themselves through coaching ,and finally help them move towards the role of Managing Director. As a result, people have to prove that they can take on the role before we promote them, so it’s a pretty fail-safe formula’ - Rob Cotterell -

W

e caught up with Phil Reid over

RedSeven’s big goal is to open 8 new offices in the next

at Promotions Company and

18 months. They’ve recently opened a second office

Rob Cotterell from RedSeven

in Cheltenham and in April will be moving into Oxford,

to

plans

with further plans to begin working in Cardiff, London,

for expansion over the next

Manchester, Northampton, Chelmsford and Leicester. Rob

quarter.

expands upon their strategy, explaining how ’We split the

chat

about

their

country up into territories, so each area has to have a certain

Promotions Company has had a fantastic opening year. We

radius of customers. We’re looking at cool cities, fun places to

set an office-wide competition last year in the Charity Field

live, looking at the demographic, the atmosphere…and base

which they won, beating every other marketing company in

our locations upon that. Places that will have high levels of

the UK - a huge triumph. In the final week of the year, they

recruitment and the quality of the demographic. Places we

completed 300 sales which was one of the highest turnovers

want to live and work in’.

we’ve had in recent years - a huge congratulations to all involved! They’ve won competitions to send guys to Ibiza, Sri

With ambitious plans for the next few months, the focus has

Lanka, Miami and this year are opening up in Leeds (headed

been on strategy; implementing a solid quarterly structure in

by Vik Verma) and also in Cardiff (lead by Josh Keeble and

order to maintain control and ensure that there are enough

Magda Zaworksa). Phil only opened Promotions company

people on board to head the new offices. Our strategy

in April last year after a break from the industry, and if his

involves four main considerations: Location / Recruitment

ambitions are realised over the next few months, they will

/ Coaching / Promotion. This sequence is essentially on

have essentially gone from nothing to having a team of

loop as the company grows, enabling a cyclical process of

almost 50 people and plans to be working in 4 different cities.

development to emerge; one that can be sustained and one

In just 16 months, that’s definitely something to be proud of

that covers all bases.

and Phil tells us how ‘it really did surpass my expectations in terms of progression; it’s been sensational’.

013

'You are your brand, so own it! It’s about being true to yourself, being authentic in your work and keeping inspired. Once you focus on finding that authenticity in your work, people will remember you.'

015

CATEGORY DEVELOPMENT

'It’s about offering a helping hand, but more importantly, we want to help people find their own identity and discover what they stand for themselves.'

The vast geographical reach of our offices is starting to become apparent; with teams based in Russia, Belarus and all over the UK, it’s pretty exciting to assume a bird’s eye perspective on the business. We are building a global brand. Our teams are starting to travel and Rob’s role is changing as a result: ‘I’ve been travelling all over the country recently and ensuring that I’m a presence across the board, ensuring that we have a cohesive brand identity and that everyone is receiving enough support. My role has moved much more towards mentoring, supporting and travelling in the last quarter which I’m really enjoying’. Each physical location has something unique to offer, not just in terms of the vibe of each city, but rather through the people that contribute to that atmosphere.

This brings us on to the next phase of our

who perhaps never even knew this line of work existed. We can use social media as a tool for bringing in a wide range of people to bring their personalities to the business; that’s really exciting for us and we enjoy facilitating the genesis of a new career for a talented individual, regardless of their experience.

‘Our business is open to everyone, regardless of whether or not you have experience in this line of work. If you have an open mind, a positive attitude and an extraordinary work ethic, we can coach you and we want to work with you. There are so many diamonds out there, that if given enough support and an environment within which to thrive, they will go far.’ (Phil)

strategy. Recruitment.

Lots of businesses are too lazy to think

Expansion simply cannot happen successfully

need support. That’s not us. If you’ve never

without new recruits. As we discussed in the last edition of this magazine, the recruitment process is changing. Our teams are having to adapt their methods to match the everchanging realm of social media: the middle man of modern recruitment. One of the main benefits of using social media as a tool for recruitment is that it opens up the process to people from a great variety of backgrounds.

Phil explains how ‘90% of the people I take on have never done this before. When I look for people to work in this industry, I don't look at people’s history, I am concentrating on their potential for achieving in the future.

Too many businesses focus on the ‘previous experience’ section of a CV, rather than seeing the individual and giving them a

outside the box and to take on people that done this before then great, you’re a blank canvas, which is a wonderful thing to work with! We’re looking for the next group of ‘diamonds in the rough’. ‘I would say 95% of all of our team across the country have never done direct sales before, never worked in this environment, so we are completely open to recruiting those types of people’ (Rob).

This leads us on to the next phase of the expansion strategy: Coaching. After we have sourced the best people to help us grow the company, the next stage is to bring everyone up to speed in terms of how we operate as a business. Because we inevitably end up working with lots of new faces, we don’t just want to throw you in the

chance to thrive’.

deep end (although sometimes taking such

We are investing more money into our

strive to make sure that you are provided

recruitment staff and consequently more energy into new methods of recruitment such as Instagram, LinkedIn, PR etc. Rob explains how ‘It’s not as simple as just putting an ad out there anymore; however, that’s a good thing as it means that we are able to hire people who come from different backgrounds and can bring something new to the company’. In this way, we are able to access a broader demographic of people. By implementing social media tactics such as adding hashtags and tagging companies in

a risk can produce excellent results!). We with the skills needed to go out into the Field with confidence and a smile on your face. Our coaching programme is second to none meaning that we can easily and quickly bring anyone up to speed, regardless of their background. Rob adds that ‘ It’s often actually easier for us to coach someone from scratch because they don’t have any bad habits! They are open to quickly adapting to our mode of working, which is great!’.

stories, we are able to connect with people

016

CATEGORY GROW TH / EXPANSION

'If you ask any of my family, they say I’m awful over the phone! I just find it difficult, because you can’t see people, you can’t read their facial expressions, you don’t process their body language'

The result of great coaching is quick Promotion. In order for those people that we already have working with us to go out and open their own offices, we need to make sure we have enough people to promote. Over at RedSeven, for example, we ‘need to be sitting at around 50 people in Swindon, so that when 15 of those open up in new cities, we’re not falling short at our home base.’ This expansion is inevitable so what we are now looking for is the next generation of Managers and Coaches; people that - in a few month’s time - will be running the show and have the ambition, potential and drive to do so. Rob tells us that ‘When someone is sitting in my reception, that’s what I’ll be looking out for. I need a solid team of people that I know will go on to replace my Owners and be able to start coaching recruits themselves. It’s all about staying on top of this ever-changing dynamic and ensuring that we are covering all bases’.

We are in an incredibly dynamic phase of the company right now, so we are looking forward to meeting the next wave of talent.

In order for this process to run smoothly, we are heavily reliant on our admin teams.

A huge shout out to goes out to Kev who is the office manager and head recruiter over at Promotions Co. He has done a sensational job. We’ve also taken on Natalia as a new recruiter and she’s been incredible.

Over at RedSeven, we have the newly appointed Sarah Broadfield, working alongside Nina in the recruitment department.

She joined us just before Christmas and has been absolutely incredible; her work ethic, her adaptability, her aggression to taking on responsibility and breaking comfort zones is utterly inspiring. She’s been focusing on bringing in the majority of our Brand Ambassadors for 2020. I asked Phil what he thinks makes up a strong administration team and explained that it’s all about them feeling as involved as everybody else: ‘An integral part of a solid admin in team is that they feel involved enough that they genuinely care about the business, as if it’s their own. Because it is! The removal of hierarchy is something I think is hugely important regarding the success of a company such as this’. Each party has to hold each other accountable in order to operate as a cohesive business, as

017

'I signed a customer up to The Red Cross the other day and when I asked him why he was interested, he simply said ‘because you came round.'

a team, which brings us onto the the key to the smooth running of a successful office: communication. ‘If we’re all clear about what we expect of one another and what we need form the company, them the risk of miscommunication diminishes and mistakes can be avoided’ (Phil). The more money we turnover as a business and the quicker our expansion, the greater amount of profit we have to share around. Essentially the admin team are in charge of the expansion; they are the ones that directly bring people in through the door and so the more effort they put into ensuring that the recruitment process is a good is at can be, the greater their own personal profit from the business.

Finally, we’ve got to make sure that the dayto-day workings of the company match up with the brand we are sharing with the public.

Rob explains how ‘I’ve then got to make sure that the sales standards are right, the atmosphere is right so that these people are coming into the right environment; I don't want to be selling people a false idea of who we are and what we stand for. It’s important that we are ‘on-brand’ so to speak, to avoid any sort of disparity between what people expect of RedSeven and what we can provide’.

This wraps up the strategy for a successful business model and is something we will be implementing every quarter, adapting details accordingly and remaining flexible with our approach. We work with some massive clients, so its really important that we maintain a high standard and with a formal structure in place we can look forward to realising our industry ambitions.

'With business, there’s often just one chance

to

convey

the

appropriate

message and bring people on board.

There’s not a second chance to explain.

It’s so important to get the tone right.'

VISION

-20:20-

A NEW LENSE IN THE EYE OF RECRUITMENT

CATEGORY GROW TH / EXPANSION

Developing our

Diamonds In the Rough

SHINE YOU DIAMOND

T

021

imes

changing.

have made huge progress in the last 6 months or

The traditional career

are

so, to give you an idea of what this sort of career

trajectory

move looks like.

is

facing

interruption with more and more companies

First up, we have Paul Coombe who boldly decided

using

to take the plunge and leave a career in horse

methods

recruitment as

racing after 22 years! Paul began working for Rob

and

Cotterell at RedSeven in July of last year and ‘hasn’t

LinkedIn as opposed

looked back since’. The year prior to the move, he

to the (let’s face it) rather archaic method of posting

had gone over to work with horses in New Zealand,

an advertisement and requesting GCSE grades

which despite being an amazing experience in

or details of ‘work experience’. This isn’t to say

terms of the country itself, didn’t fulfil him in terms

that going to University is ‘redundant’ in this new

of the work. His career had started to feel stagnant.

age of career development. Studying to a certain

Upon returning to the UK, he took some time out

degree is something to be proud of and grateful

to reconsider his options - an admirable thing to do

for; however, what we want to make clear to our

in this modern age where we seem to cultivate an

readers is that they shouldn’t feel under-qualified

attitude of ‘can’t stop, won’t stop’ when it comes to

to apply for a career with us purely based on their

working - and it was during this time that he met

grades. To ‘qualify’ for a career in Direct Sales, you

up with James Buckley, head of Mantra Marketing:

don’t need a ‘perfect’ CV; in fact we’re looking for

‘James is actually my future brother-in-law, so we

those imperfections that make up a human. We’re

met up, he introduced me to Rob and I started at

looking for a bit of personality. We are looking for

RedSeven the very next day! It’s been a whirlwind

people who know how to engage with another

but I am absolutely loving it and I’m so glad I made

human being, how to empathise and how to make

the move.’ Paul wanted a change. He had had

meaningful connections.

enough of working in a salaried position where he

Instagram

such

felt stuck and where his lack of agency had begun We are expanding at an extraordinary rate, so we

to frustrate him. Many people never pluck up the

are currently searching for a vast array of new

courage to make a big life change such as a brand

recruits to make up the teams in our offices all over

new career later on in life; however, there is much

the UK. Could this be you? We wanted to share with

to be learnt from doing so: ‘I wanted to challenge

you some stories of people in our team who never

myself, I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. I

imagined their career to take this path, but who

wish I’d done it a few years ago’.

‘I don't know many 22 year olds who can pay themselves a substantial wage for their work, can save money and travel in between.’ - VIK VERMA -

'Until you meet someone face-to-face, get them in the room and engage with them, you aren’t able to truly connect with who they are, what they are trying to convey and their energy'

CATEGORY GROW TH / EXPANSION

Despite Paul’s career change seeming drastic,

your life? Paul describes how ‘there have

there was very little drama involved; the

definitely been skills that I’ve transferred

process was relatively simple and Paul found

over from my work in the horse racing

himself at his very first door within literally 24

industry; for example my ability to work with

hours of joining RedSeven! ‘I was nervous!

people. Communication skills are a big part

The first door I knocked on, I was absolutely

of both worlds. I joined the company with

bricking it, thinking ‘what am I meant to say

some of those skills already in place which

again?’, ‘Who is going to answer?’, ‘what are

was great’. A lot of the work is simply about

they going to ask me?’ etc., but as soon as

conducting yourself with confidence, with

you start the conversation you’re ‘in it’ and

good manners and positivity. Many of those

you figure it out! The more doors you knock

qualities you will already possess, and then

on, the more your confidence develops and

it’s just a case of learning the facts and the

the more you start to find your feet. It really is

figures and getting stuck in. Paul tells how

just a case of getting out there and learning

how he’s learned to ‘approach my sales with

as you go’. This might all sound rather nerve-

an answer to why we’re there, not just what

inducing and spontaneous, but we can

we’re doing. The reason behind the work is

assure you that the coaching strategies we

rooted in good-will and positivity, so I want

have in place ensure that you are sent out

to share with my customers why we are here

with all the tools necessary to make your

for the charities and what each charity's

first sale. In fact, it’s more than likely that

goals are. Of course you’re going to come

you possess most of these skills already!

across some people that are disengaged on

That’s what a lot of people don’t realise; in

the doorstop or don’t have time to chat, but

this industry, it’s as much about the positive

you have to remember that we’re working

attitude - your willingness to throw yourself

with a law of averages - I refer to that law

in the deep end and your open-mindedness

of averages like a deck of cards - so I want

- as it is about your ability to crunch numbers

to find those four aces. You have to go

and follow a hardcore business plan. Paul

through every single one to find them’. We

describes how, ‘In terms of coaching, I spent

then helped him to build upon the skills he

my first day with Rob and then I was sent out

already had, coaching him in how to improve

into the Field! I then made a concerted effort

his public speaking and how to run meetings

to position myself near the best people in

- ‘That was something that I had never done

the office so that I was directly learning from

before and was a challenge’ . Our Owners

those people. I started making phone calls to

are extremely good at finding out where your

people in other offices, widening my network

strengths or weaknesses lie, and coaching

and making an effort to connect with those

you accordingly. It’s not simply a ‘one-size-

people above me. It’s one thing learning

fits-all’ process of development, but rather a

through coaching, and another by simply

subjective one.

getting out there and going for it, watching how it’s done and repeating that method yourself. That’s where the inspiration comes from’. This is where the Entrepreneurial Spirit comes into play. At the end of the day, coaching will only get you so far, and then it’s down to you. As a self-employed Entrepreneur, you are the one in charge of your success, so it’s about being pro-active

'A lot of the work is simply about

and using your initiative. We will provide

conducting yourself with confidence,

you with a solid foundation to support your career, but then it’s down to you to make the

with good manners and positivity.'

connections, add some personality and find out just what kind of Entrepreneur you want to be.

Let’s

talk

about

transferable

skills!

Our

industry is all about striking up engaging conversations with people. How often do you get to practise that in other parts of

024

CATEGORY NEW INITIATIVES

COWLEY 2020

Since then, Paul has gone from strength to

the sole springboard for a career as an

strength. He aims to be hitting AO by the end

Entrepreneur. (Steve Jobs himself dropped

of February and then go on to open up an

out of college after just one Semester!).

office in Oxford by April, working in residential

There’s lots to gain from going against the

lotteries. If you put the work in, there is a

grain if you believe that’s the best decision

window here for rapid progression. Paul

for you. We’re not advocating one way or

describes how, ‘It’s not taken me very long to

another, rather we are encouraging you to

get where I’ve got to and that is purely based

think for yourself and exercise a subjective

on the support network and the coaching

attitude to your career.

formulas that they have in place; it allows fresh faces to really fly. The opportunities

Josh

here are something else. I worked in the

Accounting and Finance last July and was

Keeble

graduated

racing industry for 20 years, I’ve been here

working at Bel Italia to save money for his

for 6 months and have already been to Sri

Masters when his fiancé, Magda, who had

Lanka, and won a place on the Miami trip

recently

later this year, it’s phenomenal. The people

Co. herself, suggested he join her team.

that I’ve met have been so supportive and I

Josh tells us how he ‘had never worked in

feel more inspired than I have in a long time’.

Marketing before - I’d never done anything

He’s now got 3 people on his team that have

like this - so it’s been a huge overhaul in

followed his lead and also left the horse-

terms of career!’. Much like Paul, Josh was

racing industry to pursue a career with us,

apprehensive about the transition: ‘having

which we think speaks volumes, don't you?

never worked in promotions or sales before,

started

working

with

for

a

BA

in

Promotions

it was quite a spontaneous decision to come Next up, we have Josh Keeble and Vik Verma

in for an interview, but 6 months later I’m still

who at just 22 and 24 years old are at the

here, so that speaks for itself’.

other end of the spectrum in terms of career development. Rather than making a career

Whilst he had enjoyed his studies thus far,

change as such, both Vik and Josh left

he couldn’t stop thinking about his work at

their studies prematurely in order to invest

Promotions Company: ‘I had this schedule

in Promotions Company, joining Phil Reid

where I was going to try and juggle both, but

over in Bristol. Here, we look at the benefits

every time I was at Uni I was so distracted

of joining a company at a young age, and

by wanting to think about my Sales and

reconsidering the idea that University is

Marketing work, I just couldn’t focus! Ans then when I was here at work, I wasn’t thinking about Uni and so I didn’t have the drive to finish my assignments, That’s when I knew that my heart lay in this industry and I needed to leave my Masters ASAP. I didn’t want to continue studying in a half-hearted manner, so I made the huge decision to quit.

I put all my efforts into this job and I’ve never looked back’. He is planning on opening an office over in Cardiff with his partner, Magda, and you can read more about that later on in the magazine.

Vik was in a similar position to Josh in that he was supposed to be going back to study Marketing at UWE when he decided that route wasn’t for him. ‘There’s nothing wrong with going to university, but once you’ve got those credentials how are you going to turn that into experience? Sometimes you have to weigh up whether or not continuing your education is going to benefit you anymore than heading straight into the industry’.

025

CATEGORY NEW INITIATIVES

'Our industry is all about striking up engaging conversations with people.

How often do you get to practise that in other parts of your life?'

So, Vik took on a placement year before being invited to work alongside alongside Phil, an experience that he describes as having ‘transformed (his) life completely’. The coaching and development process was swift. Phil taught him to sell, how to develop a formula in order to train other people, and finally to coach and to manage a team of his own. Following this process, Vik was quickly able to start building a team of his own: ‘I was able to focus on what my team wanted to do - what their reason was for working and generally how to concept a business successfully. Direct Sales isn’t like other industries; people are working for themselves and there’s a continuous flow of promotions, progression and striving for the next level.

We don’t just sit in a role, we are continually moving forward. That’s what our business concept is: envisioning a bigger, brighter and better future and turning that into a reality’.

He hadn’t expected his team to grow so rapidly; rather than putting that on hold to go back and complete his Masters, Vik saw an opportunity that he was’t going to let pass him by - ‘I didn’t want to just let that go to return to studying. I knew I had something great’. His team regularly started hitting their targets and Vik went on to win a trip to Sri Lanka as a result of high-rolling the country in Sales. He has also won a trip to New York and has qualified for Miami as well, so he has experienced a pretty significant lifestyle change in just over 6 months and is on track to hit Assistant Ownership this quarter.

His ambitions are to open in Leeds and to establish a similar business culture there: ‘By this I mean inviting people on board that have a strong moral compass, who are respectful,

positive,

reliable.

People

who

possess a student mentality, an eagerness

‘Not only do we feel as if we’re making a difference, but the work we are doing is for massive clients such as Great Ormond’s St., Alzheimer’s Research; it’s

to learn and a great attitude towards each

really important work and I personally gain a lot from knowing that I have

other and towards the work. It’s not just

helped in some way.'

about the skills that people have already, it’s about how they conduct themselves in this career’. In December, Vik’s team raised

- JOSH KEEBLE -

about over £130000 for their clients which is fantastic. His focus now is on building depth within the team, making sure he has enough people on board to promote new Leaders, and furthermore that these Leaders know how to sell, how to manage and that each member of the team is financially stable.

Their first office will be in Residential and the second in Events. continued --->

026

0027

’Our work is customer facing. Simply put, we are paid to have relatable, human conversations with people, so actually a lot of people who have come from other industries already have the skills needed to be able to do that well. Lots of the (transferable) qualities we’re looking for already exist in the people we are hiring, they just might not realise that.’

- ROB COTTERELL -

0028

CATEGORY GROW TH / EXPANSION

'I was out of my comfort zone before I even set foot in the company, but since that first pitch on day 2 I’ve even pushing myself. That’s why I am where I am now. I’ve taken risks and reaped the rewards.'

I caught up with them both to find out more about their journey into our industry:

What drew you to becoming self-employed and committing to a career in this industry?

JOSH: The ability that I can provide myself an abnormal lifestyle. I don't want to settle for less than that. I’m in control of my income, the hours I work, how I work, the future I make for myself. There are so many opportunities for progression and so I call this industry the University of Life. There are so many skills that I’m developing here that can be transferred into other sectors later on in life; the things you learn really are invaluable and incredibly useful across the board, in a variety of different contexts. Whether I’m talking to a customer in the shop, or simply walking down the street, I’ve learned a huge amount of social skills, how to bond with people and relate to a broad demographic of clients; it’s really opened my eyes and I feel part of something important. Especially working in the Charity Sector, I feel as if I’m doing just that little bit more to to make a difference, which is important to me.

VIK: The benefits of being self-employed, even though we may end up working longer hours are that we’re working in a resultsbased business; therefore we are in control of our earnings, our progression and lifestyle.

You don’t get that in other companies and that sense of autonomy is invaluable. We are able to make decisions that have an impact on Day 1 of working in this field, so you really feel as if you’re a meaningful part of the team from the very beginning. You’re not just getting lost in a sea of recruits with no sense of purpose or gratification, you are seen.

If you want to get a promotion, you are in charge of that. You prove yourself, you make the sales and it will happen.

Were you nervous about making the shift to working for yourself?

JOSH: Yes, I was incredibly nervous! Because I’ve never worked in a commission and results-based industry before, I assumed like most people! - that commission-based basically meant I would never make any money, because money wasn’t ‘guaranteed’ in the traditional salaried manner. I had

029

'The biggest thing for me is that this industry offers so much support and networking; whereas at University this wasn’t the case'

to take a step back and re-evaluate my preconceptions about this industry. I realised that

‘commission-based’

meant

actually

having the potential to earn a lot more than the average person’s fixed salary, and that contrary to my earlier opinion, that’s actually an incredibly exciting way to work. Once I had made that transition in my head and started to really focus on the fact that I was in charge of my own income, that was when I started to move forwards. Obviously there is risk involved with that - especially as my partner and I both made the move at a similar time but it’s one hundred percent worth it. To be honest with you, that financial instability was my greatest anxiety, but I’m so pleased that I took the plunge. With that instability comes opportunity for a huge amount of growth and progression and with that risk factor comes drive, adrenalin and passion.

VIK: The biggest thing for me is that this industry offers so much support and networking;

whereas

at

University

this

wasn’t the case. Sometimes it’s better for the individual to move away from the traditional avenue of recruitment and take matters into their own hands. Being around people who are likeminded and taking an authentic interest in their work is incredibly motivating.

You know, I look around at other people sometimes and you can tell they’re not happy with what they do, but it’s not like that here.

I genuinely love my job to the extent that it doesn’t even feel like work! That attitude is quite rare these days.

When you first joined, were you given coaching?

JOSH: Yes, upon joining the company, I was coached my Phil himself. It wasn’t a huge amount of coaching time - about half a day! but it was very useful. Obviously he had just opened a company himself, so he was having to juggle bringing on new recruits and driving the business forwards, and whilst this meant I was little nervous, it allowed me to jump straight in the deep end which I’m grateful for (now!!). On my second day, I was sent straight into the Field which was daunting to say the least, and I actually ended up doing my first ever sign-up with Phil on speakerphone!! I went in to this guy’s home and said hands-up ‘I’m really sorry, it’s only my second ever day,

CATEGORY GROW TH / EXPANSION

I need to call my Boss up!’ and completed the pitch with Phil on the phone. After that it was sort of a learn-on-the-job situation, which sounds chaotic, but is actually the only way to learn! You can prepare yourself as much as

'I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. When you put yourself out of your comfort zone you really do achieve'

you like outside of the Field, but you’ve really just got to take the plunge and get out there.

That was the biggest adventure for me.

In terms of transferable skills, what qualities do you think you already had (but maybe hadn’t realised!) in order to succeed in this line of work, and what have you had to work on?

JOSH: I was quite an organised person as it was, but I’ve definitely learned how to organise and manage a big team - the logistics of that - and I think I’ve really improved

at

face-to-face

contact

with

people. By this I mean getting my clients to understand different viewpoints, as well as being able to do that myself. I think that’s really important, that sense of empathy that you have with your clients, being able to see things from their perspective and using that to make a sale. Before working here, my way of thinking was perhaps quite single-minded and straightforward - I wasn't really open to opinion - whereas now I can sit down with someone and appreciate both sides of the conversation which is hugely important for me. I think that’s the mark of a good Entrepreneur, to be subjective in your work, to adapt to each individual as opposed to operating with a ‘one size fits all’ attitude.

That’s not how the world works. That’s what makes our company stand out from the crowd.

VIK: I try to be like a big brother to members of his team. I understand how they feel because I’ve been there and I have complete respect for them, and vice-versa.

In conclusion, these stories prove to us the benefits of taking risks. When we think about our career trajectory, it’s often helpful to visualise where we want to be in five, ten years time and this can be beneficial in lots of ways; however, on the flip side of this, curating an idea of who we think we are in terms of our work can be limiting. Perhaps you can’t imagine what you will achieve in the next few years! Take a risk, step outside of your comfort zone and see what it feels like to exceed your expectations.

031

CATEGORY GROW TH / EXPANSION

'Perhaps you can’t imagine what you will achieve in the next few years! Take a risk, step outside of your comfort zone and see what it feels like to exceed your expectations.'

- VIK VERMA -

032

Couple Goals & Collaboration over in Cardiff Working in this industry is all about collaboration; when one

a summer job, sent her CV out to various companies before

person progresses, the whole team gains something. There

Kev from Promotions Co. got in touch: ‘I thought he sounded

is no formal sense of hierarchy and thus it’s less about the

really interesting over the phone, and even though I wasn’t

individual and more about the group effort. We work in a

really planning on working in Direct Sales, I was intrigued and

people-orientated business, we are working face-to-face with

so thought I’d give it a go’. Her plan had been to go back

our clients and the sales are generated by making a genuine

to study a Masters in Law with the intent on becoming a

human connection with someone, so it makes sense that

Solicitor and she had initially joined Promotions Co. in order

our company ethos is one that is driven by collaboration as

to develop her communication skills to take back into my

opposed to competition.

career as a Solicitor. This very quickly changed and Magda soon realised she wanted to progress in this industry: ‘In

We caught up with Magda Zaworksa to hear about her

September I decided to drop out of my studies and commit

journey into the industry and how her and her fiancé, Josh

to this career’.

Keeble, are making tracks together. They plan to get married next year and their business plan will act as the foundation

During this transitionary time, Magda decided that ‘if (she)

upon which to build a new life together: the ultimate

was going to commit to a career in Direct Sales, (she) was

collaboration.

going to commit properly’, and with this decision to take herself seriously came the realisation that she could open an

‘We strike a fantastic working balance, whereby my strengths

office of my own, that she had that potential. ‘This was the

are her weaknesses and vice versa, so in that sense we make

case for me, Josh and Vik, which was crazy! We all decided

a brilliant team (luckily!). We have quite different personalities

to change our plans and run with a career in Sales. To be

as well, so it’s not just our skill sets that compliment each

honest, I realised that I never really wanted to be a Solicitor

other, but our attitude and approach which is equally as

in the first place, but that I had never taken the time to reflect

important in a communication-based industry. In short

on my trajectory. I was simply drifting along in the traditional

we had an awards ceremony last year and Magda won

way, getting my Masters, on track for a career that would

‘Mrs Hardcore’ and I was ‘Mr. Sensitive’ so taking that into

have been ‘fine’. Now I realise how important it is to question,

consideration, I would say we make a winning team!’ (Josh)

to reconsider and to take the time to think about what it is you really want to do’. There is no point in wasting a time

Magda joined the company in June 2019, and in just 8

and money in pursuing a career that you’re not interested

months has made a huge change to her life and career. She

in, but it can be hard to come to that realisation when you’re

graduated from her Law degree in May and was looking for

halfway up the educational ladder.

033

When I first joined, I didn’t really take in how incredible this industry is. It’s really opened my eyes to the network, the worldwide network that we are a part of. The national and international reach that we have as a company is extraordinary and we are really making a difference. It feels good to be a part of that.’

- MAGDA ZAWORKSA -

CATEGORY DEVELOPMENT

Upon leaving her Masters, Magda was welcomed to Promotions

moment, they are working on building their team with the two of them

Company and immediately started her coaching: ‘I was on Vik’s team

aiming to hit Assistant Ownership by the end of March.

and to be honest I had quite a tough start in that I didn’t pick things up particularly quickly. I had to adapt and learn very quickly and at one

In terms of their strategy, I asked Magda how they plan ahead: ‘We

point Phil questioned whether or not this career was for me! But I stuck

have quarterly reviews to ensure that we’re all on track. Before Christ-

with it and I persisted! I concentrated all my efforts into proving them

mas, our goal was focussed on consistency in sales and making a big

wrong, and it paid off. I’m quite a stubborn person in general, so I knew I

enough turnover. Now, our focus is on recruitment, so we’ve been doing

would be successful but that it might take a little time’. After finding her

a lot of Hot-Desking. I’ve also been using the phone app Jobs Today

way over a few hurdles, Magda eased into her stride and personally

and have been contacting people on there which has been brilliant

recruited her partner, Josh, after just 3 weeks of working here. ‘Even

- there are loads of young people looking for jobs on there. Funnily

though in that moment I wasn’t doing so well, I saw a future opportunity

enough, lots of the young people on there are just looking for roles in

that I didn’t want to waste. I had a really strong vision of where I wanted

hospitality for example, simply because they’re not aware of this indus-

to be and what our future could look like and so I didn’t take my foot

try and how they might be able to get involved. Sometimes they are

of the pedal. I I pushed through and brought Josh in’. Sometimes you

sceptical (because they cant believe that this opportunity is open to

have to take a gamble in order to get something in return.

them) but they are always very interested. I’ve also been recruiting on Facebook via the group ‘Jobs in Bristol’.

It paid off! They are both now operating at Crew Leader level and have plans to open an office of their own in Cardiff this year. Magda explains

And for people thinking about entering this industry? ‘I would say take

how, ‘As soon as we were both part of the company, we were in every

a risk! Even if you don’t think it’s for you, it probably is! Be patient, be

single day, we started progressing quickly and before we knew it, we

prepared to work hard and maintain a positive outlook. I would also

were able to start recruiting people ourselves. We started to fill out plans

say it’s really important to shift your perspective and try to take in the

for opening an office of our own, thinking about location and where

bigger picture. When I first joined, I didn’t really take in how incredible

would be best to establish our company’. They immediately thought of

this industry is. It’s really opened my eyes to the network, the worldwide

Cardiff; it’s not too far away from the base in Bristol and they’ve worked

network that we are a part of. The national and international reach

in that territory before. They’ve been on a few road trips to Cardiff, they

that we have as a company is extraordinary and we are really making

know it well as a city and really love the atmosphere there; there are

a difference. It feels good to be a part of that.’

some fantastic bars and pubs for hosting Crew nights, and because it’s a University City, there’s a fantastic opportunity for recruitment. At the

Good luck to the dream team!

036

037

CATEGORY DEVELOPMENT

RE-BRANDING over in Russia Over in Russia, we will be holding a meeting midway through the first quarter with the senior members of the team as well as the recruiters to bring everyone up to speed on the plan for developing the company out there. In April, we’ve got an awards event which we’re really looking forward to and an Owner’s Meeting to be held in Moscow. We’re in exactly the same position in Russia as we are in the UK, with 12 offices open currently, and another 8 in the pipeline.

It’s an exciting time and feels good to have a strong presence in both parts of the world.

We caught up with Veronica over in Mos-

20 offices and they are up and running,

cow to hear how things are going…

each team will have the opportunity to re-brand (if they want to); however it’s

We’ve

actually

been

undergoing

some

re-branding lately which is exciting. The

important for us to get our name out there beforehand.

company now goes by the name: People Boosted and you can check out our new

Have you been using social media to help

website at www.peopleboosted.com. We’ve

with the re-brand?

gone for a bright, bold and fun design, and have used comic style animations to share

Yes! Check out our Instagram page, it’s

the story of our work. We wanted something

looking really cool. We’ve got a really strong

contemporary to catch people’s attention

visual brand and again are using the

and also to appeal to a 2020 demographic.

comic animations on there so people will

We also wanted something that reflected

immediately recognise the business when

the vibe of the company: ‘Boost Your

they see it.

Project and Have Fun!’.

What’s Moscow like to work in?

That’s great news! And how have things been going for the Offices out there?

which matches our company vibe. It’s very well connected in terms of travel and that

Things have been going really well. We’re

means there’s a broad demographic of peo-

opening another office in Moscow. I plan

ple that we can look at for recruitment. It’s

on sending another member of our team

incredibly dynamic which makes it a perfect

to open up in Kazan. Then in the second

base for us.

quarter, our plan is to open another 2 offices and go from there! We currently

Is there anyone in particular you’ve like to

have 4 Owners and are focussing heavily on

congratulate?

recruitment - much like in the UK - in order to expand the company over the year. We

We’ve got Idar working with us and he’s

have big plans! In terms of our branding

doing really well. He’s just been promoted

we’re actually going to keep the same name

to Organisational Head and is opening

across all of the offices during the launch

up another office in Belarus. He’s pushing

phase. This will help us build our reputation

for his DP promotion this year, so a

and a strong cohesive presence in the

congratulations and good luck to him!

industry. Then, after we’ve established our

038

Work Hard

Play Hard

‘​From the sandy beaches of Sri Lanka to the hustle and bustle of New York, we like to work around the world.

‘Sales under the Sun’…if you will. ’

CATEGORY TR AVEL

'We know how to party and we know how to smash it in Sales. I didn’t ever think I was going to get the opportunity to work for a company as good as these guys'

W

e like to

treated to a varied cuisine of traditional Sri

travel.

Lankan curries, fresh seafood and of course,

We

think

dessert:

it’s

an

creme brûlée, local fruits…. The chef himself

essential

is a man called Roshan, who after growing up

p

t

just 15 minutes away from where the villa is

the

situated, sailed the world gathering recipes

business

and rich experiences to bring back home and

calendar,

inspire the menu. ‘The food was absolutely

a

of

r

not just because it allows our hardworking

Cardamom

puddings,

pistachio

incredible, truly mind-blowing!’ (Paul).

team a well-deserved rest, but furthermore because

the

The trip wasn’t just about activities and

opportunity to get to know each other in a

it

provides

them

with

dining, it was also a masterclass in how to

relaxed and informal environment. That’s

operate a business! The staff at the resort

important to us. We believe that a solid

were phenomenal; their attention to detail,

friendship is the foundation of a successful

their level of service and the manner in

working relationship. Here are some of the

which they worked as a team was really

fantastic trips we rounded off last year with

inspiring and an unexpected take away from

as well as those we have coming up in 2020:

the trip. When you’re out of your ‘normal’ context and away from home, you start to

SRI LANKA - MEDA GEDARA !

see things from a different perspective. You have the opportunity to learn about people’s

First up, Sri Lanka! Back in November we

backgrounds and experiences in an informal

took 12 of our team to Sri Lanka to stay at

setting which is extremely useful. Vik was

the luxury Meda Gedara Resort, described

one of the lucky few to go to Sri Lanka, and

online as ‘the most beautiful villa in Sri

also the youngest! He tells us how ‘I think the

Lanka’. Vik and Paul were some of the lucky

scariest thing was feeling like the youngest

new additions to the team that qualified

person out there and slightly daunted by

for the trip after high-rolling the country in

that. I was looking around at the Owners who

sales and growing their team to promote the

are mainly in their 40s and I’m only 22, so

highest number of first gen. Leaders - huge

that was quite a reality check, in an exciting

congratulations to you both! Vik describes

way. What I took away from the trip was the

how ‘coming from the background that I do,

importance of freedom in your lifestyle. That’s

I’ve not really had the opportunity to do much

not something I had experienced when

travelling, certainly not independently, so it

studying at University, and being in Sri Lanka

really was the trip of a lifetime’. The itinerary

really brought that to the surface. I was

was pretty jam-packed, and with just 4 days

essentially earning a residual income whilst

in total, the guys really made the most of it.

sat on the beach with a beer in my hand, so

They swam with turtles, went snorkelling,

that felt pretty amazing! This is the life you

visited some awe-inspiring temples, went on

can have!’.

lagoon rides - you name it, they did it! And we have to mention the food! The team were

042

043

Sri Lanka NOVEMBER 2019

044

CATEGORY TR AVEL

045

CATEGORY TR AVEL

046

CATEGORY PHOTO POOL

047

CATEGORY PHOTO POOL

048

‘We made so many connections in Ibiza. It’s such a fantastic context for networking and I met a couple of mentors when I was out there. Having seen the progression of those in other companies, and having the chance to meet them and experience how their career has moved forwards was invaluable for me. Without opportunities such as these, I have no way of measuring my success. That’s why travel is so important.’

049

Ibiza

SEPTEMBER 2019

Earlier on this year, we organised a trip to Ibiza for over 200 people, with Josh and Magda representing Promotions Company: Josh has also won a place on the Miami trip later this year alongside Vik and Paul. This is a congratulations for them maintaining their sales targets over a total of 12 weeks, enabling them to promote more Leaders and expand their team. This will be a fantastic opportunity to network and to see how the companies operate differently to here in the UK; the cultural and therefore Entrepreneurial differences can be

extremely useful to note. Vik will also be heading to New York! The world really

is their oyster and we can’t wait to hear about your adventures for the next edition of the magazine.

050

CATEGORY EVENTS & REWARDS

051

CATEGORY EVENTS & REWARDS

052

CATEGORY EVENTS & REWARDS

Cheltenham Races We took a group of our high achievers to the Cheltenham Races to enjoy some time out of the office and celebrate their success stories! We had a wonderful day getting dressed up and placing our bets - who doesn’t love a gamble and a glass of champagne!? It was a fantastic opportunity to enjoy some light-hearted competition, raise a glass to each other and start to build relationships with the next intake of recruits.

053

CATEGORY EVENTS & REWARDS

054

CATEGORY EVENTS & REWARDS

055

CATEGORY EVENTS & REWARDS

056

CATEGORY EVENTS & REWARDS

057

CATEGORY EVENTS & REWARDS

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CATEGORY DEVELOPMENT

Social Media

Get savvy on your socials!

S

ocial media is a huge part

Branding. It’s important. Social media is fast

of our lives these days,

becoming a central aspect of creating a suc-

and whilst it may seem

cessful business model. When you go on to

ironic

that

open an office of your own, it is paramount

face-to-face

that you establish a strong brand identity,

business where human

a clear company culture and ‘shareable’ on-

connection is our primary

line presence. According to an article written

public to gain an insight not just into

focus, we can’t deny that

by Entrepreneur, Chidike Samuleson, ’Since

we are living in the Digital Age. As a result,

Instagram's inception, the platform has re-

the business but into the lifestyle that

we are using a variety of methods such as

defined social-media engagement. It is now

Hot-Desking, LinkedIn, Instagram and Face-

the ultimate territory marketers set out to

book to expand our recruitment reach. The

conquer, meaning competition is fierce and

days of posting an ad in the newspaper are

success has become increasingly elusive. But

long gone and social media is expanding our

the good news is that thriving with Instagram

network to an extraordinary degree.

marketing isn't about burning millions of dol-

‘It's just as important to have your own personal account as well as a company account. This enables the

it affords you, and that's what sells.’

we

considering

are

a

lars or hiring the most prominent influencer to share your posts. Rather, it requires more of a more nuanced approach to making an impression on the right target audience.’

Back in December, we organised a workshop with social media guru, Chris Taylor, on how to build a brand and boost followers on Instagram. If you think about just how many times you check your IG page every day (on average people spend 53 minutes per day free-falling through the infinite scroll!), to disregard this platform would be a wasted opportunity. Rob Cotterell from RedSeven was one of many to attend the seminar. He described how ‘Over the last couple of years we’ve been a lot more engaged with social media. Chris’s workshop really confirmed that Instagram is the way forward and inspired us to up our game in terms of our online content, branding and presence. People are updating their feeds and are scrolling through the content literally every hour’.

The workshop covered many things, including how to concept your social media accounts successfully. Paul Coombe explained how ‘it really opened my eyes in terms of scheduling posts, how to work on curating a timeline for content and when is the best time to post in order to reach the greatest number of people’. Rather than simply telling people ‘what you do’, it’s about crafting the content in order to ‘tell a story’. That’s what engages the public and gets them clicking on your account. ‘The visual story-mapping is so important’ and means that people are more likely not just to visit your page in the first place, but to re-visit and invest in the story of

061

CATEGORY DEVELOPMENT

'The days of posting an ad in the newspaper are long gone and social media is expanding our network to an extraordinary degree.'

your business and follow your progress.

'Social media is fast becoming a central aspect of creating a

One of the main focuses of the workshop

successful business model.'

was the importance of building an Instagram account for the Individual Entrepreneur as opposed to having one that is just representational of the Company itself. In this way, viewers are offered a far more personal insight into the world of the Entrepreneur; the connection established is one that feels noticeably more human, thereby grabbing the attention of the viewer in a way that resonates. Josh Keeble, a recent addition to Promotions Company, explains how his personal account, his ‘pictures, hashtags and comments speak for (him) and actually provide quite a well-rounded impression of who we are, what we do and how we do it. If someone wants to go to Miami, wants to go to Ibiza, have the opportunity for rapid progression, promotions and rewards, to be a part of a team, big conferences, Entrepreneurial meetings and thrive, then they see that we can offer them that lifestyle and career’. But he doesn’t just show people the good stuff, ‘it really is the good, the bad and the ugly’. It’s important to be authentic in your presentation of brand. Obviously there is an element of curation; however, you have to show people the real deal. For example, one day he ‘might post a picture of (himself) in a little coffee shop, and then that sits next to a photo of (him) in a Renaissance Hotel with a suit on.

That’s the transition I want to share with people; it’s reality’. We’re not saying you shouldn't filter what you post - you absolutely do need to have a clear idea of what is appropriate! however, it’s important to show an accurate representation of who you are. It’s about being the real deal. After all, authenticity sells.

This leads us onto recruitment. A secondary aim of the workshop was to encourage Owners to start recruiting via alternative means; whereas before recruitment was

'Since Instagram's inception, the platform has redefined social-media

many via online advertising, platforms such

engagement. It is now the ultimate territory marketers set out to conquer,

as IG and LinkedIn are really opening up the

meaning competition is fierce and success has become increasingly elusive.'

market. If you can improve your visibility on IG, you will broaden your audience reach and consequently your levels of recruitment will start to increase. Most of our Offices are now using platforms such as IG as well as LinkedIn to headhunt fresh talent. ‘It’s the social media too It’s also about doing it in a non-conventional way;

continued--->

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CATEGORY DEVELOPMENT

'It’s important to be authentic in your presentation of brand.

Obviously there is an element of curation; however, you have to show people the real deal.'

you can call someone up with a standard

in touch with them via IG. He’s already been

CV any day of the week, but the reason why

in for an interview and is joining the company

we’re getting so many people through IG is

on Monday! The international reach that

the fact that they are starting to contact us

these platforms afford us is extraordinary.

saying ‘I love the vibe of your team, I like what I see, how do I get involved?’ (Josh). When

Over at RedSeven, they’ve got Ed Collis

thinking about your target audience, it’s

heading their social media accounts and

important to bear in mind the demographic

something

that you want to reach out to. In order to

implement is the documentation of their

share this content with the right people,

trips and meetings through video. Every

it’s essential that you are up to speed with

month, RedSeven hosts ‘Owner’s Day’ where

‘demographic-appropriate’

Paul

they invite one of their Sales People to

Coombe, for example, who will be opening up

experience a new activity. In January they

in Oxford needs to ensure that he is targeting

went to Daylesford Farm - an organic farm

an Oxford-specific demographic in order to

owned by Lady and Lord Manford - and

successfully establish an online presence

enjoyed a private cooking school course.

ahead of opening the physical office. That

They were taught by top chefs how to cook

demographic is going to consist more of

a variety of delicious dishes, followed by a

students and young entrepreneurs seeing

collective dining experience. Ed was there

as it’s a University Town, so knowing that will

to document the experience - ‘I think that

help him to craft his posts accordingly. Tactical

video is really important medium with which

hashtags are also a means of accessing

to share experiences, it’s the most dynamic

those people that aren’t necessarily thinking

and really allows people to feel immersed in

of a career in this industry and connecting

the world of the business’. ‘All of our brand

with people that aren’t necessarily looking

ambassadors

for a job in this industry.

pages where they are sharing what they’re

hashtags.

that

they

have

have

their

own

started

to

Instagram

up to, meetings, trips etc. so it really does Think about what would grab your attention.

provide a fantastic insight into the working

If you want to attract unconventional people

‘day-to-day’ routine of the company which is

- ‘diamonds in the rough’ - to bring a fresh

great for prospective recruits.

energy and alternative approach to your team, what would they want to see? Perhaps

Sam Rathling’s LinkedIn workshop focussed

not so much the industry-based content, but

on building a profile, building our network

rather the lifestyle that working in this sector

and consequently building relationships in

affords us. This was certainly something

that network. Generally being ‘active’. The

that attracted Paul Coombe to the job after

mentality in the past has been one of finality

working in horse-racing for 22 years: ‘the

- once something is posted online, it’s done

great thing about this industry - the travelling

and our role is complete - but that’s not the

part of it - is that it shows you that if you work

case anymore. You need to constantly be

hard, you can live an amazing lifestyle and

updating your feed, posting new content

take part in some incredible opportunities’.

and making an effort to connect. It’s time-

The integration of trips to places such as

consuming, but it’s essential. What we’ve

Sri Lanka into the business calendar is

taken away from the workshop with Sam

pretty extraordinary. Paul explains how ‘in

(LinkedIn Bound) is that LinkedIn isn’t about

showcasing this lifestyle via social media,

selling to people, it’s about story-telling.

people realise what an amazing industry and

This helps to establish a sense of intrigue

network we are part of, and consequently

and eventually connects us with the most

they want to get involved which is great!’. Just

appropriate people to join our company.

last week they had a guy from Australia get

063

CATEGORY BOOKS & PODCASTS

Books and Podcasts Bored, Lonely, Angry, Stupid The Psychology of Persuasion

InstaBrain: The New Rules for Marketing to Generation Z

Marketing Rebellion: The Most Human Company Wins

‘We take some things for granted today—

‘How confident are you that you can con-

‘Marketing Rebellion will teach you: •How

that selfies make us narcissistic, that so-

nect and engage this audience in a way

cataclysmic consumer trends are a pre-

cial media can make us lonely, and so on.

that will resonate?

dictable result of a revolution that started 100 years ago.

By: Luke Fernandez

065

By: Sarah Weise

By: Mark W. Schaefer

CATEGORY BOOKS & PODCASTS

This quarter we have been focussing on recruitment; the following podcasts offer you a fantastic insight into what it means to do just that. Looking at strategizing, recruitment and design, these books and podcasts will enhance your understanding of how to better promote your business and build a reputation across a variety of platforms. Get reading, get learning and get yourself and your business out there!

ReWork

Podcasts

01

Accelerate! (Sales, Profits, Growth) By: Andy Paul “Accelerate Your Sales Power.” Are you completely satisfied with your sales performance? Then Accelerate! your sales skills, leadership traits, and personal development, with sought-after speaker, best-selling author and sales sage, Andy Paul.

02

The School of Greatness By: Lewis Howes ‘Lewis Howes is a NYT bestselling author, lifestyle entrepreneur, former pro athlete and world record holder in football. The goal of the School of Greatness is to share inspiring stories from the most brilliant business minds, world class athletes and influential celebrities on the planet to help you find out what makes great people great.’

03

Get In the Door By: Steve Kloyda ‘Let's face it nothing happens until you get in front of a prospect or client and that will never happen until you get their attention. This podcast is dedicated to helping you get in the door, close more sales and do your best work.’

‘This optimistic book can inspire hope in future entrepreneurs. The author makes sure that the reader is grounded in the simplest, yet most effective, principles.

04

Outrage & Optimism By: .......

‘Interviews tackling the subject of Climate Change with David Attenborough, Ellie Goulding, Jane Goodall, Governor Jay Inslee, Greta Thunberg’

By: Jason Fried

066

Photo Album

A selection of some of our favourite photos from recent events

CATEGORY PHOTO POOL

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The Trip of a ifetime!

SRI LANKA 14th - 18th November 2020

5 Star All Inclusive Luxury at the stunning Meda Gedara Villa with its own private chef and exclusive beach

a n i

n a c u o

d g An n i z a m a s i h t n o place ! . . . . . . . . trip...

SALES

LEADERS Person whose team grows the

Most individual sales done

most in First Gen Owners

between 2/1/20 and

Profit from 2/1/20 to

29/3/20

29/3/20 Final Week Counted

Competition runs from hursday 2nd anuary - Sunday 29th March 2020

JOIN US FOR AN EVENING OF GLITZ AND GLAMOUR AT THIS YEARS

uk awards ball TAKING PLACE ON THE 2ND OF MAY 2020 AT THE IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, MANCHESTER DRESS TO IMPRESS

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Office List 2020

CATEGORY OFFICE LIST

Our UK, Spanish and Russian office list. Please be sure to visit our social media channels for future developments

UK

RUSSIA

SPAIN

Mantra Marketing Group James Buckley / Francis Colam www.mantramarketinggroup.com

JB Company Jasmine Suleymanova Krasnodar website coming soon

EMDI Marketing Nelson Pereira Reus www.emdimarketing.com

Leela Promotions Aparna Rakesh Plymouth www.leelapromotions.com

RedSeven Marketing Robert Cotterell Swindon / Cheltenham www.redsevenmarketing.co.uk

Synergy Marketing Charlotte Vass Cheltenham website coming soon

Engima Mark Widnel Barnstaple website coming soon

Monument Promotions Matt Nicholson Swindon www.monumentpromotions.co.uk

Fairview Advertising David Hebblethwaite Ipswich www.fairviewadvertising.co.uk

Black Stag Marketing Stephanie Wiltshire Bristol website coming soon

Magic Magomed Parizhev Krasnodar website coming soon

ZIMA Albina Zigangirova Moscow website coming soon

Vio Organisation Veronica Ovechkina Moscow website coming soon

Asana Marketing Group Aidar Zamaletdinov Moscow www.asana-mg.com

First Group Albina Fazlieva Moscow www.firstgroup.moscow

Yuppie Timur Konovalov Moscow www.yuppie.city

World Marketing Radik Kamalov St Petersburg www.pr-wm.com

Redline Promotions Chance Cowie Manchester website coming soon

B23 Marketing Roddy Barker Glasgow website coming soon

The Promotions Company Phil Reid Bristol www.promotions-company.co.uk

Regardless Marketing Floyd Marriot London www.regardlessmarketing.com

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“Your limitation is only your imagination”