Mantra Marketing Group Magazine Issue #018

Our Contributors

Francis Davies

Chief Editor

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

Nina Collis

Sub-editor

Nina is the Head of Talent for the Mentorprise Group with the goal of finding the best people to start their career in the organisation

Ellie Ford

Editor / Author

Ellie runs Flossy notes from her Cornish base in Bude. She works with small businesses on their marketing objectives, covering services such as social media management, content creation, and a host of copywrting projects

Alex Rae

Art Director / Designer

Alex is an accomplished designer, and visual artist specialising in brand communications.

Welcome

TO ISSUE #018 2023

2023,

This new year feels great. Maybe it’s the ‘no holds barred’ approach to the content we’re seeing or the sense that people are standing up for what’s right every which way we look. The modern-day necessity to show your authenticity, go against the outdated grain and action what you believe in, is boosting confidence for all those looking on. Maybe it’s the post-covid era, but it seems we’re no longer ‘confined’ to the norm.

We have long fought to make a difference to our clients and those they serve, from The British Red Cross to Great Ormond Street Hospital, and Alzheimer’s Research UK to The British Heart Foundation. Awareness, money raised and customers acquired, it’s our bread and butter.

Last year was our best-ever year in business, with £33,458,100 for a huge range of clients and an

incredible 37% organisational growth. We’ve learned what’s truly possible within the field, and have been inspired by our team by no end. Each year brings a new outlook, and 2023 will be no different - So, what can we learn today?

The diary is full and we’ve already attended one of the biggest events in the direct sales calendar; The National Brand Ambassador Meeting at The Kimpton Clocktower in Manchester. We’ve got our annual ski trip, a trip to Bali, and let’s not forget the abundance of transformative meetings, events and opportunities.

Let’s make a difference, let’s have an impact and let’s get at it!

is it just us or does that have a ring to it?

THE SELF

Employed Juggle

BALANCE / WORK-LIFE INTEGRATION

hen circumstances dictated we stayed at home, we evolved our jobs, careers and systems. When purchasing was no longer an in-person process, we stepped up our online accessibility. And when the lonely became isolated, community spirit made an aggressive comeback.

Being thrown into a situation we weren’t prepared for was a logistical nightmare, but having now experienced such professional disturbance, we can’t help but be intrigued by the many possibilities not yet tapped into. People are questioning age-old processes, innovating traditional systems and pondering how we get better from each angle. “Making do” with what we’ve always known is no longer an option.

Work is what you make it

For so long, success in business has meant all work and no play. The generational concept that work was work, and enjoying it was simply a myth, is now outdated. As is the case with your spare time, your sense of style and the fitness journey you choose, ‘work’ is what you make it.

Many of us have limited expectations of a job, whereby you do as you are asked, when you are asked and where you are asked. It’s not until you become self-employed that you come to realise there are no limitations. You do you.

It takes time to adjust to the notion of planning your own day, structuring your time according to your goals, and creating a

Wwork-life balance to suit you. Once you have evolved your mindset, however, you never look back.

As self-employed individuals, we need to look at what is important to us. Is it imperative to be the person to take your children to school in the morning? Are Thursdays a day of no work to allow you to spend time with your significant other? Is sitting still for longer than an hour not part of your personality? Your success is dependent upon you and you only, and long-term success requires consistent positive action which only you can manufacture. If there’s ever been a time to frame your working world around your wants, wishes and requirements, it’s now. You have permission.

#NotTrending

Our business is made up of entrepreneurs and forward-thinkers, those that break the mould with a glint in their eyes, and what a pleasure it is to observe. Of course, certain elements wouldn’t be wise to change; they are tried and tested. For example, when working with customers, there’s no use in trying to contact them when they’re generally uncontactable. Knowing your audience and working in harmony with them is a necessity.

There are, however, many ways to incorporate our individual needs into the work that we do. Work-Life integration is a priority. Here are just some of the examples we’ve seen come into play.

Our Extended Family

Work consumes a large part of every day, and it’s not unusual to then bring the topic home, relaying stories, giving updates on projects and divulging office gossip. Within our organisation, we’ve always had weekly social events, albeit going out for dinner,

There’s a definite buzz around the year 2023. With all the hardship of past years, all the chaos, uncertainty and a whole new normal, it seems the entrepreneurial spirit was a persistent theme throughout.

"You do not FIND the happy life. You make it."

crazy golf or grabbing drinks as a team. What many have now begun to do is extend this activity to family members and loved ones; an inclusive environment for anyone who wants to be a part of it. The more the merrier we say.

Autonomy over Authority

We’re self-employed, you employ yourself to do a great job. There are of course standards to meet for our clients, but essentially, you get to choose how this role looks. What are your goals? Where do you hold team meetings? What are you going to learn this week? What income are you going to strive for? Are you going to travel for your development this month? Want to take a few days off to reward your hard work with a city break? Ask the boss.

Get your graft on

In business, and life, there are times to get your head down, and times to reap the rewards. To achieve anything worth having, you need to work hard, put in consistent effort, and focus.

The definition of an Entrepreneur is “a person who sets up a business, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit.” We’d like to acknowledge that these risks aren’t solely financial, however. They are social, interpersonal and directly related to your growth as an individual. So, although you may be investing your time and energy disproportionately at times, the potential profit is more time, more energy, and more wealth.

Input the Fun

Within our organisation, we are fully entitled, encouraged even, to make the working day fun. Let’s put the music on, run competitions, dress to impress and laugh till we cry. If you’re enjoying what you do, you perform better, that’s just the way it is. Interactions are more enjoyable, your authenticity is obvious and you’re exuding energy. What’s wonderful too is that you’re enticing others to do the same.

“You do not find the happy life. You make it."

—Thomas S. Monson

There’s never a bad time to enjoy life, and work is part of life. How can you upgrade today?

"In business, and life, there are times to get your head down, and times to reap the rewards. To achieve anything worth having, you need to work hard, put in consistent effort, and focus. "

'It takes time to adjust to the notion of planning your own day, structuring your time according to your goals, and creating a work-life balance to suit you. Once you have evolved your mindset, however, you never look back. '

“Your success is dependent upon you and you only, and long-term success requires consistent positive action which only you can manufacture. If there’s ever been a time to frame your working world around your wants, wishes and requirements, it’s now. You have permission."

CREATING CULTURES

w/ Gary Pearson

Company culture is built, developed and maintained, whether intentionally or by accident. You can’t decide to have a great culture and simply purchase it. Company culture is like any other relationship in business, it needs to be invested in and committed to.

It can be hard to ignore the exaggerated reputation of the sales industry as being ruthless and hardhitting, and through years of poor standards, bad practices and unhelpful Blockbusters… perceptions can be forged.

Sales indeed come with targets, that’s inevitable; you need to know what you’re working toward. How you make that feel for your team, customers and clients is up to you, however. There is more than one way to sell your products or services, ample avenues to take, and a multitude of conversations to be had.

In our business, we understand the importance of marrying the right customers to the right products; a sale isn’t a sale at all if they cancel or return soon after. What a waste of everyone's time that would be.

Although it’s possible to have perceptions of what the sales industry entails, we spend a lot of time

forging a more healthy mental attitude toward longterm relationships between clients and customers. The true value to our clients is in customer relationships that have longevity and real purpose, not short-term quick fixes or impulsive decisions.

Company culture can be felt by all involved whereby a positive example shines through, a helping hand warms the heart and a negative attitude stinks. Someone whose office is making headlines for the buzz it’s creating, is Adaptive Marketing in Leeds.

We wanted to speak with Gary Pearson, the Managing Director, to get a real sense of how, and why, he’s created such an environment for his team.

Hi Gary! We’re hearing lots of great things about your office in Leeds, would you say you’ve created an exciting culture?

Oh, 100% - Absolutely. I’d say one of the biggest factors has been that we recruit based on personality, not necessarily experience. This has meant that we’ve got a great bunch of people with fantastic energy, who all get on and try to get the best out of each other - Good vibes all around.

We have such a focus on education and personal development that as long as you want to listen and try your best, and are happy to make mistakes to learn from, we’re more than happy to work with you.

We’ve had to be organised, something we’ve worked on as time’s gone by, to make sure each person is getting the development they not only need but want for themselves. Our core team have immersed themselves in the business, we’re driven by the same goals, developing together as entrepreneurs.

We’re also still quite new to the city so the fact we get to explore together makes it feel like a big adventure.

You moved your office to Leeds in July 2022, how has it been so far?

Just brilliant, we raised £648k for our clients, Great Ormond Street Hospital and The British Red Cross, and are so excited to break that million-pound mark this year. We couldn’t be prouder really.

What do you think has helped you have such a momentous start?

Our non-negotiables have been invaluable. Launching a business can be a lot of work, very tiring at times and it’s all too easy to take your foot off the gas. I’ve always said, “Be brilliant at the basics”, which for me means setting the pace in the sales field and making sure I plan for the next day, rather than taking a shortcut and winging it. Giving everyone the most relative education, rather than generic themes and topics, is really important too.

I listen to what people tell me and keep them accountable for what they say they want for themselves. If they want career progression then I’ll keep them more accountable for what it takes to achieve that. If they just want to make some money and have some fun, that’s fine too.

Is there anything you would have done differently?

I’d have been savvier with my training systems; I would have made sure to personally train as many individuals as possible in front of others. That way I would have had people watching me coach, but I’d also have been directly training our new team members. Two birds, one stone.

What mind frame did you enter the new year with?

Discipline and focus, for all areas in my life actually. I’m even attempting a “Damp 2023”.

“We raised £648k for our clients, Great Ormond Street Hospital and The British Red Cross, and are so excited to break that million-pound mark this year."

Not completely teetotal but I’m going to lay off the alcohol as much as it feels good. We’re going all in for 2023.

What are your plans ahead?

We’re aiming for a 30-strong team, hitting 200 customer acquisitions per week. That then means we can upsize our location and get ready to open the second office in Leeds.

Road trips are going to be a strong focus for us too. Our first-ever one was successful with 179 acquisitions between eight people, so we’re going to continue that momentum with both sales and development-focused road trips.

Listening to Gary, you get a real sense of purpose from what he and his business are doing every day. It’s not about him and it’s not about the numbers, it’s about the people around him and the impact they can have. If you’re looking to create a great culture for your team, we’d say Adaptive Marketing is a good place to start.

We’re looking forward to seeing where 2023 takes Gary and the team, and can’t wait to see them break that million-pound milestone for their clients.

"I’d say one of the biggest factors has been that we recruit based on personality, not necessarily experience. This has meant that we’ve got a great bunch of people with fantastic energy, who all get on and try to get the best out of each other."

COMEBACK Don't Call it a

REID

PHIL

In our business, we wholeheartedly believe in the blessing of making mistakes. You can not, and will not, grow as an entrepreneur without them. Mistakes, or let's call them bouncebacks, are where we learn, where our expertise strengthens, and where our future selves become more valuable.

Every time we speak with Phil Reid, Managing Director of The Promotions Company, and Organisational Head of Pro Co, we’re treated to insider honesty; a true insight into the process of running a business.

Phil has worked in sales for 17 years, both running his own office and building his organisation. He’s seen the industry evolve, he’s witnessed changes in customer dynamics and demographics, and he’s worked within multiple divisions for many clients. Even with all that experience, Phil wants to express the importance of staying humble, continually developing your skills and forever networking.

This article is here to prove to you that you don’t, and nor will you ever, become a finished article.

“17 years and still learning”

Looking back on 2022, Phil describes it as a “massive, massive learning curve”, rebuilding the Bristol office after promoting offices in 2021. He explains how he’d essentially left himself too thin, needing to be multiple things to multiple people, and the repercussions were appearing.

After spending 2022 developing his team, he realised a gap in their recruitment efforts in December, month 12 of 12. Their previous notion for recruitment was to join the team, learn some skills, do some sales and have a great time, and if that led to a blossoming career, great. What they failed to promote was the extraordinary opportunities available to all, so even though they had some incredible talent within the office, the intention behind the role was more often than not a temporary one.

“Our new team members were seeing, “This is temporary. I’ll do some sales, learn some skills and move on.” Now, there’s nothing wrong with that but it doesn’t represent us fully. We also need a handful of people saying “This is my career, let’s go and do this”, that’s what needed to change”

A trip in the new year to a flourishing office in Belfast, Ciaran Hawkins’ Fortis Marketing Ltd, further solidified Phil’s epiphany.

“I walked into that office so annoyed with myself; the rhetoric and wording around development and promotions, the networking taking place, it was just so obvious. I walked away thinking “I know this!”

A refresh and rebranding was on the cards for The Promotions Company. Actions speak louder than words, so along with updated branding, the office has been invigorated with expansion maps, goal plans, team boards, and additional communal features such as a brand new pool table.

Speaking of goal plans, we asked Phil what 2023 had in store for the team. He explained that in previous years the environment had perhaps been wrong for people to step into the expansion opportunities.

“We’ve always attracted great people but we need to now give them the right tools and confidence to get promoted. We’re focusing on the right areas, we’re talking big, thinking big and networking substantially”

As Holly Near said, “If you have the guts to keep making mistakes, your wisdom and intelligence leap forward with huge momentum.”

What a start to 2023, sometimes all we need is that light bulb moment to change course. We think Phil and the team will soon be grateful for 2022 for not only what it has taught them, but where it will lead them.

“We’ve always attracted great people but we need to now give them the right tools and confidence to get promoted. We’re focusing on the right areas, we’re talking big, thinking big and networking substantially”

New Year New Faces

One of the best things about our work is the number of people we get the pleasure of meeting, working with and learning from. We’re constantly inspired and in awe of such incredible individuals, albeit customers, clients or co-workers. We would love to be able to celebrate each and every person that impacts our lives positively, but the printers may have something to say about how colossal that edition would be!

Instead, we’ve hand-selected some gems from one particular office, Monument Promotions, who are making themselves known over in Swindon. We spoke with Matt Nicholson, the Managing Director, who described 2022 as a year that brought lots of team development with a real defining of their business values and what they stand for. They’re proud to have built strong bonds and a culture of respect and honesty, rather than gossip.

Amelia Barklay

Having approached the role with so much enthusiasm, Amelia, only 19 years of age, is known for having such a positive, student mentality. She’s not only willing to listen and learn but actively invests herself in getting better.

We asked Amelia whether there were any aspects of her business style she’s had to work on, to which she gave an insightful reply.

“I found I naturally had a softer tone of voice and wanted to work on this to come across more confident in conversationI’ve massively improved and it’s definitely helped with my all-round confidence too.”

“We run the office as a democracy, not a dictatorship”

Preet

Singh

Preet wouldn’t mind us saying that he didn’t walk into Monument Promotions as a naturalborn seller, he took his time, worked hard and observed those around him to become one of the top performers in the office.

Matt praises him for showing such great leadership qualities, with training and education as his biggest aspirations. When asked what his focus was currently, Preet told us:

“... to make sure I am the right example for my team and they have a good role model to look up to.”

We love that - Who could ask for more from their mentor?

Edward Keller

As one of the high performers in the sales department, Matt was keen for us to speak with Edward, or Eddie as he likes to be called, to see how sales can be a career for everyone. Previously working as a Head Chef, Eddie states how the skills area he initially needed to improve upon was a social one.

“I was a head chef before this so speaking to lots of people was not my thing to begin

with. Speaking with as many as we do has really helped my social skills; reading body language and coaching others”.

When asked why he felt he was suited to the charity partners we work with, Eddie opened up.

“I’m working with Great Ormond Street Hospital, a cause I’m very passionate about as they have helped my family in the past. I know the hardship of finding somewhere to stay in London to be close to your loved one”

Justin Cooke

A natural hard worker, Justin radiates work ethic, whilst also adding lots of fun and positivity to the office. He’s a great energy to be around, and when we asked what works for him within his leadership role, he said:

“Really getting to know your Brand Ambassadors, especially how they learn best. Everyone is very different, so what works for one person may not be the best way to coach another”

Teamwork makes the dream work, as they say, so we wanted to know what qualities Justin values in his team members.

“An unstoppable, “can do” attitude, and the drive and willingness to learn and take advice”.

That sounds a lot like someone we know, hey Justin!

We will never tire of learning about people, or from them. Getting the opportunity to watch someone achieve and grow through their passions is different every time. We’re so proud of every goal hit, every dream fulfilled and every skill acquired - Let’s see what these four have in store for us!

If you’d like to witness first-hand how Monument Promotions are facilitating individual growth, get in touch with the team to organise a call or a visit.

“I was a head chef before this so speaking to lots of people was not my thing to begin with. Speaking with as many as we do has really helped my social skills; reading body language and coaching others”.

We will never tire of learning about people, or from them. Getting the opportunity to watch someone achieve and grow through their passions is different every time. We’re so proud of every goal hit, every dream fulfilled and every skill acquired

“I’m working with Great Ormond Street Hospital, a cause I’m very passionate about as they have helped my family in the past."

Gold Standard Fidel Nanton The

Fidel Nanton is no stranger to this magazine, he features regularly for many reasons; building great relationships, setting the standard, and time and time again we hear his name when discussing the importance of the quality of the sale.

In sales, it can be all too easy to fall into the trap of chasing profit. When’s the next goal going to be hit? How many sales can I make this month? Will I beat my personal best this quarter? For many sales companies, these are the targets that are encouraged.

It depends on the field you’re in, but where we’re concerned, we naturally value the numbers but are far more interested in the quality of each customer acquisition. Longevity, customer experience and client satisfaction are what have kept us growing year after year since 2001. Our clients return to our particular marketing services because we not only facilitate them hitting their business goals but growing as respected brands.

Whether someone is new to the sales industry or has forged their career in it, there are always new elements to learn to ensure quality customer interactions. We wanted to take the opportunity to speak with Fidel for his insight on the topic; how he centres his team around the concept of ‘quality over everything’, and how in doing so his business is thriving.

Go on Fidel, hit us with the big guns - Why is it so important to focus on quality rather than the

quantity of sales?

It’s about your reputation, and that speaks for itself, doesn’t it? In my team, at one point, if not right now, every single person has had a 0% reject rate, which means they’ve not had a single cancellation from a customer during that period. For the team, that’s incredible. When that becomes the norm, and people hear about the standards we’re setting, they want to be a part of it, and they’re proud to be part of the team.

Where the client is concerned, and we’re currently working with charity partners, that means more money for their invaluable causes. Long-term donors make a significant difference over time, whereas short-term ones mean perhaps the wrong people are signing up.

With great quality the incentives keep getting better too; you essentially get paid five times a month rather than four because of your Loyalty Incentives.

Our job is to source quality donors for our charity partners, those that can not only afford a regular payment but want to and feel aligned with the charity.

“Our job is to source quality donors for our charity partners, those that can not only afford a regular payment but want to and feel aligned with the charity."

“Essentially, your quality reflects how well you’re doing at your job.”

How would you recommend someone go about bettering their quality?

You need to be aware of your Key Performance Indicators, so look at your analytics. If you sign up mainly over 35-yearolds, you attain an email address 90% of the time, 90% qualify for Gift Aid, 85% of them are in the desired demographic, and you get two phone numbers at least 35% of the time, you’re on the right track.

If you tick those boxes, you will have great quality. Those aspects ensure you’re signing up the right people and rehashing effectively. Ask your administration team to pull together your statistics and go through them with you, then you can highlight any areas that need working on.

It’s also really important to share your passion and knowledge with each customer. I’m currently working with Alzheimer’s Research UK and Great Ormond Street Hospital - If a customer asks, “Were you a Junior Doctor?” I know I’ve done my job right!

Are there any practices you think should be avoided?

You shouldn’t take shortcuts, there’s just no point, and always give the donor your full attention, make sure you’re listening to them.

When you’re doing the rehash on the Ipad it’s so important that you don’t steamroll through it. They should always feel in control of the sign-up because they are. They’ve chosen to donate, don’t rush through it.

As always, Fidel did not disappoint. What fantastic insight into his no-nonsense approach to the quality of each customer acquisition. A pleasure to speak with, a joy to listen to and a real asset to not only his team but the entire organisation.

"It’s about your reputation, and that speaks for itself, doesn’t it? In my team, at one point, if not right now, every single person has had a 0% reject rate, which means they’ve not had a single cancellation from a customer during that period"

ASSISTANT Ownership Ori Joynson

The silent achiever, Ori Joynson is the first to say this career path was a bit of a surprise for her. Not one to take centre stage at any given opportunity, she would once have described herself as shy.

When she joined the business, she decided to go at her own pace and progress when it felt right for her. Observing and learning from others, getting to grips with new skills and systems, and taking advantage of the countless educational opportunities within the network, Ori has now achieved her Assistant Ownership promotion within the RedSeven Marketing office. Congratulations Ori!

Rob Cotterell, Managing Director, wanted us to speak with her regarding her experience in the industry and Advancement Programme.

”Work hard in silence, let your success make the noise - Frank Ocean”

Having worked as a carer for four years previously, Ori wanted something for herself; something she could build, put her stamp on and be proud of. She didn’t know what that looked like, but she applied for multiple openings, arrived at the RedSeven Marketing office and has loved it ever since.

“I love the fact that you constantly get support and education. You don’t know everything, no one does.”

Now an Assistant Owner within the business, Ori is levelling up. She’s brand new to the role and focusing on building depth in her team by replicating her skills throughout. She runs the office when she gets the opportunity, rather well we’d like to add, and soon she’ll be getting to grips with additional areas of business management such as client liaison, finances and brand development.

Something she’s particularly eager to master is the recruitment aspect of the business, from start to finish. How do we attract candidates, how do we organise the recruitment process, how do we conduct appointments with candidates and how do we facilitate the start of their career with us? It’s all fun and games in our industry.

Although Ori is excited about the next stage in her career development, she found her previous promotion to Crew Leadership challenging.

“You’re learning how to coach all sorts of people, and not just one at a time, but three or four simultaneously. Learning to lead a larger team, keeping organised and making sure everyone has a plan was something new to me”

We asked Ori to give us some insight into each advancement of the business, here are the tips she gave for the smoothest of journeys:

Brand Ambassador

Copy and Listen! Be a toddler and absorb everything.

Leader Network as soon as possible - Help yourself

Promoting Leader

Don’t halt recruitment - You know how to sell, now learn how to coach and show them how to sell

Team Leadership

Always overshoot your criteria - Your goal should be bigger than what it needs to be. That way, if you don’t hit it, you’ll still be a lot closer than if you had aimed for the minimum. And when you do hit it, you’ll know you’re ready.

Team BIA, inspired by the Greek Goddess of raw energy and power, is planning to stay in Bristol to form a Powerhouse location with RedSeven Marketing. This means that whilst being a Managing Director in her own right, running her own business with her own clients, she’ll still be getting support from the organisation there and then on-site. A smart move.

A big believer in networking, Ori is progressing her career alongside those she’s met along the way, for instance through the Entrepreneur’s Academy. There’s friendly competition of course, but support, kindness and consideration more than anything else. Imagine building your business with your best friends - That’s what we do every day. Congratulations Ori Joynson. Kudos.

BRANDING For Tomorrow

NINA COLLIS

Your brand; what is said about you when you’re no longer in the room. Would you want to know? RedSeven Marketing does.

Not simply your logo and a particular font, business branding covers the customer experience, the ‘feel’ of each interaction online, over the phone and in person, the recognisability of a marketing campaign, and perhaps most importantly, the instant perception upon mentioning your company name.

What comes to mind when you hear “Waitrose”? What about “BooHoo”? How about “Twitter”…?

Your brand is essential to your success; both professionally and personally. Far from being a box to tick, branding is a verb, not a noun; an ever-evolving, unstoppable force that needs consideration and intentional action, forever. So, let’s get to work!

Having recently moved to Bristol, the RedSeven Marketing team are well aware of how fierce the competition is for fantastic recruitment candidates. Nina Collis, Head of Talent, comments:

“We’re fishing from the same pool of candidates as some huge companies and we all want the best. If we don’t market ourselves at least as well as they do, when it comes to choosing where to work, we may well fall short. There are so many great reasons to work with us, but traditionally we’ve not been the best at letting people know. We were a marketing company that didn’t market itself! That’s why we’ve employed someone specifically for company branding purposes; Saad is officially ‘Head of Talent Attraction’”.

Saad Abu Quora has been given free rein

to take a hold of the RedSeven brand, investing his time in the areas he feels are on trend, relevant and impactful in the current climate. Being a recent graduate himself, he’s hyper-aware of what’s appealing and effective to our target audience. His role is to find any branding gaps, create the content the audience wants, and focus on what works.

“Candidate ghosting is a thing! It’s a candidate-driven market right now, they have so many choices. We’re not the only people they’re seeing, they’re playing the field and sometimes you can get left thinking, “Was it something we said?”

Without a doubt, social media is a large part of the branding construct, you can’t ignore it and nor do we want to. Posts, stories, updates and profiles are all legitimate ways of marketing yourself, but RedSeven has chosen to take things back to the roots too to focus its efforts effectively. Their review culture is a frequent feature in morning meetings and quarterly agendas;

“Because we don’t have the workforce of Lloyds Bank, for instance, we need to be more proactive, encouraging reviews about people’s positive experience working with us. We need our Employer Value Proposition to be obvious so those who have options know we’re also a great choice.”

Sometimes we’re so absorbed in the dayto-day running of our businesses that we forget to take a step back and look at the company as a whole.

We’re very much looking forward to the evolution of the RedSeven Marketing brand, perhaps it’s time to take a look at your own?

"There are so many great reasons to work with us, but traditionally we’ve not been the best at letting people know. We were a marketing company that didn’t market itself! That’s why we’ve employed someone specifically for company branding purpose."

But Why?

With the Mentorprise Organisation

We’re in an era of no limitations, the postcovid generation is taking no prisoners whether

it’s lifestyle choices, social change or what’s possible. With the Mentorprise Organisation forging its very own path as a marketing entity, they thought it wise, and very interesting, to take stock. So, what’ve they discovered?

Speaking with Nina Collis, Head of Talent, it’s clear that a “why not?” attitude has been implemented. Why not change the way our meetings are structured? Why not rework our goal-planning process? Why not take a deep dive into who we are as a brand?

“Just before Christmas, we did a goalplanning session. We’ve always done them every quarter as a habit, almost a copy-andpaste format from the one previous, which was fine because it’s always good to review and focus, but we didn’t really know why we were looking at those specific numbers or setting those specific goals.”

Rob Cotterell, Managing Director, reached out across the network, as far even as Australia, to discover how other goals were being set. An influx of varied perspectives and insights from experienced, thriving entrepreneurs, some of which were kind enough to film ‘how to’ videos for the team.

Some thought-provoking activities came about, whereby Shane Ward, Founder and Director of SGW Marketing Pty Ltd, suggested asking the team some highenergy questions such as “Who are you?”

and “What’s your purpose?”

As a collective, “We want to facilitate growth for all” became the Mentorprise Organisation mission statement. They want to ensure every single person within the organisation has an opportunity to grow, in whatever means feels right to them.

They’ve turned the quarterly plan on its head by instead looking at a 5-year plan, with “quarterly sprints” to aid their success. The feedback has been great, with the team feeling not only inspired but more organised. They were no longer filling up a sheet for habit’s sake, the sessions pulled the entire team, including those in Swindon, Bristol and Manchester, together. The idea is to become better promoting owners, better business owners and set people up to succeed more effectively.

“We

want to facilitate growth for all”

Interestingly, as a result of their introspective review, they discovered that they were fantastic at teaching sales skills, but there needed to be a focus on coaching the coaches.

“How can we improve sales? Teach them better! And not with one Masterclass per year”

With events, meetings, workshops and masterclasses booked in for all departments for the foreseeable, Mentorprise are on a mission. Lots to see and lots to gain from 2023 it seems!

We’re all busy, but it’s never a bad time to ask “why?”

It takes Two Flints

Floyd Marriott & Gemma Newbury / to make a fire

Adream pairing, obvious from the moment it was mentioned; Floyd Marriott and Gemma Newbury. We just know they’re ready to power couple their way through 2023. And with the help of Seanah Morgan, their new recruitment administrator, the sky's the limit.

Having known each other through the early days of their careers in Ipswich, Floyd and Gemma have now come together to form the Hydra Sales Group management team. We spoke with them both: Gemma: “It seemed like it was meant to be

and allows me to meet my ambition level, grow and develop the team I want to build”

Floyd: “Fired up and raring to do!”

When you’re running your own business it takes time to discover what exactly you want, and need, in a business partner; you may think you want a finance pro, but what you need is someone who’s not afraid to make you accountable to your actions. You may think you want a strategy expert, but what you need is someone with fantastic attention to detail.

When we asked Floyd how he knew Gemma would be a great addition to the Hydra Sales team, he said:

“I know Gemma from the sales field and saw her work ethic and attitude then. She’s always created such a reputation for herself in the industry as being amazing at her job. As a company, we are very excited and grateful at the prospect of recruiting Gemma, and on a personal note, she’s always been very supportive of me, she’s become my go-to person with administration and recruitment throughout my career”

Speaking from his lunch break, Floyd was quite happy to state that Gemma’s “the boss”, insisting he spoke with us while lunching there and then. He then explains how he knows how motivated she is when it comes to their shared company goals, something that he appreciates highly.

Unlike many, Gemma started her administrative career in this industry as a Brand Ambassador herself. She’s a rare asset whereby she knows the sales role inside and out, as well as the recruitment and administration side of the business. Making a name for herself in the sales field for her can-do attitude, she even maintained her sales standards while recovering from a knee operation on crutches; no excuse was needed.

Taking the opportunity to add the recruitment string to her bow, Gemma’s been a major part of the organisational administration team for six years now. Working on an abundance of clients such as RSPCA, The British Red Cross, UNICEF and Breast Cancer Now, across residential, lotteries and event campaigns, there’s not much she can’t turn her

This pairing is the start of something extraordinary and how lucky we are to be able to watch.

“I know Gemma from the sales field and saw her work ethic and attitude then. She’s always created such a reputation for herself in the industry as being amazing at her job"

hand to.

We wanted to check in with Gemma to see how the new opportunity has been going so far, and we think it’s safe to say she’s thrilled. Where networking is concerned, she’s been travelling around the country, visiting various offices and attending meetings, something she loves about the role. In fact, she believes she’s done more in the last two months than she did in the previous two years!

Speaking of travelling, Gemma now enjoys a hybrid structure whereby she’s in the Canary Wharf office three days a week and works from home for the other two. She’s thoroughly enjoying her new commute, savouring her breakfast on the train and indulging in podcasts, waking up with a smile on her face and a spring in her step each morning. There’s nothing quite like the buzz of city life.

Someone else who’s embracing the hype of London, is the new addition to the administrative team, Seanah Morgan. A recruitment force and bundle of energy from Birmingham, she’s thrown herself into her new role, and city, with the whole team excited to see what she can bring to the Hydra Sales table.

Both Floyd and Gemma radiate next-level ambition, you can hear it in their voices. Their long-term plan is to expand into five countries, with ten offices in each. The vision, according to Floyd, came from London itself.

“London is a very diverse place, we have team members from all over the world who have ambitions of continuing this business into differing countries. I believe my best option for supporting them is to live this international life too”

Floyd has set his sights on San Diego, running the organisation from there. And Gemma? Well, she’s truly excited to facilitate this growth, progressing her career to Organisational Head of Administration. She’ll be travelling to different offices, helping to develop the administration and recruitment teams, no doubt with that famous smile on her face.

This pairing is the start of something extraordinary and how lucky we are to be able to watch.

“Floyd has set his sights on San Diego, running the organisation from there. And Gemma? Well, she’s truly excited to facilitate this growth, progressing her career to Organisational Head of Administration."

“London is a very diverse place, we have team members from all over the world who have ambitions of continuing this business into differing countries. I believe my best option for supporting them is to live this international life too”

ith the success of the Leeds expansion on the tip of everyone’s tongues, we wanted to catch a moment with two of the top performers in the Adaptive Marketing office; Mia Ellerton and Connor Young.

Both are relatively fresh in the business and proving exactly what can be done when you put your mind to it. Gary Pearson, Managing Director of the company, pointed us in their direction for those that are looking for similar results. Here’s what they had to say.

How long have you been in the business, guys?

Mia: I joined at the end of last year

Connor: I joined last Summer, so 6 or 7 months ago

How are you finding it so far?

The Leeds Limelight Mia Ellerton & Connor Young W

Mia: Yeah, I'm really enjoying it, it’s something new and exciting. You meet lots of different people and build some great friendships.

Connor: I’m quite shocked actually, I didn’t know what I wanted to do so wasn’t expecting to find something I saw myself building a career on. It’s opened my eyes.

Could you tell us a little about your first month? What challenges did you come across?

Mia: I’ve never been much of an independent person, so the confidence to speak with people by myself took some time, but now I’ve got to grips with it I’ve realised I can be confident and I speak to anyone. They’re just people.

Connor: I treated my first month as a massive learning curve. I knew there was a lot to learn so I carefully watched the more senior people and tried to build relationships throughout the network.

How have you found the training?

Mia: Really good. You make your first friend in the business quickly, but then you get introduced to everyone else, and to see that everyone is also learning something new to them meant I never really felt too far out of my comfort zone.

Now I’m starting to coach other people too, the training is just getting more fun. I’m improving, they're improving, and it’s really rewarding.

Connor: Yeah the training’s been incredible. I couldn’t picture myself in this industry this time last year, and I’m so happy with the range of skills I’ve developed. I’m more confident, training others, and planning for my future. I've surprised myself.

What’s your favourite part of the business?

Mia: The fun element for sure - You go on team nights, we’ve got office goals we work towards, and the mornings are always fun and energetic with ‘battles’ so everyone can get involved with some form of competition. The office is always a fun place to be.

Connor: For me, it’s the fact that the progression is unlimited, nothing can stop you. The incentives, road trips, and financial elements are all great too. I’ve never really had an end goal in my life, and now I feel like I’ve got one. I’ve got a direction that I’m excited about.

Are there any areas that you’ve found more challenging?

Mia: I had to get my head around training other people; I’m so young, only 18, so everyone I train is older than me. Wrapping

my head around the fact that I am good enough to be able to train someone was tricky.

Connor: A big thing for me was learning to bite my tongue actually. Working with the public, you do encounter negative people, you just have to learn to accept that it’s part of life. They won’t ruin your day if you don’t let them. For one negative person, there’s an abundance of positive people, you just learn to direct your energy accordingly.

What tips would you give to new people joining the industry?

Mia: Don’t overthink it. When I first started I overthought everything. I’ve learned that whatever happens, happens, essentially, so if I get a slight change in my day, although it can initially be difficult to set my mentality straight again, I’m now more relaxed about it. Letting a hiccup upset your day doesn’t help you.

Connor: Educate yourself on how far you can progress because the end goal is what matters. Don’t let a challenging week scupper your chances of an amazing career. I’d love to thank everyone who’s helped me so far because I’ve come a long way in a few months. I’ve surprised myself but my family are really shocked and so proud of how far I’ve come. Give yourself a chance to prove it.

So, how much have you raised for clients so far?

Mia: £33,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital

Connor: Just over £82,000 for The British Red Cross and Great Ormond Street Hospital

What fantastic starts to blossoming careers, well done to you both.

'“When I first started I overthought everything. I’ve learned that whatever happens, happens, essentially, so if I get a slight change in my day, although it can initially be difficult to set my mentality straight again, I’m now more relaxed about it.”

“It’s the fact that the progression is unlimited, nothing can stop you. The incentives, road trips, and financial elements are all great too. I’ve never really had an end goal in my life, and now I feel like I’ve got one. I’ve got a direction that I’m excited about."

“The training’s been incredible. I couldn’t picture myself in this industry this time last year, and I’m so happy with the range of skills I’ve developed. I’m more confident, training others, and planning for my future. I've surprised myself"

Emily Gara Injecting Fun into Everyday

Always a ray of sunshine, you’ll find it difficult to forget an interaction with Emily Gara; upbeat, beaming, and positive, she oozes “let’s go!” Not just the first time you meet her, but every time.

Some are predisposed to have a more positive mindset, some have to work at training that ‘merry’ muscle. We’ve always been advocates of having fun in the workplace; enjoying the everyday, and injecting moments of enjoyment wherever you can. If you’re having fun at work it’s hard to be anything but positive - No one goes down a slide without a smile on their face, do they?!

It’s clear to see that Emily enjoys what she does, and her team would agree that wherever she is, the more fun there is to be had. We managed to grab some time with her to talk all things ‘fun at work’, something she, of course, was excited to get involved with.

Emily! You and your team appear to have a great bond, how do you think you’re facilitating that?

First and foremost, when anybody joins my team, I play 21 Questions with them as the topic because I want to know everything there is to know about them. The more I find out, the more I’ll know how they tick, how they learn best and how to have fun with them.

I’m not afraid to be my true self either, because they’ll feel more comfortable engaging in the fun that I’m having and be themselves too. If I’m putting on a persona, I can’t expect them to be their true selves.

We know team nights are a blast, but how are you implementing enjoyment elsewhere?

Every week I set a competition, for instance, this week, whoever is best dressed, over the whole week, will get a £50 gift card. It allows for that friendly banter to come into play and sparks a little fun to keep up with each other.

I also think that because I’ve gotten to know my team well we’re genuinely all friends, so we catch up, we care about one another, we even know what we’re all having for dinner! We take the mickey out of each other but it’s always from a place of love.

Our team goals are always a source of fun too; we’re going to Thorpe Park when it opens in April because we hit our 60 customer acquisitions in a week goal.

What about when you’re working solo?

Working on my own was something I used to struggle with actually because I was so used to working with others. It’s all about adapting and finding positive interactions with customers instead.

“Some are predisposed to have a more positive mindset, some have to work at training that ‘merry’ muscle. We’ve always been advocates of having fun in the workplace; enjoying the everyday, and injecting moments of enjoyment wherever you can. If you’re having fun at work it’s hard to be anything but positive”

My brain is never empty, there’s always music playing! What I find works for me is putting my phone onto ‘Do Not Disturb’ and away in my bag so I can completely focus on the moment. I even wear a watch so I can check the time that way instead of on my phone. There are no notifications and no distractions which is perfect for event marketing because it may only be a few minutes replying to WhatsApp messages, but it means multiple missed opportunities with customers.

You have tougher days too, we're sure, how do you find it best to tackle them?

I trust in the systems to know that if I am having a challenging day, every day is different and there will be a mixed bag over the course of a week. I minimise the lows and think about how I can improve the day.

It always helps to speak to someone you know and trust too. I usually call Fidel Nanton for a quick conversation, not necessarily about work, but I find at the end of the call my mindset will be back to where it was in the morning. I’ll say “Look, I’m ready to go back and smash my goals” and he’ll say “I know you will, I believe you”. It’s all about mindset.

Do you have any top tips for injecting fun while you’re learning?

I never take myself too seriously, in all honesty, if I did, I’d be a bit too boring. I always say to my new team members, “Look, the aim of your first two weeks is, yes absolutely, to learn sales skills, but all I expect from you is to simply copy me. The goal is to have a load of fun and build your confidence”.

What we do isn’t rocket science, all we do essentially is find positive people to have conversations with. Nine out of ten people will learn more from what they see than what they’re told, so by setting a good example, having fun with them while I’m working, they’ll naturally copy.

Have fun, you’re allowed to. In the business that we’re in, the opportunity is life-changing if you want it to be, why would you not want to have fun along the way?

So the next time you’re feeling less than spritely, remember this: Be more Emily.

'“I trust in the systems to know that if I am having a challenging day, every day is different and there will be a mixed bag over the course of a week. I minimise the lows and think about how I can improve the day. ”

National Brand

AMBASSADORS MEETING

Never an occasion to be missed, the National Brand Ambassador Meeting is a highlight in the Direct Sales calendar. This time we head for Manchester, The Kimpton Clock Tower, to be exact. And what an event it was.

“Honestly it was one of the best meetings I’ve been to. Loads of information to take in. The hostage negotiator was amazing and really gave me something to think about when I communicate. Can’t wait for the next one!!” -

Gemma Newbury

A 2-day meeting for the sole purpose of upping our sales capabilities. With practical seminars from heavy hitters in the business, keynote speakers that open your eyes, and light bulb moments aplenty, there

was even an appearance from Richard Mullender, hostage negotiator, Founder of The Listening Institute and worldwide motivational speaker.

Topics ranged from “Planning for your Team Effectively” to “Having a Strong Vision for your Team”, with breakout sessions to hone in on specific skills. The feedback from attendees has been phenomenal, perhaps our best meeting to date?

“Enlightening, inspirational and an amazing networking opportunity unlike any other! I came away with a fresh perspective and outlook on the business as a whole, feeling rejuvenated!

- Justin Cooke

Meribel 2023

The annual ski trip, it’s a conversation starter, that’s for sure! This year, we headed to Meribel, France, for 4 days, filling our days with breathtaking views, mountainous thrills and apres ski memories.

For those who were invited, those setting a great example, excelling in their respective offices and showing us all what they can really do, the agenda is simply to ski, relax and enjoy. We think we can manage thatCan’t wait to tell you all about it!

Montenegro

Hot off the press, it’s a ”book now or regret it” destination. Similar in scenic beauty to Croatia, yet less crowded, and much cheaper, Montenegro is the Balkan’s best-kept secret.

Its wonderment includes Europe’s longest canyon (51 miles!), Venetian palaces, and stunning mountainous backdrops with beautiful lakes and bays at the base. Popular airlines, Wizz Air and Jet2 are making the destination more accessible with new flights available, so we’re not the only ones who are excited about Montenegro! A few days to relax, immerse yourself in nature and reward yourself.

Porto

“An old-world city with new-world comforts” according to TripAdvisor, Porto gave Portugal its name. Stunning vistas bursting with colour, the old town was built on the hills and overlooks the Douro River which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Fill your days wandering the picturesque streets, stopping for pastéis de natas with panoramic views, and watching the sunset over the river. It’d be rude not to have a port wine too, after all, the city is world-famous for it. A wholesome, vibrant, and cultural break only a two-and-a-half-hour flight away - Just what 2023 ordered.

Books and Podcasts

Good Power: Leading Positive Change in Our Lives, Work, and World

Fall in Love With the Problem, Not the Solution: a Handbook for Entrepreneurs

The Common Path to Uncommon Success

By: Ginni Rometty

By: Uri Levine

By: John Lee Dumas

By: Ray Dalio

01

Start with This - Night Vale

This podcast covers topics such as world-building, opening lines and failure asking you to first listen, and then create.

Beyond the To-Do List - Erik Fisher

02

This podcast delves into practical tools with renowned experts to offer strategies for both professional and personal productivity.

Coaching For Leaders - Dr Dave Stachowiak

03

This podcast is a must-listen for budding entrepreneurs. Dr Dave Stachowiak speaks with bestselling authors, expert researchers, scholars, and business leaders regarding the tools and knowledge needed to coach and lead effectively.

The High Performance Podcast - Jake Humphrey and Professor Damian Hughes

Turning the lived experiences of the planet’s high performers into your life lessons - Everyone they speak to has excelled in their field, whether it’s sport, research, philanthropy or consumerism, you’re going to want to listen to what they have to say.

Entrepreneurs on Fire - John Lee Dumas

The award-winning podcast delivers the inspiration and strategies you need to fire up your entrepreneurial journey and create the life you’ve always dreamed of.

MONEY RAISED FOR CHARITIES

Office List

UK

Mantra Marketing Group

James Buckley / Francis Davies www.mantramarketinggroup.com

RedSeven Marketing

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

RedSeven Marketing

Dale Trinder Cheltenham website coming soon

Monument Promotions

Matt Nicholson Swindon www.monumentpromotions.co.uk

Redline Promotions

Chance Cowie Manchester www.redlinepromotions.co.uk

The Promotions Company

Phil Reid Bristol www.promotions-company.co.uk

Hydra Sales

Floyd Marriott London website coming soon

Empire Marketing

Vik Verma Bristol www.empiremarketing.co.uk

Enigma

Mark Widnel Barnstaple website coming soon

Adaptive Marketing

Gary Pearson Birmingham website coming soon

RUSSIA

People Boosted

Veronika Ovechkina Moscow www.peopleboosted.com

First Group

Albina Fazlieva Nuzhny Novgorod www.firstgroup.moscow

MarGroup

Michael Mareev Nuzhny Novgorod www.margroup.org

Make a Fuss Aleksandr Te Ekaterinburg www.makeafuss.ru

LBN Marketing

Elena Bocharova Ekaterinburg www.lbn-mg.ru

Leo Company

Leonie Bluznetsov Krasnodar website coming soon

GOST

Sergey Melchenko Kazan website coming soon

Ivse Group

Ivan Dmitrachkov Saint Petersburg website coming soon

Luck Look Company

Ayna Papedova Krasnodar www.lucklookcompany.com

Charity Promotions

Yaroslav Roshinenko Saint Petersburg website coming soon

Pro Pr

Aleksey Bondarev Moscow www.propr.top

Asana Marketing Group

Aidar Zamaletdinov Moscow www.asana-mg.com

WeMake Radik Kamalov Saint Petersburg www.wmwemake.com

3117

Elena Bocharova Ekaterinburgg website coming soon

Raycom

Daniel Ray Moscow website coming soon

Vendo Group

Sofya Tarasova Moscow website coming soon

BELARUS

MEA Marketing

Evgeniy Miheenko Minsk www.meamarketing.by

ZAR Marketing

Alexander Nikiforov Minsk www.zarmarketing.by

SPAIN INVENTA

Ivan Yanez Madrid website coming soon

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”