SUMMER OF SALES
We catch up with Magda Zaworska to reflect on a summer filled with opportunities
NATIONAL CONVENTION 2024
It came, it saw, it conquered. The biggest event of the year needs no introduction
IF SALES WERE AN OLYMPIC SPORT
We catch up with Rob Cotterell to explore the notion of sales as an Olympic sport
YOU'VE GOT THE SAME AMOUNT OF HOURS
We catch up with Fran and Mollie to discuss top tips and all things productivity
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.
Kevin Nash
Sub-editor
Kevin is the General Manager at the Promotions Company ,working with colleagues and their teams to help them achieve their goals
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.
Oh Summer, we love you.
Five countries - fifty citiesfive years
The impeccable vibes, the alfresco opportunities, the energy upgrades; it’s the best, isn’t it!?
A lot’s been happening in recent months, from location improvements to brand new offices, and an epic ski trip. We’ve been able to make our mark on 2024 in a way that’s bolstering our business plans and aspirations nicely.
A special mention to Phil Reid and The Promotions Company team for an extraordinary period in business, whereby they’ve taken on more space within their building to cater for their growth, both from an administrative and sales perspective.
Toby Linford has opened his office in Birmingham and Ryan Beebee is working toward his move to Chelmsford, we’re all intrigued to watch their evolution into next-level business ownership.
Floyd Marriot has been expanding throughout London with various client divisions and Matt Nicholson is highlighting the importance of foundations by investing in the recruitment process and support staff at Monument Promotions. You’ll see features within this edition that showcase both their mentality and recent success.
We’ve been pleased to see the forward-thinking of both Asma & Ahmed of Legion Marketing in Hackney, having taken the plunge to move from a serviced office to a lease of their own, investing heavily into the building itself, giving it the sense of ‘home’ they want for their team. Winning the ‘New
Owners of the Year’ award in 2024 was not only the credit they deserved personally, but the validation earned by those around them. Their next move is to open up an office in Colchester, with Abdul Muhammed taking the reins in that location.
Alongside excessive growth and personal development for many, we have enjoyed sales competitions equating to £15,000 given away to brand ambassadors, and an innovative new coaching programme.
We’ve never been a business of all work and no play. No, not us. Our ski trip in February will be difficult to top next year, and our most recent R&R to Marbella was the break we all needed before a busy summer ahead.
If you get a chance to speak with any of the individuals featured in this magazine, we recommend you do! It’s a corporate value of ours to support those around us so never hesitate to ask!
Now, let’s see what the rest of 2024 has in store!
James Buckley x
The sexiest season is here. It’s bright, it’s loud, it’s social and it’s full of opportunities. So, what’ve you got planned this summer?
Wand outfit planning upon us!
e’ve got alfresco crew nights, team days out, and our annual summer R&R in the calendar so there’s lots of excitement
Summer is always a time to grab life by the horns, and we wanted to take the chance to put a little twist on that mentality; not only making the summer of 2024 a fun one, but an impactful one.
With our 20+ years working within the sales industry, we know that the summer months are where we see an influx of students jumping into temporary sales roles. The environment, the commissions and the social aspects are all appealing, we know.
What we see time and time again, however, are the unsung heroes of a sales environment making themselves known as the autumn creeps in. The lightbulb moments, the boost in confidence, the skill development and the bigger picture are always prevalent.
We took some time to speak with Magda Zaworska, Managing Director of Adway Marketing in Bristol about her vocational journey thus far, and how a summer of sales should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Hi Magda! It’s a pleasure to get to speak with you today, would you mind giving us a bit of background as to who you are, where you are and what your current situation is, please?
Hi! My name’s Magda, I’m one of the Managing Directors at AdWay Marketing in Bristol, working within the events realm of sales.
My story is that I started in the company five years ago as a university student, studying law at UWE. I was looking for a summer job and was meant to go back to do a Masters, but by the end of August, I was really enjoying what I was doing here, so I never went back. I knew I should stay. My main reason for choosing a sales direction that summer was to gain communication skills, and work in an area I’d never touched before. I’d worked in a lot of hospitality roles and just wanted to delve into something different.
The typical jobs you find on a temporary basis are within hospitality and retail, a lot of corporate businesses don’t want people to be temporary. So how are we meant to gain experience within the realm of business? Our industry, however, allows you to come in and be flexible with what you want to achieve.
Why do you believe so many students choose a ‘Summer of Sales’?
This is going to sound awful, but from my perspective, when I was at university I thought quite highly of myself. I was a law student, I was doing quite well, I was good at talking to people in general, and was therefore quite confident. I chose to try sales as it would be a new string to my bow, even if it was only for a couple of months.
I realised quickly that my confidence was nowhere near the level of the other people in that office. All I previously had to compare myself to was my university bubble, but when you take a step into the real world, you realise there’s more to be reaching for.
The people in that office, the same age as me or even younger, held themselves differently, and I wanted that level of stature too.
How do you believe sales benefit students?
In so many ways.
The experience, and therefore confidence, you gain when you’re working with different people from various demographics, every single day, is invaluable. You may well be confident speaking with your own community of people, but what about the doctor who works on Harley Street or the elderly man visiting from another country?
Transferable skills are currency in my opin-
ion - I did a search for the “10 top skills that employers are looking for”. The skills that popped up were: problem-solving, time management, adaptability, teamwork, critical thinking, creativity, professionalism, work ethic, communication and leadership. I improved in every single one of these whilst working in the sales field.
A lot of roles for students require shifts, long hours, poor pay, etc, but you’ll never get to meet the Managing Director. It’s massively unheard of, especially the bigger the business is. Even if you were to meet them, you’d never get the opportunity to observe them running their business. I remember when I was new, Phil would offer opportunities to run meetings and sectors every time he was out of the office. If you’re keen, you can see what it’s like to operate at the next level. If things go well, brilliant! If not, you’ll learn at no risk.
80% of small businesses fail in their first two years for one of two reasons. Cash flow and/ or because they don’t know what they’re doing, they don’t have the expertise to run a business. They may well know the trade or product, but running the business is an entirely different skill set.
When you’re self-employed, you need to be responsible for yourself and use your initiative. A lot of the time, the reason people give up on things in life is because motivation fails. Discipline is the only thing that’s going to push you through it.
For example, let’s say you want to lose weight, but you wake up one morning and can’t be bothered to go to the gym. Your motivation is at its lowest, your discipline is what will get you putting those trainers on. You learn selfdiscipline in the sales field because you learn to deal with positive and negative pressure, and when you’re learning that new skill, you realise you're bound to make mistakes. The only (and best) thing you can do is get over it and move on. As a young person, growing a backbone can be quite a learning curve!
When I moved out of my parents' house at 18 I came across a lot of situations I didn’t know how to handle; money, bills, landlords, suppliers, etc. When you don’t know what you’re talking about, sometimes people will walk all over you.
"The people in that office, the same age as me or even younger, held themselves differently, and I wanted that level of stature too."
“The first time I took my car to the garage they said something was wrong with it, but I knew they were lying because I’d already gotten a second opinion. I told them I knew they were wrong and they soon changed their mind. Working in sales has given me the confidence to stand my ground and address conversations accordingly.”
'The experience, and therefore confidence, you gain when you’re working with different people from various demographics, every single day, is invaluable.'
What skills do you learn through sales that are relevant to the student lifestyle?
Understanding your money and budgeting effectively is the difference between walking away with loads of debt or being in control of it. You learn how to set yourself goals and achieve them, how to create a savings plan and stick to it.
Presentation skills
When you’re a student you have to present yourself in the right way. Throughout your degree, but also for your future job. How to hold yourself, how to read body language, how to approach an interview, etc. Young people quite often struggle with eye contact, for example. You don't know what you don’t know until you’re in these situations, so it can bring a lot to the forefront.
Socially it can be a challenge too, having the confidence to approach and hold conversations with new people. There’s a study that says from the moment you’re born until you turn 18, you’ll speak to 2,00010,000 new people. When you start in sales, you’re speaking to 50-100 people a day, 5 days a week. So, over the course of a year, you’ll have spoken to 20,000 new people on average. That’s crazy. Of course your confidence is going to go up, it becomes second nature!
Do you have any tips for anyone wanting to give sales a go this summer?
Go for it. Don’t think twice. Don’t talk yourself out of it.
Give yourself at least four weeks. A lot of people quit too quickly. You’re learning skills you’ve never had before, so you need to give yourself the time to develop them. If you’re learning how to drive a car and stall on your second lesson, you’re not going to quit, are you? Be patient with yourself.
Don’t just focus on the money. When I first started, I wanted to be the greatest earning student in Bristol. Just for my ego really, I thought it would be pretty cool. But that will only get you so far. Instead, embrace how much fun you’re having, how many new connections you’re making, the relationships you’re building for the future, and the skills you’re adding to your tool kit.
Stay connected. Just because you’re starting as a university student, and only here for three or four months, that doesn’t mean you have to give it up as soon as September rolls around. You can do it parttime, and earn some money while studying. Vik and I started in a similar position so we understand the situation. You may have separate commitments but that doesn’t mean you can’t be here. We’ve currently got Jayden studying computer science and Holly studying law, they keep coming back because they love the atmosphere. When their schedule allows, they can be here, no problem. So, stay connected, you never know what opportunity is around the corner.
Be proud of the fact you’re branching out into different circles. My brother is in his first year of university in Bournemouth, and I’ve put him in contact with Sami Garcia’s office. He’s studying business, so it makes sense, but also I wanted him to be part of a different environment, where he can see young people working hard and achieving in the real-world. You are the product of the people around you, so seeing young people like yourself with confidence and big goals, makes you think, “Do you know what, if they can, why can’t I? If they’re buying houses at 23, so could I!” It poses the question and opens the mind.
Thank you, Magda, for such an insight into the student perspective. We think it’s fair to say you have a great summer ahead of you! If you’re looking for your summer role, give the team a call or send over an email to see what openings they have available.
IConvention Centre (funnily enough!)
There was glitz, glamour, awards and an after-party to celebrate all the hard work from this past year. With awards for excellence in brand ambassadorship, coaching, sales quality, team performance and business ownership, many of us were skipping up to the stage. We handed out hundreds of medals, an array of trophies and unique prizes and got to
‘Owner of the Year’ award with his entire team.
A big congratulations also goes to The Legion Marketing Group for winning ‘The Champions Shield’ and well done to Gemma Newbery, Kevin Nash and Lyna Nacereddine for being recognised for their impact as support staff within their respective offices!
A night for well-earned kudos. Our favourite event of the year? Quite possibly! Thank you, Manchester, and thank you, team!
“My goal is to maintain a level of work ethic, and the best version of myself, for as long as possible. Rather than having a good stint but burning out.”
When you speak with Matt Nicholson, you’re guaranteed to get full disclosure and blatant honesty. Having built his organisation in his early twenties, Matt has always been an advocate for education, both within his business and externally. He wholeheartedly believes we never become the finished article; each year and each season of life brings fresh perspectives, different dynamics and, of course, new technologies to master. In his opinion, we should never graduate from learning, nor should we want to.
Although the team has always stood out as a high-performing location, Matt believes the shift in momentum this year has come from their mentality toward expansion. Whereas previously they focused heavily on running one truly successful sales office, the emphasis now is to operate with expansion in mind; building foundations for successful growth, and developing individuals to take their careers skywards.
Well, Matt, it appears to be working!
They’re working toward a new location on the map in Chelmsford at the end of autumn, then Reading and Milton Keynes by the end of this year. The expansion they’ve worked so hard for is coming to fruition, it’s happening guys!
Putting all your eggs in your team’s baskets
In order to create these opportunities for those around him, Matt knew investments were needed internally. You need to give back, encourage, support and advocate for one another. We work hard, but we also need to work together. With this in mind, the Monument Promotions team have welcomed more support staff, including Kim (Recruitment Manager) and Mollie (Events
Coordinator). Both of them are now thriving in their roles and being given the space to work outside traditional parameters to facilitate growth.
Have you ever heard of a ‘Blue Sky Day’? Well, listen up. Implemented every six weeks for all of the support staff, a day out of the office is booked in the diary. Choosing a fabulous venue, the team review the previous six-week period and plan the next, mapping out each week with everything that’s happening, including both personal and business calendars. With this structure, each individual is able to focus accordingly, relative to their individual goals, lifestyles and personal endeavours.
“There’s a lot to be said for ‘getting out of the office’, it allows you to refresh, refocus and reignite.”
Getting stuck in
Let’s not discount the individual efforts required by business owners either. Matt has been working introspectively to get the best out of himself for his business and those within it. He has always led an active lifestyle, and would traditionally do his martial arts training in the evenings after a day at the office. But since meeting with the Australian owners, who centre their corporate environment around health, wellness and great habits, he has switched up his schedule. Matt now trains first thing in the morning, starting his day with an elevated mindset and energy level. He’s also prioritising his health and wellness with regards to sleep and nutrition.
“My goal is to maintain a level of work ethic, and the best version of myself, for as long as possible. Rather than having a good stint but burning out.”
Congratulations Matt and the team, it’s great to see you firing on all levels!
“There’s a lot to be said for ‘getting out of the office’, it allows you to refresh, refocus and reignite.”
'Treat your brain as a muscle; the stronger you want that muscle to be the more you have to train it. If you speak to any professional athlete they will tell you that race day is the easy bit, the difficult part is the continual habits and dedication required to get there'
With struggle and strain a neverending theme on any news or
social platform you visit, a global sporting event to get behind is a welcome break. This year, we’ve had the excitement of Luke Littler, a 16-year-old becoming the Premier League Darts Champion, the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, the UEFA Euros 2024, and the Olympics in Paris!
Olympic years always get people talking; which events they're obsessing over, which athletes they're supporting and which countries they’re rooting for.
So, if sales were an Olympic sport, who would be picking up gold? What would the event be like to watch? And, what would a training session entail?
We spoke with Rob Cotterell, a well-known sports fan, to see what he believed a new Olympic entry would look like. Here’s what he had to say!
Sales as a sport, what skills or disciplines are needed?
All great salespeople have goals they want to achieve, and usually more than one at a time. Using goals as a benchmark, means daily decisions become easier to make, leaving emotive reactions on the sidelines and making way for logic.
Although logical in everyday life, setting goals is not generally common practice unless someone’s vocation is conducive to targets. Setting goals for yourself and your career shows a level of inherent motivation within; showcasing the want for achievement and the forward-thinking necessary to win.
How can you become more ‘Goal-driven’?
'If you’re not open to criticism, you’ll only ever hear what you want to hear… the good things about yourself! But reiterating your strengths won’t make you better at your weaknesses. '
You’re not going to succeed every single day; some days, weeks, months or even years are harder than others. There will be missteps along the way, but instead of letting frustration win and giving up, use these learning curves to become more knowledgeable and prepared for the future. The greatest athletes have overcome the toughest hardships. Success is never linear and heartache is the biggest driving force for turning it around.
Start small by making goals attainable. Big goals can carry loaded pressure which in turn creates doubt, from not only yourself, but those around you. By setting step-by-step goals, you’ll benefit from milestones that boost confidence and assurance that you’re on the right track.
Each time you hit a goal, no matter how small you may believe it to be, make sure you mark it in some way. A solo coffee date, a new piece of equipment that will aid further success, a bit of self-care, whatever it is that lights you up, do that.
When a gymnast performs an unfortunate dismount, how long is it until they get back on the vault, bar or rings? They may well leave the floor disappointed, maybe even walk off in a strop, but do they still give their next attempt a go? Of course they do. Do you think their coach would let them give up!? Absolutely not!
Top salespeople overcome challenges faster than the average person, but not because they are born that way. They’re able to pick themselves up and get back in the race because they have experience in doing so. They’ve been knocked back, rejected and had to adjust their plans on more occasions than Keely Hodgkinson has run laps. Facing a hurdle no longer ruins their day, it’s just part of the sport.
'Natural ability only gets you so far. The best athletes in the world aren’t born medalists, they’ve nurtured their talent over time.'
How can you build a more ‘Resilient Mindset’?
Be aware of the voices in your head and put labels on them. Is the voice a “Coach” or a “Critic”? The Coach is your cheerleader, they build your confidence and give you good advice. The Critic puts you down with statements like “you’re not good enough” or “you won’t be able to do that”.
You may well find that, initially, the coach doesn’t visit very often, in which case it’s up to you to invite them. Make a conscious effort to speak to yourself encouragingly, as you would a friend or loved one. In time, their match attendance will increase.
Treat your brain as a muscle; the stronger you want that muscle to be the more you have to train it. If you speak to any professional athlete they will tell you that race day is the easy bit, the difficult part is the continual habits and dedication required to get there. Training your brain to improve its character is what will allow you to perform at your best, so stick to your wake-up time, fuel your body appropriately, speak to yourself positively and thank yourself later.
Top athletes love their sport; they’re excited by it, they’re invested in it and they respect what it takes to be great at it. That doesn’t mean they’re smiling from ear to ear every day on the track. There are no doubt tough days, injuries along the way and races they lose, but the pride they hold for the hard work invested prevails.
What does ‘loving the grind’ look like in sales?
The best salespeople, coaches and athletes have the ability to keep going and don’t allow themselves to reach boredom. Learning, improving and keeping things fresh will help no end.
A big part of enjoying what you do is being proud of it, so the standards you keep are vital. Taking shortcuts is a sure-fire way to place negativity on the process. Winning feels a whole lot better when you’ve truly earned it.
'Being competitive doesn’t have to mean you’re vocal with it. Competitiveness can be silent, it can even be more thrilling when no one knows it’s driving you.'
Natural ability only gets you so far. The best athletes in the world aren’t born medalists, they’ve nurtured their talent over time.
Interestingly, a lot of salespeople are more interested in proving themselves than improving themselves. Where would you say you align on that scale? In order to hit your goal, you need to improve your current skill set, otherwise it wouldn’t be something worth reaching for in the first place.
How can you develop a student mentality?
First things first, put that ego aside. In fact, don’t even let it enter the arena, it hasn’t got a ticket, it’s not coming in.
If you’re not open to criticism, you’ll only ever hear what you want to hear… the good things about yourself! But reiterating your strengths won’t make you better at your weaknesses.
Just as an athlete has a coaching team, surround yourself with those who will offer you honesty and constructive criticism, but also encouragement and belief. These people will hold up a mirror to you, ask questions of you, but also celebrate you.
Top salespeople use competition as an accelerant towards greater performance; the enhanced spotlight awakens their sporting spirit. How often do we see track athletes hit
personal bests at big events? When they’re up against other competitors, and especially with an audience, it lights the fire to put on a show.
How can you bring out the competitive spirit within?
You have a choice to make competition a throttle for you or a brake. Will it be a motivator or a negative pressure? You can either believe in yourself and see where it gets you, or back away and never know. What’ve you got to lose?
Being competitive doesn’t have to mean you’re vocal with it. Competitiveness can be silent, it can even be more thrilling when no one knows it’s driving you. Goosebumps anyone?
We couldn’t introduce a new Olympic sport without choosing a judging panel, could we! For Rob, there are two non-negotiable guest judges. Martin Johnson, the ex-England Rugby Captain who helped drive the country to a World Cup Win in 2003, and Richard Branson, the entrepreneur who’s failed more times than he’s succeeded. Who would you be nominating?
Most importantly, what’s the Olympic kit going to look like?...
Thanks, Rob, for your thought-provoking insight, we hope you enjoy the Olympics!
'In 2024, we are now more aware of the positive collusion between mind, body & soul than ever before'
What do we want? The best for ourselves. When do we want it? Every day possible.
Sales has always been an industry of focus, whereby we reach for targets, align clients with specific customers, and are continually
marking milestones. Within an environment such as ours, it can be easy to hyper-focus on an end goal, instead of the relative actions along the way.
The actions that are highlighted tend to be statistics; “let’s crunch the numbers”, looking at calls made or leads chased perhaps. But, with the societal shift in self-care, wellbeing and a life worth living, it appears the direct sales industry is changing its approach.
Jumping on the wellbeing wagon is Phil Reid and The Promotions Company Organisation. A recent trip to Australia for some of the team meant they spent time with many Australian Managing Directors within the industry, as did many others on the guest list from around the UK. They learned of their work-life balance, entrepreneurial journeys and sales systems. This trip sparked a lot of action for those who went, with the implementation of new company processes, and some adjusted perspectives.
Everyone would agree that this trip was one of the best investments we’ve ever made in our teams, and we’ve continued to work with those in Australia via Zoom calls and mutual mentoring relationships.
A recent highlight in the company calendar was a visit from Kemal Kvrgic, the Adelaide business owner who inspired belief, humility and consequent success in many. His background of being a Bosnian Refugee, speaking no English yet building a company with $2.2 million turnover last year left those listening with the question, “What’s my excuse?”.
Following the eye-opening interaction with Kemal, Phil invited him to visit their UK offices, enabling the power of networking to benefit the entire ProCo team.
It’s all very well hearing about the impact of prioritising your well-being, but without collective action, the prospect can soon become “something I tried once”. With everyone now on board, fueling the movement and witnessing the benefits come
' Creating this environment for the team has not been about profit, it’s for personal betterment, overall happiness, health, wellness and career longevity.'
to fruition, what was a company mission, is now a core value.
The team is discovering what makes them feel well, and in turn makes them perform at their best. There are people hitting the golf course before the office, running to start their day, or taking 30 minutes out in nature uninterrupted. As part of this selfcare journey, they’re learning what works for their mind, body and soul, which foods make them feel great, and which don’t, and they’re tailoring the day ahead to suit optimum productivity.
Top Tip: Did you know caffeine takes 30 minutes to kick in? This consideration is now made by the team before they conduct sales training or start pitching in the field.
The “Sales Field” has been used to describe when and where sales activity occurs. The sporting term encompasses the relevance of performing and hitting goals, yet have we ever considered ourselves corporate athletes? Have we previously emphasised the importance of training physically for the task in hand?
In 2024, we are now more aware of the positive collusion between mind, body & soul than ever before. We have traditionally given precedence to our minds with what we’re learning, but we think it’s safe to say we’re now enjoying the knock-on effects of implementing a more holistic approach, and the way it’s making us feel. If you knew how many days you had left to impact your future, you wouldn’t waste a single one.
Creating this environment for the team has not been about profit, it’s for personal betterment, overall happiness, health, wellness and career longevity. All of which are, as a consequence, creating better sales results. Everyone is winning on all levels.
Thank you to Phil and the team for filling us all in on how simple it can be to feel better, perform better and be better.
So, what will be your first lifestyle adjustment?
'The team is discovering what makes them feel well, and in turn makes them perform at their best.'
'It’s all very well hearing about the impact of prioritising your well-being, but without collective action, the prospect can soon become “something I tried once”. With everyone now on board, fueling the movement and witnessing the benefits come to fruition, what was a company mission, is now a core value.'
When we last spoke with Toby Linford, he was putting plans in motion for his own office and building depth in his team from the Bristol location.
Cut to June 2024, we’re speaking to him from Birmingham, where he’s fronting a brand new satellite office, the Eternal Sales Group, and learning what it takes to run a successful business from the front to the back.
Working closely with Kevin Nash, General Manager of The Promotions Company, the pair have worked tirelessly to set up systems, implement strategies, recruit a fabulous team and settle into their new city.
We were desperate to speak with both of them to see how it’s all been going, here’s what they had to say.
Hi Toby! Hi Kev! How are you both?
Kevin: I’m amazing
Toby: I’m sensational **laughs**
How long have you been in Birmingham?
Toby: It’s been four or five months now
What were the first six weeks like for you both?
Toby: Interesting! We didn’t quite have an office yet, there was no furniture, so we were back and forth a lot, using Sean Titley’s office as a base for meetings and appointments. We did have a lot of support within that structure though so that was invaluable for me, especially as a new owner finding my feet in a new city. Being able to spend so much quality time with an experienced business owner was incredibly beneficial, I learned so much in such a short space of time.
Kevin: It was very exciting too; Birmingham
is such a different city to Bristol. Where recruitment is concerned, Bristol is quite laid back, so what works well there, wasn’t really taking here. It took some trialling of different processes to find our flow. Recruitment isn’t one-size-fits-all so we had to network a lot with people from bigger cities.
How has your professional relationship developed with one another since opening the office?
Kevin: Although we worked together in Bristol, we didn’t collaborate that closely. This role has really changed my world too, whereby I’m no longer just recruitmentbased. I’m supporting Toby as a new business owner in all elements of the business which is a lot more responsibility, but absolutely brilliant.
Toby: It’s been great working with Kev, I treat him as a second owner of the office. He’s my partner in this, anything I do I run by him, we ask questions of one another; it’s a learning curve for the both of us.
Kevin: Absolutely. This is how the business development structure will look now; I’ll be working with Toby until mid-summer, then I’ll work with the next new office until they’re set up, and so on, and so on.
Where have your strengths been particularly beneficial within this transition?
Toby: I like to think I lead from the front whereby I place a lot of emphasis on setting the pace in the sales field, I see that as the least I can do for my team. My mentality toward networking, improving and building my team is always a priority too.
'My mentality toward networking, improving and building my team is always a priority'
Kevin: I think for me it has to be my organisation skills. I have a lot of experience within the industry, from multiple avenues, so I know first-hand how vital it is to know how each day, week, and month is mapped out ahead of time. With my recent role pivot, it’s more important than ever to be planned and organised for the both of us. We’re both learning, challenges arise, working with people is an unpredictable phenomenon, so we have to be able to adapt without panic.
You must have learned a tonne since moving to Birmingham, could you let us in on any learning journeys you’ve been on?
Toby: I think I was a bit naive in thinking if I can sell to a different audience, everyone can. I now know, however, that I should have spent more time over-communicating with my team. I should have been having the conversations I was having with myself, with them, explaining why and how I was doing things differently.
Kevin: Having spent the majority of my career recruiting in Bristol, I felt confident in what I was doing without considering the cultural and geographical differences between cities. In hindsight, I should have invested more time beforehand networking with other recruiters in different locations to grasp where the disparities might be and how to overcome them.
Are there any practices or habits you’re finding particularly useful as a new business owner, Toby?
Oh, accountability, for sure. Whereas before I would go through my business plan when we had meetings, I now send my weekly review and daily plan to my mentors and supporting owner. It allows them to suggest and advise, but also keep me accountable to what I say I’lll do. It’s been invaluable.
What would be your top tips for someone about to open their own business?
Toby: I would say that if you’ve gotten yourself in this position in the first place, don’t stop doing anything you’ve been doing. Don’t take your foot off the gas. Sometimes new owners can stop networking, or go in the sales field less, or delegate a bit too much, but now is the time to invest in your team heavily with your time and energy.
Kevin: I’d say it’s important to get to know your new city well; understand the vibe and who your customers are.
What’s next, guys?
Toby: I want to make our Birmingham office a powerhouse for the company, somewhere we can expand into different divisions, build a bigger team and facilitate a lot of success.
Kevin: We’ll be getting the Eternal Sales Group fully integrated into Birmingham, creating some great profit margins, then I’ll leave Toby to it and help the next entrepreneur.
Great to speak with you, guys! We always look forward to hearing how a new city is treating the team - It appears Birmingham may have been a brilliant step on the career ladder for you both!
Jacob Simcox-James, or Jake, is not your average 19-year-old. If you need a shove in the right direction where ambition is concerned you’re going to want to read on.
We’ve worked with an abundance of young adults over the years, those who are looking to upskill themselves, gain some real-life experience and bolster their wallets, but we’re not sure we’ve ever quite encountered a Jake.
Banned from the family business in the best way possible, creating a life for himself unlike his peers, Jake is on his own path, laying the groundwork himself.
One business isn’t enough for Jake’s aspirations. He’s currently full steam ahead with both direct sales and e-commerce consultation.
Entrepreneurship runs in the family, starting with his maternal Grandma, who built her business from the ground up, diversifying and expanding as the years rolled on. She began with nothing, her parents both passed away when she was ten which led her into foster care. When she was able, she took out a loan, got a degree, became knowledgeable within the estate agency industry and got herself onto the property ladder. The family now run a successful lettings and estate agency of their own.
Can you imagine how proud they must be to see Jake working so hard to create his own legacy?
Now it’s your turn…
Proud, they most certainly are, but what’s extremely insightful is the value they’ve placed on individual merit. When you have success, it’s easy to give; opportunities, monetary handouts, assets, etc. Jake’s family weren’t going to do that though. Oh no, if he wanted to be successful, he had to earn it himself.
When we asked Jake how he came to work with The Promotions Company, he said,
“My Mum didn’t let me work for her, I had to go and work for another estate agency! After two weeks I realised I knew everything I needed to know to go out and start selling houses, but they couldn’t let me at 18, so I started looking elsewhere. My Mum started in direct sales with BT, and encouraged me to look for something similar, somewhere I could be thrown in at the deep end and get some real-life skills under my belt.”
Speaking of his first week with the team, Jake highlights the importance of work ethic and personal drive. Working closely with Toby Linford, he was grateful for the training he experienced, and although Toby soon went to Australia on a work trip, he revelled the opportunity to stand on his own two feet in the industry. So much so, he handed in his resignation to the estate agency, went straight out to the sales field, even though everyone else had finished for the day, and “rang the gong”, as we say. He just wanted to get out there and do it.
“I’m actually going back to my school to do a talk! When I left, I told my teachers that when I reached a certain figure in my bank account, I’d come back to speak to the students. It’s a goal I set myself and have thought about it ever since.”
“There’s more creativity in young people nowadays - We’re seeing more diverse careers and lifestyles with thanks to social media, so the ambition to create something exciting, rather than follow traditional paths, is greater”
Is there a “me” in “team”?
You can’t have genuine ambition without a desire to learn, and Jake believes his attitude toward business leadership is what’s seen the most growth since joining the ProCo team.
“It took me a while to realise that team success was what I should be reaching for, rather than personal sales. I felt like I had something to prove so I would overwork and solely focus on my sales results. Now, I understand the importance of delayed gratification. Yes, I could go and do 30 pieces personally, but the team over there are doing 80 collectively. Working with people, coaching and supporting them, that is what’s going to build life-long success.”
Promises, promises
We asked Jake what he would tell his 16-yearold self, and do you know what he replied with?
“I’m actually going back to my school to do a talk! When I left, I told my teachers that when I reached a certain figure in my bank account, I’d come back to speak to the students. It’s a goal I set myself and have thought about it ever since.”
Jake did well in his A-levels but will be focusing his talk on alternative opportunities. He believes the further education route is great, but it’s not for everyone and that’s okay. He wants to highlight the importance of putting yourself in the discomfort zone in order to grow as a person, in life and in business.
As a young man, Jake’s well aware he may lack validity with some people who are
older than him. So he’s addressing this in a way we’ve not seen before. As peers are joining his team, he’s organising Business Advancement Meetings for not only them, but their parents. Enabling everyone to see the direction his business is taking and understand the opportunities available.
“There’s more creativity in young people nowadays - We’re seeing more diverse careers and lifestyles with thanks to social media, so the ambition to create something exciting, rather than follow traditional paths, is greater”
Jake’s Top Tips for excelling in sales
• Have an open mind
• Stand by your integrity
• Each success is everyone’s success
• Grasp knowledge from anywhere and everywhere - The industry lies outside the office so don’t limit your education to what’s inside
Find a mentor
• Find a sparring partner - Someone you can support and someone who will support you; a mutually beneficial partnership
• Filter what you see - Who are you ‘following’ and surrounding yourself with?
Is it possible to perform a standing ovation in print? Well, we’re standing and we’re clapping. What an inspiration to everyone struggling to believe in themselves. Everything you need to build success in your life is within your power, you’ve just got to take hold of it.
Thank you, Jake, for your insight and honesty. We wish you the very best and can’t wait to see where this next year takes you!
“In Chinese culture, dragons are majestic and powerful. They could lead the world due to their dominant nature and ambitious spirit.”
The Year of the Dragon. It sounds a little better than the rat, doesn’t it…
What are you picturing?
Because we’re thinking courage, boldness and an inner fire.
When your birth year animal makes its way back around the 12-year Chinese calendar, it is believed you may face restrictions and difficulties as your energy is in direct clash with the animal in question. You are encouraged to be more mindful of all aspects within your life, although we’re not quite sure which year it wouldn’t be a good idea to do so?
In particular, it is recommended you pay special attention to competition in the workplace, remain dedicated to your goals and take good care of your body. Isn’t that interesting! We love a bit of competitive spirit within the sales industry, but we also heavily emphasise the importance of teamwork and collective ambition. If you’ve read the “Betterment” feature in this edition, you’ll know corporate athleticism is becoming a core value for many offices within the organisation. We’re prioritising physical and mental wellbeing, and the results are speaking for themselves.
Top Tips from the Chinese Zodiac for a 2024 on fire
• Wear red or purple to bring luck and
avoid trouble
• Embrace the 1st and 16th days of each month
• Looking for love? Opt for a Rat, Monkey or Rooster. Avoid Dogs
You were born to…
Our recruitment teams will be fascinated by this… Calling all people born in 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952!
According to the Chinese Zodiac, those born in the year of the Dragon have fruitful careers in journalism, teaching, law, engineering, architecture, and, you’ve guessed it, sales! Their penchant for taking risks and challenging themselves bolsters their ambition with confidence and consequent real-life experience.
The 12 animals within the Chinese zodiac are ranked, with the Dragon being fifth, but you wouldn’t be unique in your thinking to believe it should be first. Would you like to know why it didn’t even make the podium? On its way to the finish line, the Dragon encountered a village suffering from a serious drought. Plants and crops weren’t growing, and the people were in famine, so it flew across the clouds, opened its mouth and made rain to solve their hardship. Sounds like someone who’d be great in customer service, doesn’t it!
So there you have it, Dragons are ambitious, hard-working, risk-takers and helpful to their core. Let’s all be a little more dragon this year.
It is impossible to work within the direct sales industry and ignore the hype for other people’s success. We’re bold, we’re supportive and we’re proud, so when someone does well, we like to shout about it.
You don’t have to be breaking records for us to be vocal either, performance is subjective. First ever sales, personal bests and new product results are all deserving of air time where we’re concerned.
When you get the chance to speak with those at the top of their game, you should grab it. Initially, it may be uncomfortable to approach someone for tips or advice, but do you know how they feel about that interaction? Flattered. If someone asks you for guidance because you’ve done a fantastic job on something, that’s more than likely going to be a highlight of your day. So, shake the embarrassment, make someone feel good about themselves and help yourself in the process.
Sharing is caring in our organisation, so as soon as we heard the results coming from Preet Singh’s portfolio we were straight in his ‘DM’s’ organising a conference call. Here’s how it went.
Preet! We’ve been hearing great things, what’s your situation currently?
I’m an Assistant Owner now and looking to open my own office by the end of this year.
Was sales something that came quite naturally to you?
No, not at all. It took me a while to get any good! Emily, my team leader, and I had to work
really hard together to build my confidence and develop the necessary sales skills, but now it’s paying off in multiple ways. I’m performing well consistently, building a team and learning how to run a business which is opening a lot of doors for me.
So, what kept you working at it?
I could have easily given up in the beginning when I was finding it difficult, but I was imagining myself further down the line, having invested the time and energy into myself. The progression and opportunities we’ve got here were all worth the initial grit and determination it took. Luckily, I managed to think logically as opposed to emotionally.
Which particular sales skill have you had to overcome?
There are two things really, my confidence and my attitude.
English isn’t my first language, it’s my third, so, as you can imagine, it was quite nerve-racking being in such a customer-focused role to begin with. People struggled to understand me, I stuttered and stammered, and was heading to the sales field nervous, which created a vicious circle. We overcame it by tweaking my pitch, making it simple and sleek. We found what worked well for me then my confidence grew naturally.
"When you get the chance to speak with those at the top of their game, you should grab it. Initially, it may be uncomfortable to approach someone for tips or advice, but do you know how they feel about that interaction? Flattered "
When I say I had to overcome my attitude, I don’t mean because I was arrogant, it’s the opposite actually. I’ve always struggled to believe in myself and would be looking for reasons why things wouldn’t work rather than why they might. But as my confidence increased, my skills developed and my support system grew, my mentality leaned more towards the positive than the negative.
Doing sales and running a team are very different skill sets - Which do you find most challenging and why?
I think sales was more challenging for me as it took a while, but what’s great about that is that I’m now able to relate and offer great advice to those in similar situations. When I’m coaching people, I know how they’re feeling so my advice is coming from a place of experience and understanding.
If you’re brand new to sales, how do you think you should approach the industry? You’ve got to give yourself the time to get good at it. Take the pressure off and give yourself 2-4 weeks to catch on and attain skills. Work ethic will always leave you in good stead too. There are some people who have the natural ability to sell, but not many.
Go on then, what are your top tips for consistency in sales?
It’s all about habits and choosing actions that will help you rather than hinder you. For instance:
• Food: I don’t eat anything too sugary or high in caffeine throughout the day as I don’t want to crash. I may well have something later on for that last burst of energy, but I don’t rely on it
• Distraction: I put my phone away, turn it off even. Instead, I use the resources properly, such as the daily tracker and my goal plan
• Planning: I map my day out in blocks
"The progression and opportunities we’ve got here were all worth the initial grit and determination it took. Luckily, I managed to think logically as opposed to emotionally. "
so each period is focused, I know what I’ve got to go and achieve and all the actions I’ve got to take to get there
• Educate: Network, however that looks for you. There is success everywhere we look, so instead of sitting back and watching other people do well, take it upon yourself to reach out, ask questions, bolster your metaphorical toolkit and get ahead. It’s particularly important when you’re not at the top of your game because that’s when you need the boost the most
Anyone can learn skills, but it’s discipline and consistency that will turn them into results.
Do you do anything outside of the business that you believe aids your sales results?
We live in a very digitally-focused world so I’m very careful who I follow online. I only ever follow people who inspire me, I don’t feed my mind with garbage.
I also listen to podcasts, The Mentorprise Podcast has been especially helpful for me recently actually.
We love a success story. But we love it even more when the individual in question had to work hard and show some grit. Well done you, Preet. We hope you’re proud of yourself because it’s been a pleasure to witness your growth.
We’ve all heard the saying, but in our opinion a 24-hour period looks very different to a superstar than the average person.
Beyonce may well have a sell-out tour, twins and songs to release, but she also has a 20-deep entourage, endless funds and nannies to help raise the family. So, well done Beyonce, good for you, but we’re more interested in the modern-day businesswoman.
Introducing Francis Davies and Mollie Hayes.
We have long admired working parents for their dedication to every part of their lives. Can you imagine the chaos that can unfold when you’re juggling full-time work, a family, a home, and God forbid you want to include some friendships, a social life or some exercise into the equation!
These women are powerhouses, and all kudos goes to them for keeping sane, never mind being successful in their endeavours. We grabbed some time, of which they lack, with both Fran and Mollie to gain more of an insight.
A day in the life
We asked what their daily schedules looked like… they both laughed. There’s no such thing as a 9-5, and with each day looking differently, these women are planned and organised to the minute, yet have the confidence to think on their feet.
You may well have heard the fantastic news regarding the childcare system in the UK whereby parents are now entitled to up to 15 hours of free childcare per week from 9 months old, and 30 hours as of two years old. With the ever-growing
percentage of parents needing to get back to work sooner, families were hitting economic stress, even with healthy incomes, so it couldn’t have come sooner. Fran comments,
“When the girls were young, the childcare bill was bigger than my mortgage. I needed to work to keep my career ticking on, but I wasn’t actually making any money.”
For working parents, being organised is a lifeline. Speaking with both Fran and Mollie, it’s clear each part of each day is accounted for. There are Mum-mode segments every morning to set their children up for a great day, there are ‘power hours’ for focus time on projects, there are dualpurpose meetings, and there are moments that combine both work and the family.
Multi-tasking is a parent’s superpower, so a drive to do the school run becomes a chance to make that call and afterschool clubs can double up as hot-desking!
What’s the end goal here?
It’s one thing to be good at your job, but it’s an entirely different concept to be brilliant parents while doing so. There could be an argument for organising more childcare so they’re able to adhere to the more traditional 9-5 structure, but that doesn’t align with either Fran or Mollie’s values. Being present for drop-off and pick-up, being able to watch the Christmas play and cheer their children on at Sports Day is the number one priority.
“When the girls were young, the childcare bill was bigger than my mortgage. I needed to work to keep my career ticking on, but I wasn’t actually making any money.”
In truth, for many working parents, this isn’t always possible. Working in a hospital, for instance, you can’t just leave your patients, but the pandemic highlighted many ways in which the workplace could practice more flexibility. Working from home, moulding the working week to suit individual circumstances, flexi-time and paternal lee-way are all now common practices within many industries.
It can be easy whilst you’re forging a career to become a “yes” person, doing what it takes to get the job done and putting everything else further down on your list of priorities. But as you mature, you learn to listen to your inner monologue, you start to speak up when something doesn’t feel right and have the confidence to approach a conversation with alternative solutions.
There’s a lot to be said for “putting a shift in” as Fran puts it. She likes that her children see her working hard for something she’s passionate about. Mollie touches on this point by mentioning the ever-trendy term, “Mum Guilt”, whereby Mothers feel guilty for not being 100% present whilst they’re working. She says,
“Working with people is full on. It’s impossible to be everything to everyone all of the time, so I’ve gotten better at ‘do not disturb’ times; I have a work phone that I can walk away from. Getting Joey involved in everyday tasks has been great too. He’ll cook with me, clean with me and he loves it. Quality time together doesn’t have to be had at a soft play centre.”
You’re going to want them on your team
We know why working parents are incredible for any workforce, we’ve got plenty on our team, but we wanted to know what Fran and Mollie believed the added benefits were. Mollie highlighted the sense of purpose starting a family can give you and how it leaves you feeling empowered to know you are not only providing for your loved ones, but showing them what it takes to do so.
“I believe you have to set yourself up for the future you want. Have a great team of people around you, earn the right to have a say and know what’s important to you.”
Fran pinpointed the superpower working Mums have; the ability to get things done. Their productivity levels are through the roof; it’s just not an option to be anything other than hard-working. Not only that, their foresight for what’s ahead is second nature to them having considered the wants, needs and whereabouts of others for so long.
Boundaries, yes, please
A headless chicken is no good to anyone. Apart from maybe a butcher, but that’s not what we want for ourselves, is it now…
Transitioning from working, to parenting, to then doing both simultaneously can be daunting. There’s no doubt it’s a lot to contend with, so how do you juggle the two?
Both Fran and Mollie fell victim to not having any particular boundaries in place when it came to their jobs and coworkers. There would be phone calls at times and emails flying in that of course needed responses immediately! And their automatic reaction to agree to every out-of-office activity meant they were adding unnecessary stress to their already full plates.
“I always stick to my word so I’ll always get back to people, but I will no longer let it derail my entire day. I’ll respond when I have a quiet moment and can fully concentrate, otherwise, what’s the point?” - Fran Davies
Filling the cup
Investing some time into yourself when you have loved ones who depend on you, for some reason, feels wrong. You can feel guilty for having time alone or choosing to do something that fills your own cup instead of everyone else's. But, let’s face it, if the parent’s well-being isn’t being taken care of, everything else goes to pot. You can’t fill from an empty cup, guys! It’s science, we know it’s true, but it’s still difficult to implement
sometimes.
We asked Fran and Mollie, (hoping they’d say they do indeed make themselves a priority), how they choose to invest in themselves. Mollie’s a self-proclaimed ‘introverted extrovert’, whereby she’ll happily be social, but then needs to recharge on her own. So, with the help of a family member, she leaves work, has a hot bath, watches her favourite programme and orders take-away.
“I’m really quite self-aware. There was ‘Mumguilt’ initially, but I realise now that it’s good for both of us to be apart on those days because energy is transferable. If I’m not the best me, it’s better for Joey to be with my Auntie, have some fun at the park and then we can come back together.”
Fran on the other hand has an unspoken rule within her household whereby health and fitness are vital for everyone’s wellbeing. One of their family values is to give each other some time and space each day to do something that will make them feel great, whether that’s a run, the gym, yoga or practising Ayurveda.
Can you have it all?
What would your answer be? We believe there is a time and a place for investing more heavily into each area of your life; your career may require you to dig deep for a period in order to thrive in the future, children require varying levels of dependency throughout their lives, and personal journeys may become vital. But can you smash it at work and still be a fabulous parent? Absolutely.
“I believe you have to set yourself up for the future you want. Have a great team of people around you, earn the right to have a say and know what’s important to you.” - Fran Davies
Every skill you have is yours to run with, no one can take it away, and no one can stop you from attaining more.
From fun-loving tricks to career qualifications, we’re all building a personal toolkit to facilitate the lives we want to lead. For some, athleticism is what they train for, for others their vocational promotions keep them learning - Isn’t it brilliant that we’re so unique in our paths.
With growth in mind, we wanted to delve into character building, as opposed to specific talents, and how it's possible to acquire traits throughout our lives, instead of accepting the lack of them as personal weaknesses. “I’m not good in crowds”, “I’m a bit of a pessimist” or “I struggle with change” don’t have to be phrases you’re stuck with.
Having recruited in the direct sales industry for over 20 years, we’ve read countless CVs and conducted thousands of interviews. Can you imagine how many times we’ve heard “I love working with others” and “I’m a team player”? It’s almost part of the template! But what does it mean to have great people skills? What does it actually look like in reallife situations?
We spoke with Floyd Marriott, Managing Director of the HydraSales Group, to see what he had to say on the matter.
What elements are important when working
with people, Floyd?
Charisma. Most people misunderstand what charisma means. Having charisma isn’t about the person in question, it’s about those around them. Someone who is charismatic comes into a room and oozes something, they make others feel great, ask lots of questions, look people in the eye, become excited about the person they’re facing and remember the things they’ve told them.
“As humans, we’re not rational, we’re emotional, so how someone makes you feel is what will shape your opinion of them.“
How can good people skills transform your career?
Warren Buffet says that the greatest skill to learn for any career is communication skills. If you learn to connect, you can add value to people which will create tremendous opportunities for success down the line.
People are the most appreciable resource on the planet, we simply can’t succeed without them, from both a customer and team perspective. Every person in history who has ever stood out significantly has been able to do so with the help of an amazing group of people around them.
From a customer point of view, the most successful businesses in the world have built their brand on how they make their audience feel. Apple for instance, have created a connection to loved ones, convenience for the user and offers an ‘experience store’ as opposed to a traditional retail unit.
“People do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care” - Theodore Roosevelt
“As humans, we’re not rational, we’re emotional, so how someone makes you feel is what will shape your opinion of them.“
What mistakes can be made when working with others?
Where a team is concerned, I believe the biggest mistake is not aligning yourself with what an individual team member wants or needs. Before you can ask for someone’s hand, you must give yours. You have to view your team as a group of individuals.
“People do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care” - Theodore Roosevelt
For customers, it’s really important to align yourself with how they are feeling, and then become a solution for them. Building rapport and developing a connection will help you do that.
Sales is undoubtedly a business of people, whether in person, on the phone or through social media. If someone’s people skills aren’t as good as they want them to be, how would you suggest they try to improve them?
You are totally right, sales is a business of people. Sales by definition is a transfer of energy and enthusiasm, and that’s only achieved through connection. Human beings are not rational animals, we make decisions based on our emotions. So there are two things I would look to work on; adding value and genuine care.
If a sale has been done properly, there will have been value added to the customer and
the interaction should end with them being better off.
It is so important to care about what you are doing, what you are representing and who you are attempting to influence. So, whichever division you’re in, you need to be aligned with the product, service and customer demographic.
Why will social media and technology never replace an in-person interaction? In-person interactions bring feelings and a physical experience that no machine or technical innovation is able to replicate, even with the help of AI. Our greatest tools as people are our body language and ability to empathise, transferring energy from one to another.
“The beating heart of a mammal, and therefore human beings, generates a magnificent impulse around the body. That energy is what drives each experience.”
Let’s consider for a moment an interaction you’ve had today; what value did you bring? How did you make that person feel? Be honest with yourself, there’s always room for improvement.
Thank you, Floyd, we’ve heard so often of your people-focused coaching style, and now we understand.
'This company trip holds a special place in our hearts as a unique opportunity to recognise those within our business that deserve some VIP treatment, giving unique experiences and rewarding hard work with incredible memories.'
Our chosen slopes for the second year running, Montserrat is a fantastic skiing destination with great facilities and the ability to ski right out of the front door.
This year, we kicked things off with a once-in-alifetime experience for the team; snowmobiling at night. Taking us all across the mountains in the dark, with nothing but the moon to guide us, it was an incredible moment.
With skiing or snowboarding lessons included, our first full day was a mix of slope skills and memorable lunching at the famous Le Clos Bernard; an exclusive restaurant within the mountains requiring us to ski off-piste to reach it, then dine on Kobe beef.
Now, we couldn’t go on a ski trip without a little partying, could we? Our second night meant we headed for Folie Douce, kitted out with a private table, watching all the shows, dancing the night away; we had a blast.
For this trip, it was great to see those who had been in previous years developing their skiing, but also get to watch the magic of the slopes come alive for those who had never been before. This company trip holds a special place in our hearts as a unique opportunity to recognise those within our business that deserve some VIP treatment, giving unique experiences and rewarding hard work with incredible memories.
We wonder who will be on the guest list next year…
A selection of some of our favourite photos from recent events
If you’re not listening, you’re losing. Podcasts are incredibly convenient for entertainment purposes but also to widen our learning, and the spectrum of topics is so vast there’s something for every mood.
The Mentorprise Podcast with RedSeven Marketing
10 Minute MBA Daily Actionable Business Lessons
Huberman Lab Podcast
Recommended by Matt Nicholson
Mindset, Motivation & Mentorship: Interviews and insights from across the Mentorprise Group and the direct sales world.
Bite-sized episodes providing actionable insights, tools & strategies you can use to grow your business today.
Regularly ranked as the #1 health podcast in the world, Dr. Huberman discusses science and science-based tools for everyday life.
By: Scott d. Clary
By: Margeret Killjoy & Sophie Rae Lichterman
An avid reader could spend a small fortune on new books, so something we endorse is using the local library. Did you know you can order any book for free? So, not only are you saving money and environmental resources, but you’re utilising a community service and won’t feel so obliged to finish a book if it’s not quite living up to expectations. If we knew how many books we had left to read in our lives, we wouldn’t waste a single second on one we weren’t enjoying!
Here are a few of our ‘must reads’ for 2024…
Recommended by Matt Nicholson & Fran Davis
01
02
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High Kerry Patterson , Joseph Grenny, Ron Mcmillan and Al Switzler
This book gives you the tools you need to step up to life's most difficult, yet important conversations. Say what's on your mind and achieve the positive resolutions you’re wanting. This is a personal recommendation from Matt who believes he’s gained a lot of valuae from it!
Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life
Jamie Kern Lima
Imagine what you’d do if you fully believed in you. When you stop doubting yourself, build unshakable self-worth and embrace who you are, you transform your entire life. This book teaches you how.
03
Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons, and World-Class Performers
Tim Ferriss
Summarising the habits, tactics, and routines of a wide-range of famous actors, legendary athletes, accomplished scientists, artists, and business leaders. Tim Ferriss skips over vague platitudes about effort and attitude and instead focuses on real-world actionable techniques, painting a vivid picture of how the lifestyles of the most-successful people have contributed to their success. It’s inspirational while offering practical solutions and a behind-the-scenes look at success.
Sounds great already, doesn’t it?
Liverpool-based, this 1-day festival brings all the feel-good nostalgia to your September. A day to dance, flashback to great tunes and make new memories to remember them by. With the likes of Basshunter, Sandy B and Holly Ellison in the line-up, you’ll be smiling from ear to ear. www.reminiscefestival.com
FRIDAY 4TH - SUNDAY 6TH OCTOBER 2024
You may well have heard of ‘Defected Croatia’ held in August, but did you know there was one in Malta too? With temperatures between 18 and 25 degrees, Malta’s a great choice of destination in October, and the island is beautiful every which way you look.
With pool parties, outdoor club shows and even boat parties, it’s an epic choice for an end-of-summer holiday.
www.malta.defected.com
MONEY RAISED FOR CHARITIES
2024
Mantra Marketing Group
James Buckley / Francis Davies www.mantramarketinggroup.com
RedSeven Marketing
Robert Cotterell Bristol www.redsevenmarketing.co.uk
RedSeven Marketing
Dale Trinder Cheltenham www.redsevenmarketing.co.uk
RedSeven Marketing
Jon Walters Nottingham www.redsevenmarketing.co.uk
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
The Promotions Company
Ryan Beebee Chelmsford www.promotions-company.co.uk
Eternal Sales Group
Toby Lindford Birmingham www.eternalsalesgroup.com
Hydra Sales Floyd Marriott London www.hydrasalesgroup.com
Adway Marketing
Magda Zaworska / Vik Verma Bristol www.adwaymarketing.co.uk
Talk to Us Advertising
Mark Widnell Exeter www.talk2usadvertising.com
Legion Marketing Group
Muhammad Ahmed / Asma Brahimi Hackney www.legionmarketing.co.uk
People Boosted
Veronika Ovechkina Moscow www.peopleboosted.com
Ivse Group
Ivan Dmitrachkov Saint Petersburg www,innovate-solution.ru
Luck Look Company
Ayna Papedova Sochi www.lucklookcompany.com
Direct Dialog
Aidar Zamaletdinov Moscow www.directdialog.ru
Well Mood
Radik Kamalov Saint Petersburg www.wmwemake.com
Raycom
Daniel Ray Moscow website coming soon
Kings Way
Dmitry Tsarev Moscow www.kings-way.ru
Mediators
Evgeniy Miheenko Saint Petersburg www.meamarketing.by
DANKAI Marketing Group
Alexander Nikiforov Moscow www.dankai.ru
“Persevere with purpose"