How Do You Eat An Elephant?

Why did I start this article with a pretty poor joke? Since working as a Marketing Consultant, I’ve come to realise that many people regard marketing for their business as the elephant in the room. They know it’s there. They know they must face it to help grow a successful business, but they continually ignore it, choosing to put it off to another day. Do you recognise yourself in this description? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Marketing is often regarded as a big issue, particularly if it isn’t your strength. And to be fair, why should it be your strength? You started your business to do the thing you love and use your skills to deliver great products or services to your clients. You didn’t start your business to become an expert in all things marketing. What that does mean, however, is that marketing becomes an elephant-sized issue that can feel onerous and weigh heavy on your mind. point to keep your goals on track. There are a few different definitions, but all boil down to: • Specific - pin down exactly what you want to accomplish. • Measurable - keep track of your progress as you work towards your goal • Achievable - make your goals reasonable so that you can accomplish them • Realistic - consider your current workload and resource • Time-based - you may have a deadline you would ideally like to meet but do give yourself more time than you think you need. I am happy to put my hand up and say loud and proud I have absolutely zero experience of business accounts. Or at least very little experience. As it’s a task that can’t be ignored and because HMRC would not regard me too favourably if I did ignore it, I do what I can by keeping up to date records of income and outgoings and then I seek advice from someone who does understand business accounts. One bite at a time. Ronnie Harris, VJH Marketing “You started your business to do the thing you love...”

One bite at a time. The way to approach your marketing is to break it down into achievable tasks.

Decide on the goal and the timescale needed to achieve that goal. Try not to be too ambitious because you could be setting yourself up to fail.

22 Imagine if there was a legal requirement to do your marketing, or a marketing version of HMRC? I’m pretty sure there wouldn’t be any marketing elephants in the room.

95 Years

Of Business In The East Midlands.

By Ian Phillips, deputy managing director at Duncan & Toplis

This year, Duncan & Toplis is celebrating a milestone. 2020 marks an astounding 95 years of business in the region, which began in 1925 in Grantham. Our company has grown and changed considerably over the years, and we’re proud to have steered organisations in the right direction over nine and a half decades.

During that time, we've seen the extent to which businesses have adapted to the challenges they've faced time and again. Looking ahead to 2020, we look forward to seeing many more embracing the 'adapt to succeed' mentality which is so crucial in business.

All businesses need to look inwardly as well as outwardly in order to adapt to challenges that we face in this ever changing world. Business confidence needs to hold strong, as leaders ready themselves for whatever the future holds, particularly regarding Brexit.

We've seen the farming industry adapt to change in the most extreme circumstances over the past year, and they'll no doubt face more change in the future.

After the flooding across our region, farms will encounter a tough few years as they look to recover from the recent deluges. However, like many other industries, farming and agribusiness will show its capability to adapt and modernise as it has done before. Change isn't always easy but being able to adapt in the face of it is essential. Who can remember life without computers - and who can think of life without one now?

Change is a challenge but in adopting a change mentality, businesses will find they adapt to explore new opportunities for future growth which, in turn, will be the bedrock of tomorrow's successful business. We look forward to another 95 years working with businesses across the region!