9 minute read
Reboot your marketing with a fully funded insights report
Sussex Innovation has launched a new suite of fully funded reports for start-ups looking to gain a deeper understanding of their customers and markets, or refresh their social media and PR.
For early-stage founders, time is at a premium, meaning that the day-to-day work of running the business can often leave little time to research new opportunities or reflect on your marketing channels. Even working in collaboration with an agency or taking part in one-on-one sessions with a consultant can often prove too much of a distraction.
“Our team has delivered cost-effective research, sales and marketing consultancy for our clients for many years, so we’re aware that everyone’s needs are different,” says Helena Jevons, Sussex Innovation’s Head of Sales and Marketing. “Customer priorities and behaviours have shifted dramatically during the pandemic – we’ve never seen such rapid changes in our 25-year history, so it’s an important time for businesses to take stock and re-evaluate their strategies.
“Some founders aren’t looking for a mentoring relationship over months and years; they want straightforward recommendations. They want to know what headline insights we can fi nd out for them, and what actionable steps their marketing team can take to move the business forward in the short term.” With this challenge in mind, the Sussex Innovation team has launched fi ve new reports that are designed to be delivered by its research and marketing advisors quickly and effi ciently, while demanding as little time as possible from business owners.
These projects can also leverage funding from the European Regional Development Fund, meaning that eligible start-ups can also get their report free of charge.
Businesses can pick any one of the fi ve products and will receive a simple online questionnaire to help them describe their situation and requirements. The questionnaire acts as a briefing document for Sussex Innovation’s advisors, who need no further information to carry out their research and deliver the report.
THE SUITE OF INSIGHTS REPORTS INCLUDES:
n Competitor Analysis: understand the range of choices available to your potential customers, and where the opportunities lie. Who is the competition and what is their positioning? How do they package and price their offer? Who are they targeting? Using market-leading research reports from the likes of
Frost & Sullivan, learn what customers currently do, why they do it, and where your brand could gain maximum traction.
n Mini White Paper: part research tool, part marketing collateral, a mini white paper is designed to provide a unique insight into the trends within your industry. It can be used to inform your strategy and get a head start on your competition, or to provide a whole calendar’s worth of marketing messages that will position you as thought leaders with your fi ngers on the pulse. n PR Starter Pack: get help shaping and writing a press release about the news story you have to share, or building a press pack to pitch your spokesperson for media appearances. Includes a bespoke database of UK press contact information, and a guide to contacting media and selling your story.
n Social Media Audit: optimise your social media presence and content marketing strategy with a deep dive report on your current activity, along with recommendations for future tactics. Includes an audit of three of your most commonly-used social channels, analysis of successful strategies employed by other brands in your space, and inspiration for future content marketing campaigns.
n General Research: do you have a burning research question not covered by any of the reports above?
Whatever market insights you’re hoping to uncover, send your brief to the Sussex Innovation team and they’ll use their full range of tools and expertise to fi nd an answer. If you’re interested in receiving a fully funded insights report for your business, or would like to explore a more hands-on package of one-on-one consultancy and practical support, you can get in touch with Sussex Innovation and start your project straight away using the appropriate link below: n Competitor Analysis n Mini White Paper n PR Starter Pack n Social Media Audit n General Research.
If you’re not sure which approach is right for you, are looking for different support, or would simply prefer to talk to the consultancy team, visit https:// info.sinc.co.uk/enquiries to share the details of your business and its needs.
These support products are funded by the European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund.
Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.
For more information visit www.gov.uk/ european-growth-funding
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NETWORKING IS KEY
To become well-regarded in your fi eld, you need to make sure that your name is known fi rst. So, I always recommend networking as much as possible to make great connections and simply get your name out there a bit more. Of course, in-person networking is quite tricky at the moment, so don’t be afraid to take things online and utilise social media (in particular LinkedIn) in order to forge new business connections and put yourself on the industry’s radar.
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THINK ABOUT PR AND MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
Another great way to get your name out there and also give yourself some more credibility as an expert in your fi eld is to seek out PR and other media opportunities. You can approach publications and submit articles or comments, or create your own opportunities by publishing a blog or social media page where you can share your opinions, news, and anything else relevant to your industry. Any true expert wholeheartedly believes in the value their opinions can bring to the industry, so why not get out there and share them whenever you can?
Any business owner dreams of becoming an expert in their chosen fi eld. But how can you stop dreaming and make this a reality? Gareth Johnson, a business growth consultant from Chrysalis Growth is here to share his top tips for becoming an expert, no matter what you may do.
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SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE
What do all well-liked experts have in common? The fact that they share their copious knowledge with others! Whether you speak with people who are just starting out and want to learn more about the industry, or share the latest news with your colleagues, talking about your fi eld at every available opportunity will certainly help to cement your name as an expert. Look out for opportunities to give talks, mentor others, and share your opinion in discussion and debates, both online and in-person.
Of course, becoming an expert in any fi eld takes time, focus, and consistent effort. It’s not something that happens overnight! Through Chrysalis Growth, I coach other business owners to achieve growth and see the value that they can bring to their industry.
If you’re looking for something similar, I would love to hear from you! Please visit my website at www.chrysalisgrowth.com, or email me at info@chrysalisgrowth.com
PLATINUM
MEDIA GROUP
ARE YOUR PREMISES READY FOR THE RODENT RETURN?
With the country beginning to unlock, Cleankill Pest Control is reminding businesses to check they have the right measures in place to stop an infestation of rodents.
It is often said that a dog is a man’s best friend. However, for rodents, it could be said humans are their best friends. Pre-pandemic, our social lives and working routines gave them plenty of food and harbourage.
That all changed in March 2020 as the country went into lockdown to deal with COVID-19. The British Pest Control Association (BPCA) reported a 51% spike in rodent activity in the Spring of 2020, with a further spike of 78% during the November lockdown. Cleankill, which covers the whole of the south of England, has since reported a further year-on-year increase of 27% in rodent related callouts in the first two months of 2021.
Lockdowns have had two major impacts on the rodent populations of our cities. Firstly, without the constant presence of human activity, they have been able to breed unhindered. It’s been estimated an extra 30 million rats were born in the UK in 2020. Secondly, because places like offices, factories and food outlets have been closed the rodents have moved into new areas to find food. With children returning to school and the Government’s roadmap underway, now is the time for businesses to make sure their pest control contracts are in place as the return of workers to offices, shops and factories may mean an increase in infestations. In some cases, the rodent problem might have already existed but gone unnoticed during lockdown. In other cases, rodents might choose to return to the places that have traditionally supplied them with food and harbourage.
Paul Bates, Managing Director of Cleankill Pest Control, explains: “It has been a tough year for everyone except, it would seem, rodents. Our figures from across the last 12 months show how well rats and mice have adapted to lockdowns. As people return to their places of work, we are predicting a big increase in pest control issues relating to rodents.
“Employers are legally required to provide their employees, customers, and other stakeholders with a safe working environment. That means making sure their preventive pest control systems are in place and working.” Infestations can be very costly. Even if a business avoids closure or fines by the council’s Environmental Health office, treating an infestation will be more costly than employing effective preventive measures in the first place.
Paul added: “We know it has been a difficult year for businesses. Everyone is looking for a way to cut costs but, the truth is, cutting preventive pest control is a false esconomy. Over the years, we’ve seen businesses of all sizes take a gamble with their pest control and then end up with large fines and damage to their reputation, not to mention the risks to the health of staff and customers.”
Launched in 1995, Cleankill Pest Control has its head office is in Croydon, Surrey, with local offices in East Sussex, Bristol, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire.
