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Tom Stansfield of Lincolnshire Marketing Tom Stansfield, the founder of Legal Growth and Lincolnshire Marketing (two marketing agencies helping small businesses with predictable and measurable growth), asserts the significance of data in steering businesses towards success. In his analysis, Tom explains how data is the beacon that guides marketing efforts, highlighting its indispensable role in business strategies. A quintessential example is the use of Electronic Point of Sale (EPS) systems by supermarkets. These sophisticated systems track consumer spending and shopping habits, offering invaluable insights into customer preferences and behaviours. This data is pivotal in shaping marketing strategies and stock management decisions, ensuring that supermarkets align closely with their customers' needs. Not only that but it enables them to predict income, target customers with offers and increase revenue. Furthermore, the presence of cookies on websites is not merely for compliance; they serve as critical tools in accumulating metrics. Similarly, the digital marketing realm leverages tools like the Facebook Pixel. This powerful tool enables marketers to track website visits and gather data essential for targeted marketing. By understanding the online behaviour of potential customers, businesses can tailor their marketing efforts to resonate more effectively with their audience. These metrics are instrumental in constructing detailed buyer personas or 'brand avatars, which are central to devising more effective marketing campaigns. Without this data, businesses are essentially 'stabbing in the dark' when it comes to marketing, as Tom aptly puts it. The significance of data becomes even more pronounced when considering budget allocations for marketing. The general recommendation is to invest 10-15% of revenue in marketing. However, without efficient and strategic use of data, this investment risks being squandered. Data empowers businesses to make informed marketing decisions, ensuring that every penny spent is an investment towards reaching the ideal audience. Tom's approach to marketing is to spend as little as possible and he'll no doubt make himself unpopular with other marketers when he says that you don't need to focus on Facebook or PPC. Instead, focus on data. Tom Stansfield emphasises that with the right data, businesses can avoid guesswork and enter a domain of strategic precision. This shift is not just about saving resources but about amplifying the impact of marketing efforts, ensuring that messages reach the right ears and eyes. Tom invites businesses to embrace the power of data in sculpting their marketing strategies. He offers a golden opportunity for businesses to gain insights into harnessing this power: a free hour of marketing support. Interested parties can connect with Tom on Linkedin, reach out to Lincolnshire Marketing, or use the QR code provided below to book this session. This is an invaluable chance to learn how to navigate the vast ocean of data and use it to chart a course towards business success for your business. Click here to find out more about Lincolnshire Marketing Photography: Headshot Toby

Breathe Insurance help to ensure businesses are operating online with sufficient cover. Do you operate your business online or have an online business in addition to your physical premises in Lincolnshire? If so, it is important to make sure you have the correct insurance in place to protect you against the risks involved in selling goods and services online. What type of insurance policy do I need for an online business? The insurance you need for e-commerce should be tailored to suit your particular requirements, which will vary from business to business. Your broker will be able to advise you on the following types of cover: - Employers Liability (a legal requirement in most cases if there is more than one person working in the business) - Public and Products Liability - Professional Indemnity (including Breach of Confidentiality and Libel and Slander) - Cyber Liability Property - Business Interruption Goods In Transit     1. Importing from Overseas: If you import products from overseas, remember to notify your broker, as insurers often then classify you as the manufacturer for rating purposes.This is because it can be difficult to hold an overseas manufacturer responsible for injuries or damage that occur here in the UK. You will need to provide your broker with full details of the products you import and the quality control measures you have in place.     2. Exporting to North America: Due to US legislation and the possibility of costly damages awards, most insurers have a North America Exclusion. It is vital therefore to let your broker know if you are selling anything or providing services to customers in the USA or Canada, so that your insurer can extend your cover accordingly.     3. Drop Shipping: Contrary to common belief, if you are drop shipping, you are still responsible for the products supplied.The importer is deemed the manufacturer in the event of a claim and has a duty of care to prevent defective products being supplied to customers. Make sure your broker knows the type of products being drop shipped and what you are doing to ensure good quality control.     4. White-labelling: If you are white-labelling goods that you have bought from a wholesaler with your own company name and logo, you are potentially taking on the same product liability exposure as the manufacturer. It is therefore vital that you let your broker know if any of your goods are white labelled so that the cover can be extended accordingly. Here at Breathe Insurance we have the knowledge and expertise to help you secure the right insurance cover for your Lincolnshire-based business. Scan the QR code to find out more about Breathe Insurance

James from DBS Digital shares his 5 Tips to make your website the best experience for your customers Members of the team at DBS Digital Speed: Make it Fast There is nothing more frustrating than using a website that takes ages to load. A lot of people won't be willing to wait -they will just abandon it and head to a competitor. Image and video size can easily cause delays to load speed, as can inefficient website hosting, broken links and more. Carry out a page speed test to know what you are dealing with and get fixing! Language: Talk the Right Talk Always use clear language that you know your users will understand. Not everyone looking at your website will be specialists in your area and too much technical jargon can simply be off putting. Speak in a natural language that makes you approachable and more importantly fits with the overall tone of voice of your business. Also, avoid large blocks of text. People don't need to be reading essays, and large paragraphs are difficult to skim read. Break up the text into smaller, more manageable chunks and use pictures where appropriate. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words. Identify Purpose Take your time to have a true understanding of who your customers are and what they actually want from your website. Give every page a purpose and use Call To Actions (CTAs) e.g. buttons to guide a user in the direction you want to take them. All graphics, wording and CTAs need to have a specific purpose and help a user find the information they want - they should NOT be a distraction or there simply to fill a gap on the page. Consistency is Key Your style and tone of voice should be consistent throughout. Your entire website should represent your brand and sound the same, no matter who wrote the content. Use the same font, styling, brand colours and terminology throughout. In order to do this successfully, you need to establish what your brand voice is and what you are trying to convey to the customer. Once you understand this, document it in brand guidelines so that everyone in the company is on the same page. Keep it Simple Advances in technology make it easy to get carried away with fancy website designs, animation, videos and impressive graphics. However, you can have the fanciest looking website but if it doesn't explain what your business does or is simply too distracting, it will be a complete waste of effort. Contemplate the colours you use carefully. They need to match your brand but look great and be easy for customers to read (so avoid those neon yellows!). Every element of the design and where you place wording, buttons and pictures is vital; even if you think it doesn’t make a huge difference, it really does. Once you make a design change - test it and test again. Continuous testing will help you learn which elements resonate with your customers and where on the website they get stuck. Remember, it only takes 0.05 seconds for users to form an opinion about your website. What impression does your website give? Click here for a Free Website Performance Reveiw with DBS Digital Photography: Headshot Toby

Stuart Couling of developmentplus I'm Stuart, Social Enterprise Development Manager for Lincoln charity developmentplus . Over the years I've come to realise that so many employees are struggling to juggle work and life and are constantly feeling stressed or anxious. Our aim at Lumina is to target as many work places as possible offering them some Zen! Sessions, practices and tips on how to feel calm in the work place using mindfulness. We teach everything from meditation, mindful tea drinking, recognising and avoiding burn out, mindful communication and much more. There are many benefits to adding in these sessions to your work place, staff will feel more relaxed and valued, less sick days, less staff turnover, higher productivity and a better working environment. We even plan to offer work place retreats which will include a mix of mindfulness, yoga and whatever individual organisations want. It's important to offer bespoke packages so people get the most from us. My number one tip for a happy relaxed work place...be more present. Its important to be present with everything you do, doing one thing at a time and recognising when your mind takes you off elsewhere! Taking regular pauses in the day where you literally put everything down, make your favourite drink and take the time to enjoy that drink while doing nothing else. Just a few minutes is enough. It's way too tempting to drink and text, email, work etc etc. That adds to that work place frazzled feeling! It's ok to STOP and reset. Many work places now have a corporate social responsibility, to carry out business in an ethical way. Using Lumina will provide a social return. Money invested in your business's wellbeing will help developmentplus  to keep offering crucial services which help Lincolnshire's street homeless, support ex offenders to blend back in to society, help some of the most vulnerable improve their lives, promote positive mental health and much more. Find out more about developmentplus here Photography: Headshot Toby

Asset Finance  is the overarching term used to describe finance products that allow a business to acquire assets & equipment where the asset itself is used as the security for the lender. Across a decade working for one of the UK's leading asset finance providers, I supported hundreds of businesses across different sectors, from start-ups to large corporates. I then made the decision to set up my own business, driven by my desire to provide my customers with flexible and tailored finance solutions as well as exceptional customer service. Having access to the whole of the market allows me to provide funding across a range of categories, including: asset finance, working capital, property, development, cash flow, bridging, & more. What are the benefits of asset finance? Business Funding Specialist Chris Mountain Cash flow management:  allows businesses to acquire assets without a significant upfront cash outlay, retaining working capital for other operational requirements. Flexible repayment options:  tailored finance solutions with flexible repayment terms which allow businesses to align the repayment profile with their cashflows. Preservation of credit lines:  keeps traditional lines of credit, such as overdrafts, bank loans, & credit cards available for other business needs. Keeps equipment up to date:  allows businesses the flexibility to upgrade equipment or technology as needed, keeping them competitive & retaining a professional image. What are the typical terms I can expect with an asset finance agreement? How long can I take the funding over? Funding can be typically taken over a term between 1 & 7 years. However, in some instances & for certain assets with longer lifespans, funding over a longer period can be available. How much deposit do I need? Traditionally, 10% + the VAT would be a typical deposit for an asset finance agreement. However, most lenders will now fund up to 100% of the net cost of an asset for the right customer / deal. Some lenders will also offer the ability to defer the VAT for up to 3 months to aid cashflow. How flexible are the repayment options? Depending on the lender, the repayment profile of an asset finance agreement can be tailored to meet the exact requirements of the customer. This could include seasonal payments to match the cashflows of a farming business, a balloon payment at the end of an agreement for a director's car to keep the monthly repayment amount down and a repayment break at the start of an agreement for a machine which may take some time to bed in fully & start earning the business income. Connect with Chris Mountain on LinkedIn. Photography: Headshot Toby

The co-founders of KuKu Connect. I n today's interconnected business landscape, the significance of networking, (or 'connecting' as we call it at KuKu) really cannot be overstated. Networking isn't merely about exchanging business cards or connecting on social platforms; it's a dynamic process that cultivates relationships, fosters collaborations, and opens doors to a myriad of opportunities, no matter your sector, niche or size. One of the fundamental aspects of successful business networking is the access it provides to a diverse pool of people, perspectives and expertise. Engaging with professionals from various industries and backgrounds offers a wealth of knowledge, enabling the exchange of innovative ideas and fresh insights. This cross-pollination of ideas often sparks creativity and problem-solving, leading to enhanced business strategies and solutions. Moreover, networking is the cornerstone of building a robust support system. Establishing meaningful connections with peers, mentors, and industry leaders can offer guidance, advice, and mentorship crucial for professional growth. These relationships can also present access to potential partnerships, clients, or investors, expanding the reach and influence of one's business and at KuKu this happens through being part of a real community. In today's digital age, networking has transcended physical boundaries, with online platforms serving as vital arenas for relationship building. Engaging through social media, forums, or professional networking sites allows for continuous connections and facilitates staying updated with industry trends and opportunities. At KuKu we embrace the digital horizon, giving valuable additional services, all as part of membership, which results in better value and real ROl. Ultimately, effective networking isn't solely about expanding one's circle; it's about nurturing authentic, mutually beneficial relationships that can drive business success and personal growth. In a world where connections are invaluable assets, investing time and effort in networking proves to be an essential element for sustainable and effective business development and with KuKu we have fun along the way, because who said you can't mix business with a little pleasure. Your First Visit Is Free Be our guest and meet the KuKu Community at one of our monthly 6-8pm Connect Receptions which take place in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. Your first visit is free and we guarantee you'll meet new business connections all in a friendly and relaxed environment - no pitches - no presentations - no push. KuKu Connect is much more than just a networking event - did you know you can use KuKu in your business every working day of the month? The multi award-winning KuKu connects businesses and entrepreneurs together, with a community spanning the Midlands and wider UK, offering a business membership service packed with value, so, do you feel supported, feel part of a real community and are you gaining new business? If not, then it's time to go KuKu - we're waiting for you. Find out more about joining KuKu Connect here Photography: Headshot Toby

A Guide to Becoming the Best Leader You Can Be Leadership is no longer about a title or position. In today's dynamic world of business, your employees demand more. Your employees want to be inspired and motivated. They want to feel engaged and empowered to make their own decisions. They want to feel part of something - and even better, part of something fulfilling for them, that makes a real difference. But how do we as Leaders do this? Whether you're steering a large corporation or leading a small team, this requires a desire to be the best leader we can be. It needs passion to deliver, grow and evolve - and the skills to enable others to do the same. So, here's a short guide to help you unlock your leadership potential. Cultivate the Mindset of an Extraordinary Leader: The foundation of extraordinary leadership lies in cultivating the right mindset. Extraordinary leaders possess a growth mindset - a belief that abilities and intelligence can and should be developed through continuous learning and being open to new things. With this mindset, you will be able to embrace challenges as opportunities and encourage this within your team. When innovation and a 'no failure' culture is embedded by the leader throughout an organisation, it creates a team of resilient and adaptable people. Remember they often have the solutions themselves, so practice active listening to really hear and understand your team. Develop and Demonstrate the Behaviours You Want in Your People: Your behaviour sets the tone for the organisation. Your people are constantly watching to see what is acceptable and will copy behaviours that they experience, so lead by example. Demonstrate the values and work ethic you expect; show commitment and a willingness to roll up your sleeves; be approachable, transparent and open to feedback; and communicate generously. This not only earns respect but also creates a sense of unity. Know Yourself: Self-awareness is fundamental for effective leadership. Take time out to reflect on who you are, your values and the leader you want to be. Seek feedback to gain different perspectives on your leadership approach. Use personality tools and 360-degree feedback to gain insights into your leadership behaviours and make the changes needed. Knowing yourself allows you to leverage your strengths and address areas for improvement.It also enables you to tailor your leadership style to different situations and individuals. Authenticity is key. Investing time in your personal development will pay dividends. So, attend leadership workshops, read relevant literature, invest in a coach/mentor, and engage in activities that expand your skill set. A commitment to lifelong learning enhances your capabilities and keeps you adaptable. Being the best leader you can be requires a growth mindset, inspirational behaviour and a deep understanding of yourself. But by developing these, you will pave the way for extraordinary leadership that propels your career, your people and your organisation to new heights. About Human Alchemy Human Alchemy is a leadership and management consultancy, who have worked with clients nationally and internationally for over 23 years. They specialise in Extraordinary Leadership  and High Performance Teamwork . Find out more about Human Alchemy here Photography: Headshot Toby

With Emma Easton, The Chief Bolloxologist® Emma Easton - Business Bollox Imagine a life where every marketing effort hits the mark, each campaign is a success, and restless nights worrying about strategy (the 3am night sweats) are a thing of the past. That's the power of being market-oriented and embracing segmentation. Here's a strategy to streamline your marketing without compromising everything else. Market Orientation: guiding your business to success Market orientation isn't just a bolloxy buzzword - it should be at the core of your business. It means having a laser-focus on your market (not just customers). By aligning your strategies with customer needs, industry trends, and your competitive landscape, you're essentially understanding your MARKET before diving in. Why market orientation matters: Customer-centric Approach: Small businesses thrive when they genuinely understand their customers. Market orientation ensures your products or services align with your target audience, fostering higher satisfaction and loyalty. Adaptability: Markets are dynamic. A market-oriented approach ensures you can swiftly adapt to change, capitalise on emerging trends, and navigate industry shifts. Competitive Edge: Thorough market understanding provides a competitive advantage. It allows you to identify unique selling points, differentiate yourself from competitors, The Power of Market Segmentation Now you're focused on the market, let's delve into market segmentation. Instead of treating all customers uniformly, segmentation divides them into groups based on shared characteristics, paving the way for targeted and more effective marketing efforts. Ta-daaa! Why segmentation is a game-changer: Personalised Marketing: Understand the diverse needs of your audience. Segmentation enables personalised marketing campaigns, resonating more strongly with each group. Resource Optimisation: Small businesses operate with very limited resources. Segmentation helps allocate marketing resources efficiently by focusing efforts on high-potential groups. Improved ROl: Targeting specific segments reduces wasted effort on uninterested audiences, saving money and boosting return on investment (ROl) as marketing efforts resonate with those most likely to convert. Managing a small business can be like parenting energetic toddlers - never-ending tasks that all require attention... and now you have the groundwork to make positive change in your business. Need help? From segmentation, to marketing mentoring and / or accountability, book a 30-minute call with me to find out how. Find out more about Business Bollox Photography: Headshot Toby

Can't remember the last time you had a good night's sleep? You're not alone, over a 1/3 of adults in the UK find themselves struggling with sleep. At Unstoppabl, we believe sleep is the cornerstone of your health and key to improving performance in every area of your life. It's the first thing we explore when working with our personal clients and it's a major factor in the performance gains experienced by the businesses w e work with. Why should you be concerned about your sleep? Adequate sleep is essential for overall health, improving mood, energy levels, and reducing risks of mental distress and heart disease. It lowers heart rate and blood pressure, regulates blood sugar and insulin sensitivity, and decreases the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Sleep enhances brain function, memory, cognitive skills, and supports learning and decision-making. It also strengthens the immune system, helps manage stress, and aids in maintaining a healthy weight by regulating appetite hormones. So how can you get better sleep? Everyone is different but here are 5 things you can start doing today to get better sleep: 1. Look at your sleep in cycles not hours Sleeping in 90-minute cycles rather than counting hours can have significant benefits both physically and mentally. Each 90-minutes represents a complete sleep cycle, comprising different stages crucial for optimal muscle recovery, growth, and mental rejuvenation. Aligning sleep with these natural cycles can help reduce muscle soreness and promote better mental health. It is recommended to plan for 5 sleep cycles (7.5 hours) per night, which aligns well with the natural circadian rhythm. Aiming for 28-35 cycles weekly can ensure adequate rest, and if this number falls short, try having a nap between 13.00 and 15.00 in the afternoon. Tip for success:  Avoid waking mid-cycle by calculating your bedtime in 90-minute intervals from your desired wake time. Consistently wake up at the same time daily, even on weekends. 2. Trouble getting off to sleep? If you're often laid in bed thinking about all those things you've got to do, keep a notepad nearby to jot down tomorrow's tasks. Additionally, reading fiction before sleep engages your imagination, shifting focus away from daily stressors and promoting a more peaceful transition to sleep. Tip for success:  When reading, use a lamp that has warm colours of amber and red or try a Kindle. 3. Get tech out of the bedroom. Eliminating blue light-emitting screens such as TVs, smartphones, and computers from your pre-bedtime routine improves sleep by aligning it with natural circadian rhythms, as this light suppresses melatonin production, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep-wake cycles. Tip for success:  Create a tech-free sanctuary in the bedroom and warm up the colours on your devices in the hours running up to sleep. 4. Crackdown on your caffeine Reducing caffeine intake, particularly in the hours leading up to bedtime, can have a profound impact on sleep quality. Caffeine, a stimulant found in coffee, tea, certain soft drinks, and chocolate, has a half-life of about 6 hours in the body, meaning it takes this long for its concentration to reduce by half. This prolonged presence in the system can disrupt sleep patterns, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. Additionally, caffeine has a diuretic effect, which can lead to disruptive nighttime bathroom visits. By cutting down on caffeine, especially later in the day, you can minimise these sleep disturbances, and get a better night's sleep. Tip for success:  Don't go cold turkey - reduce your caffeine slowly over a period of a couple of weeks. 5. How sunlight can help you sleep Morning sunlight exposure is key to improving sleep quality. It resets our internal clock, regulating the sleep-wake cycle by signalling the brain to suppress melatonin during the day, enhancing alertness. This also aids in melatonin production at night, facilitating a smoother transition to sleep and leading to more consistent, restful sleep patterns. Tip for success:  If you work indoors, move your desk closer to a window to get more natural light in the day. Making it happen To improve sleep quality, it's essential to focus on small, incremental changes that collectively have a significant impact. Start by creating an environment conducive to good sleep: minimise exposure to blue light before bedtime, limit caffeine intake in the latter part of the day, and ensure exposure to morning sunlight. These adjustments can easily integrate into your daily routine. For instance, replace evening screen time with reading, opt for herbal tea instead of coffee in the afternoon, and start taking a morning walk. By consistently practicing these small but effective habits, you'll transform your sleep patterns, leading to better overall health and wellbeing. Find out more about Unstoppabl Photography: Headshot Toby

with Jacksons Workwear Jacksons Workwear in Lincoln Educating businesses on the value of professional workwear and laundry services As a marketing administrator at Jacksons Workwear Rental, my role includes more than just promoting our services; it's about educating businesses about the benefits of professional workwear and laundry solutions. In a world where first impressions matter, convincing industries of the advantages of our services requires a strategic approach. One of the primary hurdles that we face is the misconception that workwear is simply just uniform. Breaking through this notion and highlighting the transformative impact professional workwear can have on brand perception and employee performance is crucial. We need to convey that our services go beyond providing clean uniforms; we offer a complete package which includes customisation, safety compliance, and hassle-free management. Lead Generation To overcome this challenge, generating leads involves understanding our target audience and tailoring our approach accordingly. We identify industries with a high potential for benefiting from our services which then allows us to direct our efforts towards sectors where the need is greatest. This aims to ensure a higher likelihood of conversion. We employ both online and offline strategies, from social media campaigns to simply reaching out to businesses. Acquiring New Customers Our customer acquisition strategy focuses on building relationships and demonstrating the benefits of our services. We initiate conversations with businesses, intending to understand their unique needs and educate them on how our workwear rental services can help. Our initial step is always aiming to arrange a face-to-face meeting where we can showcase our services and how they would align with their industry-specific requirements. Content Marketing Educating and engaging our audience is at the core of our content marketing strategy. Through blogs and social media posts, we delve into the challenges industries face regarding workwear and laundry. One thing we are looking at doing in the future is highlighting case studies, illustrating the positive impact our services have had on businesses. Content creation isn't just about selling; it's about providing valuable insights that can help position us as industry experts. Whether that be a case study, an in-depth guide on safety compliance in workwear or a fun infographic on the evolution of workwear, our content aims to capture the attention of our audience and instill a deeper understanding of the significance of our services. We leverage platforms like Linkedin and our blog for B2B engagement, emphasising our workwear's professionalism and safety aspects. On Facebook and Instagram, we showcase the brand's personality and aim to create a community feel. Educating businesses about the value of professional workwear and laundry services is an ongoing journey. It involves a combination of strategies, and by approaching them with a focus on education, we aim to not just gain a customer but to foster a deeper understanding of our services. From the Photographer All businesses can benefit by showcasing the people behind their business - the smiles and friendly faces that metap rically, and literally, make the machine of business function. Jacksons Workwear has a fantastic workplace culture. I work regularly with the team to capture this, providing them with visual marketing materials; from showcasing their office staff to the busy factory and warehouse team. Often B2B relationships are maintained via telephone and email communications, and the photos and videos we create are a fantastic way to share the inner workings of Jacksons Workwear with their clients. Find out more about Jacksons Workwear Photography: Headshot Toby