The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 22: Winter 2021 | Page 11

Herd PR

Lucy Bridle is Founder of Bath-based public relations agency , Herd PR . The firm specialises in business-to-business PR with a specific focus in the manufacturing and engineering sectors , helping to build and maintain positive reputations to support the sales pipeline and increase the bottom line .
CELEBRATING SUCCESSES OF 2021
Lucy , said , " We are coming to the end of another roller coaster year across the entire planet , and it remains a mind blowing state of affairs for us all , both personally and professionally .
" Via my B2B PR consultancy work , over the last 25 years , through good times and periods of economic uncertainty , I ’ ve had a ringside seat with many traditional businesses across the manufacturing and engineering supply chain , both in the UK and internationally .
" Success looks different in every business , with a unique set of challenges and individual narratives that set it apart – and the pandemic has not changed this .

GO Get Organised

" Some organisations are over-stretched by demand and others now are continuously pivoting to optimise and stay relevant . They all have specific wants and needs , just like the requirements of their customer and prospect base .
" We can ’ t deny , the pandemic has ignited a sense of urgency and pace , accelerating the speed of change , which has affected us all . The organisations I work closely with are openly demonstrating a greater commitment to staff wellbeing , above and beyond health and safety practices . And many now , spurred on by COP26 , are significantly increasing their decarbonisation measures as we enter a new year .
Launched in 2012 , GO Get Organised is based around a team of professionals working virtually and flexibly and offers businesses a helping hand on a pay-as-you-go basis . Services include virtual assistant support , website design , social media , content creation and more .
" I don ’ t think we can underplay the steely drive and determination that has fuelled businesses large and small throughout the pandemic and beyond . That is how I would define success in 2021 as a single uniting factor .
" But for me personally , I would say that the simple and honest art of listening takes the centre stage for success this year . In order to make sense of the world and plan a timely response you must fully understand your customers .
When markets are volatile and uncertainty prevails , my top tips for success include :
• Keeping your communication strong , on point and to the point .
• Setting simple achievable goals and sticking to them .
• Remaining human and in touch with your core values – when the world continues to be unpredictable , these are your anchors ."
For more info : www . herdpr . co . uk
GO Get Organised was set up by Founder , Naomi Summers , following the birth of her first child . She wanted to set up a business which helped her and others achieve more flexibility and a better work / life balance . In the last nine years the business has added more services to its offering , including GO Get Networking , a popular Bath-based networking group . Despite the challenges we ' ve all faced , GO Get Organised is celebrating a record year .
Naomi said , “ We feel so fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time , the pandemic hit many businesses hard , which has been terrible to see . We feel a little guilty for having our best year yet .
" Covid , I think shocked us all . Many were forced to adapt not only their way of working but also their entire business model . Thankfully , GO Get Organised have worked in a virtual capacity since we started in 2012 . The only thing we changed was taking our networking events online , which we found extremely beneficial , giving us an opportunity to meet others further afield .
" This pandemic has in fact helped our business model , working virtually is much more widely accepted now . People are no longer sceptical , it feels like attitude has moved forwards 5-10 years , with technology working as our friend .
" GO Get Organised had the best year yet in 2020 , we had calls from companies who had furloughed staff and needed flexible virtual assistant support to help them through , many companies needed help with re-branding and social media , new start-ups wanted website and logo packages .
" Cutting down on travel and keeping emissions lower almost feels as if it was the world ’ s way of saying things needed to change . I do think twice now before driving off to meetings , is it necessary or can I take this meeting online ? It is nice to have a balance , and a choice .
" The biggest challenge in 2020 / 21 was hands down having to home school two children whilst running a business ! It ’ s amazing how we adapt when we have to , it does prove we are all capable of change and great things when we put our mind to it ."
For more info : www . gogetorganised . co . uk
And on that happy note – we wish you all a successful and peaceful 2022 !
THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2021 11