The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 46: Dec/Jan 2019 | Page 19

BUSINESS REVIEW OF THE YEAR Recruitment Dan Barfoot, Operations Manager, CMD Recruitment Highlights from 2019 For me, seeing two of my team reach their ten-year point and two of the newest members of our team gained recognised recruitment qualifications. We were also able to give some of the team the opportunity to fulfil an ambition of skydiving. We hosted an amazing charity golf day where we raised over £10k for a local charity, this was a wonderful achievement for us all and we’d like to thank those who supported us. What’s coming up for the business in 2020? We are using more and more new recruitment technologies which will make us more effective and more efficient. We plan to Improve our position in the market place as a recruitment expert, this will be backed with an extensive marketing campaign. We also hope to recruit ourselves by bringing in new team members, who we can be moulded to work the CMD way! What will be important for business in 2020? I think in 2020 businesses need to think about their recruitment strategy, as they need to be working with a recruiter who cares about their brand as much as their own. Reputation is key in business as is getting the correct talent. With the UK settlement scheme coming into effect, we could see an even bigger shortage of temporary labour making resource planning more and more critical. [email protected] 01225 805080 For more info: www.cmdrecruitment.com Public Relations Highlights from 2019 A fantastic year with a ten per cent growth in turnover and the launch of my first online PR Toolbox course based on video modules. The latter is aimed at start-ups, charities and small business owners who want to know what good media relations should be (with a few sales tips included). It’s been thrilling to work with a fantastic group of clients, to make more contacts in the national press and to run several workshops including a full day media training with professional photography. Video work has gained ground this year with more businesses investing in managed video production. Fiona Scott, Fiona Scott Media Consultancy What I’m looking forward to in 2020 Launching at least one other course online, I’m writing a book about my first ten years in business which I hope will be ready for publication in Q3 and I’m also raising money for Ainslie’s Pavilion Project culminating in a Purple Soiree in April. I will continue to work with my journalist hat on and write interesting, visual stories for various media outlets. I will be offering more documentary-style video services, from budgets of £300 upwards. What’s likely to impact the PR sector in 2020? The growing power of the Millennial Generation and their impact on sales and marketing messages. This generation want ethics, experience and they are fully digital. I believe some brands will continue to grasp this and thrive, others will fail. There will be an even greater focus on digital, particularly around video, however this leaves an opportunity for more traditional marketing methods. Most businesses need to consider a mix. As the world is so digitally aware, I believe there will be growing focus on local business communities, shopping local and collaboration will become more and more important for the SME sector. For more info: www.fionascottmediaconsultancy.co.uk [email protected] 07789 270030 Marketing Denise O’Leary, Managing Director, Purpol Marketing Highlights from 2019 One of my highlights was authoring my first book WINNER – How to Win Business Awards. I collaborated with business friends, and when the listing appeared on Amazon as #1 Hot New Release on presale ready for launch on January 14 2020, that was very special. I’ve also been travelling internationally to speak and network including going to New York for global networking and collecting two Stevie Awards for Women in Business. I also went to Dubai to lead a workshop on developing your personal brand. What’s coming up for your business in 2020? I will be finalising plans for my book launch, doing more international speaking and working with clients by writing effective bids for contracts and supporting others to be successful when they enter business or industry awards. I also plan on offering more strategic marketing guidance to clients – and also delivery through my team or with valued partners with my oversight as project manager. What is likely to impact your sector in 2020? With so much uncertainty in the economy, marketing will become more important than ever. Those brands and individuals who embrace this will win through. Work to continually develop your brand, understand your niche and what your customers love you for. Use social media and offline tools yet make your contact authentic – tell your business stories. Adapt quickly to changes in market conditions while remaining true to your values. [email protected] 01249 481411 For more info: www.purpolmarketing.co.uk Sales Highlights from 2019 I couldn’t believe it when I became an international Amazon best selling author and my book Secrets of Successful Sales hit the WH Smith Top Ten Business charts. For more info: www.salescoachingsolutions.co.uk Alison Edgar, Managing Director, Sales Coaching Solutions What’s coming up for your business in 2020? My second book The Art of Getting What You Want is well under way. This new book is based on the stories of those people who use my methodology to hit their personal goals. The aim for the book is to improve the lives of readers around the world. What are your predictions for 2020? 2020 will be a tough year with a lot of turbulence due to the political landscape. My top tips to survive the year are to stay positive and focus on sales, at the end of the day if you don’t sell you don’t have a business. Keep plugging away at your pipeline and always ask for referrals from your previous clients, these are the quick wins in business! [email protected] 0203 944 6392 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2019 19