If you're reading this, then there is a chance you've found an advertisement somewhere and are looking to find some marketing, PR or communications support for your business. It may be, that you've randomly happened across this site too, regardless of why you're here - welcome!
I wanted to write a little bit about Summit, how an idea became a reality, and why I have chosen to specialise in small business. I know there are a lot of marketing agencies out there, and I wanted to share the values and inspiration that lie behind the visible presence.
Summit Communications is a small business, and I'm trying - just like many #SMEs - to make this venture a real success. I'm fortunate in that I'm off to a flying start with some lovely local businesses coming on board, I'm helping them to develop their web presence, social media content and online advertising. Additionally, I'm using my experiences and insights as a product marketer to help them create product offers, brand activations and promotions to help drive business in this challenging market.
My professional background is in leading communications and marketing teams at Director level for some really big global brands - the British Museum and Goldsmiths, University of London are just two - but why I'm a specialist in small business is a slightly longer story.
Like many people, I've been working in jobs that I liked, with nice people, doing some interesting stuff, but somehow, I didn't feel like I was getting what I needed from any of my roles. The work/life balance wasn't terrible, it wasn't great either, and oddly, the energy that I used to feel when succeeding at a job well done, was slowly ebbing away, for no clear reason.
Alongside my professional career, I have also been a GB ski racer, retiring at ancient age of 39, having won the Europa Cup, both British Championship titles (and those of several other European countries too!), and a place in the World Top Ten. This experience also leant its own magic and excitement of course, and it helped me develop a performance mindset that translated fantastically into the world of strategy, communications & marketing. Discipline, consistency, perseverance, courage, strategy, tactics and analytical skills, all add to my existing professional skills and enable me to focus on the things that make the biggest difference every time. To use a British Rowing analogy, I always ask the question 'Does it make the boat go faster?' when looking at any marketing activity.
After some careful and prolonged thinking, I realised that whilst I loved my job and the people that surrounded me, and I had some amazing experiences to leverage, the end result wasn't satisfying enough. I loved the energy that came from working with different people, the random ideas and creativity that flowed from those discussions yet it wasn't possible, even in the most creative of corporate settings. It was time for a change in direction.
I've been a small business owner before, I ran an independent coffee shop in the wonderful city of #Norwich previously (visit if you've never been!), I opened my business on the day Northern Rock crashed, yet despite an inauspicious start, I made a success of the venture. My partner also runs a small business - a stunning restaurant, that is a much-loved feature of the community, in our gorgeous corner of south-east London which is literally brimming with independents. My sister runs a small business of her own, my brother-in-law manages a different one, and my parents live in a seaside community that is full with them. After helping various people with pro-bono support - and seeing success - I realised the small business sector was where I found the inspiration and the energy that I was after!
In looking at all of these businesses, talking to my friends, family and some of the SME owners that I know, they all shared similar feelings. That #marketing was a nightmare, social media was a challenge, and managing #FacebookAds and #GoogleAds was equally burdensome. They struggled with defining a strategy, shaping messages and creating content, and most importantly, they couldn't access support in an affordable way. It seemed wrong to me that huge organisations could access support - often by employing in-house marketing & comms teams on comparatively low salaries - and continue to grow in a way that small businesses couldn't. I decided it was time to change that, and whilst doing so, make my own life a bit more rewarding and challenging.
It is important to say that the principles and practise that sit behind successful marketing for big brands are totally applicable to small and medium-sized businesses. Please don't read this and think that it won't work for you! Many of my colleagues in the marketing, PR and #communications sector will dress up our expertise as a dark art, when in fact, it's common sense. It's true that there is a lot of expertise and experience that sits behind modern marketing and PR, however it can and will work for a business at any scale. The whole reason for Summit's existence is that we can translate all of that knowledge, expertise and learning, and build a marketing plan that is relevant, appropriate and will truly support your business ambitions.
Summit offers a wide range of services that could be useful for your business. We offer #strategy support, #marketing, #digitalmarketing including #Websites and #SocialMedia, #brand #PublicAffairs and #Accessibility. #CrisisCommunications is also a specialism and we can support you, either with an emerging challenge or a longer-term piece of issue management. You can get in touch for crisis comms support at point day or night, crises are never limited to working hours!
I believe that Summit Communications has the experience and expertise to help ease the path for #SmallBusinesses and ensure that #SmallBusinessOwners can access expertise that will helping their business grow and thrive. If you think that Summit can help, please get in touch, I can promise you that there will be no-hassle, no high-pressure sales tactics, and no faff! We have affordable, flexible fee structures and there is a no-fee, no-commitment guarantee, for an initial consultation to explore your needs.
Have a great day,
JDL
#SmallBusinessIdeas #MarketingForSmallBusiness #MarketingStrategiesForSmallBusiness #SmallBusinessSupportingSmallBusiness #SmallBusinessMarketingAgency #SmallBusinessMarketingConsultant #MarketingAgency #Communications #PR #PRAgency #CrisisCommunications #CrisisCommunicationsAgency #CrisisCommunicationsConsultant
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