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ON AIR With Owen: Episode 88 | Employee Engagement in a Post-COVID World

Posted on by Hannah Sanders

Introducing our 88th episode of ON AIR: With Owen – our podcast series for honest conversations about starting and scaling your own business, hosted by our Founder & CEO, Owen Richards, and his new co-host, Neil Finnie.

Meet Your Hosts: Owen Richards and Neil Finnie

Owen Richards hails from Kent and began his sales career at Forrest Marketing Group in Sydney. After an 8-year stint, Owen returned to the UK and co-founded Air Marketing Group, growing it into a powerhouse offering specialist B2B sales and marketing solutions to businesses across the globe. Known for his relentless positivity and strategic foresight, Owen brings a wealth of experience and a knack for big ideas to the podcast.

Neil Finnie is your quintessential ‘wabi-sabi entrepreneur’ – flawed but beautiful in approach. With over 25 years of experience in nurturing businesses around his passions, from co-working spaces to professional development agencies, Neil’s unique perspective enriches our discussions, making each episode a treasure trove of insights.

What to Expect in this Week’s Episode

  • Making the Best Impression: The importance of being in office for client visits and its positive impact on company client relationships and personal career progression.
  • The Power of Acknowledgement: The significance of thanking those who show up and engage at work, and educating those who don’t.

  • Diverse Objectives: Recognising that employees have different objectives and the challenge of aligning these with business goals.

  • Building Cultural Connections: Remote working’s impact on relationship-building in the business.

Where and When to tune in

Catch new episodes every Wednesday:

Watch: On YouTube or via Air Marketing’s Knowledge Hub.

Listen: On Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Deezer, and more.

Join us as we dive deep into the dynamics of running a business in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical advice, our podcast is your gateway to becoming more adept in the business arena.

Warning: Contains swearing

ON AIR With Owen: Episode 87 | How To Manage Busy Schedules

Posted on by Hannah Sanders

Introducing our 87th episode of ON AIR: With Owen – our podcast series for honest conversations about starting and scaling your own business, hosted by our Founder & CEO, Owen Richards, and his new co-host, Neil Finnie.

Meet Your Hosts: Owen Richards and Neil Finnie

Owen Richards hails from Kent and began his sales career at Forrest Marketing Group in Sydney. After an 8-year stint, Owen returned to the UK and co-founded Air Marketing Group, growing it into a powerhouse offering specialist B2B sales and marketing solutions to businesses across the globe. Known for his relentless positivity and strategic foresight, Owen brings a wealth of experience and a knack for big ideas to the podcast.

Neil Finnie is your quintessential ‘wabi-sabi entrepreneur’ – flawed but beautiful in approach. With over 25 years of experience in nurturing businesses around his passions, from co-working spaces to professional development agencies, Neil’s unique perspective enriches our discussions, making each episode a treasure trove of insights.

What to Expect in this Week’s Episode

  • Flexibility for Business Owners: The challenge of maintaining routine while managing a business and tips for staying organised amidst fluid schedules.
  • Integrating Personal and Professional Calendars: Benefits of using tools like Outlook for managing both work and personal commitments in order to avoid conflicts and omissions.
  • The Inevitability of Human Error: Accepting that mistakes happen, even with robust organisational systems in place, and the importance of handling them gracefully rather than covering them up.
  • Navigating Workday Challenges: Strategies for balancing time between meetings and personal task completion.
  • Managing Notifications and Alerts: Utilising out-of-office notifications effectively to manage expectations and communicate availability.

Where and When to tune in

Catch new episodes every Wednesday:

Watch: On YouTube or via Air Marketing’s Knowledge Hub.

Listen: On Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Deezer, and more.

Join us as we dive deep into the dynamics of running a business in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical advice, our podcast is your gateway to becoming more adept in the business arena.

Warning: Contains swearing

ON AIR With Owen: Episode 86 | The Power of Face-to-Face Interactions

Posted on by Hannah Sanders

Introducing our 86th episode of ON AIR: With Owen – our podcast series for honest conversations about starting and scaling your own business, hosted by our Founder & CEO, Owen Richards, and his new co-host, Neil Finnie.

Meet Your Hosts: Owen Richards and Neil Finnie

Owen Richards hails from Kent and began his sales career at Forrest Marketing Group in Sydney. After an 8-year stint, Owen returned to the UK and co-founded Air Marketing Group, growing it into a powerhouse offering specialist B2B sales and marketing solutions to businesses across the globe. Known for his relentless positivity and strategic foresight, Owen brings a wealth of experience and a knack for big ideas to the podcast.

Neil Finnie is your quintessential ‘wabi-sabi entrepreneur’ – flawed but beautiful in approach. With over 25 years of experience in nurturing businesses around his passions, from co-working spaces to professional development agencies, Neil’s unique perspective enriches our discussions, making each episode a treasure trove of insights.

What to Expect in this Week’s Episode

  • The Power of Face-to-Face Interactions: Why being in person enhances communication, builds stronger relationships and leads to success.
  • Co-Working Benefits: How spontaneous interactions in shared spaces spark creativity and collaboration.
  • In-Person Client Visits: Weighing the benefits of visiting clients against virtual meetings for winning business.
  • Post-COVID Career Tips: The crucial role of in-person experience for young professionals in building confidence and growing careers.
  • Euro 2024 Fever: Owen and Neil’s excitement for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2024 tournament!

Where and When to tune in

Catch new episodes every Wednesday:

Watch: On YouTube or via Air Marketing’s Knowledge Hub.

Listen: On Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Deezer, and more.

Join us as we dive deep into the dynamics of running a business in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical advice, our podcast is your gateway to becoming more adept in the business arena.

Warning: Contains swearing

ON AIR With Owen: Episode 85

Posted on by Hannah Sanders

Introducing our 85th episode of ON AIR: With Owen – our podcast series for honest conversations about starting and scaling your own business, hosted by our Founder & CEO, Owen Richards, and his new co-host, Neil Finnie.

Meet Your Hosts: Owen Richards and Neil Finnie

Owen Richards hails from Kent and began his sales career at Forrest Marketing Group in Sydney. After an 8-year stint, Owen returned to the UK and co-founded Air Marketing Group, growing it into a powerhouse offering specialist B2B sales and marketing solutions to businesses across the globe. Known for his relentless positivity and strategic foresight, Owen brings a wealth of experience and a knack for big ideas to the podcast.

Neil Finnie is your quintessential ‘wabi-sabi entrepreneur’ – flawed but beautiful in approach. With over 25 years of experience in nurturing businesses around his passions, from co-working spaces to professional development agencies, Neil’s unique perspective enriches our discussions, making each episode a treasure trove of insights.

What to Expect in this Week’s Episode

  • Navigating Business During Illness: How do you keep the wheels turning when unexpected sickness strikes? Owen and Neil talk about the delicate balance between powering through and knowing when to take a step back to recover.
  • The Double-Edged Sword of Job Stacking: A debate on the pros and cons of job stacking and how it can affect productivity and employee loyalty.
  • Creating Inclusive Workplace Policies: The duo highlight the importance of creating inclusive and adaptable workplace policies to accommodate diverse employee needs.
  • Innovative Leave Solutions: Owen and Neil rethink traditional leave policies and explore the idea of combining sick and annual leave into a flexible, all-in-one pool. Plus, they tackle the challenges small businesses face with the concept of unlimited leave or a four-day workweek.
  • Flexibility for Unplanned Events: Hear about the importance of allowing employees to take time off at short notice for life’s unexpected moments, all while keeping business operations smooth and efficient.

Where and When to tune in

Catch new episodes every Wednesday:

Watch: On YouTube or via Air Marketing’s Knowledge Hub.

Listen: On Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Deezer, and more.

Join us as we dive deep into the dynamics of running a business in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical advice, our podcast is your gateway to becoming more adept in the business arena.

Warning: Contains swearing

ON AIR With Owen: Episode 84

Posted on by Hannah Sanders

Introducing our 84th episode of ON AIR: With Owen – our podcast series for honest conversations about starting and scaling your own business, hosted by our Founder & CEO, Owen Richards, and his new co-host, Neil Finnie.

Meet Your Hosts: Owen Richards and Neil Finnie

Owen Richards hails from Kent and began his sales career at Forrest Marketing Group in Sydney. After an 8-year stint, Owen returned to the UK and co-founded Air Marketing Group, growing it into a powerhouse offering specialist B2B sales and marketing solutions to businesses across the globe. Known for his relentless positivity and strategic foresight, Owen brings a wealth of experience and a knack for big ideas to the podcast.

Neil Finnie is your quintessential ‘wabi-sabi entrepreneur’ – flawed but beautiful in approach. With over 25 years of experience in nurturing businesses around his passions, from co-working spaces to professional development agencies, Neil’s unique perspective enriches our discussions, making each episode a treasure trove of insights.

What to Expect in this Week’s Episode

  • Navigating business turbulence: Strategies for adapting to unforeseen challenges.
  • Owen and Neil share their go-to sources of support when business plans go awry.
  • Managing debtors: Effective strategies for resolving issues amicably for both parties.

Where and When to tune in

Catch new episodes every Wednesday:

Watch: On YouTube or via Air Marketing’s Knowledge Hub.

Listen: On Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Deezer, and more.

Join us as we dive deep into the dynamics of running a business in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical advice, our podcast is your gateway to becoming more adept in the business arena.

Warning: Contains swearing

ON AIR With Owen: Episode 83

Posted on by Hannah Sanders

Introducing our 83rd episode of ON AIR: With Owen – our podcast series for honest conversations about starting and scaling your own business, hosted by our Founder & CEO, Owen Richards, and his new co-host, Neil Finnie.

Meet Your Hosts: Owen Richards and Neil Finnie

Owen Richards hails from Kent and began his sales career at Forrest Marketing Group in Sydney. After an 8-year stint, Owen returned to the UK and co-founded Air Marketing Group, growing it into a powerhouse offering specialist B2B sales and marketing solutions to businesses across the globe. Known for his relentless positivity and strategic foresight, Owen brings a wealth of experience and a knack for big ideas to the podcast.

Neil Finnie is your quintessential ‘wabi-sabi entrepreneur’ – flawed but beautiful in approach. With over 25 years of experience in nurturing businesses around his passions, from co-working spaces to professional development agencies, Neil’s unique perspective enriches our discussions, making each episode a treasure trove of insights.

What to Expect in this Week’s Episode

  • Hear about Neil’s recent experiences working in vibrant Barcelona with NexGen Careers.
  • It’s Air’s first wedding! Owen and Neil dive into the dynamics of workplace relationships.
  • Navigating the current market landscape: Are businesses leaning towards optimism or pessimism for the remainder of 2024?
  • Tackling the tough topic of redundancy: Truthful stories about managing workforce downsizing.

Where and When to tune in

Catch new episodes every Wednesday:

Watch: On YouTube or via Air Marketing’s Knowledge Hub.

Listen: On Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Deezer, and more.

Join us as we dive deep into the dynamics of running a business in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical advice, our podcast is your gateway to becoming more adept in the business arena.

Warning: Contains swearing

Sync or Swim: Mastering Sales-Marketing Alignment

Posted on by Hannah Sanders

Discover the secrets to successful collaboration in Sync or Swim: Mastering Sales-Marketing Alignment, a practical guide to enhancing cooperation between sales and marketing teams for improved revenue and efficiency.

Contents:

  1. Sales and Marketing Teams: Unveiling the Colourful Characters of the Trade
  2. Bridging Brilliance Between Sales and Marketing Teams
  3. What Happens When Sales and Marketing Are Not Aligned?
  4. Syncing Success: Aligning Your Sales and Marketing Tech Stack
  5. Alignment in Action: Success Stories
  6. Building a Culture of Alignment
  7. Your Smarketing Checklist
Get your FREE copy of the E-Book by completing the form below.

ON AIR With Owen: Episode 82

Posted on by Hannah Sanders

We’re excited to unveil the revitalised version of the ON AIR: With Owen podcast, now with a more fluid, engaging format that resonates with the ever-evolving business landscape. “Honest Conversations: The Real Truths About Starting and Scaling Your Own Business” aims to mesh the immediacy of real-world events with timeless business wisdom. This new style is not just a change; it’s an evolution aimed at making the podcast more organic, relevant, and influenced by external factors such as politics and current affairs – elements that profoundly impact real-world business operations and strategies.

Meet Your Hosts: Owen Richards and Neil Finnie

Owen Richards hails from Kent and began his sales career at Forrest Marketing Group in Sydney. After an 8-year stint, Owen returned to the UK and co-founded Air Marketing Group, growing it into a powerhouse offering specialist B2B sales and marketing solutions to businesses across the globe. Known for his relentless positivity and strategic foresight, Owen brings a wealth of experience and a knack for big ideas to the podcast.

Neil Finnie is your quintessential ‘wabi-sabi entrepreneur’ – flawed but beautiful in approach. With over 25 years of experience in nurturing businesses around his passions, from co-working spaces to professional development agencies, Neil’s unique perspective enriches our discussions, making each episode a treasure trove of insights.

What to Expect

Listeners can anticipate a series of engaging, thought-provoking episodes where honesty meets ambition. Whether you’re a startup enthusiast or a seasoned executive, our podcast will provide valuable insights into navigating business complexities with agility and foresight.

Where and When to tune in

Catch new episodes every Wednesday:

Watch: On YouTube or via Air Marketing’s Knowledge Hub.

Listen: On Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, TuneIn + Alexa, Deezer, and more.

Join us as we dive deep into the dynamics of running a business in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical advice, our podcast is your gateway to becoming more adept in the business arena.

Warning: Contains swearing

How To Get Your Go-To-Market Strategy Right – What You Should Be Considering In Your Launch Plan

Posted on by Hannah Sanders

Every new product or service starts with an idea, an idea to disrupt the market and solve real-world problems. But these ideas can take a long time to come to fruition. Your idea will go through concept development and creation, through new product development (NPD) and research and development (R&D), and through rigorous testing, trials and feedback processes before the final product or service is ready to launch.  

But before you can successfully launch, you need to devise a well thought out go-to-market-strategy (GTMS). It’s imperative that you get your GTMS right, because it’s not just about having a great idea or a great product, it’s about creating the right plan to bring your product to the right people in the right way.  

Without a clearly defined GTMS on how you will deliver your new product to your audience – your launch will likely fail to gain traction in the market.  

There are many different components of a successful GTMS, let’s explore some of them below.  

Target Audience: 

Defining your Target Audience (TA) is the building block to a successful launch, because it is the core foundation of your GTMS.  

Undertake research into your TA to understand their pain points and challenges, what media and marketing they consume and where they spend their time. Develop your ideal customer profile (ICP) and create buyer personas to help you craft messaging and tailor your offering to their exact requirements. If you don’t understand and define your TA from the outset, you will miss opportunities to resonate with them. 

Setting Clear Objectives and Goals: 

Do you know what your objectives are for launch? Are you looking to build brand awareness or lead with sales straight away?  

Having clearly defined objectives and goals will help inform your ongoing activity and where best to place your efforts, they are fundamental to your GTMS. SMART objectives are the best framework to use for this. 

Once you have determined what your objectives are for launch, use this information to set benchmarks and KPIs that denote success. These can be tracked throughout launch and beyond to determine how your GTMS is delivering. 

Product Differentiation / USPs: 

To successfully launch a new product or service you need to identify what makes your offering unique, especially if you are operating in an already crowded marketplace. What does your product do better or differently to others on the market and why should your TA buy from you? 

Spend time upfront understanding what your USPs (unique selling points) are and what differentiates your product, so that you can craft unique messages and value propositions that will resonate with your TA and highlight why they should pick your product above others.  

Marketing Plan: 

Once you know your TA, your objectives and goals and what your USPs are you need to create a robust marketing plan with the information you have gleaned. 

Make sure you leverage the channels that you know your ICP / TA consume and use and you tailor your messaging and comms in a way that resonates with them. 

Consider the different stages in the buyer journey, from awareness to consideration through to purchase, and craft a strategy that resonates with your TA at every stage of their journey.  

Final Note:

A successful GTMS is all in the planning and research. It will help you to understand your audience and their perceived needs and interests in your product or service and the value they place on your offering. Allowing you to create a GTMS that directly answers that need.  

Remember to stay agile in response to market feedback – continually monitor, review and optimise your activity to ensure that the GTMS is successful and continues to be aligned with your TA’s needs.  

Want to position yourself for success in the marketplace? Get in touch with our marketing team to discuss launch plans for any new product or service in your offering!  

Opinion piece by Account Director, Jess House

A small rocket takes off from a laptop

Stock photo by Vecteezy

The Resurgence of In-Person Events In a Post-COVID World

Posted on by Hannah Sanders

Our lives changed drastically during the pandemic. Businesses shut their doors, schools closed, gyms became an empty, lifeless space for fitness enthusiasts, and our worlds were reduced to the square footage of our homes. Locked away in our support bubbles and making the difficult decision of who to spend Christmas with.

We had the time to reflect on what and who is truly important. We thought about our families, careers, relationships, and survival. This became our new ‘normal’, getting used to our own space, seeing fewer people, and being told which way to queue in the supermarket, ensuring we were 1 metre apart.

As we reached the end of the pandemic and having been so isolated, anxiety hit. We were desperate to reconnect, rebuild civilisation and get back to the ‘normal’ we were all used to. Gathering face-to-face uncovered newfound significance. Conferences, concerts, festivals, and events were no longer mere activities; they served as catalysts for renewed inspiration.

But, the benefits of in-person gatherings extend far beyond just good feelings; they are underpinned by research:

  • Forbes Insights surveyed more than 750 business executives about their thoughts on in-person versus virtual meetings; 85% said they build stronger, more meaningful business relationships when they meet in person.
  • Research by the Harvard Business Review found that 95% of people say face-to-face meetings are a key factor in successfully building and maintaining long-term business relationships.

The return of in-person events is not just a sign of recovery; it’s an opportunity to redefine the foundations of B2B and B2C success in an era hungry for human connection and authenticity. As we navigate this new normal, the irreplaceable value of face-to-face interactions has become abundantly clear. These gatherings are not just about reclaiming lost time or celebrating our return to physical spaces; they are integral to fostering deeper, more meaningful business relationships that are the backbone of many successful B2B marketing strategies. In a world that’s rapidly advancing in digital communication tech, the power of personal connection stands unmatched. Businesses that recognise and leverage the unique opportunities presented by in-person events will not only strengthen their existing relationships but also forge new ones, setting the stage for innovation, collaboration, and growth. As we look to the future, we should embrace the lessons learned during these challenging times and continue to place a premium on the human element in all our business endeavors.

Opinion piece by Senior Digital Marketing Executive, Nicola Roberts

Group of people sipping champagne at an in-person event