Find out how #D2N2 #GrowthHub can help your #Business #Grow

Find out how #D2N2 #GrowthHub can help your #Business #Grow

Here, Barry Aldridge MCIM - Head of Marketing for Derby-based pneumatics and hydraulics manufacturer Tidyco; discusses the benefits of capitalising upon the resources available from the D2N2 Growth Hub.

I was recently approached by Fiona Shepherd asking as to whether or not I would be attending the third Birthday event for D2N2 Growth Hub to be held on Monday 4th December 2017 at the Village Hotel in Nottingham.

I reflected upon the support, training and advice provided by the operation throughout the year and realised that attendance of the celebration was a necessity.

Subsequently, I was asked if I would like to present to attendees so as to introduce Tidyco as a company as well as inform local businesses of the support available through the Growth Hub.

 

I accepted with great enthusiasm as I had some truly wonderful experiences to share with the audience.

As has been communicated on numerous occasions, one of my most intrinsic marketing objectives for Tidyco is to engage with all stakeholders. As part of an initial marketing strategy, a decision was made to meet with the D2N2 Growth Hub so as to better understand overall service provision whilst capitalising upon all training, funding and available advice.

Whilst representing a wonderful opportunity to promote Tidyco as a business function, I was also able to officially launch the 6 core values devised at a recently held management strategy meeting:

1. Delivering Results
2. Customer Focus
3. Insisting Upon the Highest of Standards
4. Ownership and Accountability
5. Teamwork
6. Celebrating Diversity

The Tidyco shared core values acted as a launch pad so as to discuss further D2N2 Growth Hub’s involvement with the company’s overall journey.

Of great importance is the Growth Hubs ability to support strategic expansion plans. I explained numerous methods of agitating commercial development, including:

• Maximising Digital Platforms
• Diversifying Product/Service Provisions
• Growing Existing Market Share
• Penetrating Additional Markets
• Investment in Training, Recruitment and Machinery
• Export Opportunities

Tidyco relies heavily upon valuable stakeholders such as D2N2 Growth Hub to support corporate growth plans. I conversed around the core bullet points as being quite daunting subject matters to be tackled independently and that businesses should maximise upon all available resources so as to make expansion a less intimidating experience.

D2N2 Growth Hub has been a pivotal stakeholder with regards to enhancing employee skill sets as well as offering significant funding opportunities. D2N2 Growth Hub has also shared useful contact information with regards to the penetration of new markets.
I presented the beginnings of the shared journey between Tidyco and D2N2 Growth Hub. In April 2017, I participated within the Digital Growth Programme Launch, majestically held at the Palace Hotel in Buxton. Attendance of the event was incredibly poignant as it communicated training programmes available throughout the year as well as digital innovation funding opportunities.

Of course, this is where I first met Lisa Hoyland whereby I discussed marketing plans to grow the business through new market entry. Lisa was influential in providing a clear path regarding how best to practically implement such a challenging commercial strategy.

Hot on my presentational agenda was the desire to promote the success D2N2 Growth Hub has plsyed in developing my personal professional development.

Training courses as well as seminar involvement counts towards valuable CPD points so as to speed up the process of becoming a chartered marketer via current CIM Postgraduate studies. D2N2 Growth Hub not only supports business growth but also adds tangible benefit towards personal career development.

It was at this stage in the presentation that I informed the audience of the great friends that have been made throughout 2017. D2N2 Growth Hub is a part of the Tidyco team.

D2N2 Growth Hub can and does help market your business. Throughout the year the group has supported the company by means of publishing the following press releases on behalf of Tidyco:

• Rail Industry VIP Guests
• Contract Wins
• Service Expansion
• New Starters
• Environmental Initiatives
• Tidyco Head of Marketing’s Election onto the Board of Directors for the Rail Forum

Let’s Get Social:

Social Media is a critical component within any topical operational marketing activity. With D2N2 Growth Hub, your business will benefit from full social media engagement.

Readers who know me well will be aware of my initiatives to support the younger generation. Jake Tyers is Marketing Assistant for Tidyco and is currently working for the company as part of a one year internship through Sheffield Hallam University. I have communicated with many stakeholders regarding my desire to provide Jake with the most practical, hands-on and higher marketing function possible so as to empower superior employment opportunity upon Graduation. D2N2 Growth Hub supports Jake; who has attended the following courses:

• Cyber Resilience
• Online Marketing for Local Businesses
• Blogging for Business
• Video Marketing and Live Streaming
• Introduction to Paid Social Advertising
• Planning an Effective Website

Jake has applied the following practical workplace activities as a direct result of the Growth Hubs digital training programme:

• Complete corporate website audit and content overhaul
• Proposal for LinkedIn paid advertising so as to form part of the overall marketing mix

I discussed the importance of cyber resilience. Again, I have published multiple communications throughout the year regarding the necessity of cyber defence as well as Tidyco’s accreditation with the Government fuelled Cyber Essentials badge. I often inform Jake of the tangible need to view cyber defence as a marketing function and that cyber crime itself may imminently become a more lucrative career path for the younger generation. Underestimating cyber defence can, does and will detrimentally affect corporate Profit & Loss.

GDPR is an impending legislation which is set to disrupt most departmental activities for businesses of all sizes. D2N2 Growth Hub has provided clarification around the subject matter, empowering marketing, sales, finance and HR to make operational adjustments throughout the organisation so as to be fully GDPR compliant.

Let’s not forget the Awards:

How could we?! D2N2 Growth Hub recognises and awards hard work, productivity and local success. Tidyco is finalist for marketing campaign of the year and small business of the year through the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2017.

It was whilst at the 3rd Birthday celebration that I was reunited with Claire Mackintosh of Clickers Photography Ltd. I remembered Claire from my days at Merton Group UK Ltd whereby she visited the premises to complete commercial photography so as to promote the business in its machinery investment, expansion and recruitment plans. Claire and I reignited our professional relationship and I look forward to working with Clickers Photography in the very near future.

Chris Pook summarised the evening incredibly well, informing the crowd that D2N2 Growth Hub is a results orientated business. Over 6000 companies of varying sizes have benefitted from the services provided by the D2N2 Growth Hub over the past three years. The operation has some wonderful statistics to share regarding regional diversity compared to national figures; which ticks all the relevant boxes within my on-going CSR endeavours.

To finalise, why would you not engage with D2N2 Growth Hub?

• Great training
• Great support
• Great colleagues
• Great friends
• Great for personal career growth
• Great for business growth

All photography by Claire Mackintosh of Clickers Photography Ltd.