This is the perfect time to get yourself organised for a spot of well-thought out seasonal gifting – for clients, for your team, for suppliers, or you know, just for yourself. Go on, you’re worth it.

Enter stage left: engagement tools (sometimes referred to as lead magnets). Useful, value-first, self-contained pieces of content focused on imparting learning, insight or simply designed to help your prospects with something, whilst also brilliantly (but somewhat stealthily) showing them a little bit of your brilliance.

If you’re eyebrow deep in STUFF that really needs DOING, but finding it difficult to know what do do first as every task is screaming ‘PICK ME! PICK ME!’ then take a read of this blog, where I share a super-simple way to get clear on your priorities.

The businesses that move forward are those that have a consistent approach to their growth actions, whether that is marketing, processes or comms.

But it can be a challenge to work consistently on your business growth actions, because there are a million (I’m exaggerating, but some days, only slightly) things you need to do and about 15 minutes before your next meeting. So here are 7 ideas to help you get consistent with the actions that really matter in your business.

Why do I need a client referral scheme? What do I need to consider when setting up a client referral scheme? How is it going to work? If you are thinking about setting up a client referral scheme for your small business, start here. Read about the 10 key things to consider when creating a client referral scheme so it works effectively and gets your clients excited about being involved.

Running and growing a small business can sometimes feel very much like a hamster on a wheel, where the hamster has to wear 68 different hats, carry 32 bags with important stuff in whilst talking with authority on a subject of choice in a calm and authoritative manner, not yet realising that there’s a used tissue stuck to the sole of its foot.

You’re the hamster, just in case that wasn’t clear.

Even the most creative of us get creatively constipated.

But all you really need are five verbs to get over your creative block and unlock new ideas. Read on to find out how…

We all know that the more we get to know our clients, the better the relationship, so the more we can pre-empt needs and the easier client retention gets.

A client retention strategy should not be left to chance, nor to a ‘quick, they’re in, lock the door and glue their feet to the floor’ strategy. We all want stickier customers, but not that sort.

So how do you get your brand story shared? How do you know if your story has the share factor? (Share factor is like the X-Factor, but without all the hysteria, gurning presenters and a LOT less glitter falling from the ceiling).

Want to find a gift that inspires creativity? Well look no further, here are 9 presents that anyone would be thrilled to find in their stocking…

Creativity has nothing to do with drawing. I say this frequently, when people profess to not be creative because they cannot draw.

Pfft. As if that has anything to do with it.

But wait.

Your drawing capability may not have any bearing on how creative you are, but can drawing help you be a more creative business owner?

You bet your 2B shading pencil it can.

Here’s how to create a business strategy with doodles…

There are sackfuls of useful questions that can help you think about what you want your business to be in a year’s time, and you can end up with a mass of thoughts and ideas that don’t seem to cohere into anything useful. The trick is to explore lots of thinking, have lots of ideas and then spend time editing and reducing these into something small, well-formed and useful.

So here’s three that I find are a really good place to start.

Want to know how to create brilliant experiences for your clients that set you apart, amplify your brand and create fans? Read on…

Accountability is the least sexy bit of the strategic plan that makes all the difference. Business owners can struggle with accountability, because let’s face it, it’s dull. Or is it? read on for some creative ways to build accountability into your business that work.

If you are shaping your brand story, a visual metaphor is a great place to start to help you get to the heart of what your brand is all about.

Getting a website isn’t a tick box exercise. A website should be an investment that if used well can be a fantastic marketing tool for your business.

Here are three key things you should be doing to ensure your website is doing just this for you.

Lead magnets, engagement tools, free resources – call them what you will - they are an important part of a small business’ marketing tool kit. I’m here to make the business case for free, specifically with regard to engagement tools and free resources. Done well, they can be a powerful sales tool, which of course, turns FREE into PAID.

Email content is one of the most powerful growth tools for a small business if done right. But where to start? With this blog, outlining three steps to a simple email content plann

We’re reaching peak Coronation-themed marketing as the UK rolls into the Coronation weekend. We take a quick look at a few brands who have shoehorned the royal theme onto their products, so put down your flag and read on (fervent Royalists, avert your gaze now).