Author: Lucy Andrews

AI is changing the way we work and now is a great time to identify AI opportunities. From streamlining processes to refining our business offerings, AI is creating opportunities if we’re wise enough to spot them.

In this blog, we look at why we should keep an open mind about AI, be curious and keep business growth at the heart of every decision. 

How can I use AI to grow my business?

AI is already having a profound impact on businesses. We are all using tools that we don’t even consider artificially intelligent, like predictive text and email attachment reminders. But did you know that programmers have developed AI capabilities to help us use existing tech platforms in a more streamlined way? 

For example, Zoom’s new Companion feature includes the ability to create summaries of meetings, and helps you review what was said without you having to wait for the clerk to finish the minutes. (Why not ask about it next time you outsource online event management?)

And Microsoft Copilot is more than just a writing tool. It can also crystallise email threads – think of the amount of time you spend scrolling and searching to find the relevant point and you’ll realise how useful this can be. 

Of course, these features are just the tip of the iceberg, but what they do save is time. And when you gain more time back, you can plough your energy back into your core business, in turn taking it to the next level.

How can I identify AI opportunities?

So many people are talking about AI these days! It’s on the news, it’s discussed on LinkedIn, it’s in the business press, it’s in the tech press. Channel 4 made a documentary about it. There is a lot to find out, and a lot of ways of finding it out. 

At Get Ahead, we’re constantly learning. The business world evolves and we’ve found that the best way to get ahead (!) is to stay curious. Yes, we do sign up for formal training courses and update our CPD, but above all, we recognise the need to keep an open mind. 

Being curious about AI is a great approach. Here are some ideas to help you shape your thought process:

  1. Find out how your clients see AI and whether it would improve customer experience. You could do a formal survey, or just listen for it coming up in conversation.
  2. Consider how AI could save you time and money, freeing up your resources to grow your business. If you think it could, drill down deeper and find specific solutions. 
  3. If you realise you’re using AI, pause and see whether it’s working for you. Ask yourself if you could be utilising it in a more focused, purposeful way. And if you don’t know how, find out! 
  4. If a website or platform you use regularly offers a new AI capability, take the tour instead of clicking away. 
  5. Next time you see a discussion about AI on LinkedIn, join in and see what others have to say. 

Outsource back-office support

If you need support to find your way with AI, tap into the latest trends and make it work for your business, Get Ahead are here to help. Explore our site to find out more, or contact your local regional director today. 

Get Ahead operates across the country, each area run by its own regional director. The regional director is your central point of contact, connecting you with the right virtual experts, managing their output and tailoring the package to meet your business needs.

This blog looks at the role of regional directors and their part in delivering the right support for your business.

Our expertise

All the regional directors have extensive corporate backgrounds with in-depth experience in key areas of HR, marketing, recruitment, operations and client servicing.  We have the industry knowledge, commercial acumen, best practice experience and hard skills to understand your business challenges and suggest the most suitable solutions.

Business Owners

As business owners ourselves, we also understand what’s really involved in running a business and the pressures, challenges and opportunities that can bring. 

Consultative approach

Regional directors can offer a ‘fresh pair of eyes’ and independent view of your business.  Whether the brief is to solve a problem, widen a bottleneck, meet a challenge or achieve a growth target, we can help you break it down into an action plan and provide an outsourcing solution.

You may be completely clear on what you want to outsource, but a lot of the time our clients know they need help but are not sure where to start. As consultants, we will work with you to understand what you are trying to achieve for your business and how we can help to reach your goals.

A trusted pair of hands

Once we have established what you want to achieve and the best solution to get there, we will carefully match you with an individual or a virtual team based on the skills you need and your working style. 

We become your Success Manager.  We will make sure you have what you need to achieve results and that every element is working together, through team and project management.

A central point of contact

You will receive one monthly invoice and one point of contact, but access to a wealth of skills and expertise you would struggle to find in one person.

An evolving relationship

Things change!  We understand that businesses are always evolving and therefore so do your needs and requirements.  We can adapt your virtual team to match this; pulling in additional resources or skill sets as your business needs change. Our agile approach saves you the time and money that would be associated with managing an in-house team.

An adaptable team

We pride ourselves on our customer service and appreciate any feedback during the working relationship.  We understand that personality is a huge element of working together, so if your needs change or for any reason things don’t work out, we can easily look at alternative options for you to save your time and energy with the ‘recruitment process.’

Our role as regional directors or success managers is to form that all-important layer between your virtual expert team and you – we ensure your expectations are understood and delivered, if not exceeded.

Our branding experts are often asked, “What exactly is a brand?” While it’s easy to think that branding is all about design, there’s a lot more to it than that. To understand branding, it can help to ask yourself if your business were a person, what would they look like, what would they enjoy, how old would they be, what values would they hold? Thinking like this can help you think of branding in a broader way.

If you’re ready to think bigger, read on. In this blog, we share our ideas for what a brand includes, so you can build credibility and connect with a new audience. 

A brand is made up of…

Your logo

A strong logo is a clear representation of your business. Your graphic designer will consider your business story, goals and products to create a visual representation that your audience can engage with.

Your colour palette

Colour can be very powerful – it can communicate emotion, create an atmosphere or build on an existing idea. Remember, these aren’t just colours for your logo – they’ll also appear on your website, social media channels and even uniforms and vehicles. 

Your tone of voice

The way that you talk to your audience does a lot to engage them. Think about the kind of customer or partner you want attract. Ask yourself what sort of language they use, what they want to hear from you and how.

Your values

Many businesses share their values on their websites, which can be a useful way to communicate what they stand for. And when we really embed these values in every area of the business, their power really increases. Your values will help you attract and retain customers and clients, as well as establishing you as the market leader and helping you fill your vacancies with strong candidates. 

The sum total

Remember to measure the strength of your brand against its own success. Is it working? Are you attracting the right customer who want to buy your products and join your community? A strong brand has everything we’ve listed above. Each element works with the others to personify your business, creating a three-dimensional brand your community can engage with.

Outsource branding to Get Ahead

If our blog has made you consider whether to outsource branding, Get Ahead can help. Our experienced marketing team can look at every aspect of your brand, from outward appearance to sincere values, sharpening it up to connect with customers to help your business grow. 

Explore our site to find out more, follow us on LinkedIn or contact your local regional director today. 

Brand credibility is essential for any business – it’s key to establishing trust and growing your business. In this blog, we talk to our branding expert Kim, who explains more about reputation and how to build it, addressing “why is brand credibility important?” 

What is brand credibility?

Kim: Brand credibility is the extent to which your brand is trusted. Your community will naturally include customers and/or clients, but it’s also important to consider how you’re seen by the rest of your industry. 

Why is brand credibility important?

Kim: Brand credibility is important for a number of reasons.

The most obvious one is that it helps you build and retain a strong customer base. Consistency and trustworthiness will always attract customers: they’ll feel reassured, confident and like the business cares about them. 

As well as attracting customers directly, a credible brand will also help you attract opportunities and collaborations. Maybe you’ve established yourself as the most reliable designer of finance software – brand credibility could lead to you speaking at a major conference. Or you might offer something with a niche appeal, but your credibility allows you to branch out into teaching your skill as an additional revenue stream. 

Another a key benefit is that credibility makes your business resilient. For example, you probably saw that big high street brand Marks and Spencer suffered serious cyber attacks earlier this year. You probably also saw that they were able to bounce back because the strength of their brand outweighs any doubts about their online security. 

How do I build brand credibility?

Kim: Brand credibility is one of the ultimate slow burns. While you can invest in brand development, design a new logo or use a fresh advertising campaign, these ideas can’t build credibility by themselves. So in addition to your active branding work, it’s a good idea to think about what you can do to show that you’re a brand to rely on. 

A good starting point is consistency. Make sure that your community has the same kind of experience whether they buy from you in person, visit your website, follow you on social media, or any other touch points. An audit of your marketing will highlight any inconsistencies – note them down then take action! 

Checking for customer focus is also important. Measure every aspect of your brand against the customer experience, because your community will trust you if they feel like you care about them. Check whether your business easy to recognise and contact. Check your tone – are you talking to them, with them or simply at them? “You” is a powerful word – use it. 

You can also look out for opportunities to show leadership. From being an expert in your field to shaping your industry’s response to a new situation, there are more opportunities than you think. Establishing yourself as a leader helps you attract good PR and partnerships, as well as directly driving conversions. 

Outsource branding to Get Ahead

If reading Kim’s insights has got you thinking about increasing your brand credibility, Get Ahead can help. From a marketing audit to a detailed branding exercise, Kim and our other branding experts can help you strengthen what you already have (or even start from scratch!). Explore our site to find out more, follow us on LinkedIn or contact your local regional director today. 

At Get Ahead, we know there are many benefits of networking.  A strong understanding of networking is key for anyone who wants to buy a Get Ahead franchise. We also love supporting our clients with everything from business cards to confidence so they can get themselves out there.

But we know that not everyone likes networking. Some people say it doesn’t work. Others feel it’s not worth the time away from their desk. And some people find the social side difficult. 

If you know you should be networking but you can’t bring yourself to go, this blog is for you. We’ll share our top tips and mindsets to help you break down whatever barrier stands between you and networking. 

  • Do your homework

    Think about what kind of networking group would work for you. Would you like a drop-in, like a Get Connected event, or something more structured? Would you like membership to make sure you go every month, or would you like more flexibility? Breakfast events? Daytime? Evening? Not all networking events are the same.

    See what’s available in your area and sign up for the one that meets your criteria. 

    • Go with a business friend

      If walking into a room full of strangers fills you with horror, take a friend with you. Go with a friend who also runs a business, or someone you know professionally and get on well with. Just remember to talk to other people once you’ve found your feet! 

      • Set expectations

      You probably won’t leave your first networking event with ten new clients, or even one! But that doesn’t mean that networking doesn’t work. You might get a call a few days later, or pick up some work at the next event because people have had a chance to think about it. 

      Don’t underestimate the value of just turning up – every time you say your business name, you reinforce your brand. 

      • Set goals

      Set yourself networking goals, like finding someone who could give you an introduction in another relevant industry. Networking isn’t just about you finding your next client – maybe you’re looking for an accountant to get your books in order, or another service to help your business level up. 

      If you’re a start-up, networking means that you’ve told people about your business who have never heard of it before. You could make it your goal to tell three people about your business.

      Set yourself a goal – see if your networking becomes more focused. 

      • Keep going! 

      It’s easy to think that networking doesn’t work if you’ve only been to one event. But – trust us – keep going. The more people get used to seeing your face over coffee on a Wednesday morning, the more they’ll learn to like and trust you. It’s these deeper connections that make our network work. 

      Benefits of networking

      At Get Ahead, we believe in the benefits of networking. We’re here to help you with networking too and we hope you’ll come along to your local Get Connected event. And if you’re not ready to network yet, we can help you with your brand and marketing collateral, so you can talk about your business with confidence. We can even introduce you to business coaches from our own network.

      See you at networking soon! 

      Networking is a great way of to get your business out there, tell others what you do and take your business to the next level. However, it’s very important to talk to the right people so that every connection is worthwhile. In this blog, we talk to regional director Lisa Middleton about how to be strategic and build a network with people to grow your business.

      Why is it important to be strategic at networking?

      Lisa: When we go to a networking event, it’s really easy to focus on attracting new clients who will book our services directly. There’s nothing wrong with doing that, especially if it turns into regular business. However, it’s also worth making the effort to talk to people who can support us in an ongoing way, rather than pay us for a one-off service. This is how to make these events more worthwhile and more sustainable. 

      When I’m at a business event, I always make myself available to potential clients, in case they want to book a call with me and use Get Ahead’s services to support their business. But I also make sure I connect with others who offer a service – this can often create more opportunities for future work. For example, I might make a point of connecting with an accountant. It’s a great starting point for me – the accountant might have clients who need other outsourced, back-office services like the ones Get Ahead provides. And if the Get Ahead finance experts are at capacity, I have another accountant I can invite to join the team. 

      How could I put strategic networking work in practice?

      Lisa: Think about what conversations you would like to have that would grow your business. For example, talking to others in your sector could give you insights into industry developments so you can adapt your offering accordingly. You can also find the differences and connections between what you both offer. Maybe your services complement each other and you could combine forces to provide an even better service. 

      You can also talk to others outside your sector who might be able to give you an introduction to a wider group. If you have a product that would benefit a particular market, networking could give you a valuable inroad.

      It’s a good idea to think about this before you leave for the event. Networking is time away from your desk and you should use it as efficiently as possible. 

      Networking in your local area

      Get Ahead hosts regular networking events at Metrobank. These events are great ways to meet other local businesses, expand your business family, make connections and find more work. Explore our events page to find out more – we’d love to meet you! 

      One of the most common questions clients ask us is “how often should you post on your social media?” We’d love to give you a simple answer but unfortunately, there isn’t one! But what we can do is give you a bit more information so you can make the right choice about your own social media. And if you want to outsource social media, we can help there too. 

      Let’s take a closer look.

      How often should you post on your social media?

      The internet is full of articles telling you to post multiple times a day across all your social media channels. We love the theory…but seriously, who has the time?! Instead, prioritise sharing fewer posts while making sure each one is worth reading. 

      In general, it’s a good idea to post at least three times a week on social media. Of course, if one of your posts performs exceptionally, or you put a great deal of work into it, a smaller number of posts might be effective. 

      It’s also important to remember that different platforms have different norms. On LinkedIn, for example, you might share a lower number of posts but each one will be targeted, authentic and worth your followers’ time. But on X, Instagram and Pinterest, it’s usual to post several times a day.

      How do you stay consistent on social media?

      Most social media managers agree that consistency is more important than frequency. Posting consistently shows that you’re serious about what you do. Any potential clients or customers visiting your social media channels will see that your business is active right now. This means they’re considerably more likely to convert than if the last post were from six months ago. 

      Many of our clients choose to schedule their social media in advance, so they know it will appear online even if they don’t have time to post in real time. Whether they produce their own content or outsource it to one of our social media managers, the content is usually scheduled a month in advance. 

      A huge advantage of scheduling is that you and/or your social media manager can do all your planning at once. You don’t have to jump out of a heavy finance meeting straight into an upbeat Instagram post. Instead, you can put yourself into your social media groove and plan all your posts at once, then let them roll out in a timely fashion.

      Doing all your planning is easier when you come up with a strategy and follow it. Maybe you create regular posts about different areas of your business, like a client spotlight, a product focus and a business tip every week. When you manage your social media within a strategic framework, you’ll soon see your content schedule fill up! And if you’re really stuck, think about what posts have worked well in the past and recreate that success. 

      It’s important to be consistent in your interactions as well as your posts. Remember to block off time each week to visit your social media channels, reply to comments you’ve received and interact with other accounts. If thought-provoking, insightful comments go unnoticed, your followers will stop typing them and your online community will dwindle. Fortunately, you can keep up the momentum with regular interactions. 

      Outsource social media

      If you love the idea of creating stunning, effective, consistent social media posts but simply don’t have the time, our social media managers are here to help. Explore our site to find out more on how to outsource social media. 

      We don’t just talk the talk – we walk the walk too! Follow us on social media for great insights, rolling out consistently across the working week. 

      Social media is a fantastic tool for marketing your business. It’s free, easy to use and a great way to engage directly with your customers and clients. You can also outsource social media, winning back time and gaining dedicated support. But what social media is best for business? 

      In this blog, our social media expert Chloe talks us through the different platforms to help you decide which social media platform you should prioritise.

      What social media is best for business?

      Chloe: the best social media platform for your business depends on a number of factors, like who your audience is and what kind of content you share. 

      Different platforms are suitable for different kinds of content. For example, if video is the strongest way of marketing your business, it’s a good idea to put YouTube or TikTok at the centre of your social media marketing. And if your services lend themselves to long-form content, choose a platform that supports links to blogs like LinkedIn or Facebook.

      It’s also important to remember that different demographics use different social media platforms. B2B businesses often share content on LinkedIn, for example, while lifestyle brands attract followers on Instagram. That said, there is some overlap – amazingly, Innocent Smoothies have gained loads of traction on LinkedIn while B2B brands have done well on Instagram and Facebook. Consider who your audience is and which social media platforms they use…but keep an open mind too.

      How do I know who my audience is?

      Chloe: Social media is free to use, but it’s still important that the time you invest in it is well spent. When we target the right audience, we can be sure that we’re using our time efficiently. 

      I encourage my clients to imagine their ideal customer – how old they are, what they do for a living, whether they have a family, where they live, what matters to them and even what their names might be. With this information, you can work out which social media platform they are most likely to use. This is the platform where you should focus your energy. 

      What content should I share?

      Chloe: Instead of asking what content to share, think of the kind of content that best showcases your offering. If you specialise in tailored consultancy work, it’s important that you come across as someone who thinks in detail and understands the nuances of the industry. LinkedIn and X are great platforms for diving deeper into common questions and seriously analysing current issues. 

      On the other hand, you might have a retail business or a lifestyle brand, in which case Instagram is a great platform for you. Share photos of your latest product or short videos of the experiences you offer. 

      Decide what content best tells your story, and which platform is the best place to share it. Then consider which platforms your customers and clients use. They should overlap! This overlap is the platform where you should concentrate your energy.

      How many social media platforms should I use? 

      Chloe: I never want my clients to feel under pressure to use every single social media platform. Instead of churning out content on lots of different platforms, I believe it’s more effective to focus on the platforms where you’re able to post regularly. For example, if someone is researching you on Facebook and you haven’t posted for several months, it could look as if you’ve gone out of business (even if you haven’t). You’ll only find Get Ahead HQ on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram – we’ve weighed up the pros and cons and decided where to focus our efforts.

      When you remember that effective content is tailored for the platform where it is posted, it’s easy to see that using too many channels is a waste of resources. Most businesses don’t have the capacity to adapt their message for every platform – particularly if it doesn’t grow your business. 

      If you’re trying to work out which social media platform is the right one for you, Get Ahead’s detailed guide can help.

      Outsource social media 

      Outsource social media and benefit from consistent posting, expert content creation and regular analysis of your interactions. You’ll also gain back loads of time – no more labouring over graphics or getting distracted online. 

      If you’re ready to outsource social media, we hope you’ll consider Get Ahead. Read more about what we offer here, or follow us on LinkedIn to see us in action. 

      A SWOT analysis is an overview of your business, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Taking time to do it properly, involve the right people and learn from your findings gets business growth off to a great start. In this blog, we consider the question, “what is a SWOT analysis?” and look at how you can use yours to grow your business. 

      What is a SWOT analysis?

      SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. A SWOT analysis is your opportunity to look at each of these areas in turn, identifying points under each heading for your specific business. Used correctly, it’s a great business development tool. 

      The strengths and weaknesses should be the good and bad things found within your organisation. They cover matters like personnel, premises, strategy, focus and product quality. Because they take place within your business, you have the power to address them. If you find your business lacks a team member with marketing knowledge, for example, you can either train someone up, recruit or outsource. 

      Opportunities and threats are the good and the bad things happening outside your organisation. They include local matters like who your competitors are and the character of the area you serve. But they also include huge international concerns like supply chains, wars and global economics. While you cannot control the opportunities and threats themselves, you can control how your business responds to them.

      How can I use a SWOT analysis to grow my business?

      Once you’ve done your SWOT analysis, the next step is to examine your findings. 

      Think back to your opinion of your business before you did the SWOT exercise – how accurate were you? If you were right then well done! But if you thought you were doing better than you were, do you need to invest more time in your business or deepen your understanding of how to run it? And if your initial opinion was pessimistic, could some business coaching help you improve your confidence? 

      Then it’s time to look at each section in turn and note down action points.

      Strengths

      Strengths won’t necessarily give you many action points. These are things that are already working well. However, it’s important to note that they probably didn’t happen by themselves. If you have a strong team member, for example, think about what you did to recruit them and consider whether you could replicate the process to find another high-calibre employee. Also consider what you might have to do to keep your best team members so they remain a strength of your business.

      Weaknesses

      Weaknesses are the issues within your organisation that you have the power to control. So if you have identified that you need some new software, for example, you can solve the problem by investing in what you need. Even if you cannot afford it now, seeing the business weakness should help you plan ahead for the future spend. 

      Opportunities

      The list of opportunities should spur you into action too! Maybe you offer customer service training and a new shopping centre is about to open near you – could the retailers become your next clients? Or maybe you run a hotel by the sea – would businesses like to hold conferences there in your low season? You’ve identified the opportunities and now it’s time to act on them.

      Threats

      Some threats are easier to address than others. Professional bodies representing specific industries may respond to threats on behalf of their members, as happened with the rise in employers’ NI contributions. Joining one of these bodies will strengthen their voice and increase the chances of turning the tide.

      Even if you can’t take direct action, identifying threats can help you be more aware of them, and manage how you respond. If, say, prices rise, examine your business and work out if you can make savings in other areas. 

      The bigger picture

      Acting on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats will help you take control, tackle problems head-on and ultimately take your business forward. Incorporate them into your business strategy and goals – they’re your road map to success. 

      Outsourced business support in your area

      If your SWOT analysis has highlighted areas for improvement, Get Ahead can help. And if it’s time to take your business to the next level, take our quiz – reflect on your current processes and gain valuable insights to help your business grow. 

      Personal branding is an intentional move to shape how others see you. With a strong personal brand, others will start to value you for what you bring, helping you grow your business and further your career.

      In this blog, we talk to branding expert Amy, who explains “what is personal branding?” and how to make it work for you.

      What is personal branding? Is it the same as reputation?

      Amy: It’s easy to confuse personal branding and reputation but they’re actually different. Your reputation comes from the impression you make: how good your work is, how you treat others and how you cope in a crisis. But your personal brand is something more intentional. Personal branding is consciously putting forward the qualities you want to be known for, like creativity, the ability to motivate others or the commitment to see a project through. 

      Your personal brand starts to matter when you decide you want more from your role. Maybe you want to attract new investors or clients. Or if you’re employed, maybe you want a promotion or to move to another organisation entirely. When we see a new opportunity, our personal brand will show others what we have to offer and why we deserve to achieve. 

      How do I build my personal brand?

      Amy: Your personal brand has to be authentic to you. Think about who you are and what you do well. Why would you want to work with you? If that’s too big a question on its own, break it down. I encourage my clients to ask themselves these questions:

      • What motivates you? Are you naturally conscientious or are you excited for what a new project could bring? 
      • What sparks your curiosity? People? Industry innovations? 
      • Where do you want to get to? What do you want to learn? 

      You might also think about some attributes that are often included in a personal brand and which ones you have. Think about your current role – not your job title, but the contribution you make by being the person you are. You might be an idea-generator, or a listener, or a problem-solver. You might be adaptable, committed, principled, or even courageous or entertaining. 

      Decide which words best describe you…and start using them! 

      I have a personal brand – what should I do with it?

      Amy: The next step is to share your brand with those whom you think could help you move forward. A great start is to update your social media profiles, describing not just what you do but who you are. Writing your personal brand down like this will also help you crystallise it and give you some pithy phrases you can use in person too.

      Once you’re feeling confident about your personal brand, reach out positively to the right people. You might ask someone in your organisation for a one-to-one, or meet a potential investor for lunch. Don’t be nervous – all you have to do is be yourself! You’ve identified what you have to offer and you should be proud to advertise it. 

      Further down the line, you might find that your personal brand helps you to up your game. The more you show people you’re a creative innovator, or a compassionate listener, or a focused organiser, the greater the value of these qualities. And when we feel valued for what we offer, our offering becomes even stronger. 

      Branding support from Get Ahead

      If you’re feeling inspired to create a personal brand, Get Ahead can help. As well as Amy, we have a strong team of branding experts ready to help you find yourself and share it with the right people. With a strong personal brand, you can reach out and grab the next opportunity – what are you waiting for?