Christina Talks Podcast

Today Christina talks with Hayley Meakes. Hayley, like Christina works in the world of marketing and is known for specialising in employee engagement. She is also a great speaker on marketing and a mentor to others.

In this episode they talk about why employee engagement is so important and it’s impact of the rest of the business. They also discuss some of the challenges of running agencies and dealing with clients. Listen today for an honest discussion about these challenges.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Engagement is all about the employees emotional commitment to their employer and the brands goals
• Employee engagement can be seen as ‘fluffy’ but there is great psychology behind it!
• Engaged employees are: productive, less wasteful, more profitable and positive promoters of their brand who communicate well. They are also more innovative, work harder and take more risks.
• By working with brands culture and engagement Hayley has been able to make a real difference about how the workforce is as a whole but also the effect on the company’s bottom line through things such as recruitment costs.
• Celebrating successes is key to employee engagement, sometimes something just as simple as a ‘thank you’ can go a long way and can surprisingly be missing from company culture.
• Investment in internal marketing can be the biggest change maker in employee engagement. Ensuring your employees understand the company and brand direction; employees are your biggest champions it’s essential they understand what it is you are trying to do.
• Managers need to be accountable for the engagement on their teams. Cultural change starts with leadership.
• Clear conversations are needed with clients about what ROI looks like for their business and what they expect. Is their budget realistic? It’s about managing expectations and ensuring that the clients know what they need to be doing to create success.
• Be open to everything that happens around a marketing campaign, sometimes what you have aimed to happen doesn’t go exactly to plan but you gain invaluable data and gain ROI from sources you did not expect.
• It’s important to take cultural differences into account when working with international clients. There are many things to consider e.g It isn’t good enough to just like-for-like translate things. Nuances and colloquialisms can change the meaning and emphasis of everything. Using a translator that speaks the language you are translating into can be effective in ensuring you don’t make faux pas.

BEST MOMENTS

14:50 “Your people are you biggest asset. They are your biggest champions, your biggest advocates, your biggest cheerleaders…they can also be your biggest problem”

16:16 “The best suggestions come from the most unexpected sources”

18:20 “It becomes a poster on the wall not a way of life”

21:05 “People put all of this effort into empty gestures and think they’re ticking a box”

48:20 “You just have to be aware that what you plan to get out of something, (the outcome) might be completely different and better”

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Christina Talks Podcast

Hayley Meaks Website

ABOUT THE HOST

Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of

social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t

matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player.

For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know

how to use them!

LinkedIn

Twitter

Website

Are you doing your best and being your best?

Christina reflects on the last year for her business, both the highs and the lows. It’s vital to have a group of people who can support you when things are not going well but you also need to recognise the importance of celebrating the wins along the way.

As a business owner it’s important to reflect on how you deal with both the successes and challenges in your business and if you are rushing past the wins is this an indicator that you are in danger of being overwhelmed?

Recognising the highs and the lows is about sharing with others and Christina offers great content in this episode on how you can achieve this.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• You need someone to share with when you are not OK
• You need people who can advise and help you to rationalise your thoughts to move forward.
• You need to recognise when you need the help of others.
• If you have an issue it can affect you and you need to be able to reach out.
• Managing the highs can be a challenge in a different way to the challenge of the lows.
• You can be over-focused on pushing forward and not stop to celebrate the wins.
• It’s important to look for the overwhelm indicators – if you aren’t celebrating the wins it may be a sign of overload.
• Look out for the overwhelm and make contact with someone.

BEST MOMENTS

‘You don’t know what you don’t know’

‘I have to take action because I’m scared of the paralysis of doing nothing’

‘Take time to live the highs and enjoy them’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Christina Talks Podcast

ABOUT THE HOST

Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of

social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t

matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player.

For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know

how to use them!

LinkedIn

Twitter

Website

Christina is with Susan Rose whose passion and business is the creation of beautiful bone china items.

They discuss why and how understanding what you are good at and having the right people around you can positively impact on your business along with how Susan Rose China began as a hobby business and successfully scaled.

Susan shares both her journey and great advice on how to take your passion from a hobby business to one that’s significant within its niche market.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Bone china is a niche market but it’s vital that English bone china makers are able to continue to share their skills creating beautiful items.
• I’m passionate about English bone china and it’s important that want people to know about its quality and environmental positives.
• As we have grown our market has changed from 80% retail and 20% corporate to 20% retail and 80% corporate.
• There was a switch from it being a hobby business to a business that was scaling and growing.
• Every business requires extremely hard work and everyone makes mistakes but try to use those situations as opportunities.
• Ask yourself what can I do better, what can I change?
• It’s not about the situation it’s how you respond to it, learn from it and use the opportunities.
• It’s important to understand that if someone else can do it you can too.
• We recently moved all our work to Stoke and this changed the business because we are now central to expertise and skills in bone china production.
• It’s important to have the right people around you.
• My hard work and passion has brought me into contact with people who have wanted to help me.

BEST MOMENTS

‘Bone china is an environmentally sound gift to give someone because it’s designed to last’

‘I’ve met amazing people along the way who’ve helped me so I’m eager to give back to others’

‘Through hard work, I got my foot in the door’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Christina Talks Podcast

Susan Rose China

Susan Rose China Instagram

ABOUT THE HOST

Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of

social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t

matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player.

For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know

how to use them!

LinkedIn

Twitter

Website

In this episode, Christina looks at how your brand is perceived and what you can do to engage with people, help them to relate to your story and understand who you are and what you have to offer.

Whatever and whenever people are buying there will have a variety of options and people always buy from the people they trust so being a person that others can relate to and engage with is key.

This is a great opportunity to reflect on your business and the ways you engage with others because if you are scoring 10 for how fun your business is you will be getting business from social media.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• How human is your brand?
• How personal is your brand?
• People ultimately always buy from people
• Whatever you are buying it’s likely there are multiple buying options and you are most likely to buy from the person you trust the most.
• Stories can be used effectively to resonant with people and help you to humanise yourself.
• The more you engage with people the more you are memorable to them.
• What can you do that will help others understand who you are and what you are offering?
• If there is a story people can relate to then they will engage with you on a personal level.
• If you are scoring 10 for how fun your business is you can’t fail to get business from social media.

BEST MOMENTS

‘You are generally swayed by the person you have the best relationship with’

‘Humanising yourself helps others to engage with you’

‘Stories help people to understand who you are’

ABOUT THE HOST

Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player.

For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!

LinkedIn

Twitter

Website

There has been a tsunami of cyber-attacks on small businesses and Francis West who is a specialist in cybersecurity who is on a  mission is to educate 1 million people by 2023 about cybersecurity and how to protect themselves.

They discuss the statistics and how hackers can easily access to your accounts with an astounding rise in attacks from 1 every 4 seconds to 4 every single second over the past few months.

This is an education in why everyone needs to taketh e issue of cybersecurity very seriously because it can potentially impact on us all and has long-reaching consequences for those targeted.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• It’s about education and increasing the layers of security for everyone.
• You are nine times more likely to suffer from a cyber-attack than a burglary.
• Since the lockdown, there has been a huge increase in IT scams
• You need to evolve the right culture in your business, a culture where even the highest and most valued customer paperwork can be questioned.
• 68% of small businesses in the UK have already been compromised and it takes them on average 237 days to find out.
• It’s gone from 1 every 4 seconds to 4 every 1 second.
• Anti-virus software can only protect you against known threats
• People need to take the threat of cyber-attacks seriously
• Early detection is key and this is only possible through constant monitoring.
• For less than 5 pounds a month you can be notified if your password appears on the dark web.
• Being in business is all about knowing your numbers every month
• In marketing, there is usually one thing that you are not doing that if you did would make a positive difference to your business.

BEST MOMENTS

‘As marketing businesses, we are all shouting about what we do so it’s not difficult for a hacker to come up with a plausible story’

‘Let me put my cybersecurity blanket around you and keep you safe’

‘The more people we educate the more people there will be who won’t press the button’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Francis West LinkedIn

ABOUT THE HOST

Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player.

For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!

LinkedIn

Twitter

Website

Christina looks at the importance of having a hit list as a business owner. She explores how this approach is based on building relationships with the results often only being seen in the longer term.

When you start your business, you need to have a list of people who are in your corner and are in your contact list or you are known to them because a recommendation from them is valuable.

When you identify influencers in your business arena they should be on your list and you should be working to become someone that is known to them and ultimately on their contact list.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• I had a list of people who I had in my corner who could make a real difference to the business.
• It’s about getting the attention of the influencers in your sector.
• I favourited links to the profiles of people on my hit list.
• I liked their content and left meaningful and thoughtful comments in response to posts.
• There was no sell it was about starting a conversation.
• The relationships I built are still coming to fruition now
• It takes energy and effort and it’s not a short term result but it does work.
• This is long term approach and you have to be consistent but the results can be very positive for your business.

BEST MOMENTS

‘I built relationships and got their attention’

‘I am being asked to get involved because of the relationships I have built with people’

My hit list is about being known to certain people and it’s worked’

ABOUT THE HOST

Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player.

For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!

LinkedIn
Twitter
Website

In this episode, Christina is talking with Wendy McDougall of Firefish Software who are a prominent force within the recruitment world.

They discuss how Firefish has grown, what being a successful business owner means and what you need to do to be a great recruiter who is able to offer their clients exactly what they want.

This is a great opportunity to hear about what it’s like to be successful in the recruitment space and flourish even when the market is challenging.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Recruitment is where it starts and it’s about where you as a business position yourself.
• Simplify everything and make sure your values are embedded in everything you do.
• Relinquishing control is part of a shift in mindset that comes when your company begins to be able to move forward without you having to do everything yourself.
• If you are a business owner it can be a lonely place to be.
• It’s a choice you make to be the leader and you have to accept what comes with that.
• Whatever the market place is doing, do something different.
• You have to be committed to trying new things.
• So many people think they are the only person doing what they do.
• Essentially all recruiters are doing the same thing the only difference is the approach to the honesty.
• You find candidates, you find companies and make a good match how you do that and how its packaged is what makes the difference.
• It’s about understanding that what we do is about matching the best customer with the best individual.
• It’s about how we earn the trust that makes the difference.
• Recruitment is not about an instant result it’s all about the long term gain.

BEST MOMENTS

‘We are using our resources and content to help recruiters do better’

‘You have to be committed to trying new things’

‘We have transformed what we are doing and nailed our roadmap and offering for clients moving forward’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Firefish Software website

Wendy McDougall LinkedIn

ABOUT THE HOST

Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the u se of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player.

For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!

LinkedIn
Twitter
Website

Christina reflects on the importance of creating great content and leading with value if you want to build the trust and relationships needed to ultimately bring the sales you want for your business.

To be seen as an expert in your field and for people to know this, you must share

value and content that demonstrates this in an easily accessible social media space. Christina explains exactly how anyone can get started effectively sharing content and value and why consistency and showing up when you say you will is key.

Find out how If you are prepared to look for opportunities to share and lead with value and content then you will always have something to say.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• You need to start by creating content that you have ownership of such as a blog or videos
• Lead with value and create posts that are going to help your client to solve their problems
• The end goal is always to make money but if people are going to buy from you it’s because they have a level of trust in you.
• In service lead businesses the decision to buy is driven by the relationships formed and the level of trust created.
• To gain trust you have to be seen as the expert in your field.
• You need to be able to demonstrate through your content that you have a level of expertise and knowledge.
• It’s so important that you give away all your secrets because the more you can educate and help people to understand what they are buying the more value they will give to it.
• You have to be prepared to answer the responses, being present and being there is vital for engagement
• You have to have a plan for consistency and be committed to continuing.
• If all you talk about is selling then you will very quickly run out of things to say but if you lead with value there are always new things to talk about.
• Always look for opportunities to share content.

BEST MOMENTS

‘Kick off your shoes and put on the customer’s shoes to understand how they are feeling’

‘Always look for opportunities to share content’

‘If people are going to buy from you it’s because they have a level of trust in you’

ABOUT THE HOST

Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player.

For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!

LinkedIn

Twitter

Website

In this first episode, Christina is in conversation with Hung Lee creator of ‘Recruiting Brainfood’

They talk about how Recruiting Brainfood began and the inspiring 24-hour live streaming event that recently took place.

Hung is passionate about the impact our humanity has and is currently curating individuals in the recruitment space sharing their own stories. These stories are about humanity and move others because it is about finding out about who people really are. Lots of us have forgotten the why behind what we do and any action that brings us closer to our humanity is a step towards reconnection.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Brainfood was initially about putting together all the resources I had to help others in a public archive.
• Whatever content you are producing if you are asking people to subscribe and asking them for a portion of their time you have to be consistent and regularly produce content.
• You have to be there every week, it’s all about longevity and building trust.
• We are all creatures of habit and we live in a world of constant change so as a content producer you have to be able to offer consistency of approach and a regular pattern for how things happen.
• As soon as you have a following and community of any sort you have a responsibility to them.
• I wanted to provide opportunities for interaction between the great minds that are a part of brainfood.
• We need to talk in a way that humanises people and I wanted to do that for the recruitment
• space.
• Those who are telling their own stories are experiencing a reconnection with their values
• People respond to other people’s true stories and in it makes the world a better place because it brings us closer to our humanity
• It takes courage to be honest with yourself because you have to look at you in the mirror
• Memories may not be gentle but reconnecting with those things is about who you are.

BEST MOMENTS

‘You’ve got to be pro, whatever the situation’

‘If you are super consistent people will cling on to that in a world that is chaotic’

‘A lot of us have forgotten the 'why' behind what we do’

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Recruiting Brainfood website

Hung Lee LinkedIn

ABOUT THE HOST

Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect their online presence. In 2019 Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!

LinkedIn

Twitter

Website

Who knew being a business owner would be so lonely? It’s not all glitz and glamour - there are hard lessons to learn and a shift in mindset that no one can prepare you for…

Or can they???

This is a podcast for growth-focused business owners with an interest in marketing trends. Christina will talk Marketing of course, but this podcast promises to cover so much more.

“Digital Marketing is my subject of choice, I always say I help business owners who lack the time, enthusiasm or courage to make online marketing work for their businesses. I word things that way for a reason!”

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ABOUT THE HOST
Christina Robinson

Christina has been working with SME’s since 2013 to launch, develop and perfect  their online presence. In 2019, Christina made the move from employee to business owner of a successful digital marketing agency focused on educating business owners in the use of social media. Christina is driven by the fact that in today’s world, it doesn’t matter how big or small your marketing budget is, you can be a major player. For small businesses, the tools are just as accessible – you just need to know how to use them!

LinkedIn
Twitter
Website