COMEBACK Don't Call it a

In our business, we wholeheartedly believe in the blessing of making mistakes. You can not, and will not, grow as an entrepreneur without them. Mistakes, or let's call them bouncebacks, are where we learn, where our expertise strengthens, and where our future selves become more valuable.

Every time we speak with Phil Reid, Managing Director of The Promotions Company, and Organisational Head of Pro Co, we’re treated to insider honesty; a true insight into the process of running a business.

Phil has worked in sales for 17 years, both running his own office and building his organisation. He’s seen the industry evolve, he’s witnessed changes in customer dynamics and demographics, and he’s worked within multiple divisions for many clients. Even with all that experience, Phil wants to express the importance of staying humble, continually developing your skills and forever networking.

This article is here to prove to you that you don’t, and nor will you ever, become a finished article.

“17 years and still learning”

Looking back on 2022, Phil describes it as a “massive, massive learning curve”, rebuilding the Bristol office after promoting offices in 2021. He explains how he’d essentially left himself too thin, needing to be multiple things to multiple people, and the repercussions were appearing.

After spending 2022 developing his team, he realised a gap in their recruitment efforts in December, month 12 of 12. Their previous notion for recruitment was to join the team, learn some skills, do some sales and have a great time, and if that led to a blossoming career, great. What they failed to promote was the extraordinary opportunities available to all, so even though they had some incredible talent within the office, the intention behind the role was more often than not a temporary one.

“Our new team members were seeing, “This is temporary. I’ll do some sales, learn some skills and move on.” Now, there’s nothing wrong with that but it doesn’t represent us fully. We also need a handful of people saying “This is my career, let’s go and do this”, that’s what needed to change”

A trip in the new year to a flourishing office in Belfast, Ciaran Hawkins’ Fortis Marketing Ltd, further solidified Phil’s epiphany.

“I walked into that office so annoyed with myself; the rhetoric and wording around development and promotions, the networking taking place, it was just so obvious. I walked away thinking “I know this!”

A refresh and rebranding was on the cards for The Promotions Company. Actions speak louder than words, so along with updated branding, the office has been invigorated with expansion maps, goal plans, team boards, and additional communal features such as a brand new pool table.

Speaking of goal plans, we asked Phil what 2023 had in store for the team. He explained that in previous years the environment had perhaps been wrong for people to step into the expansion opportunities.

“We’ve always attracted great people but we need to now give them the right tools and confidence to get promoted. We’re focusing on the right areas, we’re talking big, thinking big and networking substantially”

As Holly Near said, “If you have the guts to keep making mistakes, your wisdom and intelligence leap forward with huge momentum.”

What a start to 2023, sometimes all we need is that light bulb moment to change course. We think Phil and the team will soon be grateful for 2022 for not only what it has taught them, but where it will lead them.