Monument Promotions

THE AUSTRALIAN TOUR

The 10 day whirlwind trip of a lifetime for, not the lucky few, but deserving few

ONE YEAR; WHAT'S POSSIBLE

We catch up with Toby Linford and Rosie Trevett-Smart to see what's possible in 1 year at the organisation

PHIL REID: THE SATELLITE STRATEGY

We catch up with Phil Reid to find out what's driving the recent exceptional growth of the organisation

YOUR BUSINESS, YOUR BRAND

We catch up with Rob Cotterell for an introspective look at what's driven him for the past 10 years in the organisation

Nothing Is Impossible #20

Our contributors

Francis Davies Chief Editor

Fran is Chief Operations Officer for Mantra Marketing working with people and companies to help the business become more efficient and profitable.

Nina Collis Sub-editor

Nina is the Head of Talent for the Mentorprise Group with the goal of finding the best people to start their career in the organisation

Ellie Ford Editor / Author

Ellie runs Flossy Notes from her Cornish base in Bude. She works with small businesses on their marketing objectives, covering services such as social media management, content creation, and a host of copywrting projects

Alex Rae Art Director / Designer

Alex is an accomplished designer, and visual artist specialising in brand communications.

Welcome Back

TO ISSUE #20 2024 EDITION

Five

“People have really woken up to what they can achieve; thinking bigger, further. It's going to be another record-breaking year.”

- James Buckley

So, how was our 22nd year in business? Record breaking. More acquisitions, more money raised, more promotions to leadership and assistant ownership, and more offices opened than ever before. It appears we rewrote the rulebook! With the incredible drive shown by all, we superseded all goals, and this year, we’re thinking bigger again.

With Matt Nicholson planning his Scandinavian expansion, and multiple individuals setting their sights on untouched UK locations, we’ve got more cities, countries and aspirations to realise. Last year opened our eyes to what could be achieved and those 2023 accomplishments have meant we’re in the best position to do just that.

There’s more where that came from, so let’s go!

We’ve been reviewing, assessing, and implementing our way through Quarter 1. So, what’s the team been up to so far in 2024?

We’ve had the pleasure of watching Fidel Nanton officially open his office, TLN Marketing, launching himself up and out of the Business Development Programme, and into business ownership. A great guy, the one everyone wants on their team, Fidel works hard and truly deserves his current success.

Congratulations, Fidel!

The Swindon location is having a moment, a monumental one. Matt Nicholson and the Monument Promotions team are now hitting the

heights they’ve been reaching for thanks to the impeccable standards and consistency shown daily. Everybody is reaping the benefits with clients, teams and individuals earning more, developing professionally and hitting goals like they’ve never done before. What a start to 2024 they’re having!

Our organisation continues to expand further across the United Kingdom with satellite offices testing out new cities and locations, such as Birmingham.

On this, we’d like to give special recognition to Phil Reid and The Promotions Company Organisation for their recent efforts and success. You’ll see their feature within this edition discussing how they’ve implemented their particular strategy.

You’ll find a showcase of some brilliant events we’ve put on recently, as well as some exciting ones to come, from meetings to ski trips, and an awards gala to an Australian tour. There’s never a dull moment.

We’d also like to give a big warm welcome to baby Oscar! Congratulations to Nina Collis and Rob Cotterell for welcoming their second son into their family - No doubt Theo is a brilliant big brother.

A great start to 2024 team, let’s get to it!

A Australian Tour 2023 The

10-day whirlwind trip of a lifetime for, not the lucky few, but the deserving few. The Australian Tour is exclusively for the Assistant Owners within the organisation and nationwide network who have gotten themselves to a certain point within their business; through hard work, dedication and accountability, they’ve been able to develop those around them, building teams to be proud of.

“This was a trip of a lifetime, for the knowledge, advice and support. It was like being in the best league in the world.” - Fidel Nanton

The Melbourne Identity Who from our organisation received an exclusive invitation? (see right)

The Itinerary

No messing around, the group hit the runway running, from Melbourne to Brisbane and onto Sydney! They weren’t alone on the trip as news of their international arrival brought in many teams from across Australia; what a perfect opportunity to network, inspire and be inspired.

These office visits were full of eye-opening keynote speakers, entrepreneurial stories, once-in-a-lifetime educational moments and relationships that have been bonded globally.

Too many invaluable moments to mention, we caught up with a few attendees to get the scoop from down under. Here are just a few of their highlights.

Aussie Highlights

“We learned so much from every single person, it was just so brilliant.” - Emily Gara

Emily Gara, 27 Assistant Owner at Monument Promotions

Fidel Nanton, 61 Owner at TLN Promotions

Toby Linford, 24 Assistant Owner at The Promotions Company

Rosie Trevett-Smart, 22 Assistant Owner at RedSeven Marketing

'There’s so much I’ve been able to take back to my business and team; from physical booklets for new leaders upon promotion, to core values to focus on and incentives to offer'

Emily:

In all honesty, I just couldn’t pinpoint one particular highlight; I haven’t stopped thinking about the entire trip since we got back on the plane. I’m always remembering moments, thinking about how incredible they were. I have to say though, one thing that was really exciting for me was to finally meet Steve Sapsford. We have Zoom calls with him every other Monday and he’s been a crucial part in my journey and career thus far, so to meet him in person was really cool.

Fidel:

We met the woman who did 100 pieces in a week, Caroline from Mark Mallison’s office. What’s incredible is that she did it whilst sitting down the entire time as it was during the Covid era! That’s quite an achievement within any marketing division, let alone Event Marketing.

Toby:

My highlight would probably be talking to Kemal Kvrgic. He told us about his story as a Bosnian refugee, coming to Australia at nine years old without being able to speak English. His parents were sceptical about direct sales, and couldn’t understand why he left University to pursue it. But he’s proving every day what hard work and dedication can do; he’s bought the family home, purchased commercial properties to run his business out of, made six figures in one day, and the list goes on. Hearing what he had to overcome was really inspiring.

Rosie:

I think mine would have to be on the very last day when we were getting the ferry from Sydney Zoo back over to the harbour. We were all sitting there smiling, looking at the incredible view, it was a real ‘pinch me’ moment. At the start of the trip, I didn’t know half of these people at all, but I’d now built such great friendships. In that moment, I felt safe and that I could really relate to these people.

“I still have a lot to learn, but that's fun and exciting.” - Toby Linford

Inspiration can do wonders, but we also wanted to know what they’ve been able to implement into their own businesses since returning. So, what did you learn, guys!?

'Total Imposter syndrome for me; I’m 22, on an all-expenses-paid business trip, on the beautiful harbourside, it was just a euphoric moment and really quite surreal'

Fidel:

There’s so much I’ve been able to take back to my business and team; from physical booklets for new leaders upon promotion, to core values to focus on and incentives to offer. In particular, I loved their mentality toward being an entrepreneur. In Australia, there’s a big focus on health and wellbeing, they term it, “Corporate Athleticism”. They use physical fitness and mental development to ensure they’re at 100% in the sales field and you can really see it has an impact. They radiate energy, and they’re more alert and creative which in turn creates such a contagious, positive, exciting atmosphere.

Rosie:

I think elevation as a mindset is something I’m now injecting into my own business. When we met with Dan Cross it was so clear to see the benefits of personal development for your business. He’s the most intelligent man I’ve ever met and everything he says has purpose. He’s always looking at how he can better himself and those around him by improving their wellbeing from the inside out. He hosts a Book Club whereby they pick out chapters each month and look to implement what resonates with them; he has so many anecdotes to help his points land and that only comes from learning continually.

Toby:

One of the main things I’ve brought back to the UK is involving my core guys in everything I do as it helps them to learn and develop confidence faster. Now, for instance, if I’m planning for the week, they’ll also be there planning for their week. It’s helped us all be more organised, accountable and structured with our time and schedules.

“Total Imposter syndrome for me; I’m 22, on an all-expenses-paid business trip, on the beautiful harbourside, it was just a euphoric moment and really quite surreal. I felt like a child at the Sydney Opera House trying to find Nemo!” - Rosie Trevett-Smart

If there’s a lesson to be learned here, it’s to invest in you. Make that call, book that trip, read that book. Whatever investment might look like for you at this current time, just do it. You won’t ever regret trying to be more.

“What can I say about Fidel? Phenomenal. I’m not sure there’s ever been someone quite like him in our business; the consistency in his results, the kindness he shows others, and his ability to bind a team together is just phenomenal. Congratulations Fidel, you truly deserve it.”

- James Buckley -

BIG NEWS For Fidel!

The news that brings a smile to everyone’s face; Fidel Nanton has opened his own office, TLN Marketing.

A friend, a helping hand and a heartwarming interaction to many, Fidel Nanton has supported countless individuals through their direct sales journeys, as well as personal ones. His kindness knows no bounds and his ability to offer compassion alongside sound advice never goes unnoticed.

We’re so pleased to be able to announce that TLN Marketing is officially open and trading, and cannot wait to see the undeniable success that will ensue for such a well-loved business owner. We managed to grab a few precious moments with Fidel himself to get a better picture of how he’s finding the transition so far.

Fidel! It’s always a pleasure to speak with you, and on such fabulous groundsIf you could describe your journey here, how would you do so?

Oh wow. First of all, it’s been real fun. You have to enjoy yourself otherwise what’s the point?! There have been lots of challenges too though which made me realise the level of commitment needed in order to open my own company. It’s been a rollercoaster.

What would you say you’ve learned along the way?

So much. I used to be an actor and you just went from one job to the next, so I was never particularly organised or had any specific goals to hit. Within this role, I’ve learned to focus myself. The ‘8-Steps’ alone are incredible for becoming a better person; managing your time, having a positive attitude to everything you do, being planned & organised, etc. What happens is you end up wanting to come in and do something great. I don’t have to go to work, I want to. You start seeing how much better the people around you are too, how ambitious they become. It’s a wonderful thing to watch people grow.

Where are we currently?

Sometimes it can be overwhelming thinking about how much there is to do and learn, but once you start you realise, “Actually, I know most of this. I’ve been doing it without even taking notice of my development”. By

working with the ‘New MC Checklist’, you can see the traffic light system in front of you and get to realise how far you’ve come.

If there’s ever something you’re not sure of, all you have to do is ask. It’s incredible. I put out a message the other day about websites, and the amount of messages I received offering support with relevant links was outstanding.

“Just work hard, get prepared, and plan it out”

So, what’s the plan!?

Well, I never gave it much thought when I first started within direct sales, but because of the team we have, they’re absolutely brilliant and so dedicated, I would really like to promote another office within a year. The location, client and division will be entirely up to them. Whichever direction they want to take their business, they’ll have my support.

Do you have any top tips we could share for anyone looking to open their own direct sales office?

Understand that everybody is different, so treating them all the same just won't work. Some people prefer to get in early, some prefer to plan in the evenings, some like to be shown practically, and others like to go off and do their own research or networking. If you find out as much as you can about the people you’re working with, you’ll build the best relationships with them. I’m one of eight siblings, so I understand the importance of speaking to people the way they want to be spoken to.

Can I also relay the importance of thinking big? Just think big all of the time. Have your goals and get prepared for them to be actualised. Have your lists ready and action plans good-to-go for your next step. Keep asking questions too, it will speed up your progression. You’re never done learning.

Fidel, you’re brilliant. And so deserving of all your future success. We’re so pleased for you and can’t wait to see what TLN Marketing becomes.

ONE YEARWhats Possible

WITH ROSIE TREVETT-SMART AND TOBY LINFORD

'Something really struck me; how professional everything was. The office was incredible and the professionalism of what was happening blew me away. I felt valued even though I was brand new'

It’s 2024, we’re nearly a quarter of the way through the 21st century, 2008 seems like last year, the Covid pandemic is already four years ago, and the ever-elusive 2030 is just around the corner. Each year we’re lucky enough to experience is precious, so how are you embracing this gift of time?

Growth, personal development and elevation are all possible each day. Imagine what can be done if you commit for an entire year…

Over our 20-plus years in the industry, we’ve witnessed tremendous growth for businesses, organisations, teams and individuals alike. We’d like to put it out there that perhaps the most influential year within a person’s career is the very first; when they’re getting to grips with an industry, finding out where their strengths and weaknesses appear, discovering vocational passion and deciding to take the plunge wholeheartedly into entrepreneurship.

Two individuals doing exactly that are Toby Linford and Rosie Trevett-Smart. Their respective progression has been nothing short of inspiring to watch, so we wanted to see how they’ve viewed the past year themselves.

Rosie Trevett-Smart, 22 RedSeven Marketing, Bristol

Arriving for her initial appointment with Rob Cotterell at the end of August 2022, Rosie was fresh out of university having studied Sociology in Portsmouth. Moving to Bristol was a spontaneous decision leading her people-focused CV to be noticed by the recruitment team within a week. Joining RedSeven Marketing was a happy accident for all involved!

Admittedly unsure where her next move may take her, Rosie’s aim was to figure it out while enjoying what Bristol had to offer. With Sociology being such a broad degree she didn’t have her career set in stone, so was happy to follow the crowd of other 21-year-

'Rosie’s not ashamed to say she’d not previously had to work particularly hard for anything, and observing the work ethic of those around her was very much eye-opening'

olds doing the same.

She was taken aback by what greeted her upon joining the team;

“Something really struck me; how professional everything was. The office was incredible and the professionalism of what was happening blew me away. I felt valued even though I was brand new”.

Meeting the Managing Director and discovering there was extensive progression on offer was that added element that led her to dive right in. She admittedly felt out of her comfort zone, lacking the confidence to take it all in her stride, but there was something within that knew she had to break those internal barriers and take hold of the opportunity in front of her.

Reflecting personally, Rosie’s not ashamed to say she’d not previously had to work particularly hard for anything, and observing the work ethic of those around her was very much eye-opening. She knew she had it in her, and wanted to prove to herself that she would give it all she had.

With support from the entire team, she notably worked on her communication skills after realising they weren’t as great as she thought they were. The pandemic had seen her study in isolation, which of course took its toll, and although she may still stumble on her words at times, she now feels much more equipped to handle situations, interactions and conversations with confidence and clarity.

The Moment That Matters

We asked Rosie whether there was a pinpoint moment when she knew she would give her career in direct sales everything she had, to which she distinctly remembers her New Leaders’ Meeting having a profound impact. Four and a half months into her new role, occurring later than expected, she attended this meeting as the most experienced Brand Ambassador present. It was clear that there was no reason she couldn’t succeed, listening to the Owners’ stories and insight; if they could do it, why couldn’t she?

'I couldn’t stop thinking about what I could do when I got home, how I could implement fresh initiatives, and build my team

The very next week she hit a personal best for acquisitions in a day and a week, recruited her first team member, Elijah Hollyoak, and supported him to Leadership. A great week by any measure.

Interestingly, Rosie had a trip to Australia booked a fortnight later. On the other side of the world, she considered her options. She could easily choose to stay ‘down under’ in sunnier climes and forget about what she had accomplished within RedSeven, but something was drawing her back to the UK.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about what I could do when I got home, how I could implement fresh initiatives, and build my team.”

She was fully prepared to return to a team of one, herself only, but to her surprise her first team member was thriving. A complete turn-around from his first few weeks, he was confident, selling, presenting himself well and eager to set a competition with her for some friendly rivalry; who could promote themselves to crew leader first?

In six weeks, Rosie developed her team from two to eleven people and was officially a Crew Leader.

A Year to Make a Difference

Reflecting on the past 12 months, Rosie believes her highlights are a mix of all the travelling she’s been able to embark on, from Marbella to Meribel and Australia, but also being able to take pride in how hard she’s worked to get to where she is now.

Overcoming challenges is what will set you apart from others, for Rosie, these obstacles generally come from within. Imposter Syndrome has seen her self-belief dwindle, but it’s something she’s overcoming each day. When she’s doing well, she’s learning to accept that it’s a result of her own doing, and when she’s having a tougher time, she’s beginning to understand how to pull herself out of it positively.

The future’s looking bright, Rosie. You’ve got yourself to thank for that!

'You have to be empathetic when building a team. Sales can be an emotional rollercoaster at times, you have massive highs, but can also “lose your attitude” as we call it, when your mindset isn’t conducive to getting the results you want'

Toby Linford, 24 The Promotions Company, Bristol

Joining The Promotions Company in October 2022, Toby was a Psychology graduate bartending in Bristol, unsure of what his next step would be. Cut to February 2024, he’s since dived into the direct sales industry, built a team of 14 people, travelled the world with his career and opened his own satellite office in Birmingham, within the heart of the city's buzzing creative quarter, the iconic Custard Factory.

A self-proclaimed “lazy person”, introversion and social anxiety were his norm. But to see Toby today, you wouldn’t believe it.

“Growing up, if I’m honest, I was a pretty lazy person. I’ve always been shy, and more introverted, but this job has taught me so many skills. I’m still slightly reserved but have gained so much confidence and am now able to do things I wouldn't have thought possible.”

Learning to work with his strengths and trust his capabilities, Toby believes in the power of empathy, using his Psychology degree to work with his team rather than leading them rigidly.

“You have to be empathetic when building a team. Sales can be an emotional rollercoaster at times, you have massive highs, but can also “lose your attitude” as we call it, when your mindset isn’t conducive to getting the results you want. By empathising with someone’s external factors, and individual perspectives, I can work with them knowing why they are the way they are, and come to a more positive outcome for both of us.”

We asked Toby to pinpoint a moment when he realised what he was doing was getting him somewhere. He reiterates the importance of networking, but not for educational purposes alone, for belief in oneself. It’s all too easy to belittle someone’s success to a character trait they’re “lucky” to have, when in fact the answer is simply the effort they’ve invested.

“It wasn’t until I visited Belfast in January, that I truly understood the importance of confidence. I used to think everyone else was special, and more gifted in terms of sales and team building, but that was just a silly excuse. It wasn’t until I networked internationally

that I realised it’s a growth process, these incredible business owners were people just like me.”

Starting from such a reserved, uncertain place, we couldn’t waste this opportunity to ask Toby what his tips would be to change your outlook.

Network as much as you can

Toby credits our business network as a place to educate yourself, build your confidence and gather support. It’s there to be used, you’re not a nuisance, everyone has reached out and been grateful for a helping hand or listening ear, so they’re more than happy to pay it forward.

Make sure you have great habits & standards

You can always build upon sales skills, but having bad habits and low standards will never be conducive to great results. In particular, utilise your work ethic capabilities in the sales field, in the office and at home with further development and research.

Accountability

Toby admits he would blame external factors if things weren’t going his way, but the truth of the matter is, if you want the credit for when it goes well, you need to be accountable for when it doesn’t. It’s all your own doing.

If there were to be a before and after shot, Toby wants you to picture this:

Past Toby would wake up at 1pm. He’s now up and in the gym early, reaping the benefits not only physically but also within his business.

Past Toby didn’t read or listen to podcasts. At all. He now listens regularly and is armed with anecdotes, stories, lessons, motivation and recommendations to resonate and align key points for his team.

“I’m so grateful for the skills this industry has given me; I communicate more effectively, my confidence levels are all the way up, I’m more proactive and willing to use my initiative, but I’ve also got these incredible opportunities in front of me.”

What a difference a year can make when you give yourself a chance.

What could we be saying about you this timenext year?

PHIL REID The Satellite Strategy

As with all industries, the best business owners do things a little differently from the rest. To be the same as those around you intrinsically limits what you can achieve; you’ll hold yourself back, restrict your creativity and stick to unnecessary parameters.

It’s clear to see that The Promotions Company Organisation have turned business up a notch in recent times, expanding at a rate that’s difficult to keep up with. So, what’s changed? We spoke with Phil Reid about their recent success…

What is a Satellite Office?

“Learn to run your own business in a supported environment, not panicked, not overwhelmed”

By no means a new initiative, Satellite offices have always been a part of our industry. In essence, a budding entrepreneur is given the perfect training ground for opening their own office. Financially supported by the Sponsoring Business Owner, an additional office location is rented and set up with all administrative duties covered by the existing support staff. This freedom from pressure, allows the new business owner to operate without panic or fear of failure. They can continue to run their team with confidence, knowing they can already sell, recruit, and train, whilst getting to grips with managing their own office. They’ll be introduced to

the backend of the business gradually, following a structured plan with continued support throughout.

Theory only gets you so far, so by training within a real-life environment, you gain practical insight, observe authentic situations and experience for yourself when policies and systems are, and are not, working.

They’ll look at the operational side, as well as recruitment and finances, with the repeated process of observing, practising alongside others, and then full autonomy. Once they’ve proven themselves capable and confident of going solo, a new administration team will be recruited and trained to work within the new office location.

Makes an awful lot of sense, doesn’t it.

Ready for take-off

In order to get the backing from a Sponsoring Business Owner, individuals undoubtedly have to prove themselves to be a great investment. We asked Phil what he needs to see in an individual to believe they’re likely to succeed within this format.

Sales Consistency - You have to be acquiring a minimum of 12-20 acquisitions per week personally. Setting the standard week in, week out

Reliability - Proving yourself to be reliable and trustworthy, consistently. Being accountable, forthcoming and motivated without prompting

An absolute desire to learn - Wanting to develop, improve and understand further. These individuals are by no means a finished article once they hit Assistant Ownership. Business ownership is only the beginning, therefore, they need to enjoy the learning process

Problem-solving - They will be placed in a new space, new situations, with fresh challenges, different people and lots of obstacles to overcome. The capability to tackle these aspects with positivity, proactivity and creativity is paramount

Phil Reid and The ProCo team are thriving on this business model, here’s how the organisation currently stands:

Now Trading

Mark Widnell, Talk2Us Advertising

• Exeter

• Event Marketing with Charity Partners

Magda Zaworska and Vik Verma, Adway

• Bristol

• Residential Campaigns with Charity Partners

Asma Brahimi & Mohammed Ahmed, The Legion Marketing Group London

Residential Campaigns with Charity Partners

Floyd Marriot, Hydra Sales Group

• London

• Residential Campaigns with Fibre Telecommunications

Alh Boi Gae

• London

• Residential Campaigns & Fibre Telecommunications

Satellite Offices

Brett Smith & Katie Shears Exeter

Residential Campaigns with Charity Partners

Toby Linford

• Birmingham

• Residential Campaigns & Lotteries with Charity Partners

Meridian Reason

• London

• Residential Campaigns & Charity Partners

Bilal Hussein

• Birmingham

Residential Campaigns with Fibre Telecommunications

Ryan Beebee

Opening in May 2024

• Location to be finalised

• Residential Campaigns with Charity Partners

What a 2024 they’re set to have!

So, who’s next? Who will be setting themselves up for Quarter 2 or 3? Who will be the first to head into the North of the UK? Or Europe? We can’t wait to find out.

'Learn to run your own business in a supported environment, not panicked, not overwhelmed

'By no means a new initiative, Satellite offices have always been a part of our industry. In essence, a budding entrepreneur is given the perfect training ground for opening their own office. Financially supported by the Sponsoring Business Owner, an additional office location is rented and set up with all administrative duties covered by the existing support staff. This freedom from pressure, allows the new business owner to operate without panic or fear of failure'

Sparking Brilliance; Recruitment

'Would you have considered Recruitment as a form of Direct Sales? We do. Replace products or services with lifestyle, career and personal brand and you have yourself a sales pitch.'

Direct Sales is known as an industry that ‘packs a punch’. Some people were born to work in sales as they thrive on the competitive spirit, embrace the chance to engage with others and prefer to let their merits bolster their income. For others, direct sales can be a daunting realm whereby they’re the all-important go-to person for clients and

customers alike. Sales as a training ground for interpersonal skills is undeniable; the confidence, the communication skills, the results-driven mentality and the consequent capabilities are unlike any degree you’ll find. In our opinion.

Would you have considered Recruitment as a form of Direct Sales? We do. Replace products or services with lifestyle, career and personal brand and you have yourself a sales pitch.

To recruit incredible candidates you have to be able to listen to what your client needs, analyse an application holistically, and concept both parties on the value of each other. No candidate is recruited perfect, and no client is without room for improvement. Your job as a recruiter is to create corporate magic, marrying the pair together for individual and collaborative success.

Every recruiter is unique in their methods, systems, and styles, as is any brand. In order to best recruit for a particular business, you need to create your bespoke approach that aligns with their core values, working environment and company aspirations.

Our organisational recruiters are fantastic at understanding how each business owner operates; what sets them alight, what doesn’t sit well with them, what keeps them on track, and what truly matters. It’s with this insight that they set about finding the best talent possible, highlighting character traits and sparking potential partnerships.

A recruitment relationship with a brand, like any relationship, takes time. No Google search can match time spent with a business owner, observing how they work with others, and having conversations that go beyond the day-to-day. As weeks and months go by, a bond is formed, so while you’ve not only been learning company systems, policies and terminology, you’ve been attaining a better understanding of those around you.

Who are you recruiting into your circle?

'A professional brand is one area of life, but your personal brand envelops it'

On a less official stance, we’re all recruiters. Our friendships, our intimate relationships and families, our hobby cohorts, the search for connection never ends. What calibre of candidate are you attracting? And who are you drawn to?

'A professional brand is one area of life, but your personal brand envelops it.'

We’re all privy to the saying “surround yourself well” but those who come into your life aren’t the ones responsible for staying there. It’s important to look inward if you want to keep a circle of great people around you. What are you bringing to the table? How are you conducting yourself? What are you inspiring in others?

Businesses spend an awful lot of time, and money creating their ideal mission statements; a true reflection of what their brand means to them and what they desire to achieve. Perhaps it’s time you did the same for yourself.

'A recruitment relationship with a brand, like any relationship, takes time'

'We’re all privy to the saying “surround yourself well” but those who come into your life aren’t the ones responsible for staying there. It’s important to look inward if you want to keep a circle of great people around you. What are you bringing to the table? How are you conducting yourself? What are you inspiring in others?'

NEW RECRUITERS on the block!

With all this expansion, we’ve welcomed some friendly faces to the organisation. With lots of new names featured in this edition, we wanted to take some time to speak with some of our recruiters about their journey so far.

We grabbed the opportunity to talk to Lyna Nacereddine and Shahana Akhter from the Legion Group Marketing office in London, and Deni Haydon from The Promotions Company in Exeter.

Lyna: Joined LMG in August 2023

Shahana: Joined LMG in September 2023

Ladies! How are you both? You’ve been with the team for six months or so now, would you say your way of working has altered at all?

Lyna: I’d say so, yes. In the beginning, you’re given a script to help you practice and get to know the business objectives as well as the individual roles you’re recruiting for. You follow it rigidly! But when you’ve been here a little while, it starts to roll off the tongue. You start to understand what is expected of you, what’s important and why, so you become more relaxed and able to build rapport with candidates. You also start to learn how best to manage your time between calls, meetings, emails, appointments, etc.

Shahana: It becomes more of a conversation than a ticklist

Lyna: What ends up happening is you ‘mirror match’ the energy you’re receiving from candidates and you relate to people on different matters.

What would you say is your favourite part of the recruitment field?

Lyna: I would definitely say it’s being able to work with candidates from the beginning and then further into their careers. When somebody first picks up the phone while job hunting, they can be nervous and timid. Our job is to guide them through the process, and as our recruitment is in-house, we get to then see them succeed in their new

role too. Watching their confidence and enthusiasm grow bit by bit.

Shahana: I think for me it’s seeing the candidates I’ve personally recruited promoting themselves to leadership. We always go and watch their promotion celebration like proud parents, seeing their hard work being acknowledged, and getting to witness development in real life. That recognition is given to us too which is great, whether it’s praise, applause, mini rewards, or trips away. It’s nice to know you’re appreciated.

What’s the goal here, Ladies?

Lyna: We would love to branch out into event marketing which includes having an events coordinator, another recruiter and 100 brand ambassadors within the team. I really want to progress in this business just as Fran Davies and Kevin Nash have, developing my own role to handle the operational sides of the business too.

Shahana: I’d say our business goal is to make sure our current Brand Ambassadors are happy with the candidates we source for them too. We need to make sure everyone’s personality is considered.

And what about any personal goals?

Lyna: I’d love a lavish trip to Dubai!

Shahana: Ultimately, I would love an entire wall in my house reserved for designer handbags

Well, the results are speaking for themselves! You’re both doing fantastically for the Legion Marketing Group so we’re sure we’ll be seeing that Dior bag in no time.

'You are a person, they are a person, be personable'

Deni: Joined The Promotions Company in October 2023

Our newest recruiter to join the organisation, Deni is fresh out of an early years role and getting to grips with her new career in Exeter. What brought you to recruitment, Deni?

I’ve got a couple of friends who work in recruitment and they’ve always said I’d be good at it so why not give it a go? When I was looking, I had three offers on the table and the reason I joined The Promotions Company organisation was Kev. He was so kind and put me at ease straight away. I remember putting the phone down and thinking, “Wow, I’ve got a good feeling about this”. That’s massively impacted how I now approach my candidate sourcing, especially on ZoomThose calls can be daunting for people! I try to be understanding and friendly; everybody is human, we’re not robots at the end of the day.

What are you finding your strengths to be?

I’d say my biggest strength is empathy, being able to put myself in the candidate’s shoes. I was them only a few months ago after all. I’m naturally quite a bubbly and reassuring person, and want to make people feel at ease and welcome wherever possible. I like to think they can be themselves around me.

You’re still relatively new to the role, Deni, but what’s the goal here?

At the moment, it’s just to build a great team here in Exeter. We’re building foundations and now we want to develop within a happy, healthy and fun environment.

I’m also very aware I still have a lot to learn, so I want to take each day at a time, gaining experience and building my recruitment portfolio.

“You are a person, they are a person, be personable”

Top tips for someone starting within the recruitment industry?

Lyna: Follow what you have in front of you in the beginning but don’t be afraid to show up as yourself too. You are a person, they are a person, be personable.

Shahana: You should come into this industry because you want to, not because you have to. It has a completely different impact on your mindset; go with your heart and do things out of interest.

Deni: Something really simple but important is the two R’s: The Relationship and the Reminder. In essence, keep in contact throughout a twilight period to keep that relationship going. Life gets in the way sometimes so things get forgotten, it’s human nature. The candidates will be mortified if they’ve let something slip and ‘made a bad impression’, so help them put their best foot forward by being punctual, bringing the documents they need, knowing where they’re going, etc.

A pleasure to speak with you all, ladiesWelcome to the team and good luck for 2024!

Necessary skills for a healthy career in recruitment:

• Being enthusiastic and having a truly positive attitude

• Aligning the candidate's core values with the company's core values

• Good communication with those around you allowing you to multi-task successfully

• Having fun - A grumpy recruiter will get nowhere!

Adaptability - Thinking on your feet, using your initiative, and seeking solutions

I’d say my biggest strength is empathy, being able to put myself in the candidate’s shoes. I was them only a few months ago after all. I’m naturally quite a bubbly and reassuring person, and want to make people feel at ease and welcome wherever possible. I like to think they can be themselves around me

LEGION

Taking Shape

Last time we spoke with the Managing Directors behind The Legion Marketing Group, they had just cut the tape on their new office in Stratford and were embarking on the next step of entrepreneurship together. Six months on, where are we at?

From five people on the team to 30 plus, they’ve grown by more than 600%. That’s astonishing. With clients more than pleased, acquisitions rising, and the team building depth, they’ve had perhaps the most successful Chapter 1 in organisational history.

What we’d like to know is how they’ve got to this point. Success is never linear, so have there been challenges? Were there risks that went wrong? We asked Asma Brahimi herself.

“Ownership is not the end of the journey, it’s essentially the official beginning. This is the time to really knuckle down. Everything is on you, you can’t blame anyone else. Knowing how to overcome hurdles is a learning process so you need to be humble enough to know you’ll mess up sometimes and you’ll make mistakes, but learning to adapt, listen and learn from those around you is how you’ll get through them.”

As a partnership, Asma and Ahmed are known for their differing strengths; Asma is the organised and considered forward-thinker, and Ahmed is the ‘life and soul’, enthusiastic

and great with people.

Admittedly, Asma claims a major challenge when opening your own office is time. You now not only have a team of people to consider but a business to run from the front to the back. She relays her thought process when it comes to preparing for her business to succeed:

“A mistake I see people making is expecting to use the same amount of time planning for 30 people, as they did for three, but that’s not going to cut it. You need to be extremely planned and organised. 30 people is massive, you need to make sure your meetings are smooth, so your day, week, month and even quarter are mapped out.”

So, how do you find that extra time and due diligence? Team work. Involve those around you in your decision-making and show them how you choose to run your business. This will boost team morale, build trust between one another, develop everyone’s skills exponentially and free you up in the long run. Being a business owner can feel lonely if you let it; the responsibility is on your shoulders and all business outcomes are your fault, and yours only. Letting others affect your results can be a daunting concept, giving up that control is something many struggle to do. But, it is necessary if you want to develop your team.

'Taking control, making the decisions and seeing the results pay off. It’s for yourself. I’m working harder than I ever have previously, but it’s exciting to see what’s going to come out of that process.'

“Things will go ary; you’ll have spent time planning for people that don’t turn up, there’ll be last-minute issues and someone’s attitude can threaten the positive environment you’ve created. Without an overarching plan, chaos can descend and you can lose focus.”

With lots being learnt, and tonnes to discover still, we wanted to know what it is that sets Asma’s heart alight within business ownership. Interestingly enough, it’s something that we as individuals either thrive on or run from.

“Taking control, making the decisions and seeing the results pay off. It’s for yourself. I’m working harder than I ever have previously, but it’s exciting to see what’s going to come out of that process.”

Would that entice or deter you from starting your own business? Entrepreneurship is not for everybody, but isn’t it exciting to wonder whether it is your calling…

Are you:

• Proactive?

• Curious?

• Great with people; customers, clients and teammates?

• Prideful?

A believer in hard work paying off? Wanting to take ‘ownership’ of your career?

A final nugget of wisdom from Asma Brahimi on embarking on a business journey.

“Don’t try to be perfect, be curious instead. Accept the fact that you’re going to make mistakes and enjoy it. That’s the journey.”

Thank you for your time, Asma, and thank you for showing us what entrepreneurship can be.

Six months is not a long time, guys - Will you have made progressive steps for yourself in

“Don’t try to be perfect, be curious instead. Accept the fact that you’re going to make mistakes and enjoy it. That’s the journey.”

YOUR BUSINESS Your Brand

TOP TIPS FROM ROB COTTERELL

'I don’t think we’re doing anything particularly groundbreaking, but there’s always a mentality of what else can we do? We continually want to try and improve every aspect of the business. There’s this burning desire to keep evolving.'

Abusiness owner since 2014, a brand believer, always. Rob Cotterell is known within our organisation for stepping outside of his comfort zone with his business and it seems to have done him well so far! Let’s see what he has to say on the matter…

RedSeven Marketing and indeed The Mentorprise Organisation is known for evolving with the times; we wanted to delve a little deeper into your thought process behind that. Could you tell us where the confidence to set yourself apart from others came from?

Oh, it’s definitely a pride thing. I want to do the best I possibly can and do things properly, always. It’s quite strange, but I don’t generally care what people think about me, but I care massively what people think of my business. Personally, I’m a bit like Marmite and I know that. But if someone was to speak negatively about my business I’d be embarrassed.

I don’t think we’re doing anything particularly groundbreaking, but there’s always a mentality of what else can we do? We continually want to try and improve every

aspect of the business. There’s this burning desire to keep evolving.

I actually worked for Blockbuster when I was a teenager and I remember them being approached to do a DVD subscription service and take the business online. They rubbished it as we all know, they were a great shop, but what happened? LoveFilm came out, then Netflix, then society cancelled them.

That probably sits in my subconscious somewhere, the importance of staying relevant and trying to keep a step ahead of the average company.

That’s really insightful. What would you say have been your riskiest, yet most fruitful, decisions so far, Rob?

I don’t think I’ve ever taken a risk that wasn’t calculated. But moving my office to Bristol could have been seen as risky. Essentially starting again in a new city, with a new team to build. We were really settled in Swindon, our expenses were super low, and Nina was about to go off on maternity with our firstborn. But I always knew it would work long-term.

'Season 3 of The Mentorprise Podcast has now evolved from speaking with specific individuals to delving into overarching topics which we’re excited about. For example, we’ll speak on topics such as dealing with adversity, goal setting and team building, and bringing in the best within the industry to impart their knowledge and expertise. We’ll be able to give back to the audience in a tailored way.'

There’s been a tonne of success within Bristol, our team is full of outstanding people, we’ve promoted another Assistant Owner in Rosie, we’ve gained a fantastic Recruiter in Sophie and the business is making great money. If we keep going the way we’re going, with the amount of talented people here in Bristol, we’ll hit our goal of 20 offices by 2027.

Not only that, but I’ve never seen Matt so confident and on such great form as he is now running his business from the Swindon office without my being there. He’s managing that building by himself, which paved the way for him to make his next big step.

There must have been decisions that haven’t panned out the way you originally wanted them to - How do you work your way through those?

I think you have to reset. Go back to doing what you know works best. But I do believe these times bring a lot of positives too, nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say. I don’t take them as failures, it’s more “Okay, we learned something there, we left our comfort zone, we learned some skills and built our resilience”. If you don’t try you’ll never know.

If you’re honest and pragmatic in your approach there’s always something you can take away from a situation. You’re bound to make mistakes and I don’t ever get too stressed about that. But I guess that comes with experience. No matter who you are, we’re all learning, and you’re going to mess up at some point but as long as you’re prepared mentally for it not to always be ‘rosey’, it takes some of the pressure off.

Why is it so important to not simply ‘ride the tide’ with everyone else?

You don’t stand out. I’m always attracted to people doing cool things, so as a business I wouldn't ever want to be considered as ‘just another sales company’. I want to work with the best people, both from a client perspective and a team perspective. In order to do that, I have to attract and retain great people to my business.

What do you have up your sleeve for 2024, then?

Well, Season 3 of The Mentorprise Podcast has now evolved from speaking with specific individuals to delving into overarching topics which we’re excited about. For example, we’ll speak on topics such as dealing with adversity, goal setting and team building, and bringing in the best within the industry to impart their knowledge and expertise. We’ll be able to give back to the audience in a tailored way.

International long weekends away may well be introduced for the team too - Those whom we’d love to reward throughout the organisation, for various reasons. We’re looking at Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, etc, the cities we can visit that don’t add too much travel stress to their weeks.

Our next Mentorprise collection will be launching soon too, so keep your eyes peeled for brand-new merchandise.

Well, it seems even if Blockbuster didn’t learn from their mistakes, at least Rob Cotterell has! Thanks for speaking with us, Rob, bring on the next evolution!

Fibre on Charge

with Floyd Marriott

Well, well, well, if it isn’t Mr Floyd Marriott proving himself right!

HydraSales is having a moment, an electrifying one.

Since taking on the Fibre Telecommunications division in February 2022, Floyd and the team have upped their client acquisitions to… are you ready for this? 200 pieces per week. Do you know how much revenue that is for their clients? £250,000. Per week! By delivering these mutually beneficial partnerships, the ongoing relationship between customer and client generates not only immediate revenue and essential services, but long-term, successful collaborations.

But it’s not been plain sailing. Floyd is the first to admit it’s been a challenging journey thus far.

“It took us a long time to really figure out the new product and the division. But I had a vision of where telecoms was going and that is why I’ve stayed so steadfast in my resilience. We’re now coming to the point where that vision is being realised in the UK, as well as the Office of Telecommunication (Offcom) figures aligning.”

Resilience is paramount in business, no matter what industry you operate in. There’s no doubt that Floyd has shown immense dedication to his brand, clients and industry, but what else has been a winning factor for the business? Collaboration. Floyd describes the new division as a challenging one, with “the ground always shifting beneath your feet” and high-pressure calls becoming a weekly occurrence for everyone involved.

Without the unwavering belief that this division was a success in the making, longevity may well have been an issue. But the element that’s made all the difference to the HydraSales team has been the working relationship they’ve forged with their clients.

“Our biggest fibre client right now is Community Fibre, they are the number 1 Trustpilot-rated company in London. We’ve had a difficult, long and arduous journey to this point, but I am grateful for them, and to them, for sticking with us, and us to them. We have been a constant partner in allowing our competencies to grow and learn together”

It’s fair to say we’re not all blessed with resilience, so where does Floyd’s come from? Something we can all harness in our day-to-day lives; a holistic perspective. No successful enterprise has been without hardship. There will be issues both externally and internally in any business, those that come out of the other side are the ones that are able to objectively tackle these problems. You learn more from your challenges than your successes, the likes of Tesco, Barclays and Meta will tell you that, so take some risks and make some mistakes!

'Our biggest fibre client right now is Community Fibre, they are the number 1 Trustpilot-rated company in London. We’ve had a difficult, long and arduous journey to this point, but I am grateful for them, and to them, for sticking with us, and us to them'

We couldn’t feature the growth of the fibre division without mentioning Alh Boi Gae and Martin Adrien, Floyd’s right-hand men within the HydraSales organisation. We are a product of our environment, and these guys have created a hub of support for both Floyd and themselves to succeed.

“Alh has never wavered. He has really pioneered our success alongside me and is extremely resilient, even when I have faltered he has given me a lot of support and led the way in our office. And Martin believes in me more than I believe in myself sometimes! He’s always reminding me of the tremendous success we’ve created previously. There was never an ounce of doubt in his mind that we’d do it again. And here we are.”

What a team, what a future. So what’s changing in 2024, Floyd?

With Alh opening his own office in quarter one, and a satellite office heading to Birmingham, the HydraSales organisation will become four locations. The growth of the industry is not limited to the sales division though. With the influx of customers Floyd’s team have granted Community Fibre, they too have expanded with more contractors and they’ve had to redo their entire CRM system to keep pace. What a fantastic example of mutually beneficial working partnerships.

Choose your circle wisely, guys.

'It took us a long time to really figure out the new product and the division. But I had a vision of where telecoms was going and that is why I’ve stayed so steadfast in my resilience.'

2023 Celebrations

What. An. Event. The biggest and best we’ve ever had. Our Christmas parties are notorious, but 2023 may well have trumped them all. The vibes, the energy radiating throughout that building, the glitz, the glamour and the festive shenanigans - We’re a fortunate bunch.

The people we have the pleasure of working with every day are nothing short of incredible, so to be able to celebrate, recognise and congratulate all the success and individual merit is always a night to cherish. For 2023, our venue of choice was the Radisson Edwardian in Manchester.

This year’s theme was Ibiza, with music performed by Anita Ryan Events. Including an incredible violinist and a great DJ, the whole dance floor was jumping! There were ‘Angel Girls’ on stilts, glitter artists, fantastic food and an awards gala to showcase the best of the best. Here are just a few individuals who found themselves on stage:

Owner of the Year 2023: Phil Reid

New Owners of the Year 2023: Asma Brahimi and Muhammad Ahmed

Most Improved 2023: Floyd Marriott

There was also massive recognition for all the newly

promoted owners, assistant owners and crew leaders, as well as a huge group of the support staff receiving appreciation for their endless hard work throughout the year.

Special recognition goes to our top secret agents who were able to successfully complete the mission of keeping a secret from Fran Davies! Her 20th anniversary with the Mantra Organisation was never going to go unmarked so we published a magazine in her honour, celebrating all things Fran. We also launched The Francis Davies Award in her name, one that will be given annually to someone unique, someone who goes above and beyond and has truly made a difference to those around them.

The photos are fabulous and there’s a video to watch too!

We ended the year with a bang, but the team didn’t nose-dive into Christmas afterwards, they continued to perform extremely well in December. What a way to celebrate a fantastic year in business.

Photo Album

A selection of some of our favourite photos from recent events

Podcasts and Books

When do you listen to your podcasts? As you’re getting ready in the morning? On your way to work? While exercising? Wherever you plug in, we recommend carving some time into your audio schedule for these.

The Mentorprise Podcast

Season 3

You're Wrong About

Get Out Of Your Head and into Your Life

Season 3 sees a change in direction with insightful topics taking centre stage as opposed to inspirational guest stories. Helping those within the direct sales industry, and further afield, to tackle challenges, milestones and entrepreneurial speed bumps with strategic consideration and tailored approaches.

By: The Mentorprise Organisation

Gain insight, perspective and alternative thinking with this unique podcast. It’ll question what you think you know about history and spark captivating conversations with those around you.

Cool People

Who Did Cool Stuff

By: Michael Hobbes & Sarah Marshall

This awesome podcast covers a fascinating story in each episode, from amazing inventions to world-changing revolutions. It’s sure to keep you inspired to make an impact and equip you with plenty of conversational genius to connect with those around you.

By: Margeret Killjoy & Sophie Rae Lichterman

An avid reader could spend a small fortune on new books, so something we endorse is using the local library. Did you know you can order any book for free? So, not only are you saving money and environmental resources, but you’re utilising a community service and won’t feel so obliged to finish a book if it’s not quite living up to expectations. If we knew how many books we had left to read in our lives, we wouldn’t waste a single second on one we weren’t enjoying!

Here are a few of our ‘must reads’ for 2024…

Books

01

02

The Price of Life: In Search of What We're Worth and Who Decides

Jenny Kleeman

So who decides what we’re worth? What is your life worth to you? Delving deep into the cost of living our lives, what we lose and what we gain. A great new read for opening up the mind to what our future could be.

Delayed Gratification

Delayed Gratification Magazine

Want to be more informed about the world we’re living in? The Delayed Gratification series touches base on the world’s events once the dust has settled, giving a detailed and accurate account of the situation. How it came about, what was the catalyst, what occurred and what the resolve is, if any. A useful resource in your tool kit.

The Algebra of Wealth

03

Scott Gallaway

In a 2024 world, we’re granted more choice, more opportunity, and more content to follow, but we’re also faced with retirement questions, climate ambiguity, and a rising cost of living. This book will help you take control of your finances and create safety nets for your future.

Love Saves the Day

SEPTEMBER 2024

Love Saves The Day is inspired by bringing together culture and community within Bristol. We want our spaces to be inclusive of people from all backgrounds, diverse in output and a place where people can come together and share their knowledge, experience and culture in a space that is open and accessible for all

AUGUST 2024

Glastonbury

Glastonbury Festival is a five-day festival of contemporary performing arts held near Pilton, Somerset, England in most summers. In addition to contemporary music, the festival hosts dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret, and other arts

£30,911,600

MONEY RAISED FOR CHARITIES 2023

Office List

Our

UK

Mantra Marketing Group

James Buckley Francis Davies www.mantramarketinggroup.com

RedSeven Marketing

Robert Cotterell Bristol www.redsevenmarketing.co.uk

RedSeven Marketing

Dale Trinder Cheltenham website coming soon

Monument Promotions

Matt Nicholson Swindon www.monumentpromotions.co.uk

TLN Marketing

Fidel Nanton Swindon website coming soon

Redline Promotions Chance Cowie Manchester www.redlinepromotions.co.uk

The Promotions Company 1 Phil Reid Bristol www.promotions-company.co.uk

The Promotions Company 2 Kathryn Shears & Brett Smith Exeter www.promotions-company.co.uk

The Promotions Company 3 Toby Lindford Birmingham www.promotions-company.co.uk

Hydra Sales

Floyd Marriott London website coming soon

Adway Marketing Magda Zaworska Vik Verma Bristol website coming soon

Talk to Us Advertising

Mark Widnell Exeter website coming soon

Legion Marketing Group Muhammad Ahmed / Asma Brahimi Stratford website coming soon

RUSSIA

People Boosted Veronika Ovechkina Moscow www.peopleboosted.com

Ivse Group

Ivan Dmitrachkov Saint Petersburg www,innovate-solution.ru

Luck Look Company Ayna Papedova Sochi www.lucklookcompany.com

Direct Dialog Aidar Zamaletdinov Moscow www.directdialog.ru

Well Mood

Radik Kamalov Saint Petersburg www.wmwemake.com

Raycom

Daniel Ray Moscow website coming soon

Kings Way Dmitry Tsarev Moscow www.kings-way.ru

Mediators

Evgeniy Miheenko Saint Petersburg www.meamarketing.by

DANKAI Marketing Group Alexander Nikiforov Moscow www.dankai.ru

“We Shine Bright So That Others May Shine Brighter.”