The Marketing Centre (Eastern) Newsletter

Well, Christmas is well behind us now, and as we look ahead, 2025 is shaping up to be the most interesting year since... well, 2020!

As we step into the new year, it’s worth reflecting on how our businesses weathered the storms of the pandemic. We’ve come through challenges stronger, and while 2025 will bring its own uncertainties, it’s unlikely to rival the upheaval of recent years. That’s something to feel confident about.

Throughout my career, and my time running a business, I’ve learned a few key lessons that seem especially relevant as we prepare for the year ahead:

1. The more “noise” in the external environment, the more important it is to focus only on what you can influence and let go of what you can’t.
2. Times of change present an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reassess where your business is going. Understanding the external factors at play helps identify the most achievable growth opportunities.
3. Big challenges are often the most rewarding. Tackling change head-on and achieving results makes the journey worthwhile.

As the saying goes,?“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”

That could well be the motto for 2025. Here’s to another year of tackling challenges, managing change, and achieving great things together.

Warm regards,

Looking for long-term efficiency savings?

It’s something we should all aim for daily, but it often gets pushed aside by immediate priorities.

?AI has emerged as one of the biggest opportunities to create these savings—and not just for tasks like scenario planning, customer research, or email writing using tools like ChatGPT. The possibilities are expanding rapidly, and staying ahead of the curve could transform your business.?

The latest?Google Trends Report?is an excellent starting point. It highlights practical ideas and opportunities to integrate AI into your operations and uncover long-term efficiency gains.

Explore?the?report?here.

Looking to better align your marketing strategy with ambitious growth goals?

Discover how Harmony Fire achieved?double-digit sales growth?by:

1. Developing a clear marketing strategy?that set the foundation for success.
2. Enhancing digital marketing efforts, focusing on social media and Account-Based Marketing.
3. Implementing thought leadership initiatives, including monthly CPD programs and white papers.

This approach delivered over?200 marketing-qualified leads?and significantly?strengthened their brand positioning.

Curious about applying these strategies to your business??

Click here to read the full case study on how this was achieved.

Business success isn’t just about working hard—it’s about working smart.

At first glance, surfing might seem worlds apart from business. But in reality, success in both relies on the same core strategies: timing, positioning, and adaptability.

In my latest LinkedIn article, I share what surfing can teach us about riding the waves of market dynamics, the economy, and the wider world to position your business for success.

Read?the?full?article?here.

Unlock Growth: Strategies & Support for Scaling Businesses: A Business Breakfast to Drive Your Success

Looking to scale your business? Need strategies and support to unlock growth?

Join our free business breakfast event on 28th March for expert insights.

In today’s tough economic climate, scaling and securing funding is challenging—but there’s more support than ever to help ambitious businesses like yours. To equip you with the right tools, Liberti Group and partners (People Puzzles, The Marketing Centre, The CFO Centre UK, Vistage UK, Mattioli Woods, and EA First) are hosting a panel discussion with top business leaders, funding experts, and scaling specialists.

When: Friday 28th March 2025, 08:30 – 10:30 AM

Where: St John's Innovation Centre Ltd, Cambridge CB4 0WS

What You’ll Gain:

Actional Insights from our Expert Panel – Elaine O'Brien, MBA, Jeremy Hyde, Simon Morris, Liz Allan, Colin Stickland, Antonia Maclean, and Giles Greenfield

Who will be discussing key insights on scaling successfully and becoming investment- or exit-ready, including:

? Is external funding right for you?

? Building a standout pitch deck

? Preparing for due diligence & risk reduction

? Creating a high-performing team

? Attracting & retaining customers

? Leveraging tech for faster growth

Q&A Session – Ask the experts your burning questions

Unmatched Networking – Connect with business leaders, funders & specialistsDon’t miss this opportunity—register for free now! ??

https://lnkd.in/eQNvt2iY

Normally, my newsletters profile a member of the Eastern Counties team.

But given this month’s theme, I wanted to finish with one of the best examples of someone who’s used hard work and adaptability to build multiple businesses:?Dave Fishwick.

?Despite leaving school with few qualifications and starting out as a trainee bricklayer, Dave opened the first new UK bank in over 100 years.

You might know him from “Bank of Dave,” but his real-life story is even more fascinating. Dave’s journey is proof that with determination, anything is possible—and he’s an inspiration to everyone who dares to dream big.

As someone once said:?"If you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right."

Watch?this?inspiring?clip?from?Dave?here.

I leave you with this tip from Mark Manson:

The most impactful things you do are often the things you don’t do:

1. The distractions you don’t indulge
2. The toxic people you don’t engage
3. The opportunities you turn down
4. The bad relationships you leave
5. The fights you walk away from

Experience tells me that having a plan and avoiding the temptations of 1. and 3. are often the secret to long term success. Wishing you all the best for 2025. Whatever it brings!

Colin

Colin Stickland

Regional Director - Eastern Counties

t: 07736 900696

e: [email protected]

l: LinkedIn

w: themarketingcentre.com