Business is about people.
Who you work with is important. Let me introduce myself.
About me
Hello. I am Ian Guest. I am the owner and founder of Greybeard Marketing. I have enjoyed a career which spans over 35 years, occupying a variety of senior marketing and sales roles with both national and international remits.
I have a wealth of experience working with corporate and entrepreneurial small businesses, every role providing a new opportunity to learn something new and utilise my knowledge to make a positive impact.
Over time, I have built up a proven ability to scale business, lead transformation, and deliver shareholder value through growth and successful exits. It’s been fun!
I have been fortunate enough to work with some great and incredibly inspiring people throughout my career. Will you be the next?
A few of my beliefs
I believe business is about people. Surrounding yourself with the right people who share the same beliefs and values can only enhance your chance of success. So professionally, what are some of the things I believe in?
In no particular order, here, for the non superstitious among you, is my top 13:
Marketing is more than a function
1
It is more than events, collateral and leads. Marketing should be part of the very fabric of the business. From strategy and demand generation to brand and customer experience, good marketing runs deep.
AI in marketing and business
2
No list would be complete without something on AI. There is no doubt AI has a part in business, but tread carefully. View it as an aid for efficiency gains and speeding up processes, not as replacement for the human touch or personal creativity. Understand it, embrace it and use it wisely.
Culture breeds success
3
Culture is important in business because it shapes how people think, behave and make decisions, directly influencing performance, collaboration and customer experience. A strong, positive culture drives engagement, consistency and long-term success.
The customer experience is key
4
A good customer experience is key in elevating your brand and ultimately business success. In a competitive market, delivering an exceptional customer experience can be the difference between success and failure. And every person in the business has a part to play!
Invest in your people
5
A motivated and engaged employee is worth their weight in gold. Motivation is not all about financial renumeration. Investment in training, development and support is equally important. Enable and empower them to do their job and to grow personally. You won’t regret it!
Integrated marketing wins
6
Success is not achieved by a single activity. A healthy marketing plan that delivers and realises your growth potential, blends a range of different activities into a single cohesive plan that is closely aligned with business objectives.
Measure marketing contribution
7
Defining and measuring the value of your marketing effort is not easy, but that is not to say you shouldn’t try. Look beyond the ‘vanity stats’ (ie. clicks and impressions) and translate the marketing effort into a measurable value understood by shareholders.
Never stop learning
8
We are never too old to learn. With the rate of change nowadays, this has never been more prevalent. But it’s not just new technologies or trends, every experience and every person we work with provides a new opportunity to learn – good or bad!
Know your audience
9
You won’t achieve success sat behind your desk. Get out there – virtually and in person – to talk to your customers, partners and others in your target market. Hear what they have to say. Get inspired. Find those golden nuggets. No one knows your audience better than they do!
Relationships build business
10
From the front desk to the boardroom and beyond, there is value in every relationship. Treat others with respect. Be authentic. Build long lasting real relationships. After all, people buy from people even when they are not selling!
Data will illuminate your path (but don’t get blinded!)
11
Data is at the heart of so much. It can provide answers, insights, direction, new opportunities, performance guidance … and so on. There is no shortage of data, but having the right data available is like running the business with the lights fully on as opposed to using a candle!
Don’t underestimate the basics
12
Getting the basics right provides a solid foundation for your marketing and business growth. Knowing your business’s purpose, personality, value and audience is the key to underpinning your activity. Neglecting this can often lead to false starts and wasted time and effort.
Marketing alone is not enough
13
Strong marketing will contribute to growth and success, but not on its own. Like my first point about marketing running deep, it works both ways. Without strong sales & business alignment, marketing will always fall short. There may not be an ‘I’ in team, but there is an ‘M’!
Senior-level marketing experience without the full-time cost
Strategy and hands-on execution support
Practical, jargon-free advice you can act on immediately
Frontline experience. I have been on your side of the fence!
Flexible engagement models
Focus on capability building, not dependency
Review of and interface with agencies where necessary
Proven track record to deliver
Broader understanding of business
A personal promise that I will do my best for you
What you get when you work with me
Get in Touch
To find out more, or register interest in an initial no obligation, free of charge Clarity Pulse check on your marketing activity, complete the form below and I’ll be in touch.