Communicating
The advice comes free - we only charge for any work agreed
Testimonials
"The training was concise, well presented and, most of all, directly relevant to what we were trying to achieve"
Charles O'Flynn,
Matchwalk Management Consultants



"We wanted to rebrand the Recovery side of the business, produce a new brochure that positioned us uniquely from our competitors and produce a website. Chris managed the whole process quickly and efficiently and we are delighted with the end results. A number of our customers and competitors have said how good the brochure and website are."
Gordon Johnston,
recoveryhjs,
Southampton


"The subject of communications is a wide ranging one, and one that is fundamental to our very existence. Chris gave an enjoyable and fascinating insight in to TA and how we can apply it."
Jean Clarke,
Chair, Region 2,
Institute of Advanced Motorists



"Chris Robinson has been invaluable in guiding our stratigic policies."
Neil Ward,
Aaron Office Furniture



"We recognised we needed to understand the market we wanted to enter better, and instructed Chris Robinson to design and deliver a market research campaign. Chris got on and completed the work ahead of schedule and within our budget. The results exceeded our expectation and our project has benefited tremendously from the insight the research gave us."
Chris Reynolds
Project Manager,
Equipment Direct


"All admire the expert way that Chris has organised and presented numerous skills at the training sessions throughout this period."
Rex Brittain,
Group Secretary,
Group 2211 Institute of Advanced Motorists



"Chris takes the airy-fairy subject of marketing and tells us what to do - brilliant, job done!"
Richard Rhodes,
FCM Services


"Chris is hugely experienced in his field. I have found working with Chris has always been very helpful to me."
Andrew Curtis,
Fountain Financial Guidance



"Communicating enabled us to achieve a more straight forward approach to our marketing. We know Chris will be there when we need support and he is a friendly person to deal with."
Paul Clift,
Working Telecoms



"Chris’s enthusiasm and encouragement has imbued me with vigour and a real conviction that running a business can be enjoyable."
Tim Lyons,
Tim Lyons & Co


"Chris Robinson has trained staff within my companies since 1987. His knowledge and approach has helped many staff to move to a new level of ability, and I have always found investment in Chris well placed."
Lawrence Sheldon,
A Blue Chip Corporation
Marketing Tips
Under pressure, most companies reduce prices. But as prices are reduced and margins eroded, so quality and service suffer and the pressure increases. The best option is a review of the whole business with a view to formulating a strategy to maximise the remaining profit potential and reduce other costs accordingly.


Selling is the eyeball to eyeball negotiation that closes the deal. Marketing is everything else that creates the selling opportunity. The research that went into the product or service, the pricing and packaging, the means of distribution and the brochures and marketing collateral that supports the sale.


They say get big, get niche or get out. The fact is that the more you segment your market and the more you focus, the lower your marketing costs and the higher your gross profit margin.


Testimonials are great. You can get well known customers to say things about you that you cannot say about yourself! A testimonial (with a picture) on every page of your brochure and website, adds credibility and enhances your reputation.


Professor Igor Ansoff says there are only four strategies for growing a business. A Penetration strategy is the cheapest, simplest and least risky and all companies should have an agreed penetration strategy.


It is surprising how many companies do not really understand their customers or why their customers buy from them. Just one day’s well thought out research of your customer base could reveal some very helpful truths.


Sometimes you need so many words to say something that the best thing to do is say it with a photo, picture or diagram. Positioning maps and diagrams are an excellent way of saying your company is so much better than your competitors but without actually saying so!


The Boston Consulting Group devised a clever matrix of Cash Cows, Rising Stars, Problem Children and Dogs. Companies should know which of their products and services fall into which category and have an agreed product development strategy to ensure the Cash Cows of the future.


Your Unique Selling Points (USP’s) could include the way you package your product or service, the way you deliver them, the guarantees you offer, the after sales service you provide and the way you market your products or services. All these things help you develop a unique offer.

Overseas Trade & Investment

Would you like to win contracts abroad or in emerging markets?
Would you like to expand your sales and profitability through exporting?

Are you aware of the cultural differences between (just!) the English speaking countries?
Do you know why the majority of businesses that set up in America fail?
If a Japanese business man hands you his business card – do you know how to receive it?
Have you undertaken low cost research into any foreign market?

When attending the first business meeting with a Middle East business man – do you know what will happen and what is expected of you?

Winning contracts abroad and exporting can be a wonderful way of increasing profitability but you need:

Communicating have considerable experience helping companies win contracts abroad and export, including advising companies on whether they should:

Communicating’s international consultancy services often complement the excellent Government services offered to new exporters, through UK Trade and Investment and their regional network of offices.

Communicating can assist UK companies looking to win contracts abroad, set up overseas operations or to move into certain overseas markets/countries for the first time. For example, we can advise on the best way to approach finding a local agent in a difficult overseas market, or help develop an export strategy sensitive to the prevailing host country’s business culture. Other services include advice on the best way to go about terminating a local agency agreement, according to the local circumstances, customs and laws.

Communicating can help companies negotiate the often difficult political terrain that goes with acquiring public sector work in overseas markets, using their contacts in Embassies and elsewhere to provide the up-to-date political advice key to successful bidding.

Chris Robinson is a frequent speaker on exporting and has run export seminars at the Henry Stuart Conference Centre, in South Africa and on board Canberra. Chris ran The Var magazine’s marketing clinic for 5 years.

Andy Ashcroft is a highly experienced international operator with wide experience of trade and investment development. This was gained over nearly 3 decades as a front-line, trade development-orientated diplomat working in the Middle East and Far East, Central and Eastern Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Andy was appointed as Britain’s Ambassador to the Dominican Republic and Haiti when still in his late thirties, making him one of the youngest British Ambassadors globally at the time.

Andy has been instrumental in helping many companies – including Landrover, JCB, Philip Harris International, De La Rue, HSBC, Biwater – win major contracts in tough overseas markets. Andy also has much practical experience in working with and advising NGOs in the Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean.

Andy’s diverse skills set includes high-level commercial negotiating, networking, multi-lingual communications, PR and press handling as well as high-level public speaking, including motivational speaking geared to leadership and team building.

Communicating’s range of services include:

Chris Robinson’s and Andy Ashcroft’s diverse and practical international experience brings a unique outlook and perspective to Communicating. Companies and organisations looking for high quality, informed but practical advice, as they approach overseas markets for the first time, would be well advised to tap into this considerable experience.

Call Communicating on 023 8028 2366 now or email chris@communicating.co.uk