March News Welcome to March, and springtime! This tends to be the time of year where companies and sales perk up after the post-festive slump, and we’ve certainly noticed that amongst our associates! From now on, SmartNews will introduce a Business Profile for some of our partners each month – let us know what you think. Top 3 Resourceful Moments Administration Three days before a client was due…

 March News

Welcome to March, and springtime!

Top 3 Resourceful Moments

Administration

Three days before a client was due to attend a major exhibition, their sales material was stolen. SmartPA redesigned the point of sale material and outsourced a localised print and design company which enabled us to deliver the material within a day of the event itself. We delivered 50% inside budget and the event itself was a great success!

Managing a client’s extremely busy diary to co-ordinate the one date in 6 weeks where associates from 3 different countries could meet to discuss the development of a new product.

Event

After a last-minute letdown by a venue, it was all systems go on trying to find a new location for a team building event with less than a week to go. We were able to arrange a new venue, caterer and transport, meaning that the client’s weekend could go ahead as planned – in an even better location!

How relevant are partnerships?

In today’s ever changing market, success can be related to how good your connections are; joint ventures have never been more relevant. According to SmartPA CEO Andrew Wright, “After the breakdown of the financial markets in 07, it is our view that businesses will never go back to the way they were, and most now realise they have a responsibility to be better framed. Whether it’s ensuring that costs are better managed, or borrowings are kept under control, demands on our business leaders have never been more in focus.

We continue to grow SmartPA both in the UK and overseas, and our promise to our customers is to increase efficiencies whilst reducing costs. In order to help deliver our promise, we need to continue to develop innovative and inspiring partnerships both at home and abroad.

Business Profile

Tell us about your background.
I became a salesman at the age of 19 and throughout my business career have remained “passionate” about sales. I spent 34 years in the corporate world in the print industry, the last 10 years on the main board of a multi-national PLC.

After a brief flirtation with “retirement” I started my own sales consultancy business Cooper Bradbury Associates and then became involved with an emerging networking company and 8 years on I am Chairman and Development Director of 4Networking. By my own admission these last 8 years have been the most “fun” I have had in my career to date and I have no plans to repeat the “retirement” experience any time soon!

What is your favourite part of the job?
Helping our members to achieve greater success in their business lives.

What inspires you in business most?
Being able to make a difference.

What are you known best for in the office?
Always looking for a “sale”.

Best and worst things in life?
Being able to relax and party with old friends when you know you’ve done a good job. Knowing someone is going to fail even when you’ve done your best to help them.

Who would play you in a film of your life?
Michael Caine

Reminder

The start of UK Summer Time at midnight on Saturday 29th/Sunday 30th March – get that extra hour back by delegating to your SmartPA.