Tag Archive for: case studies

, ,

How a Recruitment Company Broke the Mould

Meet Ironside Resources – not your ordinary recruitment company. They’re on a mission to help defence force veterans find meaningful civilian careers, and their story of transformation is anything but ordinary.

The Challenge

When Rowena, Ironside’s co-founder, first reached out, she was facing a common dilemma. Despite doing extraordinary work, her company’s brand wasn’t capturing the true essence of their mission. In a sea of recruitment agencies, Ironside’s unique value was getting lost.

Finding the True Gold

Through our Impact Alchemy process, we discovered something powerful. Rowena wasn’t just placing veterans in jobs – she was creating a bridge between military and civilian life. Having supported her partner Glenn through his military career, she understood that veterans need more than employment – they need a sense of belonging and identity.

Magic in the Details

The real transformation happened when we turned this understanding into action. We built smart systems that could scale their personalised approach without losing their heart. As Rowena shares:

‘The way you’ve set up the automations in Clixio CRM is nothing short of amazing! For those just looking and pondering their next steps, the nurturing happens automatically. But the real magic? Our placed candidates get emails that look and sound exactly like us – even though they’re automated. The authentic brand voice you created gives them ‘the feels’, reinforcing the connection they already have with us. When we pick up the phone, it’s like chatting with an old friend. I love how we’re able to scale that personal touch while keeping it genuine!’

Breaking Free from the Box

This is what makes this story special – we didn’t just create another corporate brand. We helped Rowena and her team own what makes them different. No more generic recruitment speak. No more blending in. We:

  • Crafted a strategy that amplified their mission
  • Built a website that truly reflected their purpose
  • Developed a content funnel that resonated with their audience
  • Created nurturing workflows that maintained genuine connections

Getting Noticed

Today, Ironside stands out in their market. They’re not just another recruitment company – they’re trusted guides helping veterans write their next chapter. This is what happens when you stop trying to fit the standard recruitment mould and start embracing your unique approach.

The Impact

The transformation went beyond brand colours and websites. It gave Ironside the confidence to show up authentically and make the impact they were truly meant to make – all while scaling their personal touch.

Are you running a service business that’s ready to break free from the cookie-cutter approach? Let’s chat about uncovering your unique contribution and creating a brand that truly reflects your mission.

/by
, , , ,

The Art of Attracting High-Value Clients: Mastering Brand Awareness and Development

Many entrepreneurs find themselves in a frustrating cycle of attracting clients who don’t quite fit the bill. These clients might undervalue services, request endless customisations, or haggle over prices. It’s a common issue that can lead to a scattered product line and difficulty scaling. For those nodding along, it’s time to take a fresh look at brand positioning. The goal? To attract those high-value clients who truly appreciate expertise and are ready to invest.
Let’s explore how to refine a business’s place in the market:

Step One: Uncover the Unique Contribution

It all starts with a bit of soul-searching. Entrepreneurs often struggle to package and convey their vision. This is where my ‘Impact Alchemy’ comes into play. It’s about digging deep to reveal what’s at the heart of a service, going beyond what traditional brand strategists might focus on.

Step Two: Size Up the Competition

Understanding what sets a business apart is crucial. By analysing competitors, entrepreneurs can identify gaps in the market that align with their unique skills. This insight is gold for effective brand positioning.

Step Three: Get Inside the Market’s Head

This is where entrepreneurs need to really connect with their ideal client. Start by defining one person, one problem, and one solution. It’s about gaining an intimate understanding of the niche.

Step Four: Craft a Compelling Story

People connect with people before ideas. A brand’s story and philosophy are what resonate with an audience. It’s not just about what a business does, but why they do it. This personal connection is what forges deep, meaningful relationships with clients.

Step Five: Nail the Positioning Statement

With a clear understanding of the unique contribution, competitors, and market desires, it’s time to craft a positioning statement that truly represents the brand. But it doesn’t stop there. A brand should have its own personality that walks the journey alongside its clients.

Great storytelling is key to building a standout brand. It’s about finding the language and messaging that aligns with the brand’s philosophy and resonates with the audience. This becomes the heartbeat of the brand, something people can relate to and rally behind.

What’s Next?

For entrepreneurs grappling with their unique selling proposition, remember: it’s the depth and resonance of the brand’s story that will elevate it beyond the flat and generic. It’s not just about standing out—it’s about standing true to what the business brings to the table and connecting with those who appreciate and seek that unique value.

By following these steps, entrepreneurs can transform their brand from just another option to the go-to choice for their ideal clients. It’s about creating a brand that not only attracts high-value clients but also resonates with the core values of the business.

/by
, , , ,

Pedaling to Success: A Spin Class Encounter That Revolutionised Leadership Training Marketing

Ever had one of those synchronous moments while doing something completely unrelated to work? 

 

I met Anita Cunningham on a spin bike at the gym. She knew what she was doing – I was a total newbie!

 

She helped me out with how to work the bloomin’ bike so I could start to get my sweat on. I thanked her and went on my merry way at the end of the session. 

 

Later that night we happened to run into each other at the members section of the football! So weird – among 80,000 people I was like “aren’t you that lady from the gym this morning!?”

 

One thing led to another, (well Anita stalked me on facebook) and next minute she was asking for brand and marketing advice!

 

From Spin Bikes to Strategic Branding: An Unexpected Partnership

 

Anita – the face behind a leadership training business that was already well-entrenched with big names like Telstra and Kmart – was successful at her training – but not so much in her marketing efforts!

 

Anita’s digital guy had been focusing on building her local google business listing, and a little bit of google ads. But in the crowded world of leadership training, that’s about as effective as shouting into the wind. So, over a cuppa, Anita picked my brain about how to really make her brand stand out.

 

We rolled up our sleeves and got stuck into her business, looking for gaps and opportunities. It was clear as day that we needed to do more than just fiddle with Google Ads. My plan? To turn Anita into an omnipresent force across platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook, showcasing her unique take on leadership training.

 

You see, Quality Business Services (that’s Anita’s company) had a different approach to leadership training – one that didn’t always mesh with what HR departments thought they needed. We had to bridge that knowledge gap and show potential clients why Anita’s holistic approach was better than the soft skills alternative.

 

Crafting a Holistic Marketing Ecosystem: Beyond Just Lead Generation

 

Over the next 9 months, we crafted a marketing ecosystem that didn’t just attract leads – it educated and nurtured them too. We developed a leadership skills audit as a bite-size opt-in for her website, serving to signal serious interest in her services. We gave her brand a proper makeover, from her website to a snazzy Canva branding system that Anita could use herself.

 

But we didn’t stop there. We designed brochures for her nationwide events, introduced clever QR-coded business cards (leading to a changeable landing page), and developed email sequences that were crucial in shifting perspectives and nurturing potential clients.

 

Recognising that people needed a taste of Anita’s expertise, we introduced smaller, teaser workshops. This gave prospects a chance to see what made Anita’s team special and helped them stand out from the crowd.

 

We built a proper marketing machine – a year’s worth of evergreen social media content, a new website, and a CRM system to keep everything ticking along nicely. We packed her website with SEO-rich blogs and used the personal stories of her trainers to give her brand that authentic, authoritative edge.

 

From Faff to Fab: The Power of Strategic Personal Branding

 

The result? A comprehensive marketing strategy that saved Anita 10-15 hours a week on social media faff, and ensured that when someone needed a leadership trainer, Anita’s brand was the one they remembered.

 

This journey with Anita wasn’t just about fancy marketing tools – it was about telling her story in a way that truly represented what her business was all about. It’s a cracking example of how the right strategy can turn a personal brand into a powerhouse.

 

And for me? It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best business connections happen when you’re sweating it out on a spin bike. Who knew?

 

Remember, if you’re feeling stuck with your marketing, or if your personal brand isn’t quite hitting the mark, don’t be afraid to reach out. Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh pair of eyes and a bit of strategic thinking to amplify your impact and get you the recognition you deserve.

 

Let’s have a chat and see how we can amplify your business.

/by
, ,

Case Study: From Midwife to Women’s Coach & The Business Strategy that got her there

From Midwife to Coach: From Work Life- to Life’s Work

 

I recently had the pleasure of working with Mary, a dedicated NHS midwife who took a courageous step towards aligning her work life with her life’s work. Her story brilliantly illustrates the power of owning your uniqueness and amplifying your impact.

 

Mary approached me with a vision to help her fellow NHS women manage their time and energy effectively, preventing the burnout she’d witnessed (and experienced) firsthand. She’d already earned her coaching certification, but needed guidance to bring her new business to life online.

 

We kicked off with the ‘Impact Alchemy’ process, delving deep into Mary’s unique contribution to the coaching world. This intensive work resulted in an eight-page profile that became the cornerstone of her brand identity and a wellspring of newfound confidence.

 

Building on this, we crafted Mary’s ‘Impact Code’ – a three-phase coaching methodology: ‘Restore’, ‘Reconnect’, and ‘Respect for Yourself’. This framework not only shaped her coaching programs but also informed her website structure and marketing strategy.

 

The clarity gained from this process was transformative. It provided Mary with a robust sales structure for client consultations and laid the foundation for her thought leadership. This clarity naturally extended to her social media strategy, ensuring her content resonated with her ideal audience.

 

We then created SEO-optimised blog posts to boost her website’s visibility upon launch. The final piece was a beautifully designed WordPress website, complete with a lead magnet to grow her email list, and a tailored CRM system with automated email sequences.

 

The result was more than just a website – it was a ‘business in a box’ that allowed Mary to launch her coaching business with confidence. Her online presence now reflects her mission: guiding NHS women towards a balanced life, free from burnout.

 

Mary’s transformation is a powerful example of what’s possible when you align your passion with your authentic self. It’s about finding the courage to step into those leadership opportunities and make big, impactful moves in life.

 

By owning her uniqueness and harnessing her individuality and personal power, Mary is now poised to influence positive change in her field and create a legacy that truly matters.

 

/by
, ,

How a Unique Pilates Vision Elevated Kim Out of Competition & Into Magic!

Right, let’s chat about Kim McKinnon and her Pilates studio, Think Pilates. It’s a brilliant example of how a personal brand strategist can help transform a business.

 

Nestled in Albury-Wodonga, Think Pilates isn’t your run-of-the-mill fitness centre. It’s a boutique studio offering a unique blend of mat classes, equipment sessions, and studio mat thank-you classes. But the real story here is how Kim turned this wellness haven into a thriving business that truly reflects her unique contribution.

 

It all started with a strategy day that was anything but conventional. Armed with sticky notes and a window, we set out to uncover the essence of Think Pilates. Through a series of thought-provoking questions, we began to weave together a teaching framework that would become the backbone of Kim’s marketing strategy.

 

This session was transformative, to say the least. We delved deep into what makes Think Pilates special, exploring both the tangible benefits and the soulful experience it provides. It was about expert positioning and crafting a personal brand for coaches that truly resonates.

 

Kim’s realisation that her business needed to reflect her unique magic was a turning point. In a market full of competitors, the goal wasn’t to compete but to carve out a niche where Think Pilates could shine authentically. This is where the concept of impact alchemy for coaches really came into play.

 

The strategy day helped Kim see her business not as a separate entity, but as an extension of herself. It was about aligning her passion with her business goals, creating a powerful consultant marketing strategy.

 

One of the most significant outcomes was the creation of an educational framework for Pilates, setting Think Pilates apart. It wasn’t about being better than others, but about recognising and leveraging her unique value. This is the essence of thought leadership for consultants.

 

This shift in perspective was monumental. Kim’s clients began to understand the value she offered, and word-of-mouth became a powerful tool. Her clarity of messaging meant that her clients could now advocate for her services with confidence.

 

Kim and I then kicked off on a digital transformation, crafting an entire educational Pilates process complete with visual aids and a revamped website. This is where the importance of digital presence for consultants really shone through.

 

Looking ahead, Kim is set to authentically occupy her space in the wellness industry, shining a light on her unique approach to Pilates. It’s a testament to the power of authentic marketing for experts.

 

Kim’s journey is a brilliant example of how personal brand strategy, combined with expert positioning and authentic marketing, can transform a business. It’s about finding your unique voice, crafting a compelling narrative, and creating a brand that truly resonates with your ideal clients.

 

If you feel like your professional service business could do with a reposition, and branding upgrade book in for a call and I will give you a bespoke strategy over the phone. If it feels like a fit we can do it together…otherwise it’s all yours to do with as you wish!

 

Kath x

/by
,

Should you rebrand your business?

We recently took ourselves through a self-guided rebrand (given that I’m a personal brand strategist!) 

We enlisted the amazing skills of FlySocial’s David Lee Schneider to help bounce our website design, program design, and social media process off! It is nigh on impossible to do this for yourself even if that’s what other people pay you to do!

I have to say I am AMPED with the results!

 

We have had loads of insanely good feedback, and the copy really speaks to the ideal client now! 

The reason we decided to rebrand my personal brand was quite simple …we had grown.

It was like our audience wasn’t resonating anymore but our offering hadn’t changed.

At the time I was thinking it was because there were other amazing agencies on the market, and coaches, but I realised it was a lot more detailed than that, and wasn’t actually that at all!

We really embraced the change of direction from being a digital marketing agency, to really honing in on our ideal client, (who despite me thinking we had it right – it wasn’t! – Again weird that I can show my clients how far off the mark they are but not myself!)

The new personal brand has launched us into a whole new stratosphere that we are thrilled to be playing in! Working with emerging leaders who are wondering what their ‘life’s work’ is!

So how did we do it?

 

1. I built a new audience.

 I transitioned my socials (actually I had done that courageously already in a leap of faith earlier in the year) to start only really talking about what I wanted to be doing not what I had been spruiking. So the socials became more about Intuition and Edgy personal brands, and less about digital marketing hacks and Facebook ads.

2. We went through a case study process.

This is where we took on a few entirely different clients for a minimal fee to test our new personal brand and offering. That helped in two ways – 1/ it helped me get over my ‘imposter syndrome’ of targeting emerging corporate leaders when I didn’t have loads of experience with the industry. And 2/ it made me realise that it’s not only my marketing skills people are buying from me! (more on that in a minute!)

3. We reengaged the existing list around the new idea.

It was so interesting because as soon as we started marketing the fact that I was no longer necessarily just a Marketer, but that I help find people’s Unique Contribution, many of my previous clients started to make contact! When I told them I build aligned personal brands and edgy profiles now… Their response was basically,

“AHHH you’re finally selling what you actually DO, rather than dressing it up as ‘marketing’!” 

In fact so much so that someone I had worked with in 2016 had the courage to email me and say “I just got invited to be a part of your FB group, and I have to say, when we first met you rocked my world with some copy you whipped up on our first phone call, for my coaching program. I was so in awe of it I signed up for your annual program. Then I met your marketing manager, and I felt disgruntled. It’s now clear why. I bought your magic, not your marketing! I bought YOU and I got her!”

That was SO revealing (let alone AMAZING that she had the courage to tell me and I had the courage not to freak out that I had upset her!).

It gave me buoyancy to know this new rebrand and direction is EXACTLY where I need to be!

4. We gathered testimonials for our new website & socials.

From the case study program we immediately got the most profound of testimonials from MUCH higher-level clients (I’m talking COO of £80 million Investment company in the UK, as well a University Lecturer & Fellow in New Zealand.) Before then I was working with struggling start-ups who just didn’t need this level of magic yet! They just needed me to do their marketing and make their side hustle work – which was cool but not where my magic was!

5. We rebuilt the website & offer.

Working with the insanely talented David Lee Schneider, we created and designed a website that makes me happy every time I open it!

The rebrand encompassed not just the design side, but really placed emphasis on the importance of deep market research, case studies, and my client’s own language mechanisms. We built something that now really resonates with my ideal clients. (The ones who were patiently waiting for me to “put it in the right words for them!” so they could connect with me!)

I proved something to myself.

So it turns out that through my own personal brand reinvention (using my new offering of the Impact Alchemy) we really solidified and proved the hypothesis that I am indeed a Magician, not a Marketer!

 

 

/4 Comments/by