Category Archives: Marketing

David Ferguson on keeping a start-up culture as your company grows larger – MAF131

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This week my guest is David Ferguson from Nucleus.

I interviewed David as part of my preparation for my recent speech at Content Marketing Academy Live 2017. The talk was about keeping marketing simple as you grow from start-up to big company.

Nucleus has done this and David gave me some great tips which I weaved into my presentation. Listen to all of David’s ideas in this great chat.

Welcome to episode 131 of the Marketing and Finance Podcast.

David Ferguson on keeping a start-up culture as your company grows larger - Marketing and Finance Podcast Episode 131

What you’ll hear about in this episode

  • How to “Think big. Act small. Be humble.”
  • Keeping your marketing simple no matter how large your company grows
  • How to avoid compliance complexity in regulated industries
  • Putting together sensible social media practices
  • Using content and live events to engage with your customers

Who is David Ferguson?

After spending time as a trainee actuary with Life Association of Scotland before stints with Ivory & Sime, Scottish Life International and strategic consultancy The Abacus, David started Nucleus Financial. In 2016 the Scottish Government appointed David as one of their FinTech envoys for Scotland.

Nucleus is based a stone’s throw from where I used to work at Bright Grey, and indeed we’ve swapped marketing and cultural ideas over the years.

David is a prolific user of social media and a frequent media commentator.

David’s Contact links:

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Three rules for simple marketing communications and renaming protection insurance – MAF129

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In this show, it’s just me and the mic.

Let’s talk about three rules for keeping your marketing communications simple and whether we should find a better way to describe protection insurance.

Welcome to episode 129 of the marketing and finance podcast.

Three rules for simple marketing communications and renaming protection insurance - MAF129

As you know, as well as working as a consultant, I’m also the marketing director of the Protection Review. It’s just under two months until the Conference and Dinner on 19 July. So I’ve been inspired to record this show based on a few protection articles I’ve written recently. So, let’s talk about simple marketing communications.

What you’ll hear about in this episode

  • The three rules of simple marketing communications
    • Always talk in the language of your customer
    • Don’t use jargon, gobbledegook and management speak mumbo jumbo
    • Don’t succumb to the curse of knowledge
  • Whether “financial rescue” is a better way to describe protection

If you enjoyed – Three rules for simple marketing communications and renaming protection insurance – please leave a comment or a review on iTunes.

And if you know anyone who would enjoy the show – please share it with them. You can use the buttons below to share on social media.

Don’t miss an episode of the MAF Podcast – subscribe now.

Subscribe on iTunes     Subscribe by RSS Feed

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Fighting Complexity – speaking at Content Marketing Academy Live 2017

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Last year’s Content Marketing Academy Conference in Edinburgh was the best marketing conference I’ve ever been to.

And I’ve been to lots.

Over about 25 years.

What was so good about it?

  • A perfect blend of international and local speakers who stayed for the whole 2 days. They didn’t hide in the “green room” or disappear as soon as they’d finished their speech. We could hang out with them. Have a beer with them. Carry on learning from them.
  • Learning as much from attendees as I learned from the speakers. A motivated group of business leaders brimming with enthusiasm and ideas. I made some great friends at TCMA 2016.
  • A great venue – a converted church. And amazing attention to detail. Even down to the amenity kits waiting in the restrooms.

I booked for the 2017 conference as soon as I arrived home after the 2016 event.

You can read my review of TCMA2016 right here.

But this year I’ll not just be an attendee learning from another great line up of speakers and delegates.  I’m delighted Chris Marr, the founder, and brains behind what is now called CMALive 2017, has asked me to be a speaker as well.

Fighting Complexity - speaking at Content Marketing Academy Live 2017

You won’t be surprised to hear I’m speaking about keeping marketing simple.

Here’s the pitch:

Fighting Complexity: How to keep marketing simple from start up to big corporate.

Whether your business is a small start-up, or growing rapidly, simplicity in your marketing strategy is essential for success. And it’s what your customers want. When some companies grow, complexity and bureaucracy sets in and can blur your focus and kill clear marketing messages.
You’ll hear how to stay focussed on this as your business grows, how to avoid marketing bloat and bullshit, how to remain engaging, and how to keep making sales.

And here’s a short video where I hit you (not the boxing gloves) with a summary of what I’ll be talking about.

Are you going to Content Marketing Academy Live 2017?

It’s in Edinburgh on 8 and 9 June 2017.

You’ll recognise some of the speakers as past guests on the Marketing and Finance Podcast.

It would be good to see you at Content Marketing Academy Live 2017. If you fancy a few days in Edinburgh in June check out the website and think about getting yourself booked on.

Do you need marketing help?

I might come across a bit obsessed with keeping marketing simple. That’s because I believe complexity is unnecessary and gets in the way of sales and business growth. If you’re finding it difficult putting together a simple strategy, or find yourself tied up with tactics, I’d love to chat with you to find out if I can help you.

Get in touch. We can talk over Skype whenever you’re ready.