SME Leaders Forum - 'Getting the most out of your agency and your marketing'
Local small-business owners and senior leaders had the opportunity to come and hear from the CEO of Zeal, a successful digital agency based in the heart of Leeds, Jane Slimming.
The session took place in NEXUS where Jane spoke about finding the right partner agency to enhance your marketing strategy, what you should expect from them and what you need to give them to get the best out of the relationship.
She also discussed when you should look to hire an agency and how much you can do internally. The session also touched on KPI's, measurement and reporting giving local businesses of all sizes and verticals the tools and knowledge to take their marketing to the next level.
General Manager at Roaches International Ltd, a Laboratory equipment supplier based in Birstall, Greg Beck commented:
It was fantastic to attend such a well-run and informative event. Jane provided us with great insight into the methods within her industry and how best to apply these into our future business plans. We look forward to attending future events, as we feel it really helps to interact and learn with other SMEs.
Jane spoke about her experience of working with household brands such as Disney, Epson, Jet2.com and Yorkshire Water and how her agency also ensures earlier stage businesses have access to marketing support through her start-up network, Zeal Connect.
Senior Teaching Fellow, Rebecca Padgett from Leeds University Business School led the session which addressed Jane’s experience of working with SMEs for over 14 years within an impressive record of supporting growing businesses to scale.
Jane commented:
I would like to thank everyone who made the time to attend the recent SME Leaders Forum event with Leeds University Business School. It was wonderful to welcome so many local businesses and academics.
“It was great to share my experience on "Getting the most out of your agency and your marketing" whilst having the opportunity to share how Zeal can help and support SMEs with their marketing strategies. I was delighted to be invited by the Small Business Hub team and the event was a great way to bring different people together from across the Leeds city region where I had the opportunity to network with so many of them.”
Over 50 SMEs from across the Leeds City region and beyond attended the event where delegates had the opportunity to network and create valuable collaboration opportunities between each other and Leeds University Business School.
Sherri Ward, Director at Omega Security Systems Limited, a security system supplier based in Bradford, said:
As usual the SME forum delivered a super event! It was great to catch up with colleagues and I thought Jane delivered a strong presentation on marketing, how to understand the component parts, what is required and more importantly how to create a marketing relationship based on the Company’s needs.
Thanks Leeds and roll on the next one!
Thank you to everyone who came along. Our forum events bring together local business owners to help facilitate networking with an opportunity to hear the latest thoughts from the Business School and to network with regional SME Business Owners.
We are already looking forward to the next SME Leaders Forum will be happening on 23rd October 2024 and watch out for more updates with the Small Business Hub at Leeds University Business School.
