TAB’s planning process lets Opportunity Marketing’s Ian Kirk take his business to where he wants it to be

Ian Kirk Opportunity Marketing Ltd

“I now make quicker decisions which West Yorkshire Member since: April 2013 saves me a lot of valuable time.”

As a seasoned marketing professional, working with a wide range of businesses, Ian Kirk of Opportunity Marketing began to notice that the smaller SME businesses were not well supported in the field of marketing. Most business owners are not marketeers, and they seemed to be wasting marketing budget on areas that were not right for them.

In 2008, Ian decided he had something to offer these business and left employment to set up his marketing consultancy. The first six months were very tough and Ian acknowledges that he didn’t anticipate how hard it would be to start a new business. Things started to pick up in the 2nd six months – he was winning lots of business and getting to the point where demand was exceeding time available. “I realised that I needed some help to cope with the workload,” Ian said “and took on a graduate to help me.” This sadly didn’t work out as planned when it dawned on Ian that he actually realised how much he took for granted in terms of the marketing knowledge he had. Letting the graduate go was a hard decision for Ian, but to his credit, he found her a job with one of his consultancy clients.

Ian was now back to the drawing board and needed to decide if he really wanted to grow the business or remain a ‘one-man band’. It was most certainly the former. He wanted to bring in experienced professionals who could replicate what he was doing with clients. Although he didn’t realise at the time, was

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www.TheAlternativeBoard.co.uk “ what he was about to build was a franchise. There was a lot for Ian to learn – a whole new industry in fact. He sought Since joining TAB I’ve advice from a franchise consultant, got his model and processes in place, and recruited his first franchisee in 2013. become much more Soon after, when things were going well for franchisee structured and number 1, he took on his second one and so it went on. disciplined and don’t Not long after launching his first franchisees, Ian discovered and joined The Alternative Board (TAB). He likes to get work evenings and another view point and perspective, appreciating it can be too insular and lonely on your own. “The accountability I get from weekends anymore.” my TAB Board and facilitator makes me do the things I say I’m going to do – integrity is a key value for me” said Ian, “I am less likely to let things drift if I share my plans and intentions with someone.”

“TAB’s planning process has meant I break things into bite size chunks so I don’t get over-whelmed, but more importantly, keeps me focused on the key goals to take the business to where I want it to be.”

A pivotal moment for Ian at one of his TAB Board meetings was, whilst being challenged on an issue by his board, he had a major mind-shift from thinking about himself as a marketing consultant to the owner of a marketing franchise. This shift made him focus much more on the long term plans for his business and what he needed to do to reach his ultimate goal.

As for many business owners who are part of TAB, Ian has realised how important his personal life is for the success of his business. He now plans regular and quality time off to recharge his batteries.

The Opportunity Marketing franchise now boasts 12 franchisees, and Ian commented that, “I certainly wouldn’t be as far forward with my business if it wasn’t for TAB – perhaps 3 or 4 franchisees rather than 12.”

About The Alternative Board Prestige Court Business Centre The Alternative Board (TAB) believes that every business owner deserves for their Beza Road, Leeds LS10 2BD business to deliver for them what they want out of life. Through a combination of Tel: 0333 320 4108 peer advice and business coaching we help our members achieve this. Members meet monthly to learn from one another's successes and mistakes to grow their www.opportunitymarketing.co.uk businesses.

September 2017

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Source: The Alternative Board