The CIM Herts and Beds Committee went all out this year…

…while planning the Small Business Marketing Conference 2016. For the first time, we ventured beyond familiar marketing territory into the wider business world. Speakers from other disciplines were incorporated into the event programme alongside familiar and highly regarded marketers. A superbly qualified list of exhibitors was organised and arrangements were made to host the event – now in its fourth year – at the University of Hertfordshire’s finest venue, the Weston Auditorium.         

We were determined to make this already popular annual marketing conference into an all-encompassing business experience that any small-to-medium business would be foolish to miss. Invitations were distributed to an extensive guest list to ensure that as many small business marketers as possible could attend.

The day started with the usual pre-event nerves and last minute rush. But, we didn’t need to worry – from the opening words by Damian Ward, Dean of Hertfordshire Business School to the final speaker, mentor and strategic advisor, Moe Nawaz, every utterance was precisely matched to the needs of the SME audience.

First up was Anthony ‘Tas’ Tasgal of POV, who led us on an emotional journey, and reminded us that no one likes jargon, but everyone loves a good story. Alice Jackson, director of Madson Interim Solutions, followed this with a warning: “If you can’t delegate to someone else when you are away, you haven’t got a business – you’ve got a job”, but tempered this with a summary of the online tools that can alleviate the stresses of running a small business. And seasoned social media practitioner, Danny Bermant, assured us that we can turn warm leads into hot prospects online, with some easy to use practical tips.

In the afternoon, Ed Carter of Dale Carnegie used audience participation to avoid the post-lunch slump, and showed us through some clever memory techniques how to stay respectful, as well as effective, in business. This polite session was nicely juxtaposed with an insightful and hilarious take on SEO and analytics from Andy Atalia of atom42 (and yes, there was some adult content!).

If I am allowed a personal comment, I must mention how master copywriter and direct marketing guru Drayton Bird, renewed my passion for my area of the profession. I won’t digress here, but please see my blog: www.dottingandcrossing.com for how the words: “bloody hard work!” made my day.

The Small Business Marketing Conference would not be complete without Professor Malcolm MacDonald. This year, our celebrated speaker took to the stage just before lunch with an expertly tailored talk on strategy and planning for the small business audience. He reminded us that, regardless of the gizmos used in modern marketing practice, there is, in fact, nothing new in business and how now, as much as ever, business strategy must come first. 

I will end this piece by reflecting his words of wisdom back at him: “Always delight your audience.”

Professor Malcolm, with you there that is never in doubt.

Dawn Mimnagh, Vice Chair, CIM Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Committee

Comments from our Twitter feed on the day:

“A fantastic event, looking forward to next year”
“Great conference, presentations and well-run event”
“Thank you for delivering an amazing conference today”
“The event was very informative, we'll be back next year”
“Thank you for a great conference”

(Photos: Top to Bottom - Kelvin Golding, Chair of CIM East of England, Alice Jackson, Drayton Bird, Malcolm McDonald)