In response to my request for stories, Douglas Grant has told me:
“I hadn’t expected to see my name in print but through Steve Dobson, a TEN member, whose Unusual Hotels of the World publication is of great interest, I found myself being credited publicly with contributing to his early thoughts on the concept. This also led subsequently to meeting his brother, Geoff, a property specialist with whom I am currently exploring a property related transaction.
Through a TEN member, Simon Cope, (and his Associate Eddie Hoare), I have benefitted from access to complementary expertise in another segment of the industry sector I work in and this led to us being considered for a piece of work where we put forward a team approach to a particular client situation in Surrey.”
Douglas has also completed an assignment for the market assessment of a hotel in the north of the country, again through a TEN member.
Do you have a story of collaboration with or opportunities through another TEN member?
If you have, please email me at caroline@carolineswain.com
MEMBER SHOWCASE
Would you like to tell us who you are and what you do at a TEN meeting? We would like to give one member per session the opportunity to showcase their expertise for 5 minutes so that everyone understands what you do and what you have to offer. Please email me at caroline@carolineswain.com to go on the list and I will be in touch.
Alternatively, you might like to write your showcase, in which case I will send you the 10 questions to answer – briefly!
This month we showcase Andrew Cross ……..
- BRIEFLY EXPLAIN WHAT YOU DO …..
As a marketing person with a creative background, I try to combine the two and bring quantifiable results to my clients. This can be by way of conventional marketing, digital or social media or brand awareness. Each task has to be assessed first and then an appropriate solution devised. The ability to see the solutions from a creative standpoint tends to set me apart from the “norm” and allows for a more creative approach to the solutions. - WHAT DIFFERENCE DO YOU MAKE TO YOUR CLIENTS?
By taking over the marketing challenges they may have and responding with positive results I tend to free them up to focus on other aspects of the business. - WHAT ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR CAREER?
I was responsible for the launch of the Converse AllStar shoe in the UK and then throughout the EMEA territories. This was over a seven year period and the brand is now an established fashion icon with the 13-30 generation and seen as a style “must have”. This led me to work with Reebok, Dunlop Green Flash and more recently Adidas Sailing. However, some of my more creative tasks have been with far smaller companies with restricted budgets, but the desire to be just that bit more daring! - WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT QUALITY YOU THINK YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR BUSINESS?
The ability to combine the needs of the client with the requirements of their consumer. All too often the client is inwardly focussed and ignores the consumer trends in favour of the company strategy. It is my job to see that the communication message addresses the consumer first. - HOW DO YOU SEE THE INDUSTRY SECTOR CHANGING OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS?
The move to digital communication cannot be ignored, and has indeed a very strong presence, but conventional media (ink-on-paper) is still a very strong media and I foresee that we will see a resurgence in its use, especially Direct Mail. - WHY DID YOU JOIN TEN AND WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT IT?
TEN provides a perfect opportunity to meet like minded folk and share ideas and opinions in a relaxed environment. The chance to hear excellent speakers adds additional value to the time spent at TEN - WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT WORKING?
I tend to follow Rugby, Sailing and MotorSport – in an armchair capacity and enjoy dining out with friends and colleagues - DO YOU BELONG TO OTHER ASSOCIATIONS / SOCIETIES / CLUBS. WHAT ARE THEY AND WHAT DO YOU GET FROM THEM?
I am a Liveryman and Court Assistant of The Worshipful Company of Marketors – the City Livery Company devoted to members of the marketing industry and it provides the perfect environment to meet with fellow Marketers. I am also a member of The Royal Automobile Club and tend to spend far too much time time socialising there – although the swimming pool is undoubtably the best in London and provides excellent exercise! - WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE TEN DO IN THE FUTURE?
I would like to see TEN provide the ability for its members to promote themselves more than we do currently. I am sure that there are many talents available within the TEN membership that my clients could benefit from and vice versa. - WHAT IS THE NEXT IMPORTANT THING YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO, EITHER PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL?
As a kiwi, It would be foolish to say anything else than “see the AllBlacks win the Rugby World Cup”! However, professionally I would like to see the mentoring initiative I am putting in place for The Worshipful Company of Marketors, be highly successful. Andrew Cross is the MD of Zuzumi Ltd www.zuzumi.co.uk – ajc@zuzumi.co.uk