Empathy, Understanding and New Ways of Working
Kirsty Brown Kirsty Brown

Empathy, Understanding and New Ways of Working

Discover how understanding employee wellbeing and flexible working can boost productivity and build stronger team connections. Learn why balancing remote work with face to face interaction is key to creating a supportive, motivated workforce even for those facing commuting challenges.

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Understanding Person-Organisation Fit and Its Importance in Hiring
Kirsty Brown Kirsty Brown

Understanding Person-Organisation Fit and Its Importance in Hiring

Kristof (1996) describes person-organisation fit as the compatibility between people and organisations. This happens when one party provides what the other needs, they share similar core values, or both.

For person-organisation fit (PO fit) to work well, the individual and their environment need to be a good match. When hiring, it’s important to focus on a candidate’s potential and attitude rather than just their skills. Employers and employees should have aligned values to create a strong fit.

Attitude has often been seen as the key to gaining a competitive edge when bringing new people on board.

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Teamwork and Project Roles: How Successful Projects Come Together
Kirsty Brown Kirsty Brown

Teamwork and Project Roles: How Successful Projects Come Together

“Most success depends on colleagues, on the team. People at the top have large egos, but you must never say ‘I’: it’s always ‘we’.” – Frank Lampl.

Delivering a successful project is always a team effort.

Here’s a quick look at how project roles and responsibilities typically work in a marketing department. The main roles include the project manager (PM), project sponsor (PS), team members (TM), and the user or customer.

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The Role of Decision Support Systems (DSS) in Business Strategy and Performance
Kirsty Brown Kirsty Brown

The Role of Decision Support Systems (DSS) in Business Strategy and Performance

Understanding how Decision Support Systems (DSS) function is essential for any organisation looking to improve decision-making efficiency and business performance.

According to Arnott and Pervan (2008), DSS are developed to support individuals and teams in making informed decisions through technology. These systems leverage data, models, documents, and communication tools to guide users in solving problems and implementing strategic actions.

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Understanding the Ulrich Model: The Four Key Roles of HR That Drive Business Success
Kirsty Brown Kirsty Brown

Understanding the Ulrich Model: The Four Key Roles of HR That Drive Business Success

If you’re curious about how HR can truly add value to a business, the Ulrich model is a great place to start. Developed by Dave Ulrich and colleagues, this approach breaks down the role of HR into four essential parts that help organisations thrive by boosting value — basically, making things work better, smarter, and more efficiently.

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Managing Virtual Teams: Productivity, Performance & Remote Work Challenges
Kirsty Brown Kirsty Brown

Managing Virtual Teams: Productivity, Performance & Remote Work Challenges

Managing a virtual team effectively can improve productivity by around 5%. It can also help reduce overheads like office space and boost employee retention—two major benefits of flexible or remote working.

According to the Global Workplace Analytics Survey (2013), the number of employees working remotely increased by 80% between 2005 and 2013. That growth shows just how much virtual working has evolved over the years.

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Business Growth and Performance Trends: A Year-on-Year Analysis
Kirsty Brown Kirsty Brown

Business Growth and Performance Trends: A Year-on-Year Analysis

The company reported a 22.64% increase in revenue, rising from £21.88 million in 2021 to £26.84 million in 2022, marking an impressive £4.96 million jump. Even more notably, profit grew by 34.60% year-on-year, placing the business among Yorkshire’s top 30 fastest-growing companies in 2023.

In 2023, the registered profit reached £2.22 million, resulting in a 10% net profit margin after accounting for all operational costs, taxes, and expenses.

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The Importance of a Strategic Marketing Budgeting Process
Kirsty Brown Kirsty Brown

The Importance of a Strategic Marketing Budgeting Process

Much like self-awareness—where you recognise how others perceive your actions—commercial awareness reflects how a company understands its own image, reputation, and position both from the perspective of the public and its employees.

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The Art of Communication: Why Getting Your Message Right Really Matters
Kirsty Brown Kirsty Brown

The Art of Communication: Why Getting Your Message Right Really Matters

We communicate all the time — through phone calls, face-to-face chats, emails, body language, and tone of voice. But here’s the catch: communication isn’t always straightforward. Messages can get mixed up, misunderstood, or even lost along the way, which can create friction between people.

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The Importance of a Structured Budgeting Process in Marketing
Kirsty Brown Kirsty Brown

The Importance of a Structured Budgeting Process in Marketing

A well-structured budgeting process plays a vital role in ensuring business stability and future success. According to Lebas (1995), budgeting is not just about figures; it is about evaluating and selecting action plans that support long-term customer satisfaction. Without a robust budgeting strategy or regular end-of-month reviews, businesses risk facing serious financial challenges.

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Understanding Marketing Management and Building Local Brand Awareness
Kirsty Brown Kirsty Brown

Understanding Marketing Management and Building Local Brand Awareness

One area where many businesses aim to excel is in their online presence and customer service. Ranking well on search engines, achieving strong customer reviews and maintaining a recognisable brand image can all contribute to business growth.

However, marketing is not just about digital campaigns or advertising. It also relies heavily on public perception, community visibility and word of mouth.

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What Is Commercial Awareness and Why Does It Matter in Business?
Kirsty Brown Kirsty Brown

What Is Commercial Awareness and Why Does It Matter in Business?

Commercial awareness is a crucial skill for individuals and organisations alike, defined as a broad understanding of how businesses operate internally, as well as the external market and environmental factors that influence them (Owens et al., 1998).

Much like self-awareness—where you recognise how others perceive your actions—commercial awareness reflects how a company understands its own image, reputation, and position both from the perspective of the public and its employees.

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Understanding the Differences Between B2B and B2C Marketing
Kirsty Brown Kirsty Brown

Understanding the Differences Between B2B and B2C Marketing

When comparing B2B (business-to-business) and B2C (business-to-consumer) marketing strategies, it’s important to understand the distinct characteristics and approaches involved in each. While both aim to promote products and services, they do so in fundamentally different ways due to the nature of their audiences, decision-making processes, and marketing goals.

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Rebranding a Business: Key Benefits, Challenges, and How to Measure Success
Kirsty Brown Kirsty Brown

Rebranding a Business: Key Benefits, Challenges, and How to Measure Success

In a fast-moving, competitive market, rebranding can be a powerful strategy to stay relevant, attract new customers, and drive business growth. Whether it’s updating your visual identity, refining your messaging, or repositioning in the marketplace, rebranding offers a chance to realign your business with its long-term goals.

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Why Strong Branding Is Essential for Business Growth in a Competitive Market
Kirsty Brown Kirsty Brown

Why Strong Branding Is Essential for Business Growth in a Competitive Market

Branding is more than a logo, a colour scheme, or a catchy slogan. It’s about how a customer feels when they interact with your business. Global brands like Apple and Adidas have mastered the art of branding by focusing on design, quality, and innovation, building a reputation that resonates deeply with their audiences.

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