Scaling Your Business: Insights from Sarah Woodhouse of AMBITIOUS PR
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Chapter 1: Understanding Business Growth
To successfully expand your business, it's important to embrace the idea of investing money. While organic growth is commendable, sometimes a financial boost can significantly enhance your opportunities.
When startups begin, they often consist of a tight-knit group of colleagues. However, introducing new members can pose challenges to maintaining company culture. What strategies can ensure a seamless transition as your business grows? Moreover, what elements are crucial for scaling your enterprise to capture a larger market share or broaden your offerings?
In this series, we explore these questions with accomplished business leaders. Today, we are pleased to feature Sarah Woodhouse, Director at AMBITIOUS PR.
A seasoned PR agency owner, Sarah has held senior positions in both the UK and globally with prestigious firms such as McCann, Edelman, and Cohn & Wolfe. At AMBITIOUS, she drives new business development, collaborating with prospects to create effective PR strategies and establish KPIs. Sarah's experience spans various sectors, particularly in B2B and B2C, including property, hospitality, and trades.
Thank you for being part of our interview series, Sarah. To start, could you share a bit about your background?
My journey began with the intention of studying English Literature at university. However, after dropping a grade in my A Levels, I opted for a more vocational degree instead. This led me to Bournemouth University, where I earned a BA Hons in Public Relations, a path that resonated with me.
During my time at Bournemouth, I completed a year-long internship at Harrods' press office in 1998, a transformative period in the media landscape following Princess Diana's passing. Post-graduation, I received offers from prominent companies that I believe I wouldn’t have encountered had I pursued a traditional degree at a red-brick university. I strongly advocate for vocational routes.
Section 1.1: Key Decisions in Your Career
Can you pinpoint a pivotal decision in your career that has shaped your trajectory?
A defining moment for me was relocating to Hong Kong at the age of 25. Prior to that, I had a rewarding start in London, but the chance to gain international experience in a different culture, particularly in an emerging market like China, propelled my career forward and opened doors that staying in my comfort zone would not have.
Subsection 1.1.1: Achievements and Initiatives
What initiative are you most proud of that had a significant impact?
One of my proudest achievements was bringing the global event Social Media Week to both Hong Kong and Bristol. This was a pivotal time for social media, and it created a valuable opportunity for professionals in the industry to connect, leading to numerous prospects for the organizations I worked with.
Section 1.2: Learning from Mistakes
Mistakes can often be our greatest teachers. Can you share one that shaped your perspective?
Early in my career, I made the mistake of not seeking senior-level support in my first leadership role. I mistakenly viewed asking for help as a weakness, rather than recognizing that mentorship and guidance are essential at every stage of one’s career. If I could advise my younger self, I would emphasize the importance of finding a mentor and seeking non-executive input.
Chapter 2: The Role of Mentorship
How has mentorship influenced your journey, both as a mentee and mentor?
My current business partner, Lis Anderson, has been an invaluable mentor. Our complementary skill sets enable us to support each other effectively. Her high emotional intelligence has provided me with perspectives on challenges I previously viewed in a binary manner. The best mentorship offers alternative viewpoints and challenges your thought process.
Section 2.1: Developing Leadership Style
Developing your leadership style is a continuous process. Whom do you look up to for inspiration?
While I read extensively about leadership, I don't model my style after any specific individual. I value humility and strive to make decisive choices while remaining receptive to input from others. Speed and agility in decision-making are vital, as is recognizing that as a business owner, my priorities may differ from those of my team.
Chapter 3: Scaling Your Business
Now, let’s delve into the five essential insights for scaling a business from a startup to a larger organization.
- Your Team is Essential: Your team’s expertise and influence will evolve over time. Today’s bright graduate can become a respected professional in just a few years. Keep an eye on their growth to prevent losing valuable talent to competitors.
- Avoid Impulsive Decisions: A challenging day or month shouldn't dictate drastic changes. Allow yourself time to gain perspective before making major decisions.
- Embrace Change: Your business's current state will differ from its future. Stay open to shifts driven by digital advancements, societal changes, or economic factors.
- Invest Wisely: While organic growth is possible, don’t shy away from making financial investments to fast-track your opportunities.
- Enjoy the Journey: Remember that the journey is just as important as the destination. Cherish the experiences along the way.
Section 3.1: Common Scaling Mistakes
What are some common pitfalls businesses encounter when scaling, and how can they be addressed?
One frequent mistake is failing to include the team in the scaling journey. It's essential that everyone shares a unified vision for the company's future. Additionally, recognize that as a business grows, the close relationships formed in startup mode may need to evolve, necessitating a leadership team capable of sustaining the company culture.
Another risk is losing agility and the ability to make quick decisions. Agility should remain a core value to keep pace, as becoming too large can hinder innovation and lead to the loss of talented individuals who thrive in dynamic environments.
Section 3.2: Maintaining Company Culture
As you scale and bring in new team members, how can you preserve your company culture?
From our experience, it’s crucial not to overwhelm your existing team with too many new hires at once. Implement regular onboarding processes, ensuring that the integration of newcomers is manageable.
Developing a clear playbook for onboarding is beneficial, as is dedicating time to this process. Effective onboarding is a commitment that requires a structured approach.
Chapter 4: Tools for Scaling Knowledge
As you scale, how can you ensure that your team’s knowledge and internal procedures also develop?
We allocate time within our resource planning to foster knowledge growth and familiarize new hires with our internal processes. It's vital not to inundate them with client work too quickly. Instead, we carve out time during their initial months to help them adapt culturally and understand our standards.
Section 4.1: Onboarding Recommendations
What tools or methods do you suggest for onboarding new team members?
I recommend that peers at the same level as new hires and core managers take the time to connect over coffee or lunch. Building relationships is never a waste of time and is crucial for establishing expectations and fostering a positive work environment.
If you could inspire a movement that benefits many, what would it be?
Kindness. It’s free and has a profound impact.
How can our readers follow your work online?
Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your valuable insights and experiences!