Every day I meet with people who’re either starting up, branching out or want to expand their business. We chat through ideas for moving the business on and how they can realise a return for their time invested and financial input.

Every day people say, “Great! I love your ideas. where do we start?”

Every day I feel the pressure that businesses NEED but can’t necessarily afford the level of expertise I provide. Sometimes they can afford it and that’s their decision. Of course.

Personally, I’d like to work probono for everyone but I don’t think the bank manager would see my point of view!

So, I mention this to some business pals. SHOCK! They get it. I share my thoughts on how I’d “like it to be” (sans bank manager). They nod with enthusiasm. GREAT! We put some ideas on paper. We have a plan. FAB! I tell the regional press what we’re plotting (here in Staffordshire it’s The Sentinel). This is the story so far…

GROUP ENCOURAGES PRIDE IN ENTERPRISE

THINK positive, be proud of where you come from and shout about your business – that is the message from a new not-for-profit marketing group in North Staffordshire.

The Staffordshire Marketing Academy is the brainchild of Eccleshall-based business and branding consultant Caroline Law.

Caroline, pictured, moved back to Staffordshire just over a year ago after working in other parts of the UK, and she noticed a difference in attitudes towards enterprise.

Now she has joined forces with other experts to stage events and offer advice to firms of all sizes, from start-ups and small businesses to directors of larger companies.

She said: “People tend to react to their surroundings. Places where I worked before, like Manchester and Leeds, had a lot of development opportunities, a lot of businesses coming into the area and a lot of start-up businesses.

“That seemed to engender a culture of positivity which in turn helped encourage other businesses – it was almost self-fulfilling.

“Culturally, they were very different places to Stoke-on-Trent.

“I don’t think people here are any different.

“If you go back in history, it was a world class part of the country for innovation and creativity, but changes over the last 20 to 30 years in terms of what we produce and the state of our economy have had an impact.

“People are very proud of Stoke-on-Trent, and that’s partly why I wanted to do this.”

The academy’s first event, called Action for Business: Live, is being held at the Best Western Moat House Hotel on Festival Park on Friday, May 27.

It will feature a series of interactive sessions covering topics such as developing a strategy, identifying your most profitable customers and finding more like them, and how to develop close business relationships.

Caroline has joined forces with other specialists to deliver Action For Business, including business mentor John Capper, M&M Group manager Denis Sidebottom, social media and e-commerce specialist Phil Oakley, web and digital fanatic Mandy Robinson, design and branding professional Damian Brittleton and video expert James Capper.

Tickets for the initial events cost £20, with all proceeds being used to fund future support and events.

Caroline said: “Everyone is involved purely because they want to encourage people to start a business or grow a business or rejuvenate a business.

“Everyone runs their own company or has done in the past.

“The information and support we want to pass on is expertise that is critical for small businesses at a time when they are concerned with generating cash and therefore can’t afford to pay for specialist support.

“There are a lot of organisations trying to bring in big companies from outside, but we’re coming at it from a different angle.

“If we can encourage local people to start businesses, or help small local businesses grow then we can help the economy grow from the inside.”

Keynote speaker at the May 27 event is internationally-known motivational speaker and networking expert Rob Brown.

Mr Brown said: “This event brings Staffordshire’s business community together, to help each other and create prosperity.

“These times we’re in are too risky for playing it safe. You have to take bold steps and be courageous in your conversations. Doing nothing is not an option.”

For more information or to book a place, go to www.staffsmarketingacademy.co.uk

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