Complete One investigates how your morning coffee could be affecting your success

After more than a decade of rapid growth, the UK-branded coffee shop market is defying all previous expectations as coffee wins the hearts and wallets of consumers. Complete One investigates the effects coffee can have on a business.

There appears to be no end to the café culture trend which began more than a decade ago, with coffee achieving a current growth rate 7 to 8 times that of the British economy, giving it a net worth of 6.2 billion pounds.

Complete One look at the pros and cons of caffeine goods. Starting with the positives: most people start drinking caffeine because it makes them feel more alert and improves their mood.  In the short term, many studies show that caffeine improves cognitive task performance, which is the reason many people use it as a tool to aid concentration and boost productivity in the work place.



On the other hand, research has unearthed some information that may influence an individual’s exposure to the nation’s favourite hot drink.  Drinking caffeine triggers the release of adrenaline.  When caffeine puts a person’s brain and body into a hyper-aroused state, their emotions get overrun, and their ability to deal with an irate customer or an important client meeting will be at the mercy of an emotional rather than rational response.  Reports found irritability and anxiety are the most commonly seen emotional effects of caffeine.



Furthermore, it was found that it had a six-hour half-life, which means it takes a full twenty-four hours to work its way out of our system. If a person has a cup of coffee at 8 a.m., they would still have 25 percent of the caffeine in their body at 8 p.m. Any caffeine-based drink in the afternoon will still be at 50 percent strength by bedtime. Any amount of caffeine in a person’s bloodstream - with the negative effects increasing with the dose - makes it harder to fall asleep.  Want to quit? It’s not that easy; like any stimulant, caffeine is physiologically and psychologically addictive. If a person chooses to lower their caffeine intake, they should do so slowly under the guidance of a qualified medical professional.  Caffeine withdrawal causes headache, fatigue, sleepiness and difficulty concentrating.



Complete One look at alternative ways to boost cognitive task performance.



Fill a glass with water - Dehydration can cause lack of energy and fatigue, so boosting energy levels can be as simple as drinking more water instead of fuelling up on caffeinated beverages.



Try burst training – “The most efficient way to increase cardiovascular strength, brain health, and energy is through interval training,” writes Bowden in ‘The Most Effective Ways to Boost Your Energy’. "After just 10 minutes of interval training, you should have enough energy to blast through your day." Everyone has to fit in ten minutes of some exercise in the day.



Complete One specialise in below line customer acquisition. Their expertise lies in increasing market share and raising brand awareness for their client portfolio, through face to face promotional marketing/sales campaigns at high profile events and venues throughout the North East and Scotland. In a world of ever-advancing technologies, they offer their clients more personalised marketing strategies. Their tailor-made marketing strategies, developed by identifying each client’s USP, allows them to create the perfect campaign, for maximum impact for any client within any industry. They provide both their clients and customers with the highest quality experience by offering a full service approach to direct marketing.

Complete One: What Questions to Ask In a Job Interview

An interview is often perceived by the interviewee as a chance for the employer or interviewer to ask questions and get to know more about the individual, however what they often forget is it's also a chance for them to learn and ask questions. In a job interview scenario the questions that are asked can be the difference between someone being successful and unsuccessful.

Job interview success is often based on making a good impression. Making a good first impression is vital in business and according to research it only takes approximately 7 seconds for someone to make a judgement. The questions asked in an interview will be interpreted as good or bad, making a positive or negative impression. While it's important to ask questions and use the opportunity to learn more about the company and where the individual could potentially fit in, it's important the questions asked are the right ones. Complete One, Newcastle based customer acquisition firm, share their tips on what questions should be asked in a job interview.

1/ What skills and experiences are you looking for?

This is a great starting question as it opens up a flow of conversation allowing the interviewee to hopefully demonstrate their skill set and transferable skills that make them a good match for the position. It also helps them to learn whether their skills match the position on offer.

2/ What do you enjoy most about working here?

This question allows the interviewer to connect with the interviewee on a personal level, sharing their own feelings and experiences in the company The answer will also provide a unique insight into the company culture and how satisfied they are with their job. If the interviewer is struggling to come up with an answer then it's a big red flag.

3/ Do you offer continuing education and professional training?

Continued education and training is highly sought after, especially in an entry level role. This is a great positioning question, illustrating to the interviewer that you are interested in expanding knowledge and ultimately growing with the company.

4/ What are the company growth plans?

This question shows ambition and interest in where the company is going. This is particularly important for someone looking to climb the career ladder and progress through the company. The answer to the question will give you a good idea of where the employer is headed.

5/ What is the next step in the process?

Many companies have multiple interview stages, this is an essential last question as it shows interest in moving along in the process and invites the interviewer to inform them of how many people are in the running for the position and what steps are next after the preliminary meeting.

Complete One specialise in below line customer acquisition. Our expertise lies in increasing market share and raising brand awareness, for our client portfolio, through face to face promotional marketing / sales campaigns at high profile events and venues throughout the North East and Scotland. In a world of ever advancing technologies, we offer our clients more personalised marketing strategies. Our tailor made marketing strategies, developed by identifying each clients USP, allow us to create the perfect campaign, for maximum impact, for any client within any industry. We provide both our clients and customers with the highest quality experience by offering a full service approach to direct marketing.

Complete One: 5 Things Successful People Do Every Evening

Every successful entrepreneur has a routine and has formed habits to help them achieve their success.  Complete One provide 5 top tips to do each evening to ensure a successful next day.

Having an evening routine is crucial for winding down and getting enough sleep to be able to perform to the best of their abilities the next day. Complete One’s Managing Director, Glen Lowes said. “My night time routine is one of the most important parts of my day”.  Here, Complete One share 5 things successful people do every evening.

1: Spend Time with Family

Entrepreneurs don't have the luxury of 9 to 5 working hours and can often struggle to have a work – life balance. Taking time away from work to spend with family has a calming influence and provides a sense of well being. Also importantly, spending time with family means they are more likely to be supportive.

2: Read

Successful people are always looking for ways to learn and reading is an excellent source of knowledge. It is important that the readings aren't always about topics related to work. Reading fiction or non-fiction can often have the added benefit of providing a different insight that could then be applied to work life. Reading purely for enjoyment is a great way to relax and unwind. Old fashioned books and magazines are the way to go as a study by the National Institute of Health suggests that reading tablets or eReaders can be disruptive to sleep because of the light.

3: Plan for the day ahead

Having a well set out plan for the day ahead can calm the mind as it allows the individual to rest in the knowledge that the day ahead is prepared for. Just before going to sleep is often the time when the brain goes into overdrive and many people can struggle to switch off. Having a plan puts to rest concerns about the following day.

4: Turn off phone and other devices

The biggest distraction facing people in the modern world is their phones and computers; Complete One says that switching them off will stop any temptation. Notifications from mobile phones, computers, and tablets are needless distractions when trying to drift off to sleep. It is useful to have a notepad and a pen on the night stand to note any ideas that may come to mind in night time, when they occur.

5: Get 7 hours of sleep

There have been many studies conducted to find the answer to the question, how much sleep does a person need? One of the most recent studies suggests that 7 hours is the right amount. Getting enough sleep is crucial to ensure maximum memory and brain performance. Of course as an entrepreneur there can be instances where 7 hours just isn't possible, however when possible get 7 hours of sleep.

As a Direct Marketing Company, Complete One specialise in below-line customer acquisition. The firm’s main focus is to bridge the gap between clients and consumers using events based marketing campaigns. The firm’s history of clients has included several of the UK's leaders within the Charity, Finance, Online Film & Media and Telecommunications sectors.  

What a Way to Start a Year

It has been an incredible start to the year at Complete One. On the second weekend of 2015 we officially welcomed Yanis Johnstone, from our Edinburgh office, to Stage 3 of our Business Development Program.  It's been a whirlwind six months since we opened our office in Scotland's Capital City and Yanis has been with us since day one. All of his hard work and efforts paid off when, in December, Yanis met criteria for stage 3.  We held the official ceremony, with our associates from Glasgow in attendance, on Saturday January 10th.

The first part of the day consisted of Yanis sharing his story and journey through the program, providing inspiration and motivation for the people we work with. The second half was one big celebration! Dinner, drinks and socialising.

Before Yanis began working with Complete One he had a varied career which couldn't have been further away from the sales and marketing industry. He was formerly in the army and spent a while living in Germany. After his time in the army he spent a short while working as a white van man, while in search of a new career opportunity. He began working with our Newcastle office in May 2014 and was among the 5 people who moved to Edinburgh to assist with the launch of our expansion into Scotland, in June. In only 6 short months he has completed our Business Development Program.

We are a company with big goals! Our people are our business and we are passionate about providing opportunities for personal and professional growth. We are of the belief that if the people we work with are doing well and developing then so will we. We're looking forward to seeing who will be next.

Complete One are an outsource sales and marketing company with offices in Edinburgh and Newcastle. We are one of the fastest growing companies in the North East. We specialise in below-line customer acquisition face to face promotional marketing / sales campaigns. Using our diverse expertise and experience we are confident we can get results for any brand.  

Complete One's Rising Star / Top Gun & Christmas Party Weekend

At the start of this month we held our final Top Gun / Rising Star event of the year.  It was an action packed weekend as we also hosted our Christmas party. Breaking away from the tradition of paint-balling, we battled it out, with our Edinburgh office rivals, at laser-tag.


These event days are always a lot of fun and good team building activities. We always enjoy being involved in anything to do with competition and even more so now we can host joint events with our business partners in Edinburgh. It was Team Newcastle vs. Team Edinburgh once again. The top gun and rising star we selected for this event, from our Newcastle office, were Rachel Robinson and Marty Phillips.  Here we are all kitted out and ready to battle.  

“Recognising and rewarding people for their efforts is something I am passionate about, I believe it is crucial for a prosperous working environment. If people feel appreciated then they are happier and more productive in what they do.” said Managing Director at Complete One, Glen Lowes




After we battled it out at laser-tag, later that night we hosted our Christmas party, along with some of our business partners in Newcastle. The festive season was in full swing, everyone having the opportunity to get together to laugh, relax and interact.

“This year we have experienced a lot of growth and have really started to make a name for ourselves in this highly competitive industry. Our growth and success in 2014 has been largely due to the incredible people we work with and I am excited for the New Year to find the next wave of talented individuals who will help take Complete One forward” said Glen.

Complete One are an outsource sales and marketing company with offices in Edinburgh and Newcastle. We are one of the fastest growing companies in the North East. We specialise in below-line customer acquisition face to face promotional marketing / sales campaigns. Using our diverse expertise and experience we are confident we can get results for any brand. 

Complete One Christmas Competition

It's competition time again at Complete One.


The people we work with do such an incredible job and, as a reward for their hard work and dedication, we often like to reward them with competitions and prizes. Everyone loves a competition and it's always a good incentive and motivator!

This month we are running a Christmas competition for everyone who works with Complete One, in both Edinburgh and Newcastle, to win a 2 night stay in Ireland's Capital City, Dublin. The prize will also include dinner at one of the cities top restaurants.


"The competition is my way of thanking the incredible people we work with. Competition definitely brings out the best in people which has been proven as often have our best weeks when competitions are announced” ~ said Managing Director at Complete One, Glen Lowes



The competition will be drawn at the beginning of January, check back then to see who the lucky winners are.




Complete One are an outsource sales and marketing company with offices in Edinburgh and Newcastle. We are one of the fastest growing companies in the North East. We specialise in below-line customer acquisition face to face promotional marketing / sales campaigns. Using our diverse expertise and experience we are confident we can get results for any brand. 

Complete One Countdown to Christmas

With the New Year rapidly approaching, at Complete One we have been reflecting on the year that's past and we are beginning to look ahead to 2015.


“When I sat down to review the year, and begin to plan and set goals for 2015, I was overawed by what we have achieved this year. This year has been our best year to date, and the tremendous success we experienced was largely unexpected If you had asked me this time last year where we would be 12 months later I could not have predicted the success we have had this year.” said Managing Director at Complete One, Glen Lowes


The start of the year set a precedent of what was to follow. In January we attended our industries National Awards Rally, in London, and we were among the award winners on the day when Managing Director Glen Lowes picked up an Outstanding Achievement award and Kirsty Pennal won a Top Performer award.

This year has involved a lot of travelling for us here at Complete One. We attended several business seminars across the globe in; Las Vegas, Barcelona, Dublin, London, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham. Being involved in these events is so important as it allows us to meet people in our industry who are doing incredibly well, meet new business associates and establish new networking links.


Our biggest business success this year was our expansion into Scotland. Our business partner Kirsty Pennal headed up the project as we opened our second office in Scotland's Capital City, Edinburgh, back in September. As our business expanded our client portfolio grew simultaneously. When we began working with a client in the financial sector, seeing us branch in promotional events marketing. This new acquisition will be the driving force behind our plans to expand further next year.


This year we continued our support for the Rainbow Valley charity. We attended their annual black tie ball at the Thistle Hotel Glasgow, in November. We believe that as we are blessed to have so much it is important to give back.

Looking ahead to 2015 we want to capitalise on the incredible momentum we've gained this year and we expect it to be bigger and better than ever! We already have more travel plans with business meetings arranged in Sydney, New York and Dublin. One of our biggest goals for next year is to further expand the Complete One brand. By the end of the first Financial Quarter of 2015 we will have expanded from 2 to 4 offices and by the end of the year that number will increase again as we plan to be in a minimum of 7 locations including; Glasgow, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Dublin, Leeds, Sheffield.


“2014 has really set the bar high! The success we have experienced this year has made me hungrier for more! I am so passionate about Complete One, the people we work with, and the work that we do and I want to expand our business and ideologies throughout the UK and beyond!” said Managing Director at Complete One, Glen Lowes





Complete One are an outsource sales and marketing company with offices in Edinburgh and Newcastle. We are one of the fastest growing companies in the North East. We specialise in below-line customer acquisition face to face promotional marketing / sales campaigns. Using our diverse expertise and experience we are confident we can get results for any brand. 

Complete One's Rising Star & Top Gun Weekend

On the first weekend of November we held a Rising Star & Top Gun weekend. These weekends are designed to recognise and reward the people in our business who have shown great consistency in their performance over the last couple of month sand also to give credit to the people who are new to the business and are already showing promising signs of being the next front runners. This time we had the opportunity to hold a joint event with our partners in our Edinburgh office.


The lucky winners were; Robyn Spoors, Rachel Robinson, Conall McGinnity and Kirsten Phelps.


The weekend kicked off with paint-balling at one of Scotland's top paint-balling venues Bedlam Paint-baling, in Edinburgh. Team Edinburgh versus Team Newcastle made it extremely competitive and the combat game was a big hit as always.

After the exertion of paint-balling we had a relaxing evening at a VIP Champagne Bar in Edinburgh City Centre.  

The weekend was a great team bonding session and was a well earned reward for those selected as the Top Guns and Rising Stars.  "With only 6 weeks left till the end of the year I am extremely confident this will be our best year yet at Complete One and our focus is on finding the next talented group who will be attending these events next year" said MD Glen Lowes

You Snooze, You Lose!

How many times did you hit the snooze button this morning? When you finally got our of bed were you feeling groggy and in need of a serious caffeine fix? Is that really how you want to start your day? The snooze button is not your friend.

“The temptation to hit the snooze button for an extra 5 minutes sleep can be overwhelming. By changing your habits and getting up and out of bed straight away you will wake up feeling fresher and ready to start the day.” said Managing Director Glen Lowes.    

Complete One share 4 tips to get you going bright and early; .


1/ Keep your alarm across the room


If your phone or alarm clock is next to your pillow then you're more likely to hit snooze. By having it out of reach, forcing yourself to get out of bed to put the alarm off the chance of getting up first time is much higher.


2/ Let there be light


To get a good nights sleep make sure you have no distractions, no TV or iPad, the room should be in absolute darkness. When you wake up you want the opposite, open your curtains and let the light shine through.


3/ Start with a shower


It might sound obvious but there are chemical reasons too. When you shower your brain releases the neurochemical dopamine, allowing you to start the day in a happier more relaxed state.


4/ Find your passion


Getting out of bed in the morning, especially in winter, is made 10 times easier if you have a passion. If it's not your career then find projects and goals so you wake up with exuberance.

Want To Be Good At Sales? Let Complete One Show You How!

What Makes A Good Sales Person?

A study published in psychological science shows that extroverts and introverts overall get the same results. It is the people who are able to adapt to the situation and individual customers who perform greatest. Picking up on behavioural cues from potential customers is what has the biggest effect on whether a sale is made or not.

Complete One have compiled a list of what we believe are the key traits of successful sales people.

1.Assertiveness

Take control, by being assertive it allows you to move a sales situation forward without offending or frustrating the customer. Think of it as being located halfway between passivity and aggressiveness.




2. Empathy


Adapting your behaviour to the customer's moods and emotions. The first step in being able to empathise is listening and observing, recognising their mood allows you to adapt your pitch to generate the best result. You must be able to relax and relate and put the customer at ease.


3. Problem Solving

There are an abundance of problem makers, what every successful sales person needs to learn is problem solving. Creating new ways to satisfy the customer's needs, both financial (the ROI of your offering) and emotional–such as the customer's need to be convinced that your and your firm are reputable and reliable.

4. Positive Attitude

A positive attitude is quite possible the most important skill to be learned or trait possessed that can make the difference. Optimism helps you maintain a sense of balance when things go awry.

Learning and implementing the 4 traits identified above can turn anyone into a successful sales person. It is a common misconception that the best sales people are loud, outgoing and extroverted. I know from my own personal experience that anyone can become great at sales, it's not built into your DNA, while some people might have natural ability it is also something that can be learned” said Glen Lowes MD at Complete One