Achieve a good work-life balance following Complete One's 4 simple steps

Direct sales and marketing firm Complete One in Newcastle has recently released their 4-step guide to achieving a good work-life balance.

For entrepreneurs, trying to achieve a good work-life balance can be difficult. Newcastle based outsourced sales and marketing firm, - and supporters of entrepreneurship - Complete One has released a guide with 4 simple steps to help.

1) Don’t look at emails after a cut-off time

Many entrepreneurs don’t have an ‘off’ button; they have a desire to constantly be switched on and this can often lead to burn out.  To achieve a good work-life balance, entrepreneurs must give themselves time off, and resist the urge to check emails at night or whilst on holiday.  Managing Director at Complete One, Glen Lowes gives himself a cut-off time that he sticks to.  

Checking emails and other notifications can become an addiction.  To help break the habit, Glen Lowes urges entrepreneurs to set a time in the evening where they focus solely on checking emails and other office communications. 

2) Don’t work every evening

Advances in technology mean that we no longer have to be disconnected when outside of the office environment. However that doesn’t mean that someone has to constantly be working.  To achieve a healthy work-life balance, individuals must take some evenings off.  It is important to take time after work to relax and focus on other areas of life.  Unless something is an emergency, it can wait.

3) Maximise time off

For many entrepreneurs time off is non-existent, however it is vital.  Weekends, whether it is one or two days off, is time to rest, recover, and recuperate and they shouldn’t be wasted.  Glen Lowes sets aside 30 minutes every Sunday evening to go over goals for the week ahead and uses the rest of his weekend to spend time with friends and family. 

4) Use technology to assist productivity, not to stay “always connected”

While technology has dramatically changed the way people work, it can also cause people to constantly be connected to their work. Being able to work from anywhere can be of great assistance, however it’s important entrepreneurs know when to disconnect.  Entrepreneurs need to learn to use mobile technology in a way that enhances their day to day activities, and helps achieve their goals. However, they should avoid extending their workday unnecessarily, or to stay connected when the focus should be on another project. 

Managing Director at Complete One, Glen Lowes, has used these techniques to help achieve a good work-life balance. “As a young business owner I have sometimes struggled to achieve a good work-life balance, and now having put these habits in place I have managed to achieve a healthy balance which is helping both my business and personal life,” said Glen Lowes. 

Complete One is a young, ambitious and dynamic outsourced sales and marketing company, specialising in customer acquisition through in-person promotions. The firm’s expertise lies in increasing market share and raising brand awareness for their clients through face-to-face promotional marketing and sales campaigns, at high profile events and venues throughout the North East.  

Complete One asks: Could Facebook's new features make it a useful customer service platform?

Newcastle-based sales and marketing firm, Complete One has looked into Facebook’s new features and asks whether this could make the social media site a useful customer service platform.

This month, Facebook revealed that it is now home to 50 million active business pages. This has led the social media site to concentrate on making itself more business-friendly. The site recently introduced the messaging functionality that allows Pages to facilitate communication between users and businesses as well as a prominent call-to-action button. However, Facebook is not focusing on improving customer service features. Here, Complete One have revealed the new Facebook features which could make a difference to customer service on the platform.

Response time display:  
Facebook now displays average response times on a page and admins can also change this figure. Meaning that if a Page typically responds to messages within an hour, the can set their visible response time to within a day and set customer expectations accordingly. Businesses can also configure an “Away” mode to let customers know that they are not currently available to respond to messages as quickly as usual, and can create Away Messages and Instant Replies, which function like email autoresponders.

A redesigned inbox
:  The redesigned inbox makes it easy for Page admins to view past messages from a particular user, and to quickly view basic profile information, like location, alongside the user’s message. Additionally, Page admins are now able to tag conversations and add notes about users.

New comment tools:  
Facebook has created a new tool that businesses can use to monitor and respond to comments left on their Pages. Using this tool, Page admins can identify comments that need to be responded to, quickly view information about the user who posted the comment, and manage workflow, like marking comments as responded to.

Complete One highlights how it is great that Facebook are addressing these customer service techniques and helping to aid businesses in their customer service routines. The firm believe that consumers want communication across multiple platforms and Facebook is a great method to achieve this. However, the firm believes that personalised, face-to-face customer service will always be the best and most direct method. Complete One believes that consumers want that human interaction when they have a query or a problem as opposed to someone behind a computer screen.

Complete One is an outsourced sales and marketing firm based in Newcastle. The firm specialise in a personalised form of marketing whereby they are able to represent their clients’ brands through face-to-face marketing campaigns. By connecting with consumers on a one-to-one basis the firm are able to establish long-lasting and personal business relationships between brand and consumer. This often leads to increased customer acquisition, brand awareness and brand loyalty for their clients. 

Complete One MD Glen Lowes invited to Whisky & Cigars evening

Complete One Managing Director Glen Lowes, along with a specially selected group of top performing business owners in the sales and marketing industry were invited to attend an exclusive Whisky and Cigars evening at the Bulgari Hotel, London. 

Managing Director at Complete One, Glen Lowes, was recgonised for the incredible performance of the firm over the last 12 months with an invite to an exclusive Whisky and Cigars evening at the Bulagari Hotel London.  Speaking after the event Glen said,  “It was a great honor to be invited to the event in London.  It’s nice to be recognized by other professionals within the sales and marketing industry and that my achievements at Complete One are being noticed.”

The evening was held at the 5-star Bulgari Hotel, London.  Those in attendance had the opportunity to taste a selection of special Japanese Whiskies and cigars.  As well as being a prestigious social event, the evening provided the opportunity for the business owners gathered together to form some new networking links.  Glen made sure to capitalise on the opportunity of being in a room with some of the most successful sales and marketing professionals in the UK, by networking with and building relationships to ensure he strengthened his networking contact list.  As an entrepreneurs, networking is one of the most important skills to master and it is something that I constantly reinforce to the contractors we work with at Complete One. “ Said Glen.  

2015 has been an incredible year at Complete One, seeing the outsourced sales and marketing specialists extend their market reach into Sheffield and also add one of the UK’s leading broadband and telecoms providers to their client portfolio.  Growth is something those at Complete One are passionate about.  “I am thrilled with what we have achieved this year and my expectations continue to grow year on year.  With the New Year only a couple of weeks away, we are already planning ahead to 2016, and next year my main objective is to take Complete One international.” Said Glen.

Complete One is a young, ambitious and dynamic outsourced sales and marketing company, specialising in customer acquisition through in-person promotions. Their expertise lies in increasing market share and raising brand awareness for their client portfolio. Complete One achieves this through face-to-face promotional marketing and sales campaigns, at high profile events and venues. In a world of ever advancing technologies, the firm offers clients something that is often lacking in today's impersonal digital world, the personal touch. The firm believes it is their direct and personalised approach that has been the catalyst for their success. It's easy for people to forget a billboard they have walked past or a TV advert they have seen, however conversations have a lasting impact.  

GUIDE: Complete One Offer Step-by-Step Instructions for Attending Industry Events

Organisation, flexibility and preparation can greatly enhance any conference experience and sales and marketing firm Complete One believe that to get the most out of a business event, winging it is not an option. Here the firm have shared how they prepare for business events.

Attending a business conference or event is a big commitment, the process can be a huge drain on time and energy, and often requires professionals to take time away from their working schedule. As such, by not fully preparing for these events professionals can waste a lot of precious time trying to play catch up, whether this be rushing to research the other attendees they may want to add to their network, or simply by trying to make up for the hours they lost travelling to and from an event which provided no real insight or support.

Sales and marketing firm Complete One attend a wide range of events throughout the business calendar. These events have taken the firm right across the UK and Ireland, with some taking place even further afield in America and Europe. In order to get the most they can from each event and to prevent these travel commitments from impacting the overall performance of the business, Complete One have created a strict preparation plan to help them manage their time effectively and network with as many people as possible within a relatively short time frame. To help other professionals prepare for business events the firm have shared the following tips from their business event preparation plan.

Clear Your Mind

The last thing a professional wants is to be at an event but have their mind somewhere else, but this is exactly what happens if they leave tasks unfinished and fail to tie up loose ends in the workplace before attending and event. Making sure all urgent tasks are completed before an event allows a professional to clear their mind and give 100% of their attention to what is happening at the event.

It's also important for professionals to focus on looking forward to the event as this will help them be positive and accessible.

Travel

No one likes to be searching for their passport or car keys the morning of an event. Professionals should make it a priority to gather all their travel documents – boarding passes, directions, itinerary at least 2 days before, this also allows time to make alternative arrangements should something unforeseen occur.

Networking

It's important to remember networking is give and take. If a professional is attending to meet a specific expert in their field they should consider what they themselves can bring to the experience. Just because they are there to learn doesn't mean a professional can't be knowledgeable and engaging.

Bring a Business Card

Pretty obvious but it's amazing how many people forget to bring a simple clear contact card to all business events.

Openers

Professionals should always be ready to answer 'what do you do?' with a clear and precise answer. It's also beneficial to prepare some openers such as 'what brings you to the event?' or 'have you attended before?' to break the ice.

Complete One is a leading sales and direct marketing firm that provides brands with a wider market reach throughout the North East. Through face to face customer interaction the firm are able to provide their clients customers with a highly personalised experience which drives brand loyalty and generates a higher quantity of sales. 

Complete One: Is direct marketing the most effective form of marketing?

With the dominance of online platforms in the current digital age of smart devices, internet and social media, Complete One believe that marketing strategies can become lost along the way as the direct aspect is lost through mass targeting campaigns.  The purpose of marketing is to create exposure for a brand in a manner that still makes the consumer feel that it was designs specifically for them.  By using simple personalisation methods, emails can include individual’s names, can be targeted for a geographical location and can even engage on a amore personal level by including personal shopping links.



Direct Marketing can take many forms and can be effective for those businesses that have a small budget but still looking to achieve great results.  Direct Marketing can take many forms, Complete One share their quick guide on direct marketing methods, to help select the platform best suited to different business models;



Direct Response Advertising -  Direct Response Advertising is advertising with a goal of getting the prospect to order the product directly from the ad. Think infomercials that are solely designed to sell products to the consumer, the advertisements will focus on product strengths, price savings and a contact telephone number to place the order directly.  These infomercials’ will usually take the form of high cost TV slots.



Face to Face Promotions - By taking a product or service directly to the market with a human billboard ready to complete demonstrations, interact with the consumer by answering questions and even completing the sale onsite can build confidence in a brand and relax the consumer as the promotional venue will be in a place of relaxed atmosphere, easily reachable by the consumer.



Social Media - By offering a platform to reach millions of consumers at the touch of a button, it allows extremely high engagement levels for the consumer through liking, sharing, retweeting to name a few.  Businesses can increase brand awareness through these channels’ but need to focus on indirect direct sales so not to alienate their consumers.  By utilizing demonstrations, how to guides, funny clips it will create awareness and traffic towards websites or stores better tailored to selling a product.



Direct Marketing strategies especially face to face promotions can carry low overheads in comparison to indirect marketing strategies.  Complete One based in Newcastle offer a zero risk option for businesses looking to create exposure, develop brand loyalists and increase customer base, the firm has an elite team of independent sales advisors who guarantee a ROI and are confident in their ability they offer a no win no fee style package for those looking to try their services.



Complete One is a young, ambitious and dynamic outsourced sales and marketing company, specialising in customer acquisition through in-person promotions. Their expertise lies in increasing market share and raising brand awareness for their client portfolio. Complete One achieve this through face-to-face promotional marketing and sales campaigns, at high profile events and venues. In a world of ever advancing technologies, the firm offers clients something that is often lacking in today's impersonal digital world, the personal touch. The firm believes it is their direct and personalised approach that has been the catalyst for their success. It's easy for people to forget a billboard they have walked past or a TV advert they have seen, however conversations have a lasting impact.

Complete One: Have British companies become the masters of customer service?

Sales and marketing firm, Complete One are thrilled by the news that British companies appear to be outdoing American businesses when it comes to customer service.

American businesses have always been famous for their extreme customer service. Whilst many people would see their customer service as over the top, it has really worked in America and many businesses have generated great success through their excited attitudes towards their customers.

However, according to new research it appears that British businesses are now wowing their customers, more than ever before, with their great customer service and attention to detail. Complete One has revealed how some UK businesses are leading the way when it comes to customer service:

UK-based Red Carnation Hotels are leading the way in the service stakes, recently taking four of the coveted positions in the 2015 Conde Nast Traveller 100 Bes Hotels and Resorts in The World's reader's choice awards.

Their flagship Milestone Hotel in Kensington is delighting travellers with their amazing levels of care. For example, every guest's preferences are researched – even if they are visiting for the first time – so that staff can provide 'TNTs' – Tiny Noticeable Touches. This could be a favourite soap or a rare bottle of wine. If it's important to the guest they'll make it happen.

Fine jewellers Boodles are as quintessentially British as afternoon tea. The 217-year-old family business is steeped in history; they design and make stunning jewellery and host some of the best social events in the calendar. But it's their level of customer service that sets them apart.

Jamie Bennett, manager at Boodles' flagship Bond Street store recently flew to Hong Kong to take a client to lunch. This particular client had wanted a rare Patek Philippe watch. When Boodles were allocated one, Jamie decided to deliver it personally.

Complete One believes that these examples of going above and beyond for clients are exactly something which they have taken on board. The firm gets to know every one of their consumers on a personal level by connecting with them face-to-face. This way they are able to understand their consumers better and find services and products that really suit their needs.

Complete One is an outsourced sales and marketing firm based in Newcastle. The firm specialises in unique marketing techniques in order to deliver increased customer acquisition, brand awareness and brand loyalty to their clients. To do this they develop personalised marketing campaigns and take these to consumers via face-to-face marketing methods in order to create long-lasting and personal business connections between brand and consumer.

Source: http://www.managers.org.uk/insights/news/2015/october/how-british-companies-are-becoming-the-new-masters-of-customer-service-excellence

Complete One is urging companies to bring back the human element

Brand loyalty is consistently falling, and Newcastle-based direct marketing specialist Complete One is urging companies to use direct and personalised marketing strategies to retain and win customers back.

Complete One was founded in Newcastle in 2012 by Managing Director Glen Lowes in response to a gap in the market for interactive and personalised marketing solutions. “Research was showing that consumers were becoming turned off by consistent, identical, above the line marketing solutions and I saw an opportunity to capitalise on that and offer alternative marketing solutions,” said Managing Director at Complete One, Glen Lowes. 

Rather than high-cost, unmeasurable and impersonal marketing strategies, customer acquisition specialists Complete One offer cost-effective, measurable and tailor-made marketing solutions that deliver ‘the personal touch’ and guarantee high ROI. 

 Complete One believes it is through the use of the human element that it has been able to build brand loyalty for their clients. Using in-person promotions, at Complete One they go direct to customers. Meeting with customers in person allows them to build relationships, handle queries and instill consumer confidence. 

 Complete One believes in-person promotions are far more effective than digital advertising. Face-to-face marketing strategies mean Complete One is not limited to words on a billboard or seconds on a TV advert. Face-to-face interactions are hard to ignore or overlook. Companies spend millions of pounds on advertising campaigns that provide no real accurate, measurable results and feedback. The way people view TV is changing and as a result marketing has been forced to evolve. 

 Complete One recently acquired a new client to its portfolio: one of the UK’s leading broadband and telecoms providers. They have fast gained a reputation for delivering both quality and quantity results for their clients. “The key to our success, without a doubt, is the human element. We have high customer service standards and we are committed to delivering an outstanding customer experience every time. Human interaction is the strategy that allows us to maintain high customer service standards and build brand loyalty for our clients,“ said Glen Lowes. 

Complete One is an ambitious and dynamic outsourced sales and marketing company based in the heart of Newcastle's city centre. At Complete One they specialise in customer acquisition through in-person promotions at events and venues throughout the North East.  Their expertise lies in increasing market share and raising brand awareness, for their client portfolio, through face-to-face promotional marketing and sales campaigns.  In a world of ever advancing technologies, Complete One offers clients something that is often lacking in today’s digital world: the personal touch.