BJ Ball

Paper, packaging substrates and roll solutions supplies for the commercial print industry

I engaged Andie to help me transition into a role as Marketing & Environmental Manager at BJ Ball. Coming from a sales background I had plenty of experience around selling our products, however no formal marketing training. I specifically needed support with marketing strategy and documenting a plan. I wanted to develop the knowledge and skills around marketing planning so that we had clearly identified priorities – and that’s exactly what I received from Flex Marketing.

Our first piece of work together was developing a marketing plan. Using a framework that Flex Marketing has developed it pulled at threads and questioned practices that then managed to weave everything together. It then kept things simple by focusing on the three top objectives for the year, and breaking them down into chunks to resolve month by month. Her great approach to coaching meant that I owned creating the plan, and learnt a lot about our business, while having someone to nudge me along and support me when I needed help or had gaps.

We then got stuck into some branding work together. Reviewing the Group’s brand architecture, we kicked off a process of brand refinement. This involved analysing, defining and developing value propositions for each of our brands. It really nutted out the different personalities of our business segments and the synergies or conflicts they had when viewed together as a whole. Having someone to bounce ideas off, listen to my thoughts and document notes was really useful. Andie’s fantastic ability to capture my words and reflect them back in an organised, flowing way was great. It helped direct my thinking and allowed me to share these in a more structured way with colleagues. The outcome will be a more cohesive, consistent set of brand guidelines that form a solid foundation from which the business can grow and retain unity.

A changing business focus after covid means the plan has changed, but I have the confidence and tools to write the next one on my own, and hopefully get the chance to implement it without a global pandemic messing it up.

I would recommend Flex Marketing to businesses who are looking for someone clear and logical to guide them through the marketing frameworks involved in strategy, planning and brand refinement. Andie's friendly and calm approach puts you at ease right from the start.

Rachel Foye, Marketing & Environmental Manager

Marketing coaching