Clearer marketing direction for businesses that need to grow, sharpen their positioning or get more from the marketing they already have. I work with start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs to build practical marketing strategies that connect business goals, customer insight, brand, channels and execution.
The work can range from a focused strategy project to a broader reset of the marketing function. The aim is always the same: clearer priorities, better decisions and a roadmap the business can actually use.
When a marketing strategy consultant can help
Sometimes the business knows it needs to grow or change, but the marketing direction isn’t clear enough yet. That’s where I come in – to bring an outside perspective, challenge assumptions and turn the commercial ambition into a focused marketing plan.
- You’re growing, but marketing has become reactive or fragmented.
- You’re entering a new market or launching a new product or service.
- Your positioning or proposition needs sharpening.
- You’re spending on marketing but aren’t confident the activity is focused on the right priorities.
- You’ve outgrown the strategy that got you to where you are today.
- You need an experienced external view before making a major marketing investment.
- You have a marketing team or agency, but they need a clearer strategic brief and direction.
The output isn’t a strategy deck that sits on a shelf. The work is designed to give the business a clear set of priorities, choices and actions that people can actually use.
What a marketing strategy project can cover
You don’t need every element every time. The scope depends on the business challenge, but the work typically draws from these areas:
Business and growth priorities
Clarify what the business is trying to achieve, where growth needs to come from, and what marketing needs to contribute.
Customer and market insight
Understand the audience, buying behaviour, market dynamics and competitive context so decisions are grounded in evidence.
Positioning and proposition
Sharpen how the business is positioned, what makes it relevant and distinctive, and why customers should choose it.
Marketing priorities and channel strategy
Decide where to focus, which audiences and channels matter most, and how activity should work together.
Measurement and performance
Define the commercial and marketing measures that matter, improve visibility of performance, and identify where investment is working hardest.
Roadmap and implementation plan
Turn the strategy into a clear sequence of actions, owners, timings and priorities so the business can move quickly into delivery.
Depending on the brief, I can stop at strategy, help shape the implementation plan, or stay involved to help lead delivery.
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Strategy that leads to commercial results
Over 30 years, I’ve worked on marketing strategy across global brands, challengers and growing businesses. The contexts vary, but the work is always grounded in a commercial objective and designed to move quickly into execution.
+100% revenue in three months
Repositioning work for FishAways helped drive a doubling of revenue within three months, for half their stores nationally.
+23% revenue
Strategy and marketing work with US challenger fintech tastytrade contributed to 23% revenue growth over 12 months.
+31% year-on-year sales
Marketing strategy work for a growing nutraceutical business contributed to 31% year-on-year sales growth.
+266% new risk policies
Strategy work for PPS Mutual (insurance) contributed to a 266% increase in new risk policies.
These examples include work led by me in previous senior client and agency roles, as well as consulting engagements. They illustrate the strategic and commercial experience I now bring to clients through Elevate Growth Solutions.
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What you leave with
A good marketing strategy should set a clear direction and make decisions easier. Depending on the brief, the work can give you:
- A clear view of the commercial challenge marketing needs to solve
- Agreed target audiences and priority segments
- Sharper positioning and proposition
- Clear marketing priorities and where to focus investment
- A defined role for brand, channels, content and campaigns
- Measures of success and a clearer view of performance
- A practical roadmap for implementation
- Alignment across leadership, marketing and other key stakeholders
The level of detail depends on the challenge, but the outcome should always be something the business can use to make better decisions and move into action.
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FAQs
How is this different from hiring a fractional CMO?
A strategy project is usually focused on a specific business or marketing challenge, with a defined scope and outcome. A fractional CMO or Marketing Director is an ongoing leadership role, where I stay involved in the business and help lead implementation over time.
How long does a marketing strategy project usually take?
It depends on the scope, but most projects run over a number of weeks rather than months. The aim is to get to a clear, usable strategy quickly enough for the business to act on it.
Do you work with our existing marketing team or agency?
Yes. I can work alongside an internal team, agency or other partners, bringing senior strategic direction and helping make sure everyone is aligned around the same priorities.
Can you help us if our marketing is already active but feels unfocused?
Yes. That’s a common starting point. I can audit what is currently happening, identify what is working, where effort is being wasted, and where the biggest opportunities sit.
Do you only work with start-ups and SMEs?
No. I’ve worked with businesses of very different sizes, from global organisations to challengers and growing SMEs. Most of my consulting work today is with start-ups, scale-ups and mid-sized businesses.
Can you help with implementation after the strategy is finished?
Yes. I can stay involved to help shape implementation, support the team and agencies, or move into a fractional marketing leadership role where that makes sense.
Do you work with businesses outside the UK?
Yes. I’m UK-based and work with clients across the UK and internationally. Recent international clients include a business consultancy in Dubai, and a B2B Saas start-up in Florida, USA.
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Need a clearer marketing strategy?
If you need a sharper view of where marketing should focus, what to prioritise and how to turn that into action, let’s talk.