Bio
J27 Accountants are based in Leeds on the M62 corridor, and we met at the She Business Online networking event in the summer of 2022.
Dinah has grown her team since operating and decided to expand and move to a bigger office towards the end of 2021, moving in early 2022.
J27 Accountants look after the local SME market by looking after their registered accounts and PAYE. However, one of the niche targets Dinah looks after is in the hospitality sector and this is how we sparked up a conversation in the network due to our experience of 15 years in the hospitality division before going self-employed in May 2016.
Following a free 45-minute discovery session Dinah instructed Ask Zoe for 1:1 consultancy support monthly following a strategy session.
Here is Dinah’s account of this service and how she has found the process so far, as the retainer support will be in place until October 2023.
What was the scenario before you started working together with Ask Zoe?
When we begin working with our client, we wish to identify the core elements that the customer wishes to improve and what areas in their marketing are working well, not working at all, or which hasn’t had a chance to develop due to the pressures of the business.
Upon our first meeting, we spoke about the developments the business had sustained during the pandemic, the move of premises, and the areas they were pitching the business within.
Following the initial consultation here are the main areas our client wanted to work on through our 1:1 support on a monthly retainer basis:
Wishing to improve the core sales funnel for the business.
Looking at creating a community avenue for the business to create a sense of community between the customers and the business.
Gain a better return on investment from marketing in general to increase client base.
In reference to their marketing and areas J27 Accountants felt were strong or could be improved were as follows:
Teamwork is great and providing a productive and happy team for her clients and the team in general. But looking to introduce new incentives with the suggestion and support of Ask Zoe and her suppliers.
Networking is increasing now we have Beth and Ryan onboard so has become more targeted.
But they still felt they weren’t seeing a return of much currently due to the change the business has been impacted with since March 2020 and further opportunities in reference to marketing are now being used, such as:
Networking
Signage
Directories
Niche Sector
How to guide.
So, our role was to ensure the marketing return was bridging the gap between revenue, clients, and marketing presence in the business. Whilst supporting the business to work smarter not harder through their systems and process.
What were their goals (from the customer’s perspective)?
Their initial goal was broken down into four key areas:
Return On investment (ROI)
Target Audience
Product, Service, and Offers
Future Opportunities
By looking at the following within the business:
- Sales strategy to align with our marketing to work smarter not harder for the business.
- Create opportunities within the niche target audience of hospitality.
- Recover loss of revenue to bring back to break even on P&L
- Do more within the business community i.e., Saturday morning business club and solar panels on premises to reduce carbon footprint, both can be used to make your business stand out in the local marketplace.
Why did you choose to work with Ask Zoe?
The main reason we choose to work with Zoe is due to her experience within our niche target sector and the rapport built through our online networking group. Zoe was able to provide us with a plan of action to follow that provides me and the team with a map in reference to what, when, and how. Plus, we have access to her extended network and online community to support me and my team between our 1:1 sessions.
We had also tried previous consultants in the past and they weren’t flexible enough with our business and did not understand the impact our business had suffered during the pandemic.
I liked Zoe’s style and how she explained what we needed to do, when, and how. Plus, her rapport and customer service were extended to my team; which was a huge benefit to me.
What was the process and how have you benefited since working with Zoe on a 1:1 level?
In reference to the process, this all started with an initial conversation within the She Business Online group, where Zoe was able to help me initially with support, advice, and introductions.
Then we engaged in her offer for a free discovery session, to brainstorm further ideas and support needed for my role in the business and to gain more return from our current marketing channels.
From this, we started working with Zoe on a 1:1 consultancy level and now have monthly meetings to ensure we are exploring every opportunity for the business and gaining the return and momentum we set out to achieve in our first initial consultation.
Due to how fast things have changed for the better, I have found Zoe to be approachable, flexible, and patient which I am extremely thankful for and you can tell she cares and wants my business to be successful which I admire.
What results have you seen so far?
Return on investment since working with Zoe on this project has been many avenues which included new ideas, training, and development of products and services through event marketing strategies. Plus, having someone in your corner when you wish to bounce ideas off one another and introduce them to their extended network. Helps to make things happen in an efficient manner and this has been hugely beneficial for me and my team.
We are also ahead of schedule as we have just made the decision to sell the business a couple of years ahead of planned as we have bridged the gap in revenue to attract potential buyers.
What would you say are the main advantages of working with Ask Zoe and would you recommend their services to others?
The main advantages have been clarity, flexibility, and support. Zoe does not just deliver the strategy; she supports you 100% and ensures you have a third eye on the business. Helping you make decisions for the better.