Enterprise Expo 2024: Ten tips from the experts

Our Enterprise Expo 2024 gave the chance for the community’s entrepreneurs, freelancers and small business owners to gain insight and ideas from experts in many different fields.

For those who couldn’t join us, or for those who did but want a refresher, here are ten top tips – two from each of our speakers – picked up on the day.

From Paul Flaum, CEO of Bourne Leisure – the hugely popular UK holiday business which includes the Haven and Warner Hotels brands:

*  You must always have a customer-centric mindset, and get your mission and culture right.

* The good news for entrepreneurs is that, due to the transformative nature of new technology, it is much easier today for small businesses to disrupt and attack big businesses.

From Tash Grossman, Founder and CEO of Slip Receipts – a start-up that has successfully closed over £3M in investment: 

* Make sure that the problem you think your business is solving is actually a problem people will pay to have solved.

* One of the biggest challenges that entrepreneurs face is rejection. Learning to turn these rejections into positive learning experiences is hard, but it will make you resilient and a better business.

From Craig Hartzel, Founder of Hartz AI – a company committed to equipping businesses with customised AI solutions:

* Remember that, whatever you want to achieve, there is an AI for everything!

* Pay attention to the Loyalty Economy. When customers feel that a brand truly understands their needs, it builds trust and encourages them to return and engage repeatedly.

From Nick Rabin, Founder of Possibility? – an insight consultancy firm specialising in research for consumer-facing brands:

* Being consistent in getting customer/client feedback – and tracking it month in and month out so you can see any trends forming – is vital.

* One bad experience leads 20% of people to leave a brand forever. A few bad experiences and that rises to 60%.

Rebecca Martin: CEO Social Misfits – a social media agency that helps businesses grow, thrive, and shine in the digital world:

* Use social media to humanise your brand. Share authentic stories – including success stories and testimonials – that create a human touch and make your brand relatable and trustworthy.

* Acknowledge and respond to your audience thoughtfully to show you genuinely value them. Any time you can engage directly with your customers is an opportunity.