Running a business is rarely a straightforward journey. Here, Bridie Gallagher, Managing Director at Glass Digital, shares her tips for success.
When we first started Glass Digital in 2014, we were a team of three in a tiny windowless office. It wasn’t the most glamorous start, but we had a vision and we were excited about it. Today, we’re a growing team of over 30 staff and a client base exceeding 50 clients.
Building a business from the ground up is a learning curve, and you never quite know what each day will bring. I’ve learned some vital lessons over the years that have helped shape the company into what it is today. Here, I’ll share my most important tips that you can take on board for your business.
Find a gap in the market
When you’re first starting out, it’s important to identify what makes you different from your competitors and ensure your idea is something people actually want. Take a look at what other businesses are currently offering and work out your customers’ pain points to see what you can do better. For example, when we established Glass Digital, we realised there was a big problem with openness within the search engine optimisation (SEO) sector. Companies were paying agencies for their time, without knowing what work was going on. Armed with this knowledge, we created a new kind of digital marketing agency with transparency at its heart.
Be honest
In business, honesty is always the best policy, so don’t be tempted to oversell your product as you’re taking on new clients. In my experience, customers always appreciate an honest pitch, so be realistic about the kind of work you can do. You’ll build much stronger relationships with your clients who could then be more likely to recommend your business to others.
Set clear goals
Setting clear goals from the off is vital for scaling your business. This can be anything from growing your team and expanding into new locations, to implementing new product or service offerings. Keep an eye on your performance indicators and don’t be afraid to adjust your goals or set new ones as your situation changes. Not only does it give you a clear path to follow, but it can also help motivate you when times feel tough.
Invest in the right tools
We’re lucky enough to have a whole host of tools right at our fingertips which can make businesses much more efficient. While the resources you use can vary depending on your sector, a project management tool is something no business should go without.
At Glass Digital, we use Teamwork, which allows our teams and clients to communicate effectively and transparently. Everyone’s eyes are on the ball, meaning staff can pick up tasks for another team member if they’re off sick, and messages from clients never go unanswered.
Surround yourself with support
As business owners, we can’t possibly do everything ourselves, so it’s important to surround ourselves with people who inspire us and can offer support. The best ideas always come from a group with the same vision, and I think that’s one of the reasons why Glass Digital has been able to scale up so well. Our board of directors always make decisions as a team and we constantly bounce ideas off each other to come up with creative solutions to problems.
Remember to set aside some time for your family, too. Balancing being a parent with a full-time job can feel like a challenge, so ask for support from family members or friends with duties like school pickups. During school holidays, I sometimes even bring my daughter to the office with me so I can still focus on my business but won’t miss out on that all-important family time.
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These are just some of the lessons I’ve learned in my time as Managing Director. Running a business is a constant learning experience. Are there any lessons you’ve learned along the way?
Bridie Gallagher is Managing Director of Newcastle-based digital marketing agency Glass Digital. After being established in 2014 by a small team of five, the business has since grown to a team of over 30 full-time staff as well as over 50 clients. It currently specialises in search engine optimisation, paid search optimisation, and affiliate marketing.
