As Myk Baxter Marketing UK approaches its thirteenth birthday, I’ve recently been taking the time to think about what lies ahead of us this year and to reflect on what the agency has achieved in this time.

Leading one of the best north-east based marketing agencies is a privilege, but that doesn’t mean to say that it’s challenging. I’m always on the road, up till late most evenings and up until recently, have always sweated the small stuff. 

For those of you who may be deciding to follow in my footsteps, today’s blog post is dedicated to you as I share my tips on what it takes to become a great business leader – fueled by what I’ve learnt during my career. 

Let’s get into it.

(Business) Life Is A Rollercoaster & You’ve Just Gotta Ride It!

You want to keep on an even keel as much as possible, even when times are tough. Never get too high, and don’t get too low.

Be Open & Honest With Your Team

If you want to gain the trust and respect of your team, you’ve got to be open with them all of the time. Never be afraid to share bad news. The way you have to look at it is that it always be outweighed by the good. 

Find Yourself A Great Team To Start With

Take a look at the gaps in your skillset, and fill them with people who are fantastic in their field. My team may be small, but they are mighty and I know they will be with me until the end. 

Find A Hobby Outside Of Work Hours

Finding that perfect form of escape is key to being a successful leader. For me, it’s working out, training or hiking. It gets me into a great flow state for an hour, and I find myself not thinking about work whilst doing it. 

Focus On One Avenue 

Things get messy when your attention is pulled in different directions. Don’t run towards money in different avenues. You know what brings in revenue for your business, so stick with it!

Never Obsess Over Your Competitors

It’s okay to have a look at what your competition is up to but you won’t be better than them if you just follow the same path. 

Knuckle Down and Achieve The Best

Whilst your team work on delivering the best projects, make sure you knuckle down and explore how you can better your business. Also, make the time to network with those who could potentially help with your business growth.

Get Your Finances In Order

Knowing your financial model inside and out is probably the most important of all the tips I share today. Find yourself a great accountant who you can trust. They’ll help review your parameters as your goals become a reality. Also, be realistic about what you currently have in the pot. Don’t overstretch it and leave yourself short. 

It’s all of the above that allows our boutique digital marketing to produce great results and I’ll continue to live by the above until the end.

Thanks for reading,

Myk Baxter, eCommerce Consultant