Top Five Marketing Trends for 2017

Suzie Smith, Cornwall College Marketing Trainer

At Cornwall College Suzie oversees the marketing courses, from professional qualifications, to apprenticeships, short courses and workshops. She is a qualified teacher and holds the PGCE, but also runs her own marketing agency, specialising in digital communications.

Suzie’s background is as a journalist, working at all levels from reporter to editor in newspapers, magazines and on radio. She moved into PR and then marketing, latterly becoming a trainer which led to her role with the college.

As well as delivering training, Suzie also writes and designs the courses herself, including the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s professional qualifications offered by Cornwall College.

Suzie is a digital marketing specialist, with specific skills as a social media expert and trainer. She handles the social media management and digital communications for a variety of clients and has just finished writing an Essential Digital Marketing Toolkit and Social Media Apprenticeship.

Area of Specialism: Marketing

Education: Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), Diploma in Journalism, BA in Journalism and Psychology.

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Find out more about the Professional Marketing CIM Certificate starting in Camborne this April.

Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Diploma Case Study

Muddy Boots Rural Marketing provides flexible marketing services on specific projects or as an additional part of your team, including strategy development and implementation through to in-house support.

What were the business issues or challenges that were addressed by engaging in training?

Matthew took on the responsibility of Marketing Manager for Cornwall Farmers.  It was during his time there that he undertook the training to increase his marketing knowledge before setting up his own business.

The training undertook:

Matthew undertook the Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Diploma (CIM) with the support of funding through the ESF Convergence Project run by Cornwall College Business. 

What impact and benefits has the training had on the delegate and company?

Undertaking the course has given Matthew a more holistic approach to marketing ensuring that his customer is at the centre of business decisions. As well as the traditional marketing planning and communications, the diploma course covered the important part of managing teams and projects. This has helped Matthew in both his professional life and organisations he is involved in socially.

“The knowledge I gained from my CIM studies assisted me in my Marketing Manager role and subsequently in achieving Chartered Marketer status.  With the confidence I gained, I have now set up and run my own marketing agency, Muddy Boots Rural Marketing.”

Matthew Hodge, Director of Muddy Boots Rural Marketing

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CMI Management & Leadership Training for your Business

Rosemullion Veterinary Centre is based in Falmouth, Helston and Penryn. The Falmouth branch is a fully equipped Veterinary Hospital, the Helston branch is a large purpose-built branch surgery and their newest surgery in Penryn is a dedicated small animal surgery.

What were the business issues or challenges that were addressed by engaging in training?

When Stuart first joined the company as practice manager he found it difficult to work with two key members of the management team. All three agreed on the objectives to move the business forward, however communication amongst them was not as good as it was hoped. An element of Stuart’s role was to become involved in a new project, to plan and implement the building of a new purpose built veterinary hospital. Stuart had not been involved in a project of this magnitude before and was therefore, understandably nervous. Part of the reason for Stuart attending the course was to give him more confidence in his ability and so that he could also face the challenges such a project would bring.

The training undertook:

Stuart undertook the Management & Leadership Diploma Level 5 CMI which was part funded through the ESF Convergence Project delivered by Cornwall College Business.

What impact and benefits has the training had on the company?

Stuart has been managing staff in his own way for some time. By formalising his training it has given him confidence that he isn’t “just making it all up as he goes along” there is sound proven business logic behind what he was already doing. Part of the course encouraged Stuart to look at his management style and the personalities around him. This provided Stuart with the insight to change the way the management team interacted with each other and now they are working well together.

“The trainers were supportive and encouraging and the work was at times testing. Whilst there is a certain amount of theory, it was the practical application that benefited my work. For me it most importantly gave me the confidence to make the changes that I needed to make to become a more effective manager.”

Stuart Saunders, Practice Manager - Rosemullion Veterinary Centre

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