If you don’t have time to watch our full video, don’t worry—all we talk about is written below. So grab a brew and enjoy reading!
What’s the videocast all about?
At the end of January, we are reflecting on how 2024 ended for our businesses. We noticed a sense of caution amongst clients—some projects went on pause, and budgets felt a bit stretched. Yet January has already picked up speed for both of us, hinting there’s plenty to feel positive about in 2025.
Who we are
- Gill Bishop: I’m a marketing strategist here at CherryAid Marketing. I help businesses plan marketing so it’s actually worth the effort—making sure they reach the right people, build real relationships, and ultimately increase sales.
- Michelle Molyneux runs Michelle Molyneux Business Consulting, specialising in data protection, compliance, and all those “boring” (but vital) policies businesses prefer to dodge. Michelle is a certified Action Learning Coach and loves turning GDPR from a headache into something manageable.
Reviewing 2024
- Challenges faced: When we met late last year, we were both feeling a bit down about the cautious market. Clients often said, “I want to do that, but not right now,” which slowed momentum.
- Honesty over pretence: Rather than paint a rosy picture, we admitted it was tough. Through chats with our own clients, it turned out many small businesses felt exactly the same.
Preparing for 2025
Here’s how we’re preparing for 2025.
- Goal setting:
- Michelle’s approach: She did a big reflection in December, thinking hard about the direction of her services. As a data consultant, she’s tweaking her offering to include online courses, so SMEs with smaller budgets can still tackle data protection.
- My approach: I usually plan by asking clients (and myself!) what they truly want to achieve—financial goals, work–life balance, and so on. This year I’m digging deeper, looking at bigger life questions like which hours to work and why I’m even doing it.
- Process reviews:
- Both of us admit we’ve taken a second look at the tools and platforms we use—like CRMs and social media—and asked, “Are these subscriptions really worth the cost?” If you’re guilty of paying for a fancy bit of software you never use, you’re not alone.
- Policy updates:
- A not-so-glamorous but essential part of the new year is reviewing your privacy policy, data map, and cookie policy. If you’ve changed anything on your website or introduced new software, your policies might need a refresh.
- Marketing planning:
- We both agree social media can be a time-drain if you let it take over. Instead, figure out exactly how much time you can spend each week, then pick the channels that genuinely bring results. And don’t forget: a consistent trickle of activity often beats a one-off splash.
Our predictions for the year ahead
- Sustainability: Expect more businesses to shout about eco-friendly achievements, rather than quietly ticking that box. Consumers are looking for the real deal, not greenwashing.
- AI & data protection: AI is huge, but it’s also raising plenty of questions about privacy. We discuss how new bills and regulations (both UK and EU) could affect businesses big and small, and why you need to keep an eye on government plans for AI.
- Potential compliance changes: The old Data Protection & Digital Information Bill stalled, and Labour’s Data Use & Access Bill is in the House of Lords. Keep an ear out for updates—it might mean new rules for data handling.
Looking ahead to February
- Safer Internet Day (6th Feb) and Clean Out Your Computer Day (12th Feb) are great reminders to review security (both physically and digitally).
- Valentine’s Day: Whether you’re B2B or B2C, there’s a chance to show your customers or clients some love—maybe a thank you, a special loyalty offer, or a simple “We appreciate you.”
- Marmite question: We’d love to know which you find more painful: marketing or compliance? Let us know!
February’s episode…
In our next episode, we’ll be chatting about love and hate in business, which ties nicely into Valentine’s Day. Expect more practical tips, a bit of banter, and possibly some debate over whether marketing or GDPR is the bigger headache!
Got questions? Drop us a line, and we’ll do our best to tackle them in the next episode.
Where to find us
- Michelle
- LinkedIn: Michelle Molyneux
- Website: michelle-molyneux.co.uk
- Gill
- LinkedIn: Gill Bishop
- Website: CherryAid Marketing
Thanks for reading! We hope this blog gives you the same insights you’d get from the full video. If you have any thoughts, please share them with us — we love hearing from other business owners. Enjoy your brew, and see you next time!
