marketing – Mark Trotter

Social Care Mindset

Working with business owners in the Social Care Sector it is clear that so many are stuck in a mindset. They require the Local Authority and NHS approval to attract clients.

The adjustments to the procurement process for 2026 have some surprises in store. A recent Pre-market Engagement event with one of the local authorities dropped the bombshell – all providers must have a CQC rating of “Good” or better.

The CQC First Inspection backlog runs to the thousands, note the post by Homecare Association. The problem will get worse.

Three Simple Steps

Once registration is achieved a Care provider can build the market confidence with three actions:

Prequalification using SSIP accreditation for Health and Safety
Complete PAS91 compliance
Social Value Accreditation

All available for Health and Social Care Providers, the investment creates clear rewards and generates market confidence. We recommend using service providers like PQS (Prequalification Scheme [SSIP])

Quality Assurance Accreditation

Tailored ISO 9001 accreditation is limited and costly but worth the investment. The assessment process is designed to capture both Good Practice and Key development needs.

When small businesses look to punch above their weight the primary tool is demonstrating the quality of the service.

Social Media

The growth of online Brokerages has created a second marketplace and here you are looking at paying for referrals.

How do you beat the Brokers? simply put work harder at the online profile and footprint. Therefore, use AI tools to ensure that your prospective clients are engaged quickly, that they can speak to the right person.

Consequently, Facebook; Instagram; Bluesky; Community Directories and local advertising online create opportunities.

Additionally, use feedback sites and request testimonials that automatically link to Trust Pilot and similar services. Use Online Forms to feed the local reference sites where your business is listed.

Exploit Website Potential

Therefore this year I have offered all clients web traffic analysis. The majority found this interesting as they paid maintenance services and SEO only to find the unique visits generated each week were low.

Also the website design is just the same as everyone else, take a look, same photographs, AI generated text and links that didn’t help them to inspire anyone to call.

Looking at my website you will say “you can’t talk” however, my website isn’t designed to encourage a large number of enquires. The blog is all that is focused on as all services and support are bespoke, designed and then tailored to your needs. We make ourselves redundant.

So act over the holiday period launch these actions:

Analyse the website
Check your credit score as a business
List the accreditation that would give you confidence
Design a marketing plan
Action plan for the second week in January

If you need assistance in completing any of these tasks or want this done independently then contact us or subscribe to the blog.

Prepare your business for 2026 and secure a positive approach to market growth and development

Small Business economics

For Small Business owners the prediction for 2026 is quite bleak. An investment poor macro economic profile depresses the headline rate of economic growth.

However, this is an opportunity for business owners. Growth is over emphasised in business because sustainability and durability are key.

We work with those “we know, like and trust”, therefore, it is the opportunity to get to know your market and potential customers.

Health and Social Care

We’re told the health and social care system is failing. That’s not accurate. Demand out strips the structure to respond. Yet the market place is deluged with small providers who do a great job.

The problem? Simple, the Public rely on the Local Authority and Government, NHS and established Health Care sector to shop for them. This creates problems.

We don’t send others to shop for very personal services, choose where we do our weekly grocery shopping or buy petrol. Yet we rely on people who don’t know us to find the care provider.

Remedy! Care providers get known in your community, be there first, one off support. For example, this month thousands are down with a particularly difficult strain of influenza. Ask what support could you provide? Many care providers shop for their clients, is this a one off service you can introduce?

For example, in Liverpool, Birmingham, Essex, Nottingham, Leicestershire you have access to top care providers like:

All local care providers and working in their respective communities.

Therefore, Look for opportunities to be seen. Use social media and offer support. Don’t hide your business.

Trading Through Recession

The global reality is that market growth now depends on reducing globalisation, breaking up international companies and starting to operate within national boundaries.

However, the multinationals who move most of the money out of economies control Governments.

A radical solution is turn the income tap off. Require all businesses to operate under the same rules.

Faceless multinationals are at a disadvantage, they exploit convenience, price is rarely a factor because Wish, Alibaba and Temu compete on price but it is delivery times that let them down

Consolidation creates growth

Learn from the natural world, plants have seasons for growth, eventually everything stops growing but still functions.

Want to establish a market position that naturally develops in your community then contact us

Learn from the great surviving enterprises, who grow in favourable seasons, consolidate and trim to ensure continuation of trading. Business owners are not at the mercy of the marketplace they can drive it.

Stay Visible; Stay Local; Stay relevant!

Consequently, we see this as the time for real development. Create a plan, start by calling us.

Feeling Left Behind

The struggle to keep up with technology has caused some to feel they have been left behind.

The race to the top is always competitive, therefore, the breathing felt on the back of the neck should spur us on. However, there are many businesses that see the race passing them, inaccurately perceiving the market advantage is lost.

The media companies need us all to feel this is the only route to market. Thus the pricing of simple tools, core software programmes reaches a point that we are already feeling the pinch before anything is sold.

Smoke and Mirrors

Last week I had the opportunity to review a business that still used the person to person method of building business.

Focused on great service and a good reputation. No online reviews and a very small digital footprint.

Success was built on maximising the tools and resources and not getting sucked into the clouds. Simple systems well managed, good products and great sales with high quality after care.

The point made to me was the Media is just smoke and mirrors. The illusion of personal interest designed to strip the customer of every penny.

Solutions

First point made was have real people around, get to know the customer and understand their business.

Second point tailor the product or service, ensure it is unique and developed with the customer.

Third point, develop repeat business and referrals, this creates genuine leads.

Fourth point, value everyone in the supply chain by keeping things personal.

Action Point

Based on some of these points I looked at all the software and subscriptions we use. Our action was test the concept, therefore, shut down Microsoft and Google on a couple of new jobs.

Impact no subscription but the same high quality tools accessed like Libre Office – you can find loads.

Consequently, returning to home run servers and data storage that is turned off when not wanted proved advantageous.

The more we rely on Cloud and Global Corporations the more vulnerable our data and resources become.

Another key point, Software Giants want us to spend money when they watch the free ware and firm ware developers take the leaps forward and just copy them.

Is it time to explore the options? Could your business do everything differently by simplifying the dependency on Global Software companies?

Hence, we learn from our clients. As a result we share interesting outcomes with readers. So subscribe to the posts and in coming months explore what can be done to make simple tools work effectively.

Contact us for a ‘no obligation’ conversation about reducing core costs. Stop sacrificing your data security to a third party.

Supporting Business

Those supporting business recognise that Government Statistics tracking insolvencies are distressing to read. When a company ceases to trade for any reason it affects the lives of many.

Business Support

During the 1990s as part of the social and economic development directory of a Local Authority the message was clear “got an idea, then start a business”. Business start up support provided the crucial support new business owners needed.

This support continues and expands the range of resources CDP Support provide.

Documents and Templates
Financial tables for Business Plans
Business Plans
Marketing Strategies
Quality Assurance
Health and Safety
Human Resources
Growth Planning
Bid and Tender Writing

Business is personal, an immersive investment that affects every part of life, public and private. Small issues unseen present the greatest risk to success.

Four quotes emphasise the need to know your business and stay ahead of the trends. Insolvency and Financial issues aren’t a product of poor bookkeeping or accounts, so put the ownership into business projects.

“Track your finances weekly”, simple advice but just how is that done?

Policy and procedures often conflict with action, causing issues with performance.

Use training to focus on development, not maintenance.

“Knowledge is far more important than information”

CDP Support – Tenders and Contracts

Freelance networking designed to keep business owners informed and knowledgeable.

Buy the support you need and get access to the specialist resources of experienced Freelance Business people. Contact us

Simplicity

The concept of trade is to exchange one product or service for financial reward. However, the modern complexity of global markets creates the need for comprehensive offers to customers.

This does not reflect the reality of life, we are good at some things, better at others, therefore, why the sales complexity and delusional promises. All product and services are limited or bound by finite terms.

Try this approach for a while; let the customer understand you are responding to their need. The extra’s required are just that, Extra! It is common to hear from freelancers (I know because I have been guilty of it), “we need this completed before I can move on, so I’ll do it myself”.

For service providers and freelancers understand the client is buying your skills and your time. Value them.

The business support marketplace

Define what you are selling and who is buying. Then make it easy for them to buy. Complexity creates confusion, simplicity establishes excellence, continuity and trust. All marketplaces are built on trust. Sadly, the regulatory system explains that we can’t trust everyone. So set checks, require information and ensure the integrity of the buyer.

An insolvent buyer is crippling and the impact of one or two in a financial year can be make or break. That is why CDP Support will help profile your marketplace and create a clear sales and tendering strategy.

This is a “No Frills” package.

So if you have a question or want to know more about the marketplace you are selling in Contact Us

CDP Support

Business Support providers recognise that Government Statistics tracking insolvencies are distressing to read. When a company ceases to trade for any reason it affects the lives of many.