Don't get distracted by shining new objects, especially investing in digital media before you've considered all the elements of a go-to-market plan.

Essential sales and marketing components for start-ups

eBook

This ebook explores essential strategies to help you succeed whether you are a current founder of a scale-up or a new start-up entrepreneur. 

Whilst you're likely focusing on product development, make sure you're also considering essential components of sales and marketing to help drive revenue.

Don't get distracted by shining new objects, especially technology and AI and investing in digital media tactics 

 you've considered all the foundational elements of a go-to-market plan. 

Here are some simple recommendations to get you off the ground.

Essential sales and marketing components cover

Essential sales and marketing components

Starting and scaling a business requires mastery of several essential sales and marketing components.

Danny is the founder of Short Story Ventures, a venture studio that helps early-stage founders build a fundable startup brand. He is an investor, adviser and director of Founder Institute, the world&apos;s largest pre-seed startup accelerator.
&quot;I believe the best way to be the change we want to see in the world, is to create it through meaningful ventures.&quot;

Brand-First Venture Builder

Lunch and Learn: Crafting a compelling business pitch

Uncover three simple pitch types you need to grow your business from stage, screen or social media.

Hello! I am a Programme Manager at Enterprise Nation, with a passion for providing support for small business owners through digital campaigns with our partners. I have a particular love for all things marketing, online and in-person events and strategy!&nbsp;

Programme Manager

Next Generation: Make your business sustainable & green

Join like-minded entrepreneurs to learn how to stick to weekly goals and be held accountable!



I’m an independent consultant, trainer and mentor helping business leaders – and their teams – find new ways to solve problems, embrace change and make it happen.
I have broad experience built on a career that started in the late 90s in advertising and moved quickly into the fast-growing world of digital and technology.
I’ve held leadership roles at global networks and consultancies, working with British Airways, BT, McLaren Automotive, Mars, P&amp;G and RBS, and boutique creative agencies working with Budweiser, Drambuie and Peroni. I’ve also co-founded a marketing agency and worked for an industry association, prior to setting up my own consulting business in 2016. This has enabled me to work with a vast range of businesses, all with different challenges to overcome and opportunities to grab hold of. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and the relationships we’ve built together.
I get my energy and fulfilment from bringing people together and creating an inclusive space where they feel they can be themselves. My approach is always people-first, starting with a conversation to understand what’s working and what might need to change, before diving into the detail.
You might have a one-off problem that needs solving, a bigger challenge requiring skills and experience not currently in your team, or need someone to talk to for an external perspective.
Some of the problems I help solve:
<ul>
<li>We have a disjointed business strategy with no clear vision &amp; values, focus areas or team buy-in.</li>
<li>We’re stuck in a rut as our founders and company directors are lacking alignment on our path forwards.</li>
<li>We have regular disagreements and difficult conversations with clients, leading to lost business or bad reviews.</li>
<li>Our new business approach is stop-start and we only focus on it when the pipeline is looking empty.</li>
<li>We have a watered-down proposition that tries to be everything to everyone, but doesn’t truly resonate with anyone.</li>
<li>We lack diversity, creativity or innovation, driven by hiring people with similar backgrounds and lived experiences.</li>
<li>Our inconsistent approach to pricing and uncontrolled discounting is affecting profitability and team motivation.</li>
<li>We don’t have the confidence to delegate responsibility so finding purpose and a work/life balance remains a dream.</li>
</ul>
Strategy &amp; Consulting services provided:
<ul>
<li>Business strategy development support</li>
<li>Ongoing business mentoring</li>
<li>Mission, vision and values development</li>
<li>Goal setting, prioritisation and action plan development</li>
<li>Workshop design &amp; facilitation</li>
<li>Behavioural profiling and team effectiveness /performance support</li>
<li>People development and culture strategy</li>
<li>DE&amp;I consulting</li>
</ul>
Training offering (in-house and for individuals to book onto):
<ul>
<li>Managing people - effective delegation, setting and reviewing goals, adopting a coaching mindset</li>
<li>Personal development - giving and receiving feedback, managing conflict and difficult conversations, proactivity and problem-solving skills, time management and productivity</li>
<li>Professional development - negotiation for beginners, presentation skills, pricing, new business, workshop design &amp; facilitation</li>
<li>DE&amp;I - The business case for DE&amp;I, making space for inclusion, embedding DE&amp;I into your culture, an introduction to microaggressions, designing for DE&amp;I</li>
</ul>

Founder

Workshop facilitation

Sometimes it really helps to have an external facilitator who can provide an inclusive environment for a workshop, enabling the team to contribute equally and problem-solve together.

As a trained facilitator, I create positive conditions and energy into a room, so that you can focus on the things that really matter.

Kathie O&apos;Donoghue is a recognized business leader, Master Business Mentor and Coaching Supervisor specializing in the personal and professional growth of the Business Mentor/Coach. She also facilitates and trains other Mentors through the Help to Grow scheme.
With bases in Gloucester and West Sussex, Kathie is also the owner and Director of Mode Business Training &amp; Prosperon Networks, a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership, a Full Member of The Association of Business Mentors, a Member of the Association of Coaching Supervisors and a Master practitioner of the EMCC. Kathie is also a qualified CBT &amp; DBT therapist.
With a focus on accountability, constructive challenging skills and taking ownership of self-development. Kathie’s aim is to help individuals and businesses grow both organically and strategically using a range of techniques to uncover untapped potential.
Outside of the business arena, Kathie has an ongoing love of learning new, and sometimes bizarre skills. She has trained as an Opera singer, swum with Stingrays, has a full motorbike license, and considers herself a bit of a Sci-Fi geek.

Executive Business Mentor Supervisor and Trainer

Kathie ODonoghue

Kathie O&apos;Donoghue is a recognized business leader, Master Business Mentor and Coaching Supervisor specializing in the personal and professional growth of the Business Mentor/Coach. She also facilitates and trains other Mentors through the Help to Grow scheme.
With bases in Gloucester and West Sussex, Kathie is also the owner and Director of Mode Business Training &amp; Prosperon Networks, a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership, a Full Member of The Association of Business Mentors

Essential sales and marketing components for start-ups

Where to find the guide

Relevant resources

You might also like…

Get business support right to your inbox