Secrets of Fueling Growth Through Non-Traditional Collaborations with Iain Scott
Release Date: 04/14/2025
Higgle: The B2B Sales Club
How can agencies build trust and articulate value to excel in complex third-sector negotiations? Jenny Kitchen, the CEO of Yoyo Design, is with us today to explore the transformative journey of a digital agency evolving into a leader in the third sector. She explains how Yoyo Design strategically partnered with technology like Umbraco and collaborated with organizations such as the RNLI to fuel their growth and establish a strong foothold in the sector. Jenny shares personal stories from her time in rural France, which have shaped her leadership approach, emphasizing creativity, strategic...
info_outlineHiggle: The B2B Sales Club
What strategies can agencies implement to harness the power of referrals and retention for sustainable growth? Tom Poynter is a seasoned industry expert who has honed his skills at prestigious companies and is currently Managing Director at Keel. In this discussion, we get into the importance of niche specialization in the competitive landscape of UK agencies, where 25,000 entities vie for attention. Tom argues that being a jack-of-all-trades isn't enough anymore. We explore how agencies can thrive by focusing on specific sectors and developing a deep understanding of client needs. We also...
info_outlineHiggle: The B2B Sales Club
Are you ready to discover how aligning purpose-driven initiatives with business goals can elevate your marketing campaigns? Becky Hipkiss, the New Business Director at We Are Futures, joins us today as she shares her journey from client services to becoming a standout figure in business development. She opens up about her unique experiences, including her side hustle as a micro-influencer, where she enjoys perks like gifted holidays without focusing on monetization. We dive into her knack for strategic deal-making and her award-winning achievements, like being named the BD100 Rising Star,...
info_outlineHiggle: The B2B Sales Club
How can embracing friction in sales negotiations unlock more creative and effective deal-making strategies? Saad a Saad is a negotiation consultant with Corporate Visions and the author of In the Lead: Mastering Your Sales Negotiation. We explore the art of negotiation beyond mere price discussions in this episode, focusing on the nuances that differentiate sales contexts from others. Saad shares invaluable insights on how to present justifiable pricing, build strong client relationships from the get-go, and employ strategic frameworks like the Kraljic matrix for B2B success. Whether you're a...
info_outlineHiggle: The B2B Sales Club
What are the surprising findings about client awareness of agency services, and how can agencies bridge this gap? In this episode, I sit down with Remeny Armitage once again, Founder of Brilliant and Human, to discuss the intricacies of client-agency relationships. Remeny's extensive research reveals a surprising gap: 40% of agencies acknowledge that their clients might not fully understand the breadth of services they offer. We get into the significance of genuine engagement and human connection in business, exploring how these elements can transform success and client retention. Remeny also...
info_outlineHiggle: The B2B Sales Club
What are the critical steps for aligning leadership and embracing change to drive business transformation in the marketing industry? This week I sit down with Caroline Johnson, Co-Founder of The Business Model Company, to get an inside look at her groundbreaking approach to transforming business models in the global marketing services industry. Caroline shares her extensive experience in evolving traditional service-centric models into productized strategies that foster sustainable growth. We explore the intricacies of creating, delivering, and capturing value, and discuss the importance of...
info_outlineHiggle: The B2B Sales Club
How did this marketing agency transform its approach to become a leading expert in the engineering and manufacturing sector during the pandemic? In this episode we’re welcoming Rob Dando, MD & Co-Founder of FINALLY Agency, to get insights from his fascinating journey that took him from web development to becoming a leading figure in niche marketing for engineering and manufacturing. We explore how FINALLY Agency's strategic pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed them to leverage Rob's technical background and family connections to become trusted advisors within their niche. Through...
info_outlineHiggle: The B2B Sales Club
How did a mere £500 and a unique perspective lead to a groundbreaking influencer marketing agency? In this first of two parts, we’re welcoming Jennifer Quigley-Jones, the founder and CEO of Digital Voices. She takes us through her incredible journey from working on refugee economic integration to establishing a thriving agency with just £500. We examine the world of influencer marketing, examining its evolution and how it has become an essential part of brand strategies, particularly for major players that work with Jennifer such as Unilever, PepsiCo, and Adobe. Jennifer shares how...
info_outlineHiggle: The B2B Sales Club
What if you could scale your sales pipeline with minimal staff and maximum efficiency using AI? I sit down with tech sales expert Frank Sondors this week to explore how AI and lean teams are reshaping the B2B sales landscape. Frank, with his extensive background at Google and various B2B SaaS companies, shares his journey of building efficient sales pipelines without the traditional large sales teams. He challenges the old-school sales model that equates success with team size and reveals how he scaled his company, Salesforge, to $3 million ARR in just 11 months. We dig into the nitty-gritty...
info_outlineHiggle: The B2B Sales Club
Could the evolving landscape of marketing procurement be the key to mastering the new frontier in sales? We’re welcoming back Jon Peppiatt today, former Chairman at BBH London, for the second of a two-part episode. We explore the intricacies of AI-enabled service delivery, plus innovative pricing models that align with both agency and client goals. Jon sheds light on the historical challenges and successes of performance-related pay models and explains the bravery required in financial negotiations. We also emphasize the importance of crafting compelling commercial narratives that highlight...
info_outlineWhat secrets do successful businesses use to convert initial collaborations into long-term, profitable partnerships?
Iain Scott, the CEO and Founder of Base Creative, joins today’s conversation as we get into the transformative power of strategic partnerships for business growth. He shares his journey of leveraging his digital marketing agency's success through unique alliances. With an intriguing mix of personal interests, Iain highlights how these passions have paved the way for building impactful connections with like-minded people.
We explore the dynamics of white labeling, joint ventures, and agency referrals, uncovering how these collaborations can lead to remarkable client acquisition. Our conversation takes a deeper dive into the long-term benefits of partnership building, where trust and shared interests play a pivotal role. Iain introduces his "flywheel" strategy, emphasizing how positive experiences can turn partners into advocates.
Topics covered during this episode include:
- How strategic partnerships can drive business growth, leveraging networks for client acquisition.
- How partnerships involving white labeling and joint ventures boost new client acquisition.
- Why non-competing agencies collaborate to meet demand and enhance service offerings.
- How the "acqui-hire" concept strengthens expertise by merging teams and skills.
- Why partnerships can be likened to dating, evolving into lasting, beneficial relationships.
- How consistent efforts and shared passions can turn business relationships into alliances.
- Why a "flywheel" strategy can turn partners into advocates through trust and positive experiences.
- How authentic connections can be built through shared interests and unconventional networking spaces.
- Why maintaining long-term partnerships requires scalability and inherited credibility.
- How aligning values with potential partners enhances connection and collaboration.
- How repetition bias keeps businesses front of mind with partners and clients.
- Why being deliberate about partnerships is essential for long-term success and growth.
Learn the strategies behind successful agency collaborations and client acquisition in this must-listen episode!
Iain Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iaingscott