Spreading the cost
“We pay by monthly instalments. That means we are a lot more confident in promoting the way we want rather than worrying about the cost if we do.

We’re a small business but with advice and guidance we are starting to present ourselves like real contenders. I’m really quite proud of our website and literature. It gives that extra bit of confidence when dealing with new customers.”

Colin Taylor, BEM Electronics

Bring in the professionals
“After about a year I knew we were all going to fall out. We needed sales and we were going nowhere. That’s when we decided to bring in professional help.

We meet regularly. George and the process keeps us focused and if we get too busy
we just rearrange the meeting.

A little bit of time with professional expertise is just so sensible.”
Neil Cannon, Associated Parcels

‘We didn’t know what to expect  but we came out buzzing, floating on ideas.’
“We had got into a rut. Bored almost. It took a bit of time to get adjusted to a new way of thinking but we don't regret one penny spent with Martinshouse ”

Cammy Jeffrey & David Blacklock, Tweeddale

Dale sorts out everything
“I've used Martinshouse for all my print and promotion work for nearly ten years. They give great advice and excellent back up. I just phone Dale she sorts out everything from brochures to pens and even stationery. ”

‘It took time but our profit is now bang on target.’
I found it a great help to get an outside viewpoint. You can get too tunnel-visioned with your own company.

I wanted to take the business in the right direction for profit and better working relations. I’m also preparing the company to be run by the next generation and I want the hand over to be smooth and professional.

I suppose George is my business consultant although he doesn’t call himself that. He has been very helpful with management coaching, introduced a revised management structure and disciplined us to have regular management meetings. We dissected the company into different departments and examined the performance in each area before working out the improvement plan.

Martinshouse brought a fresh approach to image building. We were out of date.  The new logo shows a better profile and indicates we’re delivering an up-to-date service. I think we’re now starting to promote ourselves the way we should.

Martinshouse are pretty well organised and easy to work with.

Bob Reid
Managing Director & Owner
Kelso & Lothian Harvesters

‘So we’ve been thrilled and are very happy to tell other people
about the work we’ve done at Martinshouse.’

Peter Murphy, Managing Director of Turnbull & Scott, manufacturers of commercial and industrial heating/cooling systems talks us through his thoughts on the business
development service available from Martinshouse.

“I took over the management Turnbull & Scott in January 2008. From very early on I
decided to develop a web site. What I soon realised was that no one in the business really
understood what the organisation did and what our strong points were. I needed to go
through a process to establish that in my own mind.

Coincidentally, I came across the turnthebull.com programme material not even realising
that George was just up the road from me. I started to investigate the process and I was
very impressed with the documentation. We had a short meeting with George that
confirmed my first impressions and within days we got to work.

I opted for the discipline of weekly sessions. We met with George and unravelled the
different sectors, products and customer types. We then repackaged the products and
services for the different target markets and worked out distinct messages for each target
customer. Sometimes it was hard work but we found the process extremely helpful. We
ended up applying it to each different part of the business.

And now, probably about five months later, we are ready to go forward confidently with a new logo, corporate messaging, product brochures and web site. We have a structured approach to our various markets where we know who the customers are, what the message is for each, how we will deliver our message and what tools we will use.

So we’ve been thrilled and are very happy to tell other people about the work we’ve done at Martinshouse.”

‘I would enthusiastically recommend their services.’

Dear Sir or Madam

Martinshouse and Scottish Borders Housing Association.

I am happy to supply this letter of recommendation for any individual or organisation considering the employment of Martinshouse Design for future marketing and design services.

Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA) was incorporated in 2000, and its future existence was wholly dependent on the 7000 (approx) tenants of Scottish Borders Council voting to transfer their homes to SBHA, in a ballot held in November 2001.

SBHA commissioned Martinshouse to work with the Association in ensuring that SBC’s tenants were fully appraised and aware of the type of landlord SBHA would be, the service improvements it proposed to offer them, and generally to achieve a ‘Yes’ vote in the Tenants’ Ballot.

Martinshouse provided SBHA with a highly professional and imaginative service. They researched the project very thoroughly, and devised a powerful communication and marketing strategy, supported by targeted, effective documentation.

The Tenant’s Ballot ultimately produced a 76% turnout, with 82.4% of Tenants prepared to ‘Vote Yes for SBHA’. The housing transfer will take place in late summer 2002.

This Ballot outcome resulted, to a significant extent, from the effectiveness of the communication and marketing strategy devised by Martinshouse, and SBHA is very grateful for their contribution. I would enthusiastically recommend their services.

Yours faithfully

Janice Cambridge
Chief Executive ( Designate).