Simon Gosling – Helping you to ‘make the right kind of noise’

Simon Gosling offers a 30-year portfolio career with extensive experience leading corporate transformation and generating growth and global expansion for both household-name companies and start-ups in advertising and adtech. Conceptualises organisational vision, and brings further expertise in directing operational activity and overseeing business development and marketing strategy. Personal oversight and leadership of the Unruly’s ‘Future Home’ project was recognised with the award of Campaign Tech Awards’ New Tech Pioneer of the Year 2018, and very much enjoys TEDx speaking engagements. Simon currently works with Quiet Mark as their CMO and hosts The Quiet Mark Podcast. 

Q1.  Did you always want to become a consultant or did you fall into the role?

It felt like a natural progression.

After 30 years in the Advertising and Marketing field, helping to build companies and create award winning content for world leading brands, I started receiving a tonne of calls asking for advice based on my experience and introductions based on my network. I’ve worked long and had to build those up and decided rather than always give that info away, it was time to start charging for it, which was when I set up Great Intro. 

Q2.  What makes a good consultant?

To answer that question, I would refer to this excellent diagram, that I share with many of the people that I mentor. The same applies to being a good consultant, an equal blend of Knowledge, Experience, Confidence and Enthusiasm. 

Q3.  Do you feel you manage yourself well or is it a case of ‘the cobbler’s shoes’?

Very well and very disciplined. In the early part of my career I had to post-produce multiple music videos, commercials and other projects, all with different demands, deadlines and budgets, never going over time or above budget, so I has to find ways to manage my time efficiently and effectively. But it’s not just about working hard, it’s about working smart, so I use a variety of platforms to manage and execute my tasks well. I’ve also self-taught myself a lot of different softwares, from I-Movie for video editing, Audacity for audio editing, PowerPoint for deck creation and presentation, Drive for file sharing and organisation, Hubspot for CRM and several others. I think it’s important to master these tools. The better you are with them, the more your efficiency increases. 

Q4.  Are there enough hours in your day?

Never, but that’s where it’s important to say no to certain opportunities and not overwhelm yourself. 

Q5.  If you could magically stop your clients from making one mistake – what would that be?

To stop sharing social media posts that have no defined purpose or defined audience. Always ask yourself, why am I sharing this, who is it for, what response do I want it to generate?

Q6.  What do you find is the best way to market yourself?

When we could travel and do events, I would say doing Keynotes at events provides many ways to raise your profile, as does writing of articles in the press. Currently I host a podcast which has introduced me to some incredible guests, helping develop my understanding of acoustics and bringing myself and the company that I do it for to a wider audience. 
Q7.  What do you do to unwind?

Cycle, dog walk, listen to nature, read, visit art galleries, dance, sing, drum, laugh, cook, eat and spend quality time with family and friends. 
Q8.  What advice would you give a starting consultant?

See my answer to question 2. If you’ve got the experience and the network and want more flexibility in your life, go for it!  
Q9.  What’s your guilty pleasure?

Cadbury’s

Q10.  What’s your goal for next year?

To become an NED/ Advisory Board Member at a couple more interesting companies. I’m already working with a couple and really enjoy doing so. 

Need to contact Simon?  https://www.linkedin.com/in/simongosling/