Word of mouth can be brilliant, but it can also sometimes bite

At Calvermont we spend a great deal of our time advising our clients on how best to engage with audiences. Whether it be community, media, partners or stakeholders - every. single. word. is. important. 

Our conversations and the way we talk about something shape our relationships, our understanding and our emotive response. The more someone knows, the less they are likely to get wrong. The less someone knows, the more they are likely to fill the void with misinformation. ‘Chinese whispers’ are real and sometimes they can bite.

Whilst a misinformed group or individual can become your biggest challenger, those informed can become your most powerful supporters. And this is where we at Calvermont have our sweet spot. 

We help our clients devise and place messaging across media and groups to boost recognition, reputation and support. We can do this even when there is a need for anonymity, as there was on a project recently…

…Due to the sensitivity of a protected site our client opted to remain private, but still wanted to reassure interested and invested parties. We stepped in on their behalf to ensure all information heard was accurate, placing ourselves as interim point of contact and achieving positive feature coverage and community support for the important site news.

That said, usually our clients are happy to front activity - which in most situations is our recommendation - to build personality and trust. In this scenario we regularly provide media training and lead community engagement activities to ensure our clients put their best foot forward in any interview situation, as well as everyday conversations too.

Get in touch for any messaging, crisis or PR management support at studio@calvermont.com

Why NOW is the time to invest in your brand

It's been a tough year for pretty much every business going. Healthcare and construction aside, the majority of us have had to learn to work remotely, rely on technology, adapt to contracts being put on hold and accept that workers/contractors/suppliers and clients are not available like they used to be.

But out of that challenge has come opportunity and there has never been a better time to adapt, reimagine and reposition your business. And that means your brand.

A brand is not a logo, nor a strap line. It is the feeling and perception that all stakeholders have in association with your company. It requires cultivation and care, research and analysis, understanding of all stakeholders and drivers, precise strategies and careful implementation. 

As many of us wait eagerly for the various dates in April, May, June to start the roadmap to normality post-pandemic, the window is closing to make a real impact to your brand, your business and its goals with this 'new world' in mind.

What have we learned?

• Brand loyalty has increased for those that have communicated transparently, provided insight and intelligence for customers, and thought creatively about what their customers want - even if they cannot be physically present. This needs harnessing in the long-term.

• Flexibility is key. The value proposition of a brand or service needs to retain the power to adapt.

• Covid has accelerated changes, rather than necessarily created new ones. Those that have already invested in digital, wellbeing and connectivity will win, and those that haven't, should do and fast.

• Local engagement, communication and support has never been more important.

• Clear communication of messages and services are key. 

• Tone of voice is especially important. Now is not the time to be tone deaf to the major issues and concerns of businesses and the wider public.

What should businesses look to take forward?

• Now is the perfect time to take stock and implement change if you haven't done so already.

• Brands need to be clear, consistent and speak directly to heir target audience.

• Investment in brand in the short-term will pay off in the long-term.

• Take advice on tone of voice and the issues to be seen to stand for.

• Don't do anything half-heartedly - commit to an agenda and ensure it runs through all messaging, internal communications and activities.

• Engage with your audience proactively and responsibly - if you cannot interact physically with employees and customers, devise and implement a plan that will reach them and maintain their interest and engagement.

We work with businesses to gain a thorough understanding of ambition, targets and hurdles. We analyse perceptions and consider audience drivers, challenging and re-defining USPs to drive opportunity and results.

We deliver innovative brands that engage, inspire and last well into the future. We work fast and smart to ensure business change is effective and timing is optimised.

Think we can help you? Get in touch.

A pandemic positive: the home office from home

Despite driving us all slightly bonkers (home schoolers, we hear you) the pandemic is likely to have at least one positive lasting impact...the ability to work more flexibly.

With most unable to travel to offices over the last year, new systems have been put in place which are allowing us to work remotely and with greater flexibility. And this shift is expected to remain, at least to some extent, post lock-down - with companies adopting a more fluid workforce and global corporates shifting towards a hybrid network and flexible leases.

Here in Tunbridge Wells, we have been working with key influencers, businesses and politicians to ensure the town is ready to welcome this larger workforce, with the quality and amenities available for real success. You can see some of what we've been up to here at our new site www.tunbridgewells.works, a portal for all those looking to embrace the change with new work space in the town. A home office from home if you like, for all local workers ready to say goodbye to the 5 day commute.

One of the key drivers behind this campaign is Ross Feeney, CEO of Royal Tunbridge Wells Together. We recently set-up an interview for him with the areas leading paper @Timeslocalnews to talk more about the situation. In case you missed it, you can read it here...

Why post-pandemic the entire business community needs to reevaluate what's important

15th February 2021

Here, Ross Feeney, CEO of Tunbridge Wells Together, talks of the post pandemic business opportunities available to the town.

We've all been separated from our loved ones for almost a year, give or take the odd socially distanced walk. Post-pandemic, most of us will be reunited, but unfortunately the same cannot be as easily said for all UK firms. 

As CEO of Tunbridge Wells Together, the BID for the town's local businesses, I believe we must stay positive and resilient.

Tunbridge Wells, as a town, has more chances than most to return swiftly to business. Despite national retail and hospitality concerns, I have faith that we can ride this out and demonstrate the resilience that has made Tunbridge Wells one of the longest success stories in the UK.

We are home to a unique mix of heritage and modernity, open spaces and wellness, independents and corporates. Home to thriving financial, creative and professional service industries, supported by a vibrant community. Home to one of the country's best talent pools, accelerated by the area's superlative educational facilities and transport links. Home to an in demand property market, where former commuters look to live, work and play local.

Now is the opportunity to capitalise on the infrastructure already in place here in Tunbridge Wells. We have a lower than average empty retail ratio but we believe this can be converted to office space or flexible hot-desks, which can support the thousands of small local businesses set up pre, during and no doubt post-pandemic.

We firmly believe, that we can attract corporates who are realising they need more satellite space outside of London, because what matters now is proximity to family, friends and mental wellbeing. We also have a huge amount of London commuters already here - some of the best in finance, property, insurance and science, to name just a few sectors.

With corporates like KPMG and Baker McKenzie shedding London space, we want Tunbridge Wells to be the top pick. It's taken a global pandemic for some to realise that wellbeing and locality is key to productivity. Well we are here, ready and waiting, to supply the best that work and life have to offer.

Joining up with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Locate In Kent, we have launched the #TWWorks campaign which aims to attract corporates to the town. We are inviting developers to build London-standard flexible office space and reassuring commuters and local businesses that they can work locally with the right support and space, outside of, but close to, the family home.

Many corporates in TW are already fully behind us and we want others to be too. Join AXA Health, Cripps Pemberton Greenish, Childrensalon, Dandara, Logistics UK, Markerstudy, Southpaw and Thomson Snell & Passmore to help us elevate Tunbridge Wells as a brilliant business destination, ripe for all those companies looking to put their talent and their families first, because in 2021 this will be the key to productivity and long term success.

If you have any thoughts on this subject, or would like your work space or business included on the www.tunbridgewells.works website, please drop us a line.

The bits of 2020 we want to remember

While for many reasons 2020 was a write off, Calvermont has spent the January dry season attempting to remember the good parts. So, before 2021 gets fully into swing, here are the moments we would like to remember from the last 12 months:

In January we launched a new website for our client Turkey Mill, showcasing its heritage and beauty with a modern twist. This was part of a wider brand campaign which is ongoing and aimed at raising profile of the business oasis, as the best place to work in East Kent. The new website is live here

In March we worked with Studio 44 to launch the corporate website for Greymoor Homes, an exciting homebuilder in Sussex & Surrey which builds semi-rural communities for families of all sizes. At the time of go live, the company had one development launched and a few more in the pipeline. Today the company has 12 sites at various stages. We remain super excited to see where this lovely business goes. The website can be found here

In May we project managed the first totally virtual public exhibition for our client Elysian Residences, who were seeking to obtain permission for a luxury 100 apartment later living development in Berkhamsted, Herts. The exhibition included a fully immersive virtual room, with boards, a model and an online chat facility. The feedback was excellent and we learned that we had received full consent in autumn 2020. You can still see the exhibition online here

In June and July, we started seeing more and more interest in local commuters wanting to take flexible office space nearer to home and our creative brains started getting excited about the campaigns we could embark on come Autumn. We began considering new office space for Calvermont around this time too and the lovely OfficeTribe on Mt Pleasant became a temporary home on occasion. We also quietly made the most of the summer weather with our growing tribe of Gibsons and Thornhill’s - despite being in various phases of social distancing. Check out OfficeTribe's space here - they are soon to be launching new offices on The High St/London Road.

In August and September, we launched a new firm to market called Triadic Labs, an innovative tech company that was focussing on delivering supercharged property viewings through its fully immersive platform that can be whitelabelled per development and experienced by prospective purchasers from the comfort of their own home. Working with the likes of Berkeley Group, the technology has received rave reviews with its real-time customisable feature and has elevated the sales strategy for off-plan property. Check out the showreel here - we predict big things for this company in 2021 and can't wait to support them on their mission to become the go to tech for house builders and architects.

In October we project managed a new film for Turkey Mill to showcase its beauty and to maximise the trend of small businesses and big corporates looking for smaller space outside of London. We had such fun filming and directing the showreel with one of our creative partners Zoomfilms. See what you think of the final version here This was also the month we re-welcomed Olivia back from maternity leave with the youngest Calvermont mascot Rex Marlo.

November was perhaps our favourite month of the year as we took our first proper office space at Town Court Farm, just off Bayham Road. We are delighted to share the business area with other talented local creatives, such as Jo Harris of Art by The Yard and Lucy Ames artist and marketing consultant. We also had several new projects on and kicked-off production of the new online Christmas shopping guide for Tunbridge Wells Together (the BID). The final version is available to view here , produced in partnership with fellow local creatives Studio 44, Ro&Co and David Hodgkinson. The website still includes links to buy online for all retailers, which has remained key in lockdown 2, 3, 4…(!)

In December, we supported the BID’s bigger-than-ever Christmas light switch-on and launched an important #TWWorks campaign to bring big corporates to Tunbridge Wells; alluring developers to create more office space, supporting local businesses, creating a wider talent pool of TW’s workers and driving footfall to the high street. Working in partnership with William Benson, chief executive of TWBC and Locate in Kent, we were lucky to have access to a number of brilliant local businesses such as Cripps Pemberton Greenish, Thomas Snell & Passmore, Southpaw, Logistics UK (formerly Freight Transport Association) to name a few. We also enjoyed more time with established friends Dandara, Childrensalon and Markerstudy. This campaign is still at its beginning and will run through 2021, but if you want to get involved, have a story to tell, or can take our survey visit www.tunbridgewells.works or get it touch.

Despite the pandemic gloom and an unusually quiet Christmas (bar the kids…), December did bring us some positive new client instructions which we are already busy working on. We look forward to telling you more soon…

Happy new year everyone x

Behind the scenes

Now the Turkey Mill movie has officially landed, we are excited to share a behind the scenes snapshot of some our work, from the other side of the camera.

Turkey Mill is a unique heritage business destination with flexible modern offices, managed by a friendly and professional team. Located just off the M20 junction 7, but surrounded by greenery, it is perfect for growing businesses or businesses that want to make the most of being out of London, with a focus on wellbeing. 

And so that's why we filmed the video now, at a time when more of us want to work locally, flexibly and in healthier environments.

We enlisted the help of Zoom Films to turn our creative brief into a short showreel which we think aptly showcases the stunning scenery and all there is on offer at this unique business oasis.

Preparation makes perfect

We knew what we wanted to showcase for Turkey Mill and so a full brief was put together to make all its best assets stand out: the river running through, the heritage buildings and features, the immaculate, landscaped gardens and the flexible modern space available. It helps having a stunning location to shoot in, but we still had to ensure all the key messages were hit.

All about the weather

While the sun normally shines at Turkey Mill when Calvermont visits, we were taking no chances and had 3 days lined up in September to ensure we picked the perfect day. We nailed it! Having arrived at 8am to get stuck into shooting early, we had brilliant light and fantastic views for the drone to capture several times over.

A new meaning for waiting for a train!

We wanted to display just how close the office destination is to transport hubs despite the acres of lush greenery and not being able to hear the trains at all. So we looked up times between Maidstone East and Bearsted and waited for the perfect shot.

Thinking outside the box on the day

There are always new and innovative ways to get that perfect shot and, despite our best efforts we couldn't fly a drone over the entrance road to Turkey Mill and it was too bumpy using the wheelie platform. Thankfully we were able to improvise and get the perfect opening sequence through the archways by driving Calvermont's soft-top with a lot of equipment balanced in the back.

Watch the fruits of our efforts here and get in touch if you want to showcase your business or want to find out more about Turkey Mill: www.turkeymill.co.uk