What Business Are We In?

The Fundamental Question

One of the most exciting and fundamental conversations businesses can have is asking, “What business are we in?” For some, the answer seems obvious, making the question feel unnecessary. But if you take a closer look, especially as your business evolves, the insights can be surprising.

Our Journey: From Digital Marketing to Strategy

Hargreaves Marketing was founded during the 2012 recession with a clear mission: to help small businesses transition from traditional to digital marketing. Over time, our work expanded, bringing us into larger organizations and more diverse projects. As a result, we gradually phased out digital marketing and shifted our focus toward consultancy, project management, and training.

The Challenge of Project Success

Anyone who has managed projects knows that success varies. Some projects thrive, while others encounter unexpected challenges. To navigate this, we recognized the need for a deeper understanding of strategy—why some initiatives worked seamlessly while others struggled.

The Importance of Communicating Strategy

A common thread in all our projects—especially those involving change management—was the critical need to communicate strategy effectively. Surprisingly, many companies struggle with this. Strategy communication doesn’t happen automatically, and in many organizations, it doesn’t happen at all. This gap intrigued us, leading to a pivotal decision: to focus entirely on helping businesses communicate strategy well.

Redefining Our Business

Beyond Traditional Consulting

So, back to our original question—what business are we in? We still identify as a consultancy, but our approach goes beyond traditional consulting. Strategy is complex, and simply discussing it isn’t enough. It requires action. Learning strategy happens by doing. That’s why our value proposition is centered on ‘doing’—practicing strategy together with our clients. We enable businesses to think strategically, take action, and clearly articulate their strategies both verbally and in writing. After all, if you can communicate your strategy with clarity and confidence, you truly understand it.

A Hybrid Model

The best way to describe our business? We are a hybrid. Like automobile manufacturers who produce hybrid cars using both petrol and electricity, Hargreaves Marketing Ltd operates as both a consultancy and a training business. Our purpose is to empower clients to communicate their strategies effectively.

Final Thoughts

Clarity is essential—not just in strategy but in communication as well.

So, here’s something to consider: What business are you really in?