Hoop Associates is a ten year-old brand communications agency based in London with twelve full-time staff. In 2006, Hoop's directors participated in the Small / Medium / Large scheme delivered by Pembridge.
Directors Marian Forkin, Paul Nunneley and Sean O'Halloran came into the SML programme wanting to work up a growth strategy that would not compromise their values; to position the business more confidently in the marketplace and to understand where they could demonstrate the most added value to clients, on the basis of which they could justifiably raise fees.
“The first business planning session was a real eye-opener,” says Sean. “Both Paul and I had takes in a range of businesses around Hoop and we quickly realised that some could be pushed harder while others needed to be chopped or changed. We came away knowing the future wasn’t just about working in the one business but could be across a portfolio.”
Pembridge partners Rose Lewis and David Prais worked with Hoop Associates over four further sessions.
David Prais said: “It was great to see the team grow as entrepreneurs. This project wasn’t about finding a silver bullet that made Hoop hit all its targets in one go: it was about helping the team to feel confident in their commercial decision making and gain the confidence to focus their energy where it would have the most impact.”
Sean said: “We’re definitely bolder after the SML scheme. We have invested fully in the business and are now accelerating it in the way we want it to go. The only downer was the scheme coming to an end. We instantly felt a rapport with the mentors and that could have got stronger if funding had been there to continue it longer.”
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