Understanding your business pain points.

9 October 2024
Read time: 8 mins

Written by:
Beth Wakefield.

What is a business pain point?

Pain points represent specific issues encountered by customers, both existing and potential, within the business environment. Negative customer experiences resulting from these issues can lead to lost sales, a damaged reputation, and decreased customer loyalty. Additionally, the financial impact of these problems can be significant, making it crucial to address them promptly and effectively.

Every single day a multitude of sectors face a range of business pain points that can hold them back from achieving sustainable growth. From rising operational costs to staffing difficulties, technological barriers, and the pressure to adopt certain data practices, thousands of businesses are stretched thin trying to juggle all these competing demands to ensure positive customer experiences. 

In this article, we will outline a selection of common business pain points and highlight how our partnerships and creative solutions can help you regain your confidence and move forward.

Rising costs and diminishing returns.

When operational expenses rise and revenue stagnates, it’s easy to feel downtrodden and erratic in your decision-making. The temptation to make quick, reactionary choices in difficult times can often lead to greater challenges, pushing you further from financial stability and discouraging your consumer base. Instead of taking risks that might not pay off, our team of creatives can work with you to develop a strategy that restores your motivations and sets you on the right path to bring in new customers. 

To begin this process, we conduct a wider analysis of your sector and target audience to identify trends and insights that will aid our approach. Once we have a clear understanding of your competitors and your consumer habits, we then start to craft a strategic plan that not only aligns with your business goals but also works in tandem with your teams’ activities to boost your ROI. Throughout this stage, we will leverage a range of industry-leading platforms to help formulate a roadmap that fits within your budget and makes use of the best tools available. With this in-depth approach, we can visualise long-term success for your business and cut out short-term gains so that you can navigate your challenges with confidence and ensure every decision you make contributes to the bigger picture for your business.

A clear example of this challenge can be found in the UK’s hospice sector. Heavily reliant on government funding and donor contributions to stay operational, hospices are under increasing pressure to secure consistent revenue to meet the growing demand for their services. Right now, the UK’s hospices care for about 300,000 people each year and that number is going to get even bigger in the coming years. Projections show that by 2040, approximately 130,000 more people will die annually in the UK compared to today, highlighting the urgent need for financial stability in this industry. To effectively handle this future workload, hospices must adopt a strategic approach that strengthens their brand, delivers consistent messaging, and ensures the long-term sustainability of their fundraising efforts.

Keeping up with technology.

Navigating the fast-paced world of technology can feel like you are fighting the tide at times, especially when it seems like every platform you’re mastering is updating every week or so. From SEO shifts to ever-changing social media algorithms, keeping up with digital trends is no small feat - and finding the time to train your team about these updates? Even harder.

That’s where we can help - our team not only provides strategic expertise but also takes the weight off your shoulders by undertaking the technological aspects of your business that your team may be struggling to manage. We’ll use the latest tools and platforms, keeping your business competitive without the constant pressure to upskill and train your already busy team. Beyond managing platforms, we’ll identify opportunities for digital transformation to better streamline your operations, boost your efficiency, and eliminate time-wasting processes that could be slowing your business down.

And if you are eager to learn the ropes along the way, we’re here to help. Our goal is to arm your team with the skills they need to feel confident in their abilities - not to gatekeep our knowledge of these tools. Why? We believe when knowledge is shared, growth follows.

Staffing challenges and finding the right talent.

In today’s job market, attracting a large pool of candidates has become easier than ever. The real challenge, however, lies in sifting through that talent to find the right individuals with the necessary skills—and retaining them. Many businesses striving to meet growth targets often discover they lack the crucial expertise required for success within their current teams. Why does this happen? Well, as your team adapts to the next phase of your business journey, new core roles and responsibilities are likely to emerge, creating an ongoing chain of skill-based gaps that need to be filled.

With sectors all over the country constantly evolving to keep up with recruitment trends and opportunities, it's more important than ever to ensure you are hiring the right people in the right roles, equipped with the necessary skills and motivational drive to keep up.

To attract and retain the right talent for your business, you must consider how you represent your brand through your content. How often do you highlight your company culture, values, and growth opportunities? Is there anything that may grab the attention of your future employees?  Through our Brand Messaging workshop, we can help you craft strong messaging and content strategies that consistently communicate the ethos of your business. By aligning your brand’s story with the expectations of your desired talent pool, we can strategically position your organisation as an appealing place to work, attracting the right candidates and ensuring the best skill sets are available for you to choose from.

A prominent example of an industry affected by this challenge is the UK Manufacturing sector. While it has played a vital role in the country’s economy for many years, advancements in technology and automation have significantly raised the bar for the skills required to work within it. Over the past decade, there has been a notable decline in interest among younger generations, largely due to shortcomings in the UK education system, which fails to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in this field. As a result, recruitment efforts face a shortage of qualified candidates, and many potential applicants feel too intimidated to pursue careers in this innovative and rapidly evolving field.

To address this challenge, businesses in the manufacturing sector must refine how they communicate their brand to prospective recruits and the wider market. When technical skills are lacking, the focus should shift to the attitudes and motivations of potential candidates - for example, what drives them? By presenting their brand in a way that reassures and engages the right type of person, manufacturing businesses can inspire confidence, attract individuals with a strong willingness to learn and nurture the growth and skills needed to push their talent pool in the right direction.

Providing the best customer experience.

Today, it's clear that seamless and efficient customer experiences are the cornerstone of any successful business, whether it's a small start-up or a multi-million-pound corporation. The days of complex, multi-click processes and confusing user paths are long gone. Now, everything must be streamlined, intuitive, and focused on the user. Customer experience isn't just important - it's critical. Modern consumers expect it and rely on it. Fall short, and they'll quickly turn to competitors who can meet their needs with less friction. In short, there’s no room for error.

If this is an area that is causing your business issues or confusion, we can partner with you to refine and elevate your customer experience. Together, we’ll design a user journey that ensures every interaction with your brand is seamless and positive. Whether it’s through website redesigns or optimising marketing content, our team of skilled experts will help enhance how customers engage with your brand. By improving satisfaction and fostering loyalty, we’ll create accessible platforms that truly resonate with your audience and strengthen your brand’s connection with them.

Create impact with data-driven decision-making.

Relying on intuition and gut feelings just isn’t enough to run a business anymore. Data is - and will continue to be - the driving force behind real success and sustainable growth. Yet for many, the task of deciphering those numbers can feel daunting and overwhelming. While some businesses thrive by transforming data into actionable insights, others may feel stuck, unsure how to turn pages of figures into a clear roadmap for success.

At GEL Studios, we simplify the process. Our team of experts turns raw data into actionable insights that align with your unique business goals. Using platforms such as GA4 and Semrush, we dig into your customers' behaviours and trends, crafting data-driven strategies that generate real, measurable results. We believe data doesn’t have to be intimidating and when used effectively, it can become a powerful tool that can fuel every aspect of your business. Trust us with your data, and we’ll help you lead with confidence, building strategies that deliver success with purpose and precision.

Over the past six years, the hospitality sector has increased its annual economic contribution from £20 billion to a massive £93 billion - a testament to its growing influence in modern life. However, this success comes with a challenge: oversaturation. The market is flooded with offerings, making it difficult for independent businesses to stand out among corporate giants. So, how can you differentiate yourself effectively? The answer lies in data. Every customer who walks through your door carries a wealth of information that can be leveraged to better align your strategy with their needs and desires. By partnering with our team, we can use this data to tailor your business decisions, driving optimal results and delivering personalised experiences that set you apart in one of the world's most crowded markets. 

So, what next?

Pain points come in many forms, and while this is just a snapshot of what our clients face, we’re dedicated to solving problems and exceeding expectations. Our team are prepped with the creative expertise and experience to help alleviate these challenges and illuminate your route forward. By providing creative services across marketingbrandinggraphic design, and web design, we can steer businesses in the right direction with strategy and collaboration as our driving force.

Ready to start your journey with us? Let's create impactful and innovative solutions that resonate with your audience and lead to long-term success.


Written by:
Beth Wakefield.

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