I'm Matthew, Managing Partner of Alongside Business Consulting. We're in the business of creating successful outcomes for small and medium businesses (SMEs) looking to sell into the Australian Defence Industry. To do this we've created an environment which supports each one of our customers where they're at and with whatever budget they've got; lowering the barrier to entry for expert advice and assistance.
We now provide training, consulting and services. A model which supports customers where they're at now and provides a scalable service model for your future needs. We do provide 'straight up consulting' for those that just want the advice now, to help them get on the right track more quickly and also marketing services to round out the end-to-end solution supporting your team where there are gaps.
We now provide training, consulting and services. A model which supports customers where they're at now and provides a scalable service model for your future needs. We do provide 'straight up consulting' for those that just want the advice now, to help them get on the right track more quickly and also marketing services to round out the end-to-end solution supporting your team where there are gaps.
Services
After many years in senior leadership roles in the corporate world, on the ground selling and setting up multiple successful businesses of my own. I've now turned my knowledge and experience into a training and consulting business specialising in the Defence industry.
You may notice that I talk about the Defence Industry more than just 'Defence', because most of the work Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) businesses will win, is through Industry Primes - not directly with Defence.In fact there are many layers or tiers in the Defence Supply Chain (DSC)! SMEs contribute a massive amount to the DSC and also the entire Australian economy.
You may notice that I talk about the Defence Industry more than just 'Defence', because most of the work Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) businesses will win, is through Industry Primes - not directly with Defence.In fact there are many layers or tiers in the Defence Supply Chain (DSC)! SMEs contribute a massive amount to the DSC and also the entire Australian economy.
The Defence Sales and Procurement systems are confusing; however, from our collective experience working on the inside (in uniform) and the outside (with multiple industry Primes) with $multi-million Defence contracts. Now we help the Defence focussed SME community navigate the complexities of Defence Sales in Australia.
All things aside, you need to have a competitive edge to survive and thrive in business today. While I will be working my way through the best ways to think about gaining a competitive advantage this year (amongst your competitive strategy), I will also give you links to the fundamentals of defining potential advantages and marketing with them.
For some strange reason there is much confusion about some of the simple things in business. Buzz words like "digital marketing strategy" are way too specific for most companies most companies are actually SME's ie. Unfortunately many people running businesses have missed the basics and have been distracted by the new shiny things!
This is one of the most frequently asked questions when discussing "How to" start growing a business with my clients. Every business is unique and therefore the way forward with growth is always a little different. However there is a very structured method and process which uncovers the unique problems afflicting every business, stopping the growth from taking over.
Reviews (10)
R. Harvey
Mar 24, 2021
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Yesterday I enjoyed Matthew's "Cracking The Defence Sales Code".
Had I been able to access this forty-five minutes of information when I started out, it would have shaved two frustrating years off my journey into the Supply-Chain.
Well done Matthew, you saved your participants a lot of valuable time.
Had I been able to access this forty-five minutes of information when I started out, it would have shaved two frustrating years off my journey into the Supply-Chain.
Well done Matthew, you saved your participants a lot of valuable time.
Wartooth Metal
Mar 21, 2021
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We just completed our 2nd session with Matt who has transformed the way we promote our business and speak to our customers.
He has given us a clear roadmap to improve our customer relationships and convert our warm audience into paying customers.
He has certainly made it very clear for us by planning step by step actions to be taken between consultations and is currently guiding us to convert more of our social media following into paying customers.
We look forward to working more with the team at ABC Selling
If you're looking for help with a growth strategy, consider team A.B.C.
He has given us a clear roadmap to improve our customer relationships and convert our warm audience into paying customers.
He has certainly made it very clear for us by planning step by step actions to be taken between consultations and is currently guiding us to convert more of our social media following into paying customers.
We look forward to working more with the team at ABC Selling
If you're looking for help with a growth strategy, consider team A.B.C.
Gina Walters
Jan 05, 2021
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Shane Watson
Dec 12, 2020
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It was refreshing to find a consulting firm that puts into practice what they advise others to do... they actually do their own marketing well and have credible industry experience to back their advice up - not 'just consultants'.
Alongside B.C. conducted reviews of some Monarch Institute small business management training courses. Their reviews of our courses helped us to be able to clearly identify some areas to focus more attention on; as we train and upskill our students to build and create sustainable businesses with solid foundations.
Thanks Matthew and the team at Alongside Business Consulting
Alongside B.C. conducted reviews of some Monarch Institute small business management training courses. Their reviews of our courses helped us to be able to clearly identify some areas to focus more attention on; as we train and upskill our students to build and create sustainable businesses with solid foundations.
Thanks Matthew and the team at Alongside Business Consulting
Angela Yao
Dec 04, 2020
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Highly recommend Matthew and team Alongside Business Consulting!
It was amazing to find someone who has been there and done that - not just a consultant. He's so hands on and was able to quickly understand our business, giving us relevant training and also helped us refine our messaging and target market to start getting some much needed traction with attracting new customers.
Matthew is easy and fun to communicate with and throughout the journey has given us practical advice to get in and start getting to where we want to be. They just know marketing back to front!
Thanks again team Alongside
It was amazing to find someone who has been there and done that - not just a consultant. He's so hands on and was able to quickly understand our business, giving us relevant training and also helped us refine our messaging and target market to start getting some much needed traction with attracting new customers.
Matthew is easy and fun to communicate with and throughout the journey has given us practical advice to get in and start getting to where we want to be. They just know marketing back to front!
Thanks again team Alongside
Julie Barlow
Oct 05, 2020
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I attended some FREE training, conducted by Matthew K. Benn... on "getting better engagement on LinkedIn", which was very informative and useful straight away.
I think it was an excellent way to get started for me, so that I actually understand how to get results early on; instead of what I've seen and heard happen to other people who still haven't been able to make LinkedIn work - after years of being on the platform!
Thanks Matthew and team Alongside B.C. for putting on this amazingly effective FREE training, to simply get things moving in the right direction for the common folk!
I think it was an excellent way to get started for me, so that I actually understand how to get results early on; instead of what I've seen and heard happen to other people who still haven't been able to make LinkedIn work - after years of being on the platform!
Thanks Matthew and team Alongside B.C. for putting on this amazingly effective FREE training, to simply get things moving in the right direction for the common folk!
Fedegqp
Aug 31, 2020
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He read my mind!
I've been looking for some specialised skills to identify 'if a new business is worth buying'. The team at Alongside Business Consulting was able to offer the right solution for the research and analysis needed for that... and also help me to understand the right things to focus on in the short term to grow the business after purchasing it... With market intelligence and competitor analysis.
Thanks Matthew and the team."
I've been looking for some specialised skills to identify 'if a new business is worth buying'. The team at Alongside Business Consulting was able to offer the right solution for the research and analysis needed for that... and also help me to understand the right things to focus on in the short term to grow the business after purchasing it... With market intelligence and competitor analysis.
Thanks Matthew and the team."
Joanne Chapman
Aug 21, 2020
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I was so pleased to be able to attend a virtual LinkedIn Training session with Matthew Benn from Alongside Business Consulting. Matt is so easy to connect with and the way he presents so relevant and engaging. Matthew has the strategy to increase your personal and business LinkedIn Profile. After just one session my whole view of LinkedIn was sharpened, my eyes opened and my passion for connecting on this platform dramatically increased. Connect with Matthew and go to a whole new level of successful social media engagement with measurable successes! Highly recommend.
Elizabeth Davidson
Jul 29, 2020
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I recently did some LinkedIn coaching with Matthew. He knows his stuff, he’s a good guy, and he’s fun to communicate with. He shared well researched strategies and great actionable tips that will give you results straight away. He’s all about dialling in on the essential, and spending time on activities that have real business impact. I also appreciate Matthew’s rigorous customer focus. He knows that your customers have all your marketing answers. It’s just that most businesses don’t bother to ask.
Philip Belcher
Jun 21, 2020
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Matthew (ABC) demonstrates a deep understanding of marketing and sales principles that he applies to improve business performance. His ability to leveraging social media, such as Linkedin, as a strategic marketing tool is excellent. If you are looking to improve your pipeline of potential customers, talk to Matthew at ABC.
