Name and role: Jason Elliott, Business Improvement Coach
Company: Get Knowledge Ltd
Sector: Traditionally we would be categorised as a ‘Management Consultancy’, but simply we are people working with some amazing people to help them to think differently and make today better than yesterday.
Describe what your business does?
Our primary focus is working with business leaders and their teams to enable them to reduce their costs whilst delighting their people and customers. Additionally, because we have spent 15+ years delivering change we have a passion to support others in similar positions to improve their confidence and influence.
How many staff do you employ?
There are 4 of us in total, 2 of us deliver for clients and we also have 2 newly recruited interns from Huddersfield University helping us with our digital marketing & social media efforts.
What does your role entail?
I am one of the business owners (there are 2 of us) so running of the business is a big part of what I do. I also work in the business, delivering our products and services. This generally sees me taking the role of coach, trainer and sometimes consultant to groups of leaders and managers.
What attracted you to start/operate your business in Huddersfield?
I am a Yorkshire lad who has lived in Kirklees all my life. I am big on supporting local communities and so any opportunity to be based local was always important to both of us. We needed to decide on a location that would work for both of us (Lee lives in Chorley, Lancashire) and Huddersfield was the closest without going over the border😊. Also, it has great connections to Leeds and Manchester which is important for us. I can jump on and off a train and be at either of those locations for a meeting and back at our HQ in Huddersfield all in the same day.
Name some of your biggest business achievements:
We’re quite new so we don’t have a string of these just yet (that’s coming later) but if I think about the pandemic and how we have navigated that, I feel a real sense of pride. When the pandemic hit, we either rethought our strategy for delivery or we probably would not have been writing this. We managed to secure work helping clients develop their teams even in a virtual world and its actually generated growth for us. We have not only navigated such a difficult time, but we are also coming out stronger and I think for such a new business that is a great achievement.
What advice would you give to someone looking to set up or relocate their business in Huddersfield?
I would ask them this question…. Why would you not locate your business in Huddersfield?
I think there are some businesses that it absolutely makes sense for them to be in the bigger cities or nearer to their clients but for every one of those there is one that doesn’t need to be there. If you can’t think of a great reason to not locate in Huddersfield then make sure its backed up by facts. I can honestly say we would rather be running our business from the Media Centre in Huddersfield than the centre of Leeds or Manchester based on who we are and what we do.
What are your hopes for Huddersfield 10 years from now (2030)?
I had not really thought about this. I would hope that the centre would have had some significant investment and that it was seen as a significant business hub on the M62 corridor. I coach a girl’s football team at Norristhorpe so would be nice for them to still be together, playing and hopefully picking up some silverware.
On a personal level, what do you love most about the town?
I really like the accessible nature of everything. I can drive in, catch the train, walk from place to place with no real challenges. I’m really looking forward to being in the centre once things return to a bit of normality as there are a number of restaurants and pubs to try, we literally went into lockdown just after we moved into our office.
Where is your favourite place to eat/drink in Huddersfield?
See last answer. Based on where we’ve been able to go we seem to have become attached to Tesco £3 meal deals. All recommendations welcome when things open back up
Are there any recommendations or local knowledge you’d like to share with a visitor?
No, I don’t think so. I’m sure everyone knows about the Media Centre but just in case they don’t, there is a little café at the front called Café Ollo and it’s a great place to meet for personal and business meetings (post pandemic that is).
Website Link: www.getknowledge.co.uk
LinkedIn Link: Get Knowledge Ltd