England rugby star Henry Pollock has swapped tackles for trimmers, training in barbering and other trades to highlight the unexpected roles small business owners often take on. The 21-year-old flanker's efforts feature in a new film launching Funding Circle's The Pitch, a competition offering one UK SME a professionally produced advert featuring PREM Rugby talent.
Research Reveals SME Marketing Struggles
New research from Funding Circle, an SME finance platform, found that more than half (51%) of owners say getting their company noticed by new customers is one of their biggest challenges to growth. One in three (34%) say they have good ideas for promoting their business but lack the funding or resources to bring them to life.
The burden often falls on owners themselves, with 49% managing their business's social media accounts and 42% taking their own photographs and video content. More than a quarter (28%) have had to learn marketing skills they never expected to need.
Pollock Takes on New Roles
Henry visited hairdressers, accountancy firms, building sites and coffee shops to highlight how tough it is for small businesses to get noticed. His experiences are part of the new film, which sees Funding Circle launch The Pitch.
“Small businesses are a huge part of rugby, supporting clubs and communities up and down the country, so it's great to have the chance to give something back,” Henry said. “I'm used to being thrown into different positions on a rugby pitch, but going on loan as a barista, barber and accountant were definitely new ones for me. We had a lot of fun making the film, and I can't wait to see what businesses come up with.”
Competition Details
Alexander Allen, managing director and chief customer officer at Funding Circle, said: “We know just how much hard work, ambition and creativity goes into running a small business. But having a great business is only half the battle. Getting it in front of the right people can be just as challenging, especially when you're juggling everything else that comes with running a business.”
The Pitch is open to UK businesses, with entries opening on October 20 and closing on November 3. Full details are available at Funding Circle's website.
