Nicola Tiffany

Nicola Tiffany - Digital Marketing Director, HMA Digital Marketing

Name: Nicola Tiffany
Business name: HMA Digital Marketing
Web Site: www.hma.co.uk

Tell us about your business or position:
HMA Digital Marketing is a well-established and proven supplier of digital marketing solutions based in Yorkshire. HMA’s award-winning website design, 3D animation and marketing expertise enhance our clients’ online reputation and bring competitive advantage.

Having joined HMA in 2002 as an Account Executive, I have gained over 8 years experience in digital marketing and now head up the digital team at HMA as Digital Media Director. My role primarily focuses on providing digital marketing strategies that work for our clients from the planning and production of better performing websites, search engine optimisation, Pay per Click campaigns, email marketing to social media marketing to name but a few.

Day to day, I liaise with clients to ensure their expectations are being met and also oversee workflow in our studio to ensure we are meeting deadlines. As a Director of the company, I am also, along with my fellow Board Directors, responsible for the success of the company and future planning to ensure we continue to thrive.

I am currently working with the British Standards Institute to achieve ISO:9001 Accreditation for HMA Digital Marketing.

What achievement in your career/business are you most proud of?
Becoming a Director of the business as a result of my contribution to its success.

Three top networking tips:

• Choose networking events carefully ensuring they are aligned with your business objectives (although a 'networking' jolly is always nice once in a while!)
• Always carry your business cards (even in social situations) - you never know when a lead might present itself!!
• Use Linked In to connect with people you meet and keep in touch with them

Three top business/career progression tips:

• Work hard - go the extra mile wherever possible
• Every day is a school day - you can learn from anyone whether they are in a more senior or junior position to yourself
• Learn to delegate - one of the harder lessons i've had to learn but unfortunately, you can't do everything! Ensuring that your colleagues take the same pride in their work as you do can make delegation so much easier.

Favourite book/film/piece of music
I find that my tastes change on a regular basis - particularly with music. However, having recently got married and selected the song for our first dance, Take That's 'Greatest Day' will always hold a place in my heart.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet and why?
I think I would like to meet J K Rowling. Not to talk 'Harry Potter' with her as i've never read the books or seen the films but to find out more about her rise to fame as a business woman and how she balances that with being a celebrity.

What important lesson has life taught you?
That whilst working hard is essential to fulfil my ambitious personality (and put food on the table!) - playing hard is just as important to ensure a balanced lifestyle.

Your thoughts on the future of the economy
Whilst I don't doubt that 2011 will be a very tough year for many businesses, including ours, i'm conscious that when talking about the economy it shouldn't be all 'doom and gloom'. There are many industries still thriving - digital marketing being one of them - and plenty of opportunities still to be had. We might need to work harder to identify those opportunities and prosper from them but they are definitely there. I strongly believe that plain old hard work and an excellent service provision will be the key to surviving in this economic climate. Alongside which, diversification and entrepreneurship will inevitably facilitate growth strategies to in order to prosper.

What benefit have you or your business gained by being a Forward Ladies member?
It has been great to meet such a broad range of people and attend some very useful networking events and seminars. Whilst networking does not tend to have an immediate sales return, I would hope that by building up a network of contacts within the group that when a digital marketing requirement arises, HMA is at the forefront of their minds.
The trip to Champneys spa last year was of course an excellent bonus!

Exclusive offer to members: 10% discount to members of Forward Ladies