Over the past 12 months, we’ve travelled the length and breadth of the country (and spent rather a number of hours on virtual platforms) to deliver our bespoke training and coaching sessions to business leaders across the world. Plus, we’ve taken centre stage at some of the most prestigious conferences and events nationwide, and hosted and facilitated round tables, and panel discussions. It’s certainly been a whirlwind, but we’ve pinned our Founder, Fliss down, to reflect on our first 12 months, explore her initial motivations for the business, and get an insight into her ambitions for the next year (and beyond!).

What motivated you to establish The Ultimate Advantage?

I’ve always been mindful of the true power of great communication, but in more recent years – through my PR and Communications agency – I’ve been called on much more frequently to help leaders and Boards to bring absolute mastery to their message, perfect their delivery, and mitigate and manage some challenging communications issues.

The support that Rhi, Al and I were able to offer (even within a dynamic agency like Zen Communications) was naturally curtailed, and we started scoping what a sister company, absolutely dedicated to the art and science of communication, might look and feel like. The three of us have a collective experience of over 60 years working with the most senior-level clients, covering some of the biggest brands and organisations across the globe.

We helped them to communicate with impact and integrity, and to powerfully connect with those that matter the most to them, and we knew that we could make a real difference if we had the time and space to offer that all more widely.

Just like that, The Ultimate Advantage was born.

What have the past 12 months looked like?

We formally started trading last March, and it’s been a truly exciting year. We’ve supported a variety of businesses – from a global recruitment firm, to a number of US-based pharmaceutical companies, leading local authorities here in the UK, manufacturing and engineering businesses, and a number of those in emerging technology – to assist them to deliver empowering speeches, manage Board disputes, and leverage personal impact.

It's a real privilege to see our clients transform how they communicate, and to witness the benefits that it brings them, their teams, and their businesses.

What do you have planned for year two?

We have a whole host of really exciting projects lined up, including speaking at conferences and events, hosting one-to-one and Board-wide trainings, bylining a veritable mountain of articles and guidance documents, and getting the draft complete on our first book! (Do keep an eye on our socials for more information on all of these).

We’re committed to growing a successful business, absolutely, but also to growing one which makes a positive difference in our world. Looking at the diary ahead, it feels like we’re well on the way to achieving that, which feels fantastic!