Small Spark Theory: a marginal gains approach to new business and marketing

All you need is a {bright spark}

Small Spark Theory: a marginal gains approach to new business and marketing is a business podcast hosted by Lucy Mann, with 107 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Lucy Mann hosts Small Spark Theory: a marginal gains approach to new business and marketing, a business show with 107 episodes published.

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  Small Spark Theory: a marginal gains approach to new business and marketing

  EP106: How to Stay Profitable | Anna Appleton | We Create Digital

  Jun 1, 202640 minS0

  <p >Ask most agency owners how profitable their last project was, and you’ll get one of two answers: a rough guess, or a long pause.</p> <p >This kind of data is rarely readily available, and when it is, it’s usually buried in a spreadsheet that someone else built, that nobody’s updated since for months, with a formula that breaks in the click of a mouse. </p> <p >And whilst there are a multitude of agency management platforms available, finding one that works for your agency, at your size, and providing ALL of the functionality and data you nee...

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  Small Spark Theory: a marginal gains approach to new business and marketing

  EP105: Saving the Client–Agency Relationship | Nigel Sarbutts | Structured Mediation

  Apr 9, 202642 minS0

  <p >In this episode of Small Spark Theory, we’re continuing our exploration of the true value of client relationships, but this time, we’re asking: what happens when things go wrong?</p> <p >I’m joined by Nigel Sarbutts, former agency MD and founder of Structured Mediation, who now specialises in resolving disputes in the PR, comms and broader creative industries. Drawing on his years on both the agency and client side, as well as his PR Cavalry talent platform, Nigel explains why so many client–agency relationships unravel, how mediation really works, and what agencies can do to prevent small...

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  Small Spark Theory: a marginal gains approach to new business and marketing

  EP104: A Deeper Dive into Client Development | Catherine Allison | Master the Art

  Feb 3, 202637 minS0

  <p >In a market where new business feels harder, slower, and more competitive than ever, agencies can no longer afford to overlook the opportunity sitting right in front of them.</p> <p >Industry pressure, procurement complexity, and shrinking marketing budgets mean that relying solely on new client acquisition is risky. And yet, many agencies still underinvest in the skills, processes, and mindset required to truly grow existing client relationships.</p> <p >In this episode, I’m joined by friend of the podcast Catherine Allison from Master the Art to explore why client development is no longer a “nice to have” — and how...

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  Small Spark Theory: a marginal gains approach to new business and marketing

  EP103: Unlocking Growth Through Client Leadership | Kim Lawton | Enthuse Marketing

  Dec 17, 202534 minS0

  <p >Here we are at the end of 2025 and our last episode of the year.</p> <p >I know this year has been a tough one for many agencies, for many reasons. So I wanted to finish with a good news story.  A case study of an independent agency (well two in fact) flourishing despite the challenges.</p> <p >Kim Lawton, Founder & CEO of Enthuse Marketing and COO & Partner at Inspira, joins to me talk about how building a relationship-first culture in her agencies has allowed them to weather many of the storms impacting agencies in recent years. </p> <p >We disc...

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  Small Spark Theory: a marginal gains approach to new business and marketing

  EP102: The Evolution of Business Development | Nicky Rinks & Rich Banham | Daylight Bureau

  Nov 10, 202545 minS0

  <p >New business, business development, lead generation, prospecting.</p> <p >Call it what you will – for agencies, the practice of attracting and winning new clients has evolved.</p> <p >Technology continues to diversify our services and expand the marketplaces in which we operate. Alongside this, terminology shifts, client expectations rise, and the range of macro issues impacting brands and businesses keeps growing.</p> <p >Navigating the needs of prospects – then clearly articulating and demonstrating how we meet those needs – has always been fundamental to agency success. Yet, as highlighted in the Design Business Association’s recent In Focus report, “new business”...

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