Planit Scotland is now operating throughout the UK and Europe
When it comes to starting a business, it takes guts, courage and determination. To keep a business going takes ingenuity and resilience.
These are all qualities that Cecilia Grigor, managing director of Planit Scotland, possesses.
With Planit Scotland celebrating eight years in business this year, she has seen her company go from strength to strength.
Starting from humble beginnings, she and her team are now serving clients across the globe – providing marketing support, PR, event management, social media, online advertising and SEO, and a range of outsourced business services.
Executive Magazine had the chance to speak with Inverness-based Cecilia about what led her to start Planit Scotland, and where her journey has taken her.
“I was a single mum working at the Kingsmills Hotel as a sales manager, and I couldn’t commit to travelling away from my son all the time,” she said.
“After leaving there – I had no idea what I was going to do.
“But I had built up a big network when working at the hotel, and before I knew it I had people asking me to do data cleanses, mail merges and events for them.
“Very quickly, I was working a 40-60 hour week.
“I realised I couldn’t do it on my own, so I went to Business Gateway and was awarded a grant to support me with taking on a graduate.”
“That’s when Planit Scotland was born.”
Cecilia had no idea that eight years later she would be working with clients across the UK and Europe.
From those early days of outsourced PA services, she would evolve her service offering to meet client needs – becoming a leading provider of expert marketing support.
Shifting to remote working during the pandemic, Cecilia was able to widen the net when recruiting and now runs a team of nine spread across the country – alongside five freelancers who work consistently with Planit Scotland.
Speaking about how her leadership style has changed over the years, Cecilia said: “I’ve realised how important listening is.
“I give my team a voice. I want them to be actively involved in taking Planit Scotland to the next level, whether that’s developing ideas for clients or to improve our internal processes.
“A few years ago I would have been a micromanager. Now I understand what my clients need and then match them with the right team member.
“I trust them to deliver their very best work for our clients, every time.
“It’s not the Cecilia show – it’s always about the team.
“That is why winning team of the year at the Highland Business Women Awards was so important, because they are amazing.
“The team was so chuffed to see their work being recognised.”
Cecilia added: “Planit Scotland’s motto is: ‘We are here to support you and we are here to support your business.’
“People don’t have time to do things – and with my background in hospitality, that is what set the values of Planit Scotland.
“You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression, so if we commit to doing something we are absolutely with the client on the journey and want to ensure it is right from the start.
“My team likes being able to fix things for clients, and we don’t sell things that people don’t need.
“We look at what the client is trying to achieve and how to deliver that in the way that works for them.
“As we have built the team, we have brought in experts in their fields that can provide what our clients need – whether that’s coverage in national media, a strong return on investment in their online ads, or a complete overhaul of their marketing strategy.
“We see what is of value to businesses, and want to help them survive and thrive.”
It’s that attitude and commitment to building long-term partnerships with clients that has kept Planit Scotland on its upward trajectory – even in the early days when Cecilia suffered from what is now commonly known as ‘impostor syndrome’ and began a return to employment.
“I did not expect to be celebrating an eight-year anniversary in business”, she explained.
“I remember sitting in an interview shortly after I had first launched thinking I wasn’t capable of running my business or achieving my goals.
“When I won my first Highland Business Women Award four years ago, I kept thinking someone was going to catch me out and tell me that I had been doing something wrong all this time.”
“But it is just something in your head – a wee monkey telling you that you’re not good enough.
“You just have to put it back in its cage and tell it that you are good enough,” she explained.
“Now I believe that Planit Scotland will last the next eight years and beyond.”
Another benefit of Cecilia making the decision to run her own business is that it has given her the time to spend quality time with her son, and explore the world with him.
“I’ve been very lucky to have been able to travel with my son, Nathan,” she said.
“He learns a lot when we have time away.
“And seeing me build my business from the ground up has given him a real insight into what it takes to turn your dreams into reality. He’s only 13 but he’s already dreaming big!
“I love that he has been on this journey with me and that he has the confidence to walk into a room and hold his head high – I never had that.”
Having just picked up three accolades at the Highland Business Women Awards, the company has been recognised by others in the region for its entrepreneurial spirit, dedicated team and business resilience.
The team also bagged an award from Microsoft earlier this year for its online advertising services – the only Scottish firm out of three UK agencies honoured.
For Cecilia, running a business in the Highlands is a privilege, and she is honoured by the people she gets to work with everyday. Despite her business and team spreading geographically, the region will always be special to Planit Scotland.
“The Highlands has so much going on,” she said.
“There is so much opportunity here.”
Quickfire Round
Your biggest change over the last four years?
Learning to have self-belief, and knowing that there needs to be balance.
Top tip: Making sure you have clear headspace and make time for you.
Book recommendation: The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
What would you like to do more of in the future?
Getting back to face-to-face with clients and supporting them with their longer- term goals – after a very reactive two years, I would love to start leaning more into the proactive world. But who knows where the rollercoaster will take us… one thing I know is, we are ready!
Meet the rest of the team....
Richard aka Google ninja, lord of bing, SEO guru
Role: Google and SEO lead, Inverness
Richard’s passion for data means he knows how to analyse how people are moving around your website and interacting with your online ads – ensuring every opportunity is maximised, and that backlinks are strong and working for you.
“Everyone in the team has input into the development of the business. I believe this is a major factor in Planit Scotland’s rapid growth with this employee-first approach.”
Eoin aka master wordsmith, PR fanatic, content strategist
Role: PR and copywriting lead, Aberdeen
Attention-grabbing press releases are Eoin’s forte,
and he loves nothing more than hitting the headlines with our clients’ news – with the media contacts required to do just that.
“Working at Planit Scotland gives you the freedom to shape your role and your career the way you want to. Team Planit is like a second family, and we work hard to support each other.”
Marco aka strategy superfan, digital devotee, social media advocate
Role: Social advertising and content strategy lead, London
Marco specialises in driving sales through social media – working closely with his team of content marketers to ensure each ad is fully integrated into clients’ marketing strategies and is converting into meaningful sales and leads.
“There’s so much transparency in Planit and everyone has a say – from the training we get and ideas for growth, to a flexible approach to hours as long as the workload is managed.”
Lauren D aka virtuoso communicator, admin specialist, organisational pro
Role: Client engagement lead, Inverness
Whether she’s running world-class events, keeping track of business operations, or heading up Planit Scotland’s continuous improvement programme, Lauren has the know-how to ensure everything goes without a hitch.
“I think it comes across that we all care about what we do – and that shows in our work for clients and our enthusiasm in team wins.”
Halle aka social obsessive, engagement whizz, newsletter legend
Role: Junior content marketer, Inverness
From devising thumb-stopping social media content that sparkles to newsletters that convert into sales, Halle has a digital toolkit that can be used to support any business looking to be seen and heard.
“The opportunities for progression are great at Planit Scotland, making you feel as though it isn’t just about your role and the work you do but you as an individual.”
Lauren L aka word weaver, creative copywriter, storyteller extraordinaire
Role: Junior copywriter, Stirling
Writing is in Lauren’s blood, and she delights in bringing clients’ passions to life through the written word. From website copy to marketing materials, insightful articles to playful social media, she’s a dab-hand at taking the facts and spinning a yarn that draws the reader in.
“Every member of Team Planit has a voice – allowing us to learn from one another, grow as a team and find better solutions for our clients.”
Sean aka data wizard, puzzle solver, keyword innovator
Role: Digital marketing graduate, Ardrossan
Sean’s a dab hand at turning our clients’ analytics data into easy-to-read reports and actionable insights. Using
his expertise, he helps the company to connect, visualise, and share clients’ messages with the world.
“At Planit Scotland, everyone adds a bit of their personality into their work and ideas, allowing us to complete tasks to an extremely high and unique standard.”
Ryan aka crafty creator, photoshop whizz, design warrior
Role: Junior graphic designer, Moray
With his virtual toolkit at the ready, Ryan is a creative genius who’s ready to tackle whatever challenge is thrown at him. Whether he is designing content for social platforms or creating eye-catching print materials, Ryan takes it all in his stride.
“Internally, Planit Scotland isn’t viewed as a business, but as a group of people with such original traits and perspectives that can flourish in their own ways towards a greater goal.”
Suite V07, The Green House Business Centre, Beechwood Business Park North, Inverness, IV2 3BL.
info@planitscotland.com
T: Inverness – 01463 389160 |
T: Aberdeen – 01224 606160
