Yellowyoyo: 25 Years of adapting, transforming and thriving in a dynamic business landscape
On May 18th, 1998, Yellowyoyo was born.
So it would seem that we’re older than Google, the first Apple iMac and Microsoft’s Windows 98, all of which arrived later that same year. They were the first of many similar big changes since…
Amanda was blonde and I was a long-haired brunette for two things. More importantly, alongside the growth of tech businesses like Apple, Google (Alphabet) and Microsoft alluded to above, there have been more serious indicators of the vast changes in the business landscape over the last 25 years:
- Emergence of the digital economy
The past 25 years have seen an increased interconnectedness of markets and economies worldwide. Globalisation has allowed businesses, including ours, to expand operations and customer base beyond national borders, resulting in greater competition and access to new opportunities.
- Changes in the workforce
The UK workforce has experienced significant changes in recent decades, including greater diversity, an ageing population, and the increased participation of women in the workforce.
Additionally, the rise of remote working, driven by advancements in technology and accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has altered the way employees and employers approach work.
- Sustainability and corporate social responsibility
There has also been a growing emphasis on sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the UK business landscape over the past 25 years. Consumers, investors and regulators are increasingly demanding that businesses adopt more environmentally friendly practices, contribute to social well-being, and operate ethically.
- Regulatory changes
Over the past 25 years, the UK business landscape has seen numerous regulatory changes that have had significant implications for businesses – the implementation of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018, and the UK’s departure from the EU (Brexit) in 2020 to name a few.
We’ve enjoyed the challenge (mostly) of adapting and transforming to meet the opportunities presented by this ever-evolving environment. As we celebrate our 25th birthday, we reflect on our journey and look forward to the future with the same passion and determination that has driven us since day one.
To survive as a business, we’ve had to take our own medicine – we’ve needed to adapt and transform as the business landscape has changed.
So was it all smooth running?
Not a chance.
Sometimes we weren’t agile enough, quickly enough. But we survived.
We built a business carrying out projects for major brands, all over the globe, (we can point to examples of our work in every continent) running the Yellowyoyo team from a room in our converted barn house in Buckinghamshire for over 16 years. In doing so we became the very model of a 21st-century business – now common after the pandemic – in that we could work on anything from anywhere, and so were perfectly placed to survive the pandemic when it happened.
In the beginning, Yellowyoyo was primarily focused on Brand, Design and more traditional Marketing services, helping businesses to establish their brands physically and graphically, and to effectively communicate their values and offer to their target audience.
However, we soon realised that the rapidly changing business landscape required more than just exceptional branding, design, and marketing. To truly succeed, businesses needed to adapt and transform constantly and often fundamentally.
How did we adapt?
Our first key strategic move happened in 2015.
We decided that to properly grow we needed to move out of the little room and find an office in a thriving business community. Amanda and I decided it would either be in London or Milton Keynes. As we’d both spent a great deal of time working in London, we quickly decided that, given its proximity and growth reputation, MK was the clear winner. Not only was the city buzzing, but the commute was less stressful.
Yellowyoyo’s growth has been consistent ever since.
The second key strategic move was attracting Al Salehian to be our MD, a role I’d assumed up until then. We’d begun to realise that sustainable growth needed a wider skill set and Al had many years of experience leading, growing and selling international multi-million-pound businesses. After selling his latest company, one that we had helped him to build into a global brand, he wanted a new challenge and one where he could help others to transform their businesses suited him perfectly.
The third key strategic move began to take shape in November 2021. We hold a strategy meeting every quarter and between November 2021 and early 2022 we decided to add exit to our core offering.
This decision meant the birth of our Growth to Exit programme, one that encompasses the complete set of our products under one programme heading. This has proved to be our differentiator in the marketplace and given a new focus for positioning and messaging.
And where are we today?
Yellowyoyo has evolved into a complete business transformation provider.
Today, our team of experts possess the skills and experience to assess and redefine how a business operates commercially across its people, procedures, processes, products, and pricing (its business platform – there are actually 16 Ps in total). By ensuring that our clients have a robust business platform, we lay the foundation for their long-term success.
Our approach to business transformation extends beyond just identifying areas for platform improvement. Yellowyoyo’s comprehensive service offering now covers planning and implementation across business strategy, brand, design, marketing and exit, making us a one-stop-shop for businesses seeking to thrive and grow in today’s competitive market.
Our ability to guide clients through every stage of their journey, from the initial objectives and strategy development to the execution of their exit plan, is one of the key factors that sets Yellowyoyo apart from other business transformation companies.
We understand that the road to success can be filled with unexpected obstacles, and we are here to provide the support and guidance necessary for businesses to navigate these challenges and emerge stronger than ever.
Over the past 25 years, we have had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients across multiple sectors, each with its unique challenges and aspirations. Our proven track record in delivering results demonstrates our commitment to helping businesses transform and achieve their goals, no matter how ambitious they may be. We’ve also been really fortunate to build long-lasting relationships and friendships along the way.
We’re immensely proud of the team and the legacy we’re now part of, the many businesses we’re trusted by and have helped to transform. The world of business is constantly evolving, and at Yellowyoyo we’re committed to adapting and growing alongside it, so that we can continue to deliver the exceptional service and results that our clients have come to expect from us.
On May 18th1998, All Saints were top of the charts with ‘Under the Bridge’.
The chorus ends with these words…
Take me to the place I love
Take me all the way.
…it makes me smile to recall those words because here we are, 25 years later, helping clients we really like to get to the exit they really want…
Brilliant!
Bryan
