TEMBO: more than a regular recruitment agency
It started with an elephant.
Not a business plan. Not a pitch deck. Not a strategy workshop.
An elephant.
A few years before TEMBO was founded, I received a parcel from a close friend who had spent a year working on a nature reserve in South Africa. Inside was a small elephant teddy for my daughter, along with a note explaining why she'd chosen it.
Elephants, she wrote, are intelligent, adaptable, strong and fiercely protective. A matriarchal species that leads with confidence and looks after its own. The message stayed with me.
A couple of years later, after a series of life-changing events, I found myself at a crossroads. I was a single mother, working in an industry I loved and thinking carefully about what came next.
I knew I wanted to stay in events. I knew I wanted to build something of my own.
Most importantly, I knew I wanted to create a business that genuinely helped the people behind events:
The marketing managers balancing impossible campaign cycles.
The organisers struggling to launch their dream events.
The teams trying to do more with less.
The idea for TEMBO was born in a hotel room during an event at the NEC. The elephant came back to mind, and the name felt right (TEMBO is Swahili for elephant).
Not just because it sounded good but because it represented the kind of business I wanted to build.
BUILT AROUND PEOPLE.
TEMBO began by providing event marketers. Over time, clients asked for more.
We created our MARKETING AGENCY to meet changing needs. Then came CONTENT, same service, different skill offering. Then we received requests for CONSULTANCY, which developed into a TRAINING provision. TRAINING led to our internship programme, ACADEMY.
Each step has been shaped by the people we work with and the challenges they are trying to solve.
Today, TEMBO supports event businesses through marketing, content, talent, training and consultancy, working with organisers, media brands, associations, venues and event technology companies across the UK and around the world.
The business has evolved considerably since 2014, however the belief behind it has not, events are powered by people.
WHAT WE BELIEVE.
Our team
Kate Disley
Founder & CEO, TEMBO
Mark Evans
Chairperson, TEMBO
Helen Omoh-Mensah
Director, TEMBO MARKETING
Sophy Searight
Director, TEMBO CONTENT
Why TEMBO?
- We go above and beyond to deliver excellence!
- We add value every step of the way
- We treat each other with respect
- We focus on the end result
- We have a positive, can-do attitude
- We are creative – we use our initiative to wow the client
- We are proactive and find solutions to any obstacles
- We ensure we are experts at what we do
The TEMBO values
Social intelligence
- We have an in-depth understanding of how we and other people around us, our clients and our audiences function - which helps us motivate, inspire, and interact effectively
- We are able to put ourselves in the position of the stakeholder we are communicating with
- We consider both sides to every story and are able to create a story that appeals
Openness
- We are honest and inclusive
- Operate with integrity and professionalism and stay true to our word
- Clear priorities and timelines agreed client and information shared with the team via a written brief
- We respond to client communications within 2 hours
- Accepting responsibility for our actions (and inactions)
Decisiveness
- We use our experience and available information to present ideas quickly and effectively
- Creating initial tactical plans based on the sometimes limited event information provided
- We work in a wide range of industries and use our collective event marketing knowledge to deliver effective campaigns
- We guide our clients towards the best course of action which is particularly important when we are the client's marketing department
Patience
- We focus on long-term goals and make smart decisions that deliver results and help build a strong reputation
- Share knowledge with the team and understand and invest time in coaching newer team members
- All aspects of the campaign working on with the same level of commitment such as sourcing media partners or creating exhibitor banners as they contribute to the buzz of the campaign
Compassion
- We appreciate others' perspectives particularly when they are different from our own
- We are kind and understanding with each other
- Caring about one another and acting accordingly
- Actively listening to others without judgement
- Providing constructive criticism with the feelings of the recipient in mind
AEO service supplier of the year 2022
In 2022 we were incredibly proud to win AEO Service Supplier of the Year.
As new kids on the block competing against industry giants, we were thrilled to be acknowledged for our achievements to date.
Go team TEMBO!
