Symbioss replaced cold prospecting with timely, evidence-led outreach.
The firm
Symbioss is a B2B consultancy helping commercial teams strengthen important client relationships, reduce risk and create sustainable growth. Its own growth depended on referrals, events and finding the right organisations to approach at the right moment.
The problem
Symbioss knew the types of firms it could help, but identifying which ones needed that help now was difficult.
Traditional prospecting produced lists of companies without a convincing reason to contact them. Researching each one manually took too long, while generic cold outreach lacked relevance.
Events created another opportunity, but attendee lists were often only available after arriving. There was no time to research everyone and decide who was most worth meeting.
The information existed, but turning it into timely, useful outreach depended on considerable manual judgement and preparation.
What we did
We began by mapping the complete client-acquisition process and defining Symbioss’s target market, priority buyers and the changes that could indicate a timely need for its services.
That produced two connected workflows: ongoing signal monitoring and rapid event preparation. Both run in the ChatGPT Work desktop app, against a workbook in Liz’s own OneDrive, so the evidence sits where she already works.
01 Target market and signals
Translated Symbioss’s commercial judgement into clear target criteria and 11 evidence rules covering changes such as leadership appointments, hiring, expansion and slowing growth.
02 Ongoing monitoring
Checks target companies for meaningful changes, opens and verifies the original sources, and presents only the opportunities worth reviewing. Liz remains responsible for deciding what matters and who should be approached.
03 Event preparation
Turns a photographed attendee list into a prioritised, mobile-friendly briefing in around 15 minutes, while there is still time to find and speak to the right people.
04 Relevant outreach
Researches the appropriate contact and prepares a short message grounded in what has genuinely changed. Liz reviews every opportunity and message before anything is sent.
What changed
11
Signs that a firm might need her, watched continuously
A new commercial lead, a hiring push, an expansion, growth slowing down. Each one is a reason to make contact now rather than cold.
15 minutes
From photographed attendee list to a prioritised briefing
2
Client-acquisition workflows implemented and tested
Symbioss moved from broad, cold prospecting to a repeatable system for finding the right companies at the right moment.
Liz used the first opportunities for targeted outreach and tested the mobile workflow at a real event. She remained in control of who to approach and what was sent.
In Liz’s words
“I’m no longer guessing who to approach or why. I can see what has changed, understand why it matters and start the conversation with something relevant.”
Liz Ashton
Founder, Symbioss