INSPIRINGFUTURESWITH PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY

Opportunity for Free, Business Consultancy Advicefrom Plymouth Business School Students

Facts and figuresWhat started out as a small pilot project involving just 16 students, is now in its sixth year and has grown to include:

• over 3,500 students

• in six modules

• undertaking over 600 consultancy projects

• in over 250 organisations

• with an estimated value to the local economy of £900,000.

What projects can students do? Projects need to suitable for the students to undertake remotely as most of the research is conducted using the internet or from library resources. Projects also need to be low risk and not business critical. Inspiring Futures is ideal for projects you haven’t had the resources to undertake yourself.

Each of the following is an authentic brief provided by organisations that have already participated in Inspiring Futures:

• undertake an online competitor analysis

• create a social media strategy

• research funding options

• undertake a supplier analysis

• identify potential markets for existing or new products

• conduct a website review

How else do clients benefit from inspiring futures? In addition to the potential financial gains from participating in Inspiring Futures, clients may benefit from:

• Students’ enthusiasm, fresh eyes and thinking. Sometimes the simple questions asked by students as they try to understand a business are more effective than much more expensive consultancy• Develop links with the Plymouth University, leading to other collaboration and opportunities• Opportunity to identify talented future employees • Demonstrate commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility activities

FAQsINSPIRING FUTURES How does it work? Inspiring Futures is part of assessed modules which teach Plymouth Business School students about employability and enterprise whilst developing their professional skills.

An organisation provides a project brief, detailing the business issue they wish the students to investigate on their behalf and this is allocated to a group of students. Students usually work in groups of five and self-select a group leader. At the beginning of the project, students meet with the client to clarify the objectives and ask questions. Under the supervision of an academic member of staff and ongoing guidance from the client, they work remotely to fulfil the brief.

As part of the students’ assessed learning experience, they present their findings to the organisation at the end of the consultancy project. This is usually in the form of a report and/or presentation. Clients are asked to provide the group with feedback on their project.

Students may be studying the following programmes:

• BSc (Hons) Business Management

• BSc (Hons) Marketing

• BSc (Hons) Business Enterprise and Entrepreneurship

• BA (Hons) Business

• BA (Hons) International Business

What contact will I have with the students? Modules have varying requirements. There is usually a minimum of one face-to-face meeting involving the client and students. If the client isn’t based in Plymouth, meetings may be conducted via video conferencing. Students usually maintain contact with the client over the duration of the project by email or telephone.

What about matters of confidentiality and intellectual property?Best practice is achieved by managing expectations of both students and clients from the outset and in order to familiarise students with legal documentation they will encounter in their entrepreneurial careers, all parties are asked to sign a work based learning agreement, covering intellectual property and matters of confidentiality.

How much does it cost? Participating in Inspiring Futures is free for all organisations. Students are not paid for the work that they undertake as it forms part of their assessment.

When can I get the students’ support? Inspiring Futures features in several modules and the majority of the projects required are for modules starting in the spring. However, we also require a limited number of projects for modules that take place over the summer. You can contact us at any time of the year to register your interest in taking part and nearer the time, we will contact you to request a project brief. This would normally be:

Spring - Projects are requested from October onwards and need to be finalised by early January, ready for the modules which start at the beginning of February and March.

Summer - Projects are requested from March onwards and need to be finalised by early June, ready for the modules which start at the end of June and beginning of July.

What Is Inspiring Futures? Inspiring Futures is uniquely designed to enhance the entrepreneurial and employability skills of our undergraduate, Plymouth Business School students from the very start of their university careers, giving them the opportunity to work on consultancy projects which address real business issues set by organisations. In turn, the organisation benefits from free business advice from a team of talented students. Inspiring Futures engages with a range of businesses, social enterprises and charities of all sizes from pre-start-ups to large enterprises.

DEVON DISABILITY COLLECTIVE - CASE STUDYTHE ORGANISATION

Devon Disability Collective (DDC) is a social enterprise. Its products are made by people with disabilities and those furthest from the labour market. They have 55 years of experience manufacturing products to their clients’ specifications and further offer packing, light engineering, contract sewing, upholstery and mobility services to companies throughout the UK in the private and public sectors.

THE PROJECTComplete a competitor analysis and identify potential customers for DDC.

THE RESULT Luke Rogers, Marketing Manager, Devon Disability Collective:

“They produced a detailed competitor analysis and thoroughly researched various sectors that hadn’t even been on DDC’s radar for customers. All this information will enable us to explore new avenues, better understand the needs of our customers, provide the right product at the right price, and further use these research documents as a foundation to build on for the future.

We were absolutely delighted with the results of the Business School students. We didn’t expect a great deal knowing the time scale the students had, but they exceeded our expectations. They produced a professional, practical working document for our company that we will utilise and build on.”

ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR Martyn Flynn, Talent Acquisition Manager:

“The students have done a fantastic project and highlighted some real areas where, as a company, we can really push our CSR efforts within the South West.”

MEMORY MATTERS SOUTH WEST CIC Kate Smith, Director:

“They exceeded our expectations! They came to the initial meeting having researched our business, to gain understanding, and their findings have shaped our marketing plan for the coming year. It has been great meeting the bright minds of the future.”

SERIES 41 Andrew Prosser, Director:

“The students added value in a number of ways. Being able to delegate market research to them freed me up to work on other things like company strategy and marketing. I used the research that the students did to win funding from the South West Biomedical iNet.”

FOOD PLYMOUTH CIC Ian Smith, Director:

“The students did a tremendous job for us and they were a pleasure to work with.”

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

You can find out more about Devon Disability Collective at:

www.devondisabilitycollective.org

THE ORGANISATION

Clever Student Lets (CSL) is an award winning, student accommodation business based in Plymouth, winning The Times ‘Student Lettings Agency of the Year 2016 - Gold Award’. THE PROJECTCustomer research into what’s most important to international and UK students with regards to accommodation, to help CSL review their focus for tenants.

THE RESULTJames Deacon, Sales and Service Manager, Clever Student Lets:

“I was presented with a document that not only gave me a detailed, conclusive and very thorough account of what we asked for but it also rivalled some of the multiple marketing and research agencies I have worked with in the past. The project was broad, yet concise in results and summary – a huge target market was studied and the result was above and beyond what we had anticipated.

As a result of this document, we have made a number of changes:

• The report detailed that the internet is number one priority for the majority of students. On the back of this, we upgraded over 350 virgin media accounts to the best in the country and have received fantastic feedback from students.

• Maintenance – with this and similar areas being a high priority for international students, we have hired two extra staff and created positions dedicated to improving maintenance inspections and communications. Again, a great success.

• The feedback from international students has seen us employ a Chinese specialist (removing one of our major language barriers) and increase our move-in communications.

In summary, the report has helped us sharpen our sword and I look forward to future groups researching this ever changing market.”

THE ORGANISATION

Devon & Cornwall Food Action (DCFA) is a small, local charity that collects surplus food supplies from 67 suppliers and redistributes them to over 90 local charities and organisations that, in turn, support vulnerable community members. It has collected over 250 tonnes of food with a retail value of over £750,000. THE PROJECTProvide an objective assessment of DCFA’s funding needs and identify potential sources of funding for the charity’s ongoing work.

THE RESULTJackie Young, Manager, Devon & Cornwall Food Action:

“The student’s contribution was twofold. Firstly, they provided additional eyes and ears, finding and recommending potential funding sources that could be followed up. They were able to pick up on a number of sources we had not previously found and give time to the research so that criteria could be assessed and applied appropriately. As a result of their support, DCFA has been able to:

• Make over 20 separate applications, using their recommendations to guide suitability;

• Apply for over £150,000 of possible funding (outcomes pending at the time of writing);

• Secure over £25,000 of funding to date;

• Maintain the services of DCFA for at least a further six months;

• Maintain our service to 93 local charities (over 3000 individuals).”

CLEVER STUDENT LETS - CASE STUDY

You can find out more about Clever Student Lets at:

www.cleverstudentlets.com

DEVON & CORNWALLFOOD ASSOCIATION -CASE STUDY

You can find out more about Devon & Cornwall Food Action (DCFA) at:

www.devonandcornwallfoodassociation.org

FUTURESWITH PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY

W www.futurescentre.orgT @PlymouthFutures

Shubha Tobias, BSc (Hons) Business Management

“It was good to get some professional experience working with a real client on a live project. Our client wanted us to look into existing patents for a product in different countries. We now have a better understanding about the process of bringing a product to market and I think I’ll feel more confident talking to business people in the future.”

Hugh Waters, BA (Hons) Business Management

“Ramer Sponges Ltd provided me with an invaluable opportunity to gain skills in implementing and managing a real life marketing research project brief. I have since used the skills and experience gained, as a foundation for other successful projects and will continue to do so in my future career.”

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

How do I get involved?For more information about Inspiring Futures, to discuss an idea for a project or for details about how to make an application, email:

inspiringfutures@plymouth.ac.uk