Pfa Research Newsletter Summer 09

research

QGB

theResearcher

advantage is a matter of facts

Welcome to the summer edition of theResearcher, we hope this finds you well. As the recession beds in, it’s a challenging yet interesting climate for all industry sectors. Every penny counts, which is why PFA Research has been engaged by several organisations to survey their customers and find out exactly what makes them tick. We’re currently working on our latest South West Business Pulse survey, this time focussing on the tourism sector. Early data suggests bookings and enquiries are up for many tourism businesses this season, which is encouraging news. We’ll publish full details in our next edition.

Best wishes Martin Hockaday, PFA Research

In this issue Improving communities CPR Regeneration Tomorrow’s entrepreneurs

Improving local communities Research is a key part of business, but did you know that it is being used to improve local communities? In 2008, the Government called for local authorities to focus on improvements for local people and places. The key to achieving this was to capture local people’s experiences, perceptions and opinions via the national place surveys. Rutland County Council engaged PFA Research to carry out their Place Survey to record residents’ views on their local community and physical environment. Many services provided by the council got the thumbs up with kerbside recycling, refuse collection and local libraries, museums and galleries all scoring above the national average. Leader of Rutland County Council, Roger Begy, said: “The survey is a most useful bit of research carried out every two years for the council

as it gives us access to the views and opinions from thousands of our customers. “We have only just received the results so it will take time to work through them in detail and conduct a full analysis. Once this is complete, we’ll sit down with officers and come up with a plan of addressing our weaknesses and building on our strengths.” PFA Research also worked with North Cornwall and Caradon District Councils to produce tenant status surveys, results of which are now being used by the new unitary authority Cornwall Council. Of the 744 tenants of local authority housing surveyed, 84% were very or fairly satisfied with their neighbourhood where they lived and 79% very or fairly satisfied with their landlord services.

Do you Twitter? Follow updates and thoughts from PFA Research’s managing director at www.twitter.com/robertrush

CPR Regeneration surveys businesses to boost prosperity. CPR business survey: • Half of businesses ‘not constrained’. • Two thirds of businesses maintained or increased turnover

A company working to bring prosperity back to the Camborne, Pool and Redruth area in Cornwall has recently surveyed local businesses to assess their needs. On behalf of CPR Regeneration, PFA Research carried out a business survey with 500 companies and organisations in the Camborne, Pool and Redruth (CPR) area.

networks to drive up perception of the CPR area as a viable property investment location.

The findings will be used to shape future projects and services. Almost half the businesses surveyed reported no constraints and two-thirds reported maintained or increased turnover.

Mark Smith, director of business development at CPR Regeneration, said: “As well as instigating physical changes within Camborne, Pool and Redruth, CPR Regeneration has a continuing need to understand and support local businesses as they too grow and develop.

These and other important emerging trends are already being fed in to regional and national

“By working with PFA to undertake a structured survey with robust results, we aim to build the needs

of local businesses into all our work, and ensure that future provision supports growth. We’re very pleased with the insight that working with PFA has given us.” Among the projects currently underway within the CPR Regeneration area is the Pool Innovation Centre, opening summer 2010 for new and growing businesses which are looking for space to develop. CPR Regeneration: 01209 722099, [email protected].

Nurturing business leaders of tomorrow PFA Research has been working with the business leaders of tomorrow with a series of enterprise projects with schools, colleges and universities. Our MD Robert Rush has been working with Cornwall Education Business Partnership, carrying out mock job interviews with Bodmin Community College. We will also be supporting students at Penair School in Truro, advising on market research techniques for a business project. Kate Whetter from Cornwall EBP said: “What was particularly useful about Robert’s support was the feedback he offered the students following their interview. They responded well to another adult from a successful business coming in and taking an interest in their work.” PFA Research, eCommerce House, Lower Bore Street, Bodmin, PL31 2JR

Robert said: “I thoroughly enjoy working with young people because they nearly always have a fresh perspective and enthusiastic approach to business. “There are so many more opportunities at schools and colleges now for students to explore different career options – projects like these open doors to new experiences.”

Research:

the backbone of marketing Marketing during a recession is a great way to get ahead of your competitors, but how do you know your message is getting out there? PFA Research has been working with clients on both a national and regional scale to identify how best to communicate with customers. PFA interviewed 800 companies as part of a survey for the Forum of Private Business (FPB), the business support and lobby group. The sample was made up of both members and non-members. Results are currently being used to drive the FPB’s marketing strategy. Thomas Parry of FPB said: “This was a particularly technical piece of market research so we were keen to work with a company like PFA which has the experience and understanding to tackle it effectively. “Findings of this survey are being used to better understand our membership and their needs so we can further improve our service.” On a smaller scale, PFA worked with Hampshire-based Cammegh Davies Fleming to measure the effectiveness of a direct mailing campaign for builders and DIY merchant, Poores of Acton. A cross section of Poores’ target customers was surveyed through a programme of in-depth telephone interviews.

PFA also sponsors and sits on a panel of experts for FLUX, University of Plymouth’s annual student enterprise challenge.

Nigel Cammegh, who commissioned the survey, said: “It was so important to conduct this research, not only to measure the success of the last mailer but to give us strategic direction on our client’s marketing.

Thirty universities went head to head for the top prize of £3,000, with each team pitching a business idea to the judges.

“There were things we didn’t know and the research gave us the answers we needed.”

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