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Strategic Marketing or Marketing Communications Research Opportunity

This is an ideal opportunity for companies to gain Strategic Marketing or Marketing Communications Research by closely working with postgraduate student/s at the Birmingham Business School and thus obtain access to a valuable research and project resource. 

Therefore if you would like to conduct a project such as:

• Investigating the size and structure of markets (either UK or overseas). 
• Consumer attitudes towards products, services, brands or organisations.
• Competitor analysis – understanding strategies, markets and performance.
• New market potential – exploring the business potential for new product or service ideas.
• Evaluating a client’s on-line or off-line marketing strategy, relative to competitors and/or relative to benchmark organisations in other sectors.
• Identifying and planning marketing communication campaigns – identifying appropriate media, targets, message and timing.
• Researching best practice or case study examples of company strategies in particular market sectors.
• Or have some other need for marketing intelligence to conduct a strategic campaign

The Research Resource

This Research Resource is provided by students studying either for an MSc in Strategic Marketing and Consulting or an MSc in Marketing Communications.  All of the students have a good quality first degree which incorporates Marketing, and/or they have relevant Marketing experience.  Their age range is 22-35.  The student group includes students from many different countries – offering the potential for companies to research markets way beyond the UK and European context. 

• The students are being trained in the science of marketing research, and will be able to offer a sound knowledge of marketing, research techniques and the principles of consultancy.  They are being taught project management skills, and will be briefed on etiquette for business consultancy assignments. 

What is delivered by the Student or Student Group?

• A research proposal:  Outline of project and any associated costs for client’s approval before commencement of the research.
• A quality project:  This means a project which will help inform marketing decisions and that will be professionally and objectively undertaken and supervised by a member of Business School faculty.
• Report: A report and presentation, depending on the client’s requirements.
• Conduct: Undertaken with due regard for the code of conduct recommended by professional marketing research agencies.
• Confidentiality: All information collected by students in the course of the project, and the final report itself, will be treated in complete confidence.
• Project Management:  The project will be supervised by a member of Business School faculty and overseen by a Projects Manager.  The latter individual will keep in touch with the client to ensure that expectations are being met.

Project Timings

Two types of project opportunity are available:

• Group Project: These projects begin in early November and will be completed by March, and are undertaken by a group of 3-4 students. 
• Individual Projects:  These projects begin in April and will be completed by September, and are undertaken by an individual student. 

What is Required from the Client?

• A Brief: We require a very clear brief as to the scope and depth of the research required
• Time: The students will need to engage with the client during the research process at various stages of the project dependant on the size and range of project
• Feedback:  We will ask the client organisation to provide feedback on the students’ performance, and this will be part of the students’ formal assessment.
• Project Contact: We will ask the client organisation to provide a contact person with whom the student(s) can liaise.
• Resources:  In a number of recent projects the client has paid a small fee either to the student or the University (and this will be discussed with clients on a case-by-case basis), but as an absolute minimum we will expect the client to cover all direct (out of pocket) expenses incurred by the students in completion of their research.  E.g. travel, photocopying, purchase of any research reports required etc.  As part of the project process, students will develop a formal ‘proposal’ which will include an estimate of costs and costs will be agreed with the client before they are incurred
•  Supporting Information:  We will ask the client to provide any necessary background information or briefings on their organisation, products and markets to help ensure the students get off to a productive start.

For further information on this opportunity please contact us.

Please note this opportunity is accessible by UK companies only.

Days Left: 19
Closing Date: 30th Mar 2010
Ref No: 45403 Please quote this ref if you are interested

Please complete the form below to request further information.

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