Presentation for South of Scotland Business Solutions Dissemination event

1. SoSBS and UWS

2. + SoSBS and UWS
1. Brief intro
2. Case study on marketing
3. Case study on social media
4. Lessons learned

3. + Introduction
• Challenges of SMEs engaging
with HEIs
• Challenges of HEIs engaging
with SMEs
• “Triple helix” approach
• The rural dimension
• SoSBS fit with UWS mission

4. +
Marketing based
projects
6 individual projects, involving research,
marketing planning and knowledge exchange
Full reports (Secondary, Qualitative,
Quantitative and Recommendations)
Marketing to Boost Your Bottom Line – two
deliveries:
Five members of the Group involved,
all bringing different expertise to
sessions;
Delivery of full-day workshops and
advice sessions

5. +
Creative Futures for
the South of Scotland
“Social Media for
Business”

6. +
Social Media for Business
 Why?
 Utilisation
of online platforms to communicate offerings to
market/create business networks
 Replacement of one-directional marketing
communications with new techniques to facilitate
meaningful conversations with customers
 Need for programme of supported interventions to upskill
SMEs in effective utilisation of social media for improved
business performance.
“context, content, community and connections”

7. +
Social Media Surgeries & Toolkits
 51 „bespoke‟ SM Surgeries:
 Needs assessment of social media presence pre-
surgery
 1.5 hr 1-2-1 intervention in locality (Dumfries, New
Galloway & Melrose)
 Privileged access to online SM resource of
strategies and practical advice
 90% „excellent‟ & 10% „very good‟ response to
„UWS expert‟s understanding of your business
need‟
 Addressing specific needs crucial to success

9. Lessons learned
+
1. Learning curve in the more
practical aspects of projects,
such as:
• liaising with clients,
• setting realistic deadlines,
• adhering to these,
• designing field work,
• scheduling field work,
• preparing commercial reports,
• following up with clients,
• reporting commercially,
• etc;
2. Resourcing
3. Sustainability

10. +
Benefits to UWS
1. staff working with „live‟ businesses, raising awareness of SME issues
across a range of sectors and business models;
2. fed into teaching, particularly in advising students of „real world‟ issues,
problems and opportunities
3. a „Back to the Floor‟ manner -never in danger of adopting an „ivory tower‟
mentality. Real-world exposure cannot be underestimated, in terms of
sharpening awareness and focusing capabilities
4. PhD student benefitted from working with me on a range of projects, in
different sectors, developing skills in translating theory into action
5. Engagement with and contribution to our local communities.
6. Raising profile, activity and presence.

11. Thank you