Thursday, February 9, 2012
Spring networking event: Wednesday 21st March
Spring networking event: Wednesday 21st March
You are invited to the above event on Wednesday 21st March from 6 p.m. onwards at the Holiday Inn, Norwich North. There is a leaflet with further information and you can book your seat for the event here: where there is more detailed information about the event.
The event is inspired by The Antidote, formerly one of Norfolk’s most acclaimed networking experiences for small business, start-ups and budding entrepreneurs. The theme of the evening is how to make best use of business networking and we have two great speakers lined up – Heather Townsend and Jon Baker.
Heather is the author of the current bestselling book on networking: the “Financial Times Guide to Business Networking: How to Use the Power of Online and Offline Networking for Business Success”. Jon Baker, her colleague, is a business coach specialising in helping businesses grow.
Please share this information with your colleagues and forward it onto anyone that you think that would be interested. Thank you.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Presentation to the Norwich Business Club
We were invited to give a presentation to the Norwich Business Club in October 2011 as part of National Customer Service Week . The powerpoint slides along with an audio of the presentation can be found here.
It is also available in two parts on the Research Plus Youtube channel.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Are you ready for National Customer Service Week?
Are you ready for National Customer Service Week?
I am sure that you have been to a hotel and either found a little postcard in the room or had an email a few days after your stay asking you how you found your visit to the hotel. If the stay was fantastic or one of the worst ever, then you might give your views. Or you might go on-line and express your views on a review website.
Another time most of us receive a feedback form is at the end of a training course. The person at the front of the room asks us to fill it in before leaving the event. Often very glowing feedback is provided but the next day, on reflection, you might think that perhaps the presentations were not as good as you first thought.
Although these two examples may not produce the most informative feedback, they do at least demonstrate some commitment to finding out the views of customers.
For National Customer Service week last year, Research Plus+ carried out a survey of businesses to see if they asked their customers for their opinions. The businesses were asked how they found out the views of their customers and whether they did it in house or used an external organisation. The responses showed that businesses use a wide range of methods to obtain feedback from their customers. Perhaps the finding of most relevance to all businesses was that more than half of the businesses that had taken some action as a result of customer feedback reported that their profits had improved.
For National Customer Service week this year (October 3rd – 9th) Research Plus+ has been working with some small Norwich businesses to help them find out the views of their customers. What do their customers value and what would they do differently if they were in charge? These can be quite scary questions to ask, especially if you are a small business or a start up business as you might not get the answers that you would like, and it could feel like a personal criticism of you. We all like to be told that we are doing a good job. We often do not like to be told where we are not doing so well, especially if we think it is one of our key strengths.
One of the business owners confessed that he was rather apprehensive about what he would find out. Would they criticise his technical ability? Would they comment on his inter personal skills? In the event his customers responded with glowing praise for his knowledge, his ability to explain technical matters, his speed of service, his personable approach and even his prices. There also made a few useful suggestions on ways that that he could improve his services. So out of this exercise he gained valuable feedback on how his customers feel about him and the services he provides; some testimonials that he can use on his website and other promotional materials and some suggestions to improve his services. So overall he can continue his business with increased confidence.
Are you ready for National Customer Service Week this year?
Do you have the courage to ask your customers what they think of you?
This blog was originally written for The Space Norwich
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
I want an explanation that’s a little more sophisticated than the boogieman in a balaclava.
“I want an explanation from the establishment that’s a little more sophisticated than the boogieman in a balaclava.”
Over the past 24 hours there have been many views expressed on the street disturbances in London and elsewhere. They range from bring in the army / water cannon / rubber bullets, to, it is all the fault of the right wing government and a racist police force.
Here is the link to a blog post that starts the call for an analysis that is a little more sophisticated. This blog can be found on the new economics foundation blog site
new economics blog
Friday, June 3, 2011
Would you like to take part in a day of discussion on environmental issues?
Do you live in the City of Norwich or a North Norfolk coastal parish?
Would you like to take part in a day of discussion on environmental issues?
The discussion is designed to give members of the public a chance to discuss environmental issues and put any questions they may have to experts. It will be conducted by staff from the University of East Anglia (UEA) as part of a European research programme into public views and attitudes.
You must be willing to attend for the whole day on Saturday 25th June, starting at 9.30 (registration and coffee) and finishing at 5.30. Discussions will be recorded, but all comments will be confidential and no individuals will be identified in any report.
The event will be held at The Links Country Park Hotel in West Runton. The hotel is accessible by bus or train and there is ample parking. Full directions will be sent to people who are selected a few days beforehand.
Refreshments and a picnic lunch will be provided. The day will include a short walk on the beach (weather permitting), so you need to be reasonably mobile.
At the end of the day an honorarium of £50 will be paid, and transport costs will be covered by UEA.
What to do next:
Please register your interest by Friday 17th June.
In order to help us select a variety of people to take part in the discussion you need to complete an enquiry form and return it to Research Plus+. Invitations will then be sent to people who are selected.
If you would like to take part please contact: enquiries@research-plus.co.uk or call 01603 408289
