West Midlands Technology Network
Sub-stream: Effective models of SME engagement
Related public funding scheme:
The project is funded through the ERDF but HEIF2 funding has been invaluable in facilitating and supporting the resources used to deliver the project.
Context:
Internal:
The project is managed by Business Development & Enterprise at University of Wolverhampton but is a collaboration of 6 university partners (Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, UCE, Coventry, Birmingham, Warwick).
External:
The network allows regional SME’s full access to the technology facilities of the partner universities (e.g. electronic, mechanical, computing, materials, rapid prototyping, marketing etc.)
Objectives:
To improve the productivity of regional SME’s through the better use and management of product design – thereby enhancing the profitability of individual companies and creating prosperity in local communities. The project also assists in job creation in design and will have a lasting impact on SME culture.
Process:
Evidence from business support organisations in the West Midlands has suggested that SME’s are reluctant to undertake initial market and product research – they have good concepts and know what they want to achieve but do not know how. This project plugs that gap by directing SME’s towards university partners with the capacity to provide product and market research through to expert input from designers and market researchers. Each company that approaches the network has its particulalr needs assessed and is directed towards the partner most capable of delivering the particular requirements identified.
Critical success factors:
There are contracted outputs which the partnership has agreed to meet (see section below) but the real measure of success of the project, as a third stream activity, has been the management of the HEI partnership. Not only does the partnership incorporate 6 HEI’s but they all have different priorities in core teaching and research activity. The project has a broad agenda and addresses a range of services. There has been a high risk of a failing partnership affecting delivery hence the effective management of different partners agreed targets has been challenging but is being successfully achieved.
Outcomes: key concrete benefits for external beneficiaries:
One thousand SME’s will have been assessed by the project and received appropriate new product development support by 2006. This support will ensure that more SME’s bring new products to the market. Beyond the project a culture change will have been initiated amongst some SME’s encouraging them to use university facilities for future product development activity.
Outcomes: key benefits for HEI:
The project has brought together SME’s with university partners. Although the initial project interaction is brief (5 days) the large majority of participants have had a positive experience, which will encourage them to use HEI’s for future R&D requirements. Lasting partnerships have been initiated between academic staff and industrial partners which will evolve into fully costed consultancy activity and formal programmes such as KTP’s.
Key lessons learnt:
There were two specific risk factors associated with this project.
1) Lack of uptake of project by SME’s – the West Midlands is a region with a low innovation culture. An effective marketing strategy was essential to the success of the project. By working closely with the RDA, CONTACT (regional HEI Knowledge Exchange) and the Manufacturing Advisory Service referrals to the programme were maximised.
2) The failure of the regional HEI partnership. It was important to ensure that all the HEI partners were able to retain their own areas of excellence whilst working under the project brand. An independent business lead advisory group oversee’s the project with RDA and small business service representation.
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