WestFocus Centre for Knowledge Exchange

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WestFocus Centre forKnowledge Exchange
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The Story So Far

• 2004/06

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University Talent July 2006
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Entrepreneurship Centre Schema of
Activities July 2006
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WestFocus IT Summary

• Since May 2005 the Portal has grown
• 500 pages available (12 web sites)
• lt 5 million hits
• lt 202,000 visitors (50 US, 30 UK, 20 ROW)
• lt 40,000 unique visitors - currently lt 600
  visitors / day
• 8 mins per average visit
• lt 600 vacancies advertised
• The Intranet has also grown in both use
  functionality
• Around 250 registered users
• 80 projects
• lt 3300 companies in the database
• lt 7000 people in the database
• 150 events
• New modules for Marketing Reporting

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WestFocus Marketing Summary

• Knowledge Exchange and Staff eNewsletters
• PR stories placed and reciprocal web links
• Marketing collateral includes
• Brochure
• Leaflet
• Folder
• Case Studies
• Exhibition stands tablecloths
• Giveaways e.g. pens
• Downloads include Newsletters / presentations /
  brochures
• WestFocus Innovations Day 2006
• 330 visitors
• 30 exhibition stands
• 2 Pitch your Business competitions
• 16 Expert Panel Seminar sessions
• Feedback survey (12 response) very positive
• Photographs (http//www.westfocus.org.uk/Innovatio
  nsDay/WID2006/ )
• DVD

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WestFocus Centre forKnowledge Exchange2006/08
..creating enterprising futures
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Vision

• To bring the spirit of enterprise to the
  students, staff and alumni of WestFocus
  Universities
• To support enterprise in the region through
  education and maximising the value of student and
  graduate skills
• To incorporate both UT and EC together with the
  central IT, marketing, research and
  administrative functions

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Anything that helps young businesses get off the
ground is good news. Its often difficult to turn
a great idea into a great business but backing
from consortiums like WestFocus is a huge
advantage. Using the expertise and guidance of
the top business brains in our universities to
help budding entrepreneurs seems to me to be a
sensible way forward. Sir Richard Branson
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Target markets The best forms of knowledge
transfer involve human interaction (Lambert,
2003)

• Students and alumni
• Staff
• Entrepreneurs and SMEs

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WestFocus Centre for Knowledge Exchange2006/08
Aims Objectives

• Identify enterprise needs research the
  effectiveness of enterprise activities
• Provide the external interface with the business
  community
• Enhance the spirit of entrepreneurship amongst
  students, staff and entrepreneurs
• Maximise the value of students graduate skills
  to local business
• Add value to the networks and faculties through
  targeted support
• Develop new products mechanisms
• Bid for additional funds

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Performance indicators
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Knowledge Exchange Products
WestFocus can be a complex proposition to
understand - to make this easier we have
defined a number of KE Products aimed at specific
target markets

• Products for staff
• Products for students and alumni
• Products for entrepreneurs SMEs

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Products for Staff (1)

• Marketing Support Package for KBD Networks
• Marketing package includes network support days,
  core collateral package, PR and case study
  support
• ICT Support Package for KBD Networks
• IT package includes refreshed web design, site
  hosting and Helpdesk support, enhancements,
  support for new developments
• Network Coordination Events
• Quarterly organisation and promotion
• Feedback / update for WF Executive
• Knowledge Exchange Newsletter
• 4 p.a., with wide e-distribution
• Portal Training
• For starters and refreshers

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Products for Staff (2)

• Masterclasses in Entrepreneurship
• 7 p.a., half day facilitated events
• Entrepreneurial Learning Materials
• The Apprentice Entrepreneur
• The YOMP
• Knowledge Exchange Fellows
• 2 x seminar series p.a.
• University Talent Referrals and Business
  Development
• for careers, course leaders, KTP managers other
  staff
• Innovations Day
• Annual organisation and promotion
• speaking platform exhibition

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Performance indicators
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Products for students alumni (1)

• Master-classes in Entrepreneurship
• Short facilitated events, 4 p.a.  
• Bright Ideas
• Competition for students with educational
  opportunities, 1 p.a.
• Bright Futures 
• 3 day intensive developing entrepreneurial skills
  self-efficacy, 2 p.a.
• Entrepreneurial Learning Materials
• Web-based material
• The Apprentice Entrepreneur interactive case
  studies
• The YOMP
• Something Different newsletter 

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Products for students alumni (2)

• Innovations Day
• Advice, networking opportunities, Pitch your
  Business
• University Talent Recruitment
• Free access to jobs careers with smaller
  enterprises
• University Talent Projects
• Formal informal opportunities to work in
  smaller firms
• Website for searching opportunities email
  alerts
• University Talent Workshops
• Educational workshops materials on
  entrepreneurial careers skills

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Performance indicators
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Products for entrepreneurs SMEs

• Enterprising Business Awards
• for established businesses (1 p.a.)
• for start-ups (1 p.a.)
• University Talent Recruitment
• Website job ads opportunity and services
• University Talent Projects
• Access to students staff
• Access to recruitment website
• STEP, formal funding opportunities
• University Talent Business Development
  Referrals
• Diagnostic interviews
• Information service
• Access to funds, academics, students
  development opportunities

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Products for entrepreneurs SMEs (2)

• Knowledge Exchange Newsletter
• Highlighting activities opportunities
• Distributed through WF database, networks
  external BS agencies
• Innovations Day
• Pitch your business
• Networking advice opportunities

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Performance indicators
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Products for WestFocus Stakeholders

• Research programme into impact of enterprise and
  knowledge transfer activity
• Staff survey of business interaction
• Student survey on activities undertaken
• SME research jointly funded Workspace research
  fellow
• Case study development
• UpBeat H.E.F.C.E. funded case study programme

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Completing the virtuous circle
Enterprise
Teaching
Research