Boost for New Customers, New Markets

Following additional funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Teesside’s Business School’s Commercial Development Centre is extending its market research service.

‘New Customers, New Markets’ is a very successful market research programme based at the University of Teesside’s Business School and available to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) on Teesside.

Fiona McQuillan, Commercial and European Projects Manager at Teesside Business School, said: “We are delighted to have secured additional funding for this important project. It means we will be able to assist more companies in the Tees Valley area who are looking to develop and grow in size. In fact, the additional funding means that we can now double in the size of the project.”

To be eligible for this research, businesses have to be based in Teesside, have fewer than 250 employees, have an turnover of less than 40m Euros per annum, be at least three years old and be no more than a quarter owned by a larger company. The research is available at a highly subsidised rate and includes: * Designed research (for example, questionnaires or interviews), which will be tailored specifically to the SMEs' needs * Administration of the research by trained, experienced staff

* Analysis of the results using an appropriate statistical package * A report explaining research results and detailing recommendations. Joanne Hughff, Project Manager for New Customers, New Markets said "SMEs don't always have the time to undertake this sort of research. The research can benefit the companies in so many ways by helping them to respond to their customers' requirements more effectively, and by helping to develop forward plans and strategy."

For more information please contact Joanne Hughff on 01642 342821, e-mail j.hughff@tees.ac.uk

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