Print 4

The Director of Print 4, Matt Boam, approached NBS after spotting a call for business challenges on LinkedIn. He had in mind two separate challenges related to marketing and awareness raising that he wanted fresh thinking about.

After an on-site meeting with Angela and Lewis, two of NBS’s postgraduate experiential learning team, who visited the organisation, two separate In-Company Experience Project (IEP) challenges were proposed, which the NBS team wrote up into a brief.

The Print 4 project was then assigned to a student as part of their IEP Module. This credit bearing Module allows a suitably qualified and enthusiastic student to carry out research while based in the organisation for a few weeks. The research they do, supported by their ‘client’ forms an important part of their learning and their degree.

The student assigned was tasked with conducting relevant research that would support a broader marketing strategy and to help advise Print 4 about how it might raise awareness of the Print 4 brand nationally.

After a rigorous application process the challenge was assigned to MSc Digital Marketing student, Jian Wei Shao.

Jian Wei was fully supported by an Academic Supervisor throughout the 8-week long project but was expected to take responsibility for the challenge themselves. His first task was to fully understand the company’s most pressing issues and to comprehend a digital marketing strategy for Print 4 to provide relevant recommendations. As part of their research, they had to consider competitors, different social media channels that Print 4 could use and how they might best optimise SEO.

Jian Wei then distilled their research into actionable recommendations and afterwards presented these to Matt in a verbal presentation, followed by a Q&A session and a written report.

Matt was very impressed with the outcome of the project, and says Print 4 has already, “engaged on a plan to implement some of the recommendations”.

Jian Wei’s supervisor was similarly pleased, saying, “The detail produced as a result of research was exemplary, resulting in a thorough understanding of the Print 4 business, its competitors and the printing industry. Jian also built up an excellent relationship with the client, working collaboratively, meaning that the proposal made fully met with the client's expectations and needs.”

Reflecting on his accomplishment, Jian Wei felt the project had offered him a real chance to apply what he’d learned on his degree and to consider what skills he needed to still development.

“Although this was only an 8-week programme” Jian Wei said, ”I still saw myself as a real employee of the company. I have gained a lot from my IEP. In addition, this project is a great experience to have on your CV and may be useful for future job searches!”

Company Director, Matt enjoyed this first experience of setting a business consultancy challenge with NBS. In addition to his interest in the practical recommendations his students offered he acknowledged that, “Supporting talent in universities plays a crucial role in promoting diversity and inclusion”. Matt feels strongly that by partnering with the Higher Education sector his business can help influence positive change. “By actively seeking and supporting talented individuals from diverse backgrounds” he says, “universities foster a more inclusive academic environment, break down barriers, and provide equal opportunities for all.” He continued, “By Print 4 Ltd investing in talent and universities we contribute to the development of individuals and society.”