Our Station to Station research team. Back row (left to right): Hamdi, Sumaya and Shakhan. Front row (left to right): Denise, Cedric and Alexcia.
Our latest research project for Station to Station Business Improvement District – which covers the area between Tulse Hill and West Norwood Stations – saw six energetic local youngsters out on the streets of Norwood, just before school started in September, talking to local businesses.
With expert guidance from IPSOS MORI the team created a survey to meet the BIDs objectives – to find out how their business members felt about the work the BID had been doing during the pandemic and to see how the BID team could better meet the needs of local businesses.
Despite the challenges of Covid, with many business still closed and others operating strict social distancing, the team managed to reach more than seventy local businesses to find out what support they want from the BID.
Station to Station Manager Charlotte Ashworth said, “It was an absolute joy to work with We Rise and their young people. They provided unique insights into our businesses which was fed back in a mature, intelligent way.”
Sumaya and Hamdi presented the results of the research to the BID Board, made up of leading local businesses, at a meeting organised via Zoom. Board Member Cllr Fred Cowell said it was “the most informative presentation we’ve ever had’.
Our young researchers learnt a lot from the project. They reported big improvements in their business and customer awareness, teamwork, project planning and leadership skills.
“I enjoyed analysing data. I learnt that I am good at presenting”.
“We Rise is a great way to develop skills and gain confidence”.
“I learnt that I love business and how it is organised. We Rise it is a very welcoming place and really great.”
Through doing the research, the team discovered that some of the small businesses don’t know enough about how the BID can save them money. They were keen to offer ideas about how the BID can improve connections with some of the smaller shops, especially those run by people from different cultures.
Station to Station were so impressed that they are now employing a couple of the young people to help communicate their services to businesses in the area!
Alexcia and Denise calling businesses at Parkhall Business Centre.
If you would like to know more about how We Rise can work with your organisation to conduct research please do get in touch.