News - Businesses Share Graduate Benefits
Convergence Partnership Office press release
Two Cornwall-based businesses have found an innovative way of expanding during the recession - sharing the cost of a graduate to boost their sales.
Truro-based Avant Garde jewellery and Country Gingham home interiors have joined forces to employ Cassandra Manning under the Unlocking Cornish Potential scheme. This means the companies share the costs and Cassandra works three days a week for each business. The businesses then benefit from Cassandra's marketing expertise. This is the first time two businesses have teamed up to 'share' a graduate under UCP.
Unlocking Cornish Potential, which has received more than £4 million of ESF (European Social Fund) Convergence investment, places graduates with businesses and offers support for up to 12 months.
Cassandra, who graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a degree in Communication in 2004, acts as Marketing Co-ordinator for both businesses. Since her appointment in November 2008 she has been developing the two websites as well as finding other ways to increase sales from the shops and via the Internet. Both businesses are already reporting an increase in sales despite the global recession.
Cassandra said: "I have a very broad role but with a lot of focus on the website, online newsletters, promotions and so on. Both companies are very different as are the two approaches I am taking. Under Unlocking Cornish Potential I have mentors for PR, website optimisation and some elements of design. Learning these fields of expertise is great experience for me as well as benefiting both businesses."
Neil Roach, Business Development Manager at Unlocking Cornish Potential, said: "When I first met Country Gingham and Avant Garde, their business growth needs were identical, and the idea of 'sharing' a full time graduate to manage their marketing activity was a natural one despite its unique nature. Cass is developing a strategy for both businesses that will be of benefit beyond the UCP support."
Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: "It is vital for businesses to get their marketing right to be able to tap into the most profitable markets - particular in these times of global economic gloom. This partnership is an innovative business collaboration to tackle joint issues."
Diddy Reeve, owner of Avant Garde which sells contemporary jewellery, said: "We have already seen sales picking up, in particular web sales which have increased by 50%. Sharing Cass is also a benefit in that because our two businesses do not compete, if one idea works for one, the other can try it, so we are swapping experience and success."
Alison Capeling, founder of Country Gingham, said: "It's been a tough year so far in the retail industry, but I really believe that taking on Cassandra in a marketing capacity is the way forward for Country Gingham, it certainly gives us a lead over our competition."