Focus Groups

THE SUFFOLK SMALL BUSINESS PROJECT

MONCHERS™ MEETING PROGRAMME 2003-04

The 2003-04 Monchers™ sessions have been designed to act as a small business focus group for our small business futures project. Each session is designed to act as a stand alone topic, but, over the course of the season, the sessions will weave together to provide a comprehensive backdrop to the futures project.

How will the environment in which we do business change? To start answering this question, we need to look at what people will be buying over the next ten years. This session will present our latest research into this area.

Spiral Dynamics is a technique for analysing communities. In terms of this analysis, what does the Suffolk small business community look like? This session will present the latest research into this area from the futures project.

Does the close proximity of London encourage Suffolk small business? Or is it a drag on the resources of the county? This session will present the latest research into this area from the futures project.

Drawing upon the research of the futures project, this session will examine what makes Suffolk a good place in which to do business, and in which areas an improvement will be needed in the coming years.

We are all used to the idea of consumer tribes and cluster societies, but which tribes and which clusters are there in Suffolk? And where are they based? This session will present the latest research into this area from the futures project.

20^th October 2003: Ten key consumer trends to watch over the next ten years.

9^th February 2004: What makes Suffolk a good place for small business?

19^th April 2004: Home or away? What is the impact of London on Suffolk small business?

19^th January 2004: Where is Suffolk on the Spiral?

17^th November 2003: What tribes live in Suffolk?

Focus Groups

Most public bodies have the stated aim of fostering entrepreneurship and encouraging small business. Yet many small businesses see public bodies as a hindrance. Which is the case? This session will present the latest research into this area from the futures project.

17^th May 2004: Can public bodies foster entrepreneurship?

It is often said that innovation is the key to small business growth. This session will examine the facts over this claim, and how it could affect the performance of Suffolk small business.

15^th March 2004: Is innovation the key to small business growth?

The future is not necessarily something over which we have no power or influence. We can manage the future so that it represents our preferred future. Yet what is that preferred future for Suffolk small business? This session will attempt to answer this question.

21^st June 2004: What is the desirable future for small business in Suffolk?

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