Case Study 1: Paul's keeping us on target

The Company
McEwan Wallace is one of the Wirral’s largest Chartered Accountancy firms. Based in the newly regenerated Hamilton Quarter, the four-partner practice specialises in all aspects of tax, audit and accountancy.
Their business needs
Jan McDermott, the company’s Practice Development Manager, joined the firm in 1990 and has since worked with many of the firm’s clients both in audit and accountancy. In her new role as Practice Development Manager Jan’s main responsibility is to promote the practice in the local business community. Though previous Business Bridge students had successfully helped the company with their marketing strategies, Jan identified the need for another student to assist in attracting more interest in the company.
The solution
Business Bridge identified Paul Green, who was looking to gain work experience relevant to his career aspirations, to assist Jan in the marketing and administration associated with the role at McEwan Wallace. Paul, who had just completed his second year of a BA (Hons) in Business Administration at the beginning of the project, had an excellent range of skills and personal attributes that made him an ideal choice for the role – communication skills, computer literacy, flexibility, commitment and an ability to ‘think outside the box.’ Supported by the knowledge gained through undertaking course modules such as Marketing, Financial Accounting, Management and Economics and previous experience of administration work, Paul felt confident that he would have something to offer the company. The company has given Paul the responsibility to carrying out various tasks such as; targeting and referral, managing the marketing database, co-ordinating mail-shots, liasing with clients and arranging seminars and events.
Paul on the project…
The atmosphere at the firm is fairly informal and since joining the team Paul has found that he has become an integrated member of the company and has built personal and professional relationships with staff members ranging from the Junior Accountants to the firm’s Partners. The relaxed atmosphere has certainly made Paul’s experience an enjoyable and effective one. Paul claims that the project has been “everything I hoped for and much, much more.” I would urge anyone to get more experience through Business Bridge, as a degree is no longer enough.
The company on Paul…
Paul’s contribution has certainly made an impact on the company too and has been particularly welcomed by Jan who has found it useful to have someone to discuss ideas and plans with. “Without Paul the company would be twelve months behind with its marketing strategies. He’s really fitted in here has even earned the reputation as being a whiz with a football after joining the company’s five-a-side football team”.

Case Study 2: Christina & Julie fill a marketing gap

The Company
Campbell Sampson Ltd is a multi-faceted company based in Liverpool city centre. Established in 1991, the company specialises in event management, marketing and PR and can be proud of clients such as Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Hope University College and the North West Cancer Research Fund.
Their business needs
With a just workforce of 3, the company found themselves in difficult circumstances when their Marketing/PR Assistant handed in her notice. The Marketing/PR Assistant carried out a varied role that she had developed over time and made unique to her own talents and skills. Therefore, Campbell Sampson knew that they required an extremely competent and dynamic person to replace her and so turned to Business Bridge for assistance.
The Solution
Michael Sampson, Chairman of the company, gave Business Bridge a two week deadline to find suitable candidates for the position from Business Bridge’s database of 1000’s of students. Within one week, the Business Bridge team had identified 4 potential candidates for Campbell Sampson to interview. Michael Sampson interviewed the students, together with colleague Judith Roberts, and was so impressed with the field that he decided to employ two students to carry out the work. Christina Savvas, a final year student studying Business Studies at the University of Liverpool, was successful in gaining one of the positions as was Julie Montgomery, studying Business and Community Enterprise at Liverpool Hope University College. Both students have been working on the organisation and promotion of a number of events on the company’s behalf. They’ve organised a prestigious lecture for 400 people given by Tony Benn on behalf of the North West Cancer Research Fund. They’ve also co-ordinated an Environment Day for a national property company as well as PR activities for a shopping centre.
The company on the students…
“Using Business Bridge has enabled us to take stock of our position with regards to staffing. The project has allowed us to judge the students’ performance ‘on the job’ and so far we’ve been more than impressed.The whole experience has also given us an enhanced confidence in undergraduate talent.”
Christina on the project…
“I have really enjoyed working at Campbell Sampson because I have been given a real hands–on role in the company, making it both an enjoyable and valuable experience. I feel that I have learnt a lot from Judith and Michael and it has definitely inspired me to pursue a career in this area.”