The Business Terrace: June – November 2016 P & R Report
Information
Contents
1. Business Support
2. Events
3. Publicity
4. Social Media
Business support to unique Individuals and businesses
Unique individuals |
Total |
383 |
Information |
Total |
262 |
Property searches |
13 |
|
Start up resource centre |
240 |
|
Economic Development staff assistance (eg regarding rates relief) |
9 |
|
Advice |
Total |
47 |
Kent Foundation Workshops (start-ups) |
41 |
|
RIFT workshops (growth) |
6 |
|
Guidance |
Total |
74 |
Pre-starts |
13 |
|
Start-ups |
16 |
|
Growing |
23 |
|
Access to finance |
15 |
|
Business Planning |
7 |
Events
Events |
Partners |
Date |
Attendees |
Impact |
Autumn Statement Analysis |
IOD, MHA MacIntyre Hudson |
23/11 |
15 senior Kent business leaders |
Greater profile. Quotes from 'senior business leaders' in the Kent Messenger made at The Terrace. |
Entrepreneur's Journey |
Kent Foundation |
14/11 |
48 local attended from local businesses from start-ups to MEBP members |
Three enquiries for business advice and desk space. Two on waiting list for office space. Seminar room booking. |
Terrace Networking Event |
Maidstone Borough Council |
25/10 |
20 Business Terrace Tenants |
Greater understanding between the needs of businesses and Economic Development |
Digital Transformation in the Workplace |
KCC, Cisco, Gravitee |
19/10 |
20 representatives from local government/private enterprise |
Use of the Terrace to display the utility of remote working |
Dragon's Den |
Young Start up Talent |
21/07 |
16 - judges from business and young entrepreneurs |
Greater profile: The Terrace was chosen as the innovative location in Kent for the event |
Publicity
Publicity |
Detail |
Results |
Downsmail |
1 page advert, 1 page half editorial half advert showing success stories |
Too recent to assess impact |
KM online |
1st month |
1316 views, 23 clicks |
KMFM |
45,000 reach |
1 Unlimited hotdesk |
FB |
Advertising post boost |
Reach of 3972 people locally – targeted to interests, 77 engagements |
Gumtree |
288 views since Aug 25th |
2 part time deskers, one took an office |
Office Genie (Free) |
211 views |
1 full time desker wants to take office, 1 office waiting list |
Share my office |
No stats given |
No direct enquiries |
Zipcube (Free) |
12% fees |
One booking from Pfizer, information given for future bookings |
Neardesk (Free) |
Unable to integrate with system |
NA |
Social Media
Social Media stats |
||
|
|
|
1459 followers. Engagements in the week 17 - 24 September |
Organic engagement at 124 for last month. Any future use of advertising budget will be targeted to shorter periods, such as during bad weather & ongoing traffic (operation stack) where rural small businesses are affected more |
18 members of group, limited reach, technical difficulties, utility limited to MBC's target audience |
Changes
Past
Digital Workers partnership: Promoting remote working rather than London commuting.
Reduced seminar room price due to low uptake, leading to increased uptake and profitability
Pentascape partnership: Business Terrace success story returning 2 days per month to assist other start-ups in web design for free.
Interview process: Prospective office tenants undergo a short interview with the Business Centre Coordinator and a Business Advisor to ensure they plan to grow, accept help and advice provided, collaborate and adhere to the ethos of The Terrace. 4 interviews conducted, 3 accepted and one rejected.
Ongoing
Office 12: Construction complete December 3rd. A two person office producing an income of £3000 per year with a tenant ready to occupy, having passed the interview process.
Bi-monthly networking events: Due to the success of the events 25th October and 14th November, there will be a free bi-monthly networking event for Maidstone businesses and Terrace users.
Improved partnerships with other hubs and office spaces, so far leading to two referrals to the Terrace.
Planned
KICC after-hours events: 6 networking events run by KICC at the Terrace in 2017 to increase awareness of the Terrace and to help connect Maidstone businesses further and improve supply chains.
Evening workshops: Building on Kent Foundation’s successful morning workshops to reach a wider range of possible entrepreneurs unable to attend during the working day.