CONFIDENTIAL
EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT
BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY
BIR MIN GHAM MADE M E
DES IGN EX P O 2013
REVIEW AND FEEDBACK DOCUMENT
BEVERLEY NIELSEN
BIRMINGHAM CITY
UNIVERSITY
CITY NORTH CAMPUS
BIRMINGHAM, B42 2SU
BIRMINGHAM MADE ME DESIGN
EXPO 2013
REVIEW AND FEEDBACK DOCUMENT
Rationale .....................................................................
Vision 2014 Forward ...................................................
Highlights ....................................................................
Audience Figures .........................................................
Key Sponsor .................................................................
Budget .........................................................................
Outcome of Programme Content and Activities ...........
Impact of PR and Marketing ...........................................
Outcome of Roles and Responsibilities ........................
Team Recommendation ...............................................
Birmingham Made Me Retail Collective 2014 ................
Appendix .....................................................................
Key Sponsor Feedback 2013 .......................................
BCU Event ...................................................................
Thursday 6th June 2013 ..............................................
Friday 7th June 2013 ................................................
Monday 10th June 2013 ..............................................
Tuesday 11th June 2013 ..............................................
Wednesday 12th June 2013 .......................................
Thursday 13th June 2013 ............................................
Friday 14th June 2013 .................................................
Monday 17th June 2013 ..............................................
Tuesday 18th June 2013 .............................................
Wednesday 19th June 2013 ........................................
Thursday 20th June 2013 ............................................
Friday 21st June 2013 ................................................
BMM Schools Project 2013 ........................................
BMM Student Collaborative Project 2013 .................
Birmingham Made Me Retail Collective Feedback ....
BCU Staff Feedback .....................................................
Exhibitor/Speaker/Supporter Feedback ......................
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RATIONALE
The Birmingham Made Me Design Expo (BMM) www.birmingham-made-me.org as a project has
been prompted by the BCU led ‘think and do’ tank, Idea Birmingham,
www.ideabirmingham.co.uk, set up by BCU Employer Engagement as an externally-facing
cross-sector employer engagement tool and membership platform for BCU intended to provide
a one door access point for employers when engaging with the university enabling high profile
activities, policy reports and communications activity around key issues affecting Midlands
competitiveness focussed around innovation, design and creativity, led by BCU in collaboration
with leading regional businesses.
The Idea project has focussed on identifying key areas where BCU is able to support regional
business need where BCU can provide a distinct offer to complement that of other Midlands
HEIs whilst identifying clearly our university’s strengths in design, creativity and innovation
which are clearly significant to business competitiveness moving forward.
In the first instance Idea Birmingham has focussed on raising BCU profile with business –
delivering student-business collaborations and projects with major brand led businesses – AGA
Rangemaster, Pashley Cycles, Westfield Sportscars, Triumph Motorcycles, Acme Whistles, WB
the Creative Jewellery Group, and others with all businesses supporting these projects. These
projects have helped to develop trust and build stronger on-going relationships with
strategically significant businesses as well as developing entrepreneurial collaborations, such as
the BMM Retail collective and multi-disciplinary, in-work entrepreneurial learning platform,
Think Shop and Think Differently.
The Birmingham Made Me Design Expo (BMM) was prompted by a group of Idea Birmingham
founder members – in particular AGA Rangemaster, Morgan Motor Company and Glenn Howells
Architects with considerable support from Jaguar Land Rover and Aston Martin, Acme Whistles,
JCDecaux, WB the Creative Jewellery Group, RBS, Vax, HME Technology, and it has directly
involved 45 member and supporting companies. They have provided c£100k cash towards
BMM with well over £250k in-kind. BCU has supported by contributing £50k cash during year 1
and c£80k cash from various sources across the university in year 2.
Strategic Objectives, a mission and targeted objectives have been identified by BCU and
member
companies
in
collaboration:
http://www.ideabirmingham.co.uk/StrategicObjectives.aspx.
In summary these are about BCU, as the applied university of Birmingham with core strengths
around design, innovation and creativity, working with regionally based business partners to
promote a stronger reputation for our City and region around the strengths of our specialist,
high value added, design-led brands, our capabilities in both manufacturing, wider production
and creativity in designing, making and selling these offers globally thereby driving
competitiveness, creating new jobs and harnessing entrepreneurial talent through enhanced
business-education collaboration, and fuelling further growth in our regional economy.
Prior to these discussions within Idea Birmingham, design, creativity and innovation, taken
together, did not have economic or competitive profile within the West Midlands and
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Birmingham and whilst some universities offered key areas of specialist expertise, such as
Coventry University around Automotive Design and WMG around manufacturing and aspects of
industrial design with a growing focus on design in health and digital economies, there was not
one university dominating this broader area that was clearly vital to regional competitiveness.
The region’s prolific cultural heritage and abilities in founding the industrial revolution to create
productive capacity and through innovative lateral approaches, design and make more highly
desirable world-beating brands than any other part of the UK was also not widely recognised or
promoted as a distinctive strength for our city and region.
Following the formation of Idea Birmingham and the BMM Design Expo business partners
including lead sponsors, Marketing Birmingham and Birmingham City Council, are working
together in leading this agenda through the BMM platform bringing together this businessuniversity-council and partnership-based collaboration with support from business
organisations, IoD, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, CBI, together with a growing
relationship with the newly formed WMLEPs.
Specific projects have been developed and delivered to promote student –business
collaboration and entrepreneurship through the Birmingham Made Me retail collective
featuring two shops in the Mailbox and up to 25 emerging entrepreneurs, the multi-disciplinary
learning platforms that involved up to 200 BCU students – Think Shop working with Acme
Whistles, Think Differently, working with 7 brand-led businesses and former IDEO senior project
Manager, Steve Heron , a Schools Design Competition attracting entries from 30 Schools, with
10 Schools selected as finalists, Awards being presented on final day of the Design Expo and the
MadeMe Awards platform which attracted 250 entries with Awards presented on the final day
of the Expo across five categories. In addition the region has made contact with 130 high profile
thought leaders and policy experts in innovation, design, creative cultures and can move these
relationships forward to help develop clear policies promoting greater competitiveness and a
better reputation for our city and region.
Moving forward there is an opportunity to use this platform for knowledge transfer, in-company
learning programmes, applied research and cross innovation applications together with well
directed student projects, as outlined later in this paper, providing access for companies to BCU
facilities, student engagement, developing employability skills and leading into more
sophisticated collaborative programmes.
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VISION 2014 FORWARD
1) Timing – clarification still required - could be a series of events and activities through
2014, subject to funding, with focussed Expo aligning with academic calendar and
curriculum as part of the overall event and activities. BIAD has proposed launching the
Design Expo 2014 on 2nd May and running the exhibition element through to the
Graduate Degree Shows and Open Days in June 2014. Millennium Point are not opposed
to some form of permanent exhibition display in their Atrium.
2) Rolling annual programme of events, largely evening based, involving high profile
speakers from design, business, culture including games, media, music and
performance. This could build profile for key dates in academic calendar – Welcome
Week, Graduate Degree Shows, Open Days to generate additional excitement and
awareness of how integrated the BCU approach is with the city region’s and businesses
key competitive drivers.
3) Multi-centre, multi event, city centre based locations, high profile events and exhibits
showcasing emerging talent, and developing further collaborative opportunities with
Midlands-based brand-led companies and cultural brand leaders. For example assessing
whether there are opportunities to tie in with Style Birmingham working with Retail
Birmingham to provide work experience opportunities for students.
4) Embedding as much activity as possible within the curriculum to ensure greater student
participation rates during 2014 onwards.
5) Arts and Science, engineering and Auto focus around Millennium Point with Schools and
student work show-cased in this location, as well as a potential link to Birmingham Year
of Science. Parkside will play a role too – perhaps for more lifestyle, jewellery,
architectural and interiors elements. Library of Birmingham could be focus for live
performance and visually engaging events and activities.
2013 HIGHLIGHTS
1) Over 70 exhibitors from leading Midlands’s brand-led businesses and emerging
entrepreneurs engaged with BCU to exhibit and showcase their brands as part of an
emerging relationship between these businesses and the university. There is a growing
relationship of trust emerging between BCU and leading businesses in the region with
the aim of becoming the ‘go to’ university in Birmingham for businesses seeking applied
solutions.
2) 130 thought leaders and experts - engaged with BCU to share their insights and views
on the role of design and innovation to sustainable economic development and
competitiveness building prestigious working relationships with these individuals for the
university. They included John Cridland, Director General, CBI, John Mathers, CEO,
Design Council, Simon Walker, DG, IoD, John Longworth, DG, British Chambers of
Commerce. Think tanks included Centre for Cities, The Work Foundation, IPPR, the Big
Innovation Centre, Cabe, MADE, The Serendipity Machine (Amsterdam), TMG, Austria,
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Multiplicities (Berlin), Michigan Futures (Ann Arbor). High profile business and design
leaders included Marek Reichman, Design Director, Aston Martin, Jonathan Hendy,
Principal Designer, F-Type Jaguar, Charles Morgan, Morgan, Carl Barcock Rolls Royce,
Saskia Boersma, Brand Manager, Transport for London, William McGrath, AGA
Rangemaster . MPs included Lorely Burt, Rt Hon John Spellar, Richard Burden and Chris
White. Calibre of speakers and sessions was excellent with very positive feedback from
those attending.
3) BCU Profile raised in regional business target market: Business partners, including
GBSLEP, Chamber of Commerce, IoD, CBI, see BMM2012 and 2013 providing them with
an awareness of BCU, BCU strengths and distinctiveness as well as how they can further
interact with BCU. Following 3-4 year dialogue with business on this project and high
profile speakers for visiting lectures. Outputs include 2 KTPs with AGA Rangemaster,
graduate recruitment with Pashley cycles, AGA Rangemaster, student projects with
Pashley, Triumph Motorcycles, Acme Whistles (Think Shop), through Think Differently
with 7 Idea Birmingham member companies – Acme, Morgan, Brooks England, Pashley,
Vax, Westfield. BCU course director engagement with AGA Rangemaster, Pashley,
Morgan Motor Company, Acme Whistles, The Birmingham Assay Office, WB the
Creative Jewellery Group, CMA Moldform. A wide range of BCU Course Directors/Staff
have been provided with useful business introductions.
4) Policy Engagement – Following the 2012 publication of ‘Looking for Growth, Sack the
Economists and Hire a Designer,’ and the launch of this at the Conservative Party
Conference promoting the importance of design and innovation to regional economic
growth and competitiveness as well as rebalancing the economy, this year’s BMM13
Design Expo seminars are being written up for putative BIAD research document, ahead
of preparing a Design Policy Document for Party Conference Season to be produced by
BN on Birmingham the Original Design City and a proposed book focussing on
‘Reinventing Manufacturing’, planned to be co-written by published author, Professor
Mike Beverland, School of Management, Bath University and Beverley Nielsen.
5) 2013 Chairman, Marek Reichman, Design Director, Aston Martin - involved in speaking
at two events, being filmed speaking on video and sharing platform with Prof Cliff Allan,
Vice Chancellor BCU for launch event.
6) Cohesive and integrated interactive Design Expo is seen to be driven by BCU with key
sponsors, Marketing Birmingham and Birmingham City Council, together with host,
Millennium Point (MP). This large scale design expo is held within the MP Atrium and
Level 2 covering over 10k square feet including interactive displays showing video
material of ‘design and make’ processes in exhibitor businesses. For BCU it provides the
opportunity to communicate its strengths around the design and innovation and how it
is linked into leading businesses in the region increasingly requiring these skills.
7) Media exposure – Brazilian Post – 2 page spread on BMM13 in Spanish and English
covering innovation in the Midlands; BN interview in Brazilian Post, Midlands Today x2;
Birmingham Post x3; Midlands Insider x3; Midlands Business News x2; Business Desk x2;
Huffington Post blog (Dr Steve McCabex1 blog) on Individual.com; Now Public; BN
Birmingham Post business blogs; Kidderminster, Halesowen, Stourbridge, Redditch,
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Dudley and Droitwich Spa local newspapers, Machinery Market and partner comms
materials - Birmingham City Council, Business Birmingham, BCU, Millennium Point, and
Idea Birmingham member and supporting company comms including Aga Rangemaster,
WB the Creative Jewellery Company, the Assay Office, Laney Amplification, Colmore
Business District and The Assay Office, Anchor News backpage story Summer issue.
8) Design and Innovation Awards – Opened by BCU Vice Chancellor, Prof Cliff Allan with
keynote speaker (at late notice), Sir Albert Bore, Birmingham City Council Leader.
Awards competition attracted over 225 entries with 230 people attending the Awards.
Celebration Dinner at Millennium Point raising £5k income through raffle and ticket
sales. Awards presented to 5 business category winners. Event attended by senior
representatives of Midlands public and private sectors including Birmingham City
Councillors - Sir Albert Bore, Victoria Quinn, Ian Cruise; Marketing Birmingham,
Millennium Point and Thinktank as project partners, with corporate representation
from RBS, The Birmingham Post Editor, then newly appointed, AGA Rangemaster,
Pashley Cycles, Westfield Sportscars, Morgan Motor Company, WB the Creative
Jewellery Group, Glenn Howells Architects, The Custard Factory, Fazeley Studios, Acme
Whistles. Cultural representation included Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery,
Thinktank, Eastside Gallery, the Assay Office. This provided a great opportunity for BCU
to showcase Graduate Degree Fashion Show which was superb, work of BOA Academy,
sponsored by BCU, and further develop strong links for future collaborations between
BCU and the regional business community and partners in the cultural and creative
sectors.
9) BCU Open Day - with many parents visiting greatly impressed by BCU’s links to business
and industry as well as relevance of overall display to careers development
opportunities. Staff feedback included Julian Moore,B2B , BCU Marketing Manager,
“we were also thrilled at how things transpired, and felt both activities were totally
complementary and received excellent feedback from many who attended.”
Lyn Holder, Head of Outreach and Enquiry Management, BCU, “we were more than
happy with how BMM enhanced the experience for open day visitors. It all looked great
and the two events worked well together.”
10) Schools Design Competition attracted 30 Schools and included factory visits to
companies. 10 Schools finalists were selected with Awards Ceremony and presentations
made on evening of Awards Celebration and Dinner to two finalists and one overall
Winner, attended by students, teachers and parents and presentations made by
Professor Chris O’Neil, Dean BIAD and John Rider, Immediate past Chair, IoD West
Midlands with Prof Mary Carswell also in attendance.
11) Student-Business Multi-disciplinary and collaborative learning, ‘Think Differently’,
attracted 30 students paid for their time and involvement through CELT funding.
Involved students visiting 7 businesses and their factories during 2 weeks, working with
businesses to identify next generation target markets and lateral product offers. Project
viewed very positively by business partners and students with learning for BIAD and BCU
through coordinating and learning support roles of Steve Heron, former IDEO Senior
Project Manager and BIAD VT and consultant, Iain Acton. This route offers much
potential for further development of business relationships as it is a flexible offer in
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terms of timing and content, as opposed to a fixed offer with long time scales required
for business involvement in the curriculum. Businesses are feeding back that they
would be prepared to pay small sums towards the costs of this form of engagement.
12) Student Services Speed Recruitment Event – attracting 30 employers and 30 graduates
with 3 job offers on the night and up to 6 job offers have been so far forthcoming, with
up to 10 expected on the basis of discussions on the afternoon, with the event
generating a great buzz and received with great enthusiasm by the employers attending.
Team
The project was managed by Director, Beverley Nielsen, Project Manager, Sophia Tarr,
with later and much appreciated support provided by Event Co-ordinator, Vanessa
Baker and administration support from Carol Heeley with input from James Tallentire
and within Marketing/Comms. Millennium Point was an integral project partner and this
was their first experience in working with a project of this size and scale. Other itemised
support from BCU is captured within report.
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AUDIENCE FIGURES
Audience Figures:
Currently stands as the following for the 16 days: c8000


Seminar Attendance: c.900
‘Do’ Activities: c. 1100

BCU Open Day/BMM Expo/ Do Activities: c. 1500

Awards Dinner 230


MP: 4,500 (=avg 300 per day over 16 days)
Thinktank: 126

Website hits and page views:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)

Total unique visits 30th April – 30th June – 22,395
Total unique visits 6th June – 21st June – 8,974
Peak visitors in one day: 1,518 (launch day)
Total visits to site 30th April – 30th June: 34,709
108,421 page views with average visitor duration 2 min 8 sec
JCDecaux Poster Statistics
Posting cycle
Posters Running Total
w/c 6th May:
24 new
24
20th May
23 new
+ 10 over-show
57
3rd June
21 new
+ 2 over-show
80
17th June
4 new
+ 10 over-show
94
Rate card cost per poster/fortnight = £450 => total campaign value is £42,300.
In addition, printing costs were £730 making the total benefits in kind contribution from
JCDecaux of £43,030.
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JCDecaux also measure the weight of the campaign to show the number of people that
would see a campaign containing 95 posters so these figures should assist with your
evaluation:
Audience
West Midlands
Conurbation
Population
1,992,862
Reach
1,071,110
Reach %
53.75%
Frequency
8.2
Impacts
8,770,922
GRP's
# frames
440
The figures show that 53.75% of the total adult population (aged 16+) would have each
seen the campaign 8.2 times.
The figure for GRP shows the Gross Rating Point. The purpose of the GRP metric is to
measure impressions in relation to the number of people in the audience for an
advertising campaign. GRP values are commonly used by media buyers to compare the
advertising strength of various media vehicles. By multiplying the reach and frequency
of any campaign, you can compare like with like figures for a campaign that covers
multiple media. As a general guide, a media buyer would seek to have a GRP for a
campaign of 300, so your figure of 440 is almost 50% above relative to the industry
norm.
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95
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KEY SPONSORS
1. All feedback from Key Sponsors can be found in Appendices, page 26
2. This year, we had a total of 12 Members and Sponsors who supported the Expo
financially. BN raised a total of £105k cash membership and sponsorship fees for
Birmingham Made Me 2013, of which £25,000 came from Birmingham City Council and
£25,000 from Marketing Birmingham and £20k from Millennium Point.
3. £5k membership contributions were made by AGA Rangemaster, RBS, Vax with £4k
from JCDecaux and £3.5k from WB the Creative Jewellery Group.
4. New Sponsors this year are Vax, HME Technology, RBS, Custard Factory – contributing a
total of £12k cash to the Expo between them.
5. Marek Reichman, Design Director, Aston Martin provided support as BMM13 Chairman.
6. DWF were unfortunately not able to support us financially this year as initially discussed,
but hope to be involved in Birmingham Made Me 2014.
7. JCDecaux sponsored Birmingham Made Me to the sum of £4,000, but also kindly
contributed free advertising by producing 100 posters designed by Heavy Object and
distributing around 100 poster sites in and around Birmingham and the city centre to
the value of approximately £30,000 (TBC).
8. CMA Moldform Ltd secured for the Design Expo their Resin Shark originally due to be
exhibited in a Museum in Lyon, France at the same time, as well as the original
Prometheus Helmet. This new relationship has led to further opportunities for studentbusiness collaborative relationship, particularly within PME and the introduction of
Peter Turnock, MD, CMA Moldform to Prof Kerry Gough, BCU.
9. BMM Team need to look at membership and sponsorship packages as early as possible
for next year and see what we are offering paying members and sponsors. It needs to be
clarified and developed.
10. Feedback from BCU Staff, Exhibitors, Birmingham Made Me Retail Collective can also be
found in appendices.
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BUDGET
2013 BUDGET:
The BMM Budget was managed appropriately and came within it, as seen below. BN and BMM
Team appreciate all of the contributions from the faculties and teams across the university in
supporting BMM, and look forward to further discussion as to the values gained for everyone as
a result of the project.
Revenues 2013 Design Expo and Awards
Sponsorship Cash Contributions
NETT
VAT
GROSS
Birmingham City Council incl. VAT invoiced 1 May
£25,000
£5,000
£30,000
Business Birmingham incl. VAT invoiced 1 May
£25,000
£5,000
£30,000
Birmingham City University - Employer Engagement
£50,000
-
£50,000
BIAD, BCU
£5,000
-
£5,000
BCBUS, BCU
£5,000
-
£5,000
Millennium Point
£19,500
-
£19,500
Membership Income including lead partners/Event and Awards
sponsorship (TBC)
£35,000
£6,000
£41,000
BCU Marketing Ember TV funding
£12,000
-
£12,000
Awards Event Ticket Sales £30 each + booking fee
£3,962
£900
£5,400
£550
-
£500
£2162.5
-
£3372
-
£3,372
£186,546
£16,900
£201,772
NETT
VAT
GROSS
£735
-
£735
Hospitality
£2,233
-
£2,233
Screening and Digital
£1,000
-
£1,000
Seminar Rooms
£5,550
-
£5,550
Midlands Insider
£3,000
-
£3,000
Raffle Tickets
Aspire4U Outstanding Fee & 30% Refund (£334)
CELT
Total Revenues
Outline Costs 2013 Design Expo and Awards
Venue
Miscellaneous at MP
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Business Desk Adv
£750
-
£750
Big Cat
£4,000
-
£4,000
Security
£2,232
-
£2,232
Sub Total
£19,500
-
£19,500
£825
£165
£990
Expo Guide and Event Newspaper @5k copies (inc VAT price)
£13,730
£2,612
£16,342
Website - VM
£2,200
-
£2,200
Big Cat
£7,700
£1,540
£9,240
All Fingers and Thumbs
£2,000
-
£2,000
£648
-
£648
Ember TV Filming for exhibits (plus additional Lou Glazer/Graham Vick
filming)
£12,075
£2,415
£14,490
Sub Total
£37,559
£6,542
£45,910
24 Design Curation
£45,921
£9,184
£55,105
BMM Exhibit (EC Arts)
£3,500
-
£3,500
EC Arts BMM Awards
£2,134
-
£2,134
Marketing/Branding
Signage and way finding
Tom Tebby
Project Management
EC Arts Install Move
£365
£73
£438
Student - Business Collaborative Project (plus Student Expenses, Steve
Heron £725 & Iain Acton Fee & Expenses)
Project Management
£6,972
-
£6,972
£18,100
-
£18,100
Sub Total
£76,992
£9,257
£86,249
£2,325
-
£2,325
Fringe Events - Anna Horton After Hours Drawing £400; Producers Forum,
£250
Anna Peacock Install £337; Beth Fisher Install £189
£650
-
£650
£526
-
£526
Blogging and Filming - John Seedhouse
£205
-
£205
Aspire4U Event Management
£6,095
-
£6,095
Speaker Expenses - Emma Shipley £750 ; Tim Finch £80; Mike Beverland
£189; Ben Reid £74
AV and Lighting by 2G Audio Visual
£1019
-
£1019
£1,638
£328
£1,966
BIAD Printing Transfer £750 and Ranjit Printing £140
£890
-
£890
Additional Hired Help (Rory £150; Sam Lawson £165
£315
-
£315
£13,737
£328
£14,065
Food and drink for 230 guests
£6,670
-
£6,670
Sub Total
£6,500
-
£6,500
Will Evans management of Schools Project
£3,000
-
£3,000
Activities and set up
BCU Sodexo Catering
Sub Total
Awards Event for 300
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Post Event Idea Birmingham Policy Document production and launch at
Party Conference Season
Total Spend
£10,000
-
£10,000
£167250
£16,128
£185,394
*Note BCU contribution included salary payment for temporary Event Co-ordinator for five
months; temporary PA for four months and BN salary for 6 months.
OUTCOME OF PROGRAMME CONTENT AND ACTIVITI ES
WEBSITE: Build/Content/Timescale/measured Input from Big Cat/BMM Team
1. Website worked reasonably well to deliver what we needed to in the short space of
time we had. Considerable time invested into initial input meetings with initial web
consultant, followed by BCG briefing and input, taking away time from their contracted
roles in promotion and marketing of the BMM13 Expo and events.
2. Website layout and function needs to be reviewed as users found the website difficult
to navigate.
3. General feedback from website users is that Think and Do elements need to be
reconsidered as it was not clear what these were for or what they meant to anyone
outside of the BMM team. However, given the BCG role in promoting business targeted
audience the events had been split in this way to provide clearly targeted activities for
BCG promotional effort following discussions with BCU Marketing representation.
4. BMM Team feel need to keep updating website ahead of any on-going events and
activity in 2014 and to keep adding high quality images to the gallery
5. Moving forward we need to invest some budget into correcting and simplifying the back
end WordPress. The BMM team will need to have easy access and understanding on
how to amend and edit the website in future. For example, updating of website needed
to be done in too many places, it should be so that when one place is updated it updates
automatically all other relevant parts. If work is done now to simplify website structure
and coding, BMM Team are hopeful they can manage the website next year with
relevant support from other BCU faculties, where seen as appropriate.
6. Ensuring key words are prioritised for Search Engine optimisation should be further
prioritised.
7. A debrief is required with VM for the BMM team. In addition to this, an information and
recommendation form from VM would be useful for any subsequent web developers
working on the website so that they can have a full and practically effective handover
from VM with the opportunity to discuss any on-going issues etc.
8. Tender/writing a bid for the website management recommended for next year’s expo.
9. Editorial support for website recommended: ideally, one person overseeing the
inputting with back-up from the BMM Team would work better as the number of
different people working on it, along with different styles causing confusion with
regards to ownership of certain areas.
10. Website update required immediately regarding what was achieved at this year’s Expo,
some images and highlights. For example, “more news coming soon” type of bulletin
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would be helpful along with some highlights from seminars including some BOA film
content when ready.
11. BMM contacts database need to reviewed and amended as a priority. Our current
database made it difficult for BCG to utilize effectively in their PR and Marketing and
thus took up a lot of their time in amending this into a useable format.
EXHIBITION: Design concept/Timescale
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Feedback as it currently stands is positive about the design concept, however feedback
from visitors and exhibitors as well as BN and BMM team is that the space was not
utilized to its capacity. It appeared sparse across the two floors, and feedback has been
that it should be concentrated on one level in future. BMM team felt that it was
challenging at times working within the MP space as individual decisions were made by
the MP team members rather than as a collective, this was difficult to manage by the
Project Manager, but she managed very well. MP are new to events of this sort and all
wanted to be involved, which was very supportive but felt counterproductive at times.
24Design original ideas had to be amended to reflect the lighting logistics of the Atrium
in particular and maybe some more time at the site would have flagged this up earlier.
However, it was felt the HD Screen was the best option (with further tweaks on the
videos and touch screens as suggested below)
All exhibitors felt the space and the design concept worked really well, and we have
received good feedback from visitors, exhibitors and speakers about the content of the
exhibits and the quality of the work. This feedback has been collated in the review
document.
BMM Team felt 24Design did a good job, although we felt that their install and de-rig
processes were not clear and caused undue anxiety in terms of getting it all done on
time. BN felt 24Design did not deliver as dramatically and effectively on the concept as
discussed whilst accepting there were a range of complicating factors including around
install itself.
ST felt that some of logistic challenges within MP affected the actual installation timing,
along with lack of enough experienced 24Design staff or anticipated student support on
site to assist with the exhibition which in turn resulted in ST covering numerous angles
as the main contact on site for BMM/MP. This was a huge job and ST was completely
stretched in all areas – as were the whole team - overseeing the exhibition and as well
as other elements of the project, so would recommend additional physical
resources/curation support for any future exhibition.
24Design needed more staff on site and unfortunately the two managers’ time was
severely taken up with hanging objects, as they both had to oversee this, especially as
one Manager required a special certificate to use the “Spider” equipment and ST felt
that this had not properly been taken into account by 24Design.
The touch screens activating the design and make videos needs to be reviewed as it
wasn’t as effective as we had hoped; felt it could’ve worked better had each exhibitor
had people at their stands and explained the video and interactive touch mechanisms.
BMM Team also felt the videos were too short and may have worked better on a
continuous loop rather than a touch mechanism. ST also spent a lot of her time liaising
with 24Design to correct any technical errors which happened, along with 24Design
having to return to the exhibition to re-assess connection.
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Next year transforming the space needs to be more dramatic and a new concept needs
to be considered. Having one main contact at MP regarding H&S/Public Liability would
be useful as ST felt that too many different opinions sometimes hindered developments
on occasions. MP were very happy with the exhibition and BMM Team hope that new
areas/possibilities for hanging displays, incorporating new products etc. can be further
explored.
Time Scales this year were a lot more demanding. There was one large space and
effectively one curator, whereas last year there was one curator for each of the 10
stores. Moving forward, maybe we put individuals in charge of sub sections within the
exhibit to speed up the install/de-rig. The BMM and 24D team had a lot of additional, in
kind support from MP, Johnsons and MP Security, which was great.
24D were very tied up with individual exhibitors and designers, which took away a lot of
time from the install itself meaning they were delayed, having more people at the install
and heading sub sections, this could be avoided in future and allow for the install team
to get on with the install to a timely manner.
Exhibitors will need to be briefed more clearly on what is expected of them at the
beginning of the process, i.e. in terms of setting up their own stands rather than
expecting 24D or BMM team to install, we would be there to assist where possible but
would not be available to install completely.
The BMM team and exhibitors felt the exhibits would have worked better had the
stands/exhibits been manned by a representative from the company, this would have
ensured more interaction with the public and also allowed for more networking
opportunities as well as potential business leads.
The BMM team needs to be very clear on the remit of contractors and designers from
the beginning, learning from previous lessons.
BCU Open Day – need to get final figures from Lyn Holder, we have approximated 1500
visitors attended the BCU Open Day and BMM Expo that day; feedback has been that
both complimented one another and parents were very impressed that the Expo was a
BCU project.
Overall, most were impressed with what was achieved in the time span, and feedback
stated that it was more exciting than last year
SCHOOLS COMPETITION AND STUDENT COMPETITION: Outcome of school
visits/engagement/numbers
1.
2.
3.
Student engagement should be expanded next year as part of the BCU outreach
programme and marketing activities to promote our university to upcoming potential
students. Steve Heron x-IDEO can offer more to on-going BCU collaborative project
work as he was a great support to Iain Acton and the students as a whole. The project
needs to grow, we need to get feedback from IA and SH
We need to increase timescales in order to allow schools to incorporate competition
into their curriculum, as fed back by some teachers. Amery Bros was contracted to
coordinate the schools project, but the BMM Team felt they did more admin and
support work than anticipated.
Many schools were from a similar area within the West Midlands, next year to approach
other schools from across the region as a whole. Suggest approaching schools in
Autumn/Winter Term 2013.
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Businesses welcomed the student engagement and input into their company and design
ideas, and look forward to next year’s project.
BN and the BMM Team would like to include new businesses next year and will begin
forming relationships with new companies and the new companies involved this year, in
order for them to be included in next year’s expo. BMM Champions should be
‘recruited’ and asked to recruit new member businesses and to promote the Idea
Birmingham and BMM message to businesses they work with. We want to reach out to
as many companies and Students as we can next year. New companies to the Expo this
year are very keen to have involvement in the student project next year.
BN would like to involve BCU faculties more actively next year as we felt there was not
enough engagement from the University faculties as a whole. BN feels we need more
clarity and ownership of BMM as BCU projects require.
The Team were concerned at the lack of interest from students unless there was a
financial incentive for them, we feel that in order to reinforce that BMM is a BCU
project, we should aim to incorporate some aspects of the student-business
collaborative project into the curriculum at BCU too as well as in the schools projects.
We would like to include this project as part of the Graduate degree shows or as part of
their modular work. We feel this would help everyone collectively help in seeing BMM a
BCU project and suggest a ‘project bid’ approach making funds available to Course
leaders and students alike subject to guiding criteria for project delivery and outcomes.
ACTIVITIES: Think Seminars - Quality of speakers/Diversity of seminars/which ones
worked/new content/timings/attendance and Do - Holly workshop, Drawing Authors,
screenings etc.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Out of 125 speakers, only 4 speakers cancelled in the duration of the 16 day expo – 1
business person and 3 academics. BN’s good network of contacts ensured we could
secure these high profile speakers as part of the Expo; good and continued
communication with speakers in the run up to and during the expo by the BMM team
helped in informing speakers of relevant info relating to the BMM event, and this is to
be continued and built upon next year, as well as fostering new contacts and
relationships.
BMM should be started with an official Launch Evening, promoting the expo and what is
going to be happening over the course of the Expo and seminars. This will allow for a big
networking opportunity for the VIP and founder members and media partners etc.
involved in the expo to get a ‘sneak peak’.
We need to consider how we build on this year’s successful content. 2.5 weeks of
seminars we felt was a little too intense and long – although was a fantastic learning
process, and have discussed the possibilities of having the seminars for a week or at
different times of the day, due to business constraints and other reasons why some
people may not be able to attend. In contrast, the exhibition, we agreed needs to be
more than 1-2 weeks however, and we would like this to be tied -in with the BCU Open
day, as they both complimented each other very well. Feedback from future potential
students and their parents was that they were amazed and awed that the BMM expo
was a BCU initiative.
We felt that more could have been done by individual speakers and companies to help
encourage interest in the seminars as some of the days were not as well attended as we
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had hoped. We feel audience can drastically increase next year if everyone actively
participated in increasing interest in the event. As a free event it is often the case that
bookings are made but people do not show at the last moment. It is also felt that we
promoted the first day as being fully booked too soon and should have kept it open right
up to the last moment, especially in view of the high hit rate on the website on the
launch day.
The content of the seminars was top quality, and was well received by all those that
attended. The BMM Team felt that some of the topics/agendas were more specialized
and that individual teams should support in getting audiences to the individual
seminars. The Health Day for instance, we felt had a lower audience than we had hoped,
and after hearing Health faculty feedback, we agreed with them that they would also
promote the event to their contacts and networks to increase interest.
The BMM team felt the seminars should be more interactive and inclusive to all
audiences in terms of programming/ timings and description of all events; Team to
consider evening seminars as opposed to AM seminars to counteract those unable to
attend due to work commitments.
The BMM Team would like to include more BCU speakers, and highlight some of the
great wealth of knowledge held at BCU amongst its academics. Out of the 120 speakers,
we had approximately 23 BCU academics, of which 14 were Chairs. The content of the
BCU academics was always well received including that of Prof Tim Wall, Prof Kathryn
Moore and Prof Christian Edger.
Timing of the year has been considered, and the BMM team feels that May/ June would
be the best time. We would like to engage more students next year, and felt we lost
some interest towards the latter part of June.
‘Do’ events we felt were particularly disappointing. We lost projects very last minute,
meaning we did not have as big a do programme as advertised and promoted amongst
schools.
We need to outline budgets at the beginning of the project for particular projects and
stick to them where possible to allow for better delivery of the programme.
Stitches & Ho’s we lost due to financial logistics and lack of access to wool from
suppliers when needed. They needed paying immediately and we couldn’t
accommodate this request unfortunately.
The Edible Garden pulled out last minute as the Bicycle Bazaar pulled out (due to time
constraints) and their own personal workload despite BMM Team, BCC Parks Dept and
MP working together to ensure it could happen.
After Hours Drawing Event – worked well, but small audience numbers which was
sometimes due to the location.
Holly Ochipinti’s Craft Stand – worked well and was much appreciated, but with small
audience numbers
Free Film Screenings at Giant Screen – didn’t work well. Very low attendance numbers.
BMM Team lacked the capacity to promote these events at the right time
BMET Fashion Flash Mob – worked very well and had great audience numbers
Fashion Show on Awards Evening – Ran by BIAD – was very well received, superb quality
of work and feedback about it has been great, would definitely like to include again next
year.
Student Kit Car Build – With TEE and Westfield Sports Cars, didn’t take place, waiting for
Westfield and TEE to feedback
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CNC Milling Machine activity with TEE didn’t go ahead, waiting to hear from HME
Technology and TEE. The activity with CNC and TEE was reduced considerably as the
students were concerned with lack of footfall on certain days.
MG3 Launch – had a large audience of approximately 100 people – The BMM Team is
keen on having more product launches at next year’s expo and will continue to stay in
touch with companies about future possibilities.
BMM Team need to ensure someone is allocated to promoted all the DO activities
within good time and to the appropriate target audiences as well, once the BMM Team
have updated the Database.
AWARDS DINNER: Ticket Sales/Outcome of activities by Aspire4U/Outcome of Fashion
Show
1.
2.
Ticket Sales – A4U stipulated in their contract that they would manage their entire ticket
selling process including approaching clients to sell and filling seats. This did not happen
as we had anticipated and as a result BN and the BMM Team spent a lot of time
approaching and chasing companies re: ticket sales. Roles need to be specified clearly
at the beginning.
We have always encouraged student and graduate involvement in BMM, but this year’s
Awards evening left us a little disappointed. A4U did not fulfil their contract. BMM Team
have met with A4U and are looking for ways they can improve their performance and
delivery.
3.
Our feedback included the following: Lack of risk checking done by A4U; the
contract between herself and the table company wasn’t looked at thoroughly, on
the night, we were 10 tables short, seating 100 people, and the BMM Project
manager, showing great resourcefulness, sourced tables from Thinktank. Tables
only sat 8 instead of 10, which meant original table plan was no longer workable;
our main supporters, Marketing Birmingham, Aga Rangemaster, Thinktank and
Millennium Point ended up at the back of the space, unable to see and on tables
too small to seat their guests and were not impressed with the lack of
organisation that evening.
4.
This has been fed back to A4U with a 30% reduction in price agreed. Aspire4U have
recognised the need to reform processes and assured that this is underway. The guests
were made to queue, which looked unprofessional; A4U staff did not seem to have
control of where guests were entering or where to direct them too. Guests were not
seated until a lot later than 6pm, whereas we stated we could have them seated for a
6pm start; the food was late and cold, the vegetarian option was criticized; no
communication emails were sent to any guests, all those attending didn’t know of the
running order for that night, nor of the dress code unless they had spoken to the BMM
Team beforehand; guests complained that they did not feel made welcome by A4U and
her staff; felt seating plan should have been professionally printed and mounted for all
guests to see rather than on several double sided sheets of plain A3 paper; felt the food
options chosen for our guests by A4U was poor and not value for money; guests had to
wait a very long time for the food; felt evening came across as poorly organized; One of
the Fashion Shows had to be cancelled by A4U, at short notice, as the products and
models were deemed not to be of a very high standard. This should have been
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5.
organized in advance, so an alternative could be sourced; no A4U staff rehearsals were
held, leading to staff not being certain of roles on the night; no uniform was worn by
any Event staff that evening, so it was difficult for guests to see who to approach for
advice or seating information. BMM Team felt a uniform would have looked more
professional; felt A4U should have organized a live feed for the big screen;
IT support from MP was an issue on the evening. Unfortunately there was no effective
support for use of the big screen in the Atrium on the evening which meant that slides
and video material prepared to showcase winners of the Awards was not presented.
IMPACT OF PR AND MAR KETING
Big Cat support – B2B
BCU support - Consumer
Newspapers and Folder programmes
Business Desk
Midlands Insider
MP
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BCG support was over and above contract, but much of this support was focussed on
completing website build, rather than B2B promotion, with the team spending the
majority of their time updating, editing and tidying up the website due to back end
issues and coding etc.
BMM Team had to spend additional time with BCG to expand on the seminar
programme in order for them to target the right B2B contacts.
The BMM Team would have appreciated greater integration with BCU Marketing by way
of promoting the event.
BMM Newspapers and Folder programmes – the folder programmes worked really well
and were well received. The newspapers were less well received and found not many
people took them home due to being fairly unwieldy.
Difficult to assess value of online marketing with Midlands Insider and Business desk
other than general awareness raising. It is proposed focussing more fully on social
media and the website to promote activity.
The professional social media groups were very helpful and BMM Team have asked for
feedback from them on how things could be improved once budget has been agreed.
Concerns raised around the late and ineffective use of the hash tags.
Waiting for feedback from BCG
20 videos produced by Ember TV
BCU Open Day feedback –
Julian Moore,B2B , BCU Marketing Manager, “we were also thrilled at how things
transpired, and felt both activities were totally complementary and received excellent
feedback from many who attended.”
Lyn Holder, Head of Outreach and Enquiry Management, BCU, “we were more than
happy with how BMM enhanced the experience for open day visitors. It all looked great
and the two events worked well together.”
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OUTCOME OF ROLES AND RESPON SIBILITIES
Moving forward all roles need to be clearly defined and realistic, but BMM Team needs to be
flexible within those roles.
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Project Manager – overly stretched across project and given timescales for
implementation once again this year project management was reactive, constantly
changing. The role worked across many different levels in terms of working closely with
the Director as well as the Events Coordinator & PA (appointed later on in the project),
securing some of the speakers, identifying additional and existing sponsorships, liaising
with BCU staff across different departments to encourage and fully supporting BCU
collaboration across the exhibition (which was sometimes a very challenging and long
process). PM also worked for and closely with Millennium Point to ensure all
H&S/Logistic/Security procedures were complied with for the exhibition, working with
exhibitors and overseeing the installation and de-rigging along with 24Design, working
closely with BCG and Heavy Object plus identifying social media students and
professionals to assist in promoting the event. The PM far exceeded her hours in order
to ensure the project was completed and the role would benefit from more targeted
tasks/outputs by all future Team Members/external contractors. PM felt that the team
delivered an amazing expo given the small team in place to deliver such a big project.
The Director agrees that the PM enabled the project to be delivered, worked way
beyond her brief and that this effort should be recognised.
Events Coordinator – Needs to be involved at planning stages, as new into post, much
time was lost in initial stages in trying to get head around project and changes within it.
Due to staff changes in PA role, Event Coordinator took on a dual role, leading on
finances and PA duties; would be able to spend more time coordinating event as
required if PA is in place to take over finance and other PA admin duties. Has been social
media trained by BCU this year; role needs to include social media and website abilities.
PA – Needs to be involved at initial stages in order to implement backend admin work
required to help make jobs less reactive in later stages of the Expo. Felt constant
changes at late stage were difficult to manage in short time spans. Needs to coordinate
database, evaluations forms day by day for visitors to seminars, and create a day
package. Slow at sending out event info due to BCG not being able to do it last minute
and time constraints. Need to be socially media trained as a lot of time moving forward
will be spent on social media and developing website.
All BMM Team should be properly trained on social media to fully support the
requirements of the project and any additional staff/volunteers need to have a
determined, professional and flexible attitude as the event works across so many
different levels, as well as being very physical at certain points.
24Design – needed to be in charge of designing, installing and removing exhibits into
space only, need to reconsider their processes/project management of installation;
need more coordination with venue; although 24D were great and came highly
recommended, it would’ve worked better if a local company way used due to
time/money spent on travel; they reassured us they would deliver on time and they did
despite being stretched. Were very amenable and adaptive to changes however budget
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was a moving target and this was a concern to the Director. Would also want to find
ways of students being employed as part of future arrangements.
Heavy Object – Felt newspapers didn’t work well, ordered too many – they were too big
to take home and difficult to drop off to companies as they were too large for them to
store onsite. Feedback from visitors was that last year’s expo guide worked better.
Great quality images used by HO. BMM team need to be clear on ways of
communicating change and documenting changes with contractors. BMM Team would
benefit from a debrief with HO and looking ahead need to write a bid and go out to
tender.
Amery Bros – BMM Team would recommend a contract clearly states exactly what is
expected to complete.
Disruptive Lemonade – Felt IA worked hard and delivered; we need to build on this for
next year with SH support
Aspire4U – felt didn’t organize Awards evening as well as required and feedback has
been provided to move this forward.
Ember TV – worked really well – they understood our needs and delivered well all the
time
Venue: Millennium Point and Thinktank – Given the location of this venue it did not
attract the footfall that the Expo was able to secure last year. However it enabled the
development of an exhibition concept bringing together the Midlands brand-led
businesses across sectors to promote design and innovation as a greater message and
theme. MP were very supportive throughout the Expo as a whole and we have to
profusely thank the additional and in-kind support we got from MP, Security and
Johnsons on many occasions; Thinktank were equally supportive, and provided some
great seminar rooms, often at last minute; it was difficult explaining to speakers that
would not be allowed to bring in drink purchased from MP or from MP
hospitality/catering as this was TT venue. It was not possible for us to purchase
water/refreshments at MP and TT due to budget reasons; MP catering team did not
always clear TT space of catering supplies after bringing them in, sometimes impacting
on TT’s subsequent bookings, we felt this should have been avoided by clearing the
venue immediately after use.
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TEAM RECOMMENDATION
To increase size of the core Employer Engagement Team to deliver this project as well as
being responsible for further activities within BCU in terms of event management, outreach
and exhibitions tying these into the BMM programme as appropriate. The increase in core
team will bring with it an associated increase in cost.
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BIRMINGHAM MADE ME R ETAIL COLLECTIVE 201 4
1) Objective: To provide retail sales learning support and experience for BCU students
through an extra-curricular programme of activities from Sept 2013-Sept 2014. The aim
is to enable students from any BCU faculty to have the opportunity to develop their own
retail offer either in collaboration with a Midlands business or by developing their own
brand offer. This will be developed to a timetable through the course of Sept 2013 –
Sept 2014 on an extra-curricular basis enabling students to gain practical business skills
including
a. Developing a real business plan (as opposed to a theoretical one)
b. Developing a real marketing and sales plan
c. Developing real merchandising plan for own collaborative or own brand product
offer and collaborative merchandising concept using Birmingham Made Me
Branding and working with wider project team to prototype and agree final
concept with Custard Factory approval
d. Developing and prototyping product/offer and selling this at week long pop up
shops at Christmas and Easter ahead of three month pop up shop as a
collaboration with the Custard Factory
e. Developing and agreeing collective approach to manning and managing store
over three month period to include store management, finances, sales
distribution, stocking, recording sales – weekly, monthly and final sales
assessment; sales achieved versus business plan, customer acquisition, database
development, marketing and social media activity; returns policy and health and
safety plan.
2) Proposed Partners: BCU with support of faculties, Custard Factory, Amery and regional
businesses/arts/consultants etc.
3) Launch: September 2013 with menu of options for students to consider in building a
retail product offer
a. Business collaboration product offer
b. Own brand development
4) Products developed will be displayed at 2014 Birmingham Made Me Design Expo
5) Timeline for above activity to be finalised; budget and external business support agreed
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APPENDIX 1 - KEY SPONSOR FEEDBACK
Marek Reichman, Design Director, Aston Martin and Birmingham Made Me
Chairman
‘Here in the Midlands we have a wide breadth of designers and manufacturers, showing a
breadth and depth in industry and manufacturing and the talent that exists in around the
region. Design is the key to success that we have here (in Birmingham).
I was happy, proud and honoured to be asked to be Chairman of this year’s Expo; anything
that promoted design is important to me and there is so much to drawn upon, looking at how
things were designed and made. There are some great companies and great brands that are
based here at Birmingham Made Me, from Automotive to fine engineering.’
Key Sponsor Feedback/Quotes:
Wouter Schuitemaker, Investment Director, Business Birmingham
‘Birmingham Made Me is definitely the right thing to do. The Birmingham City University
drive to bring out the people and the businesses is absolutely the right thing to do.
It is a great opportunity to actually understand more about what’s happening in the region and
Birmingham because a lot of these things are hidden gems and we need to get it out to the rest
of the World. Above and beyond that, there is some really exciting stuff here, some great
products and big brands, and the innovation that is happening here in the city is second to
none.’
John Cridland, Director General, CBI
‘I think it is very important to stand up and shout about what we are good at, and
Birmingham takes it back to the roots – we are a great manufacturing city and a great
innovation city.
We are still the 9th or 10th biggest manufacturing nation in the World, even with what is
happening in China and India. And if you look at the automotive industry, including the
Midlands, it was on its knees around 5 years ago, now; we are exporting more than we are
importing. This is a fabulous success story and a reminder that in West Midlands and
Birmingham we certainly do make things.
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Jerry Blackett, Chief Executive, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce
‘Through Idea Birmingham and Birmingham Made Me, Beverley has taken us into space where
no one has gone before. Linking Birmingham to its design authenticity has been an excellent
development.
She has raised the profile of Birmingham City University hugely and has managed to secure
and deliver massive engagement from the business community.
We look forward to hearing the plans for the next year and how we can continue to support
and engage in this important initiative.’
Simon Topman, Chief Executive, Acme Whistles, Chairman Millennium Point
There are several benefits that Bham Made Me/ Idea Bham can offer.
The General benefits - that add to and support activities of Chambers , IOD et al.
Networking with similarly minded business people. Networking over two weeks! Who offers
that? Important point is similarly minded. William McGrath showed me some website
functions that AGA use. We will use these and were unaware of them previously.
Plant & Moss came up with a design idea for Acme. A light and a whistle.
I personally consider that I had a greater sense of “what is current “and gained important
insights into overseas trade aspect.
The range of speakers was prodigious and one returned uplifted and full of thoughts and
determined to improve areas of one’s own business. Cross fertilisation, from sector to
sector, within the region. It was virtually a training course.
I had a stronger sense of regional identity and of fitting in to that and playing a role.
Specific Benefits - An opportunity to meet top level staff at BCU.
A greater understanding of how BCU can help my business. Chris O’Neil has suggested
working with BIAD to develop some modern designs and proposed how that can
work. We have signed up for a course we were unaware of with the Business School.
Student projects have yielded some interesting ideas that we are pursuing. There is huge
scope to develop these BCU relationships. It is an exciting prospect. IT WOULD NOT NOT
NOT have happened without the EXPO.
In conclusion, highly valued practical outcomes and an opportunity to expand CSR in a
way business can understand and participate in; improving our regions prosperity. Let
others plant the trees.
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Charles Morgan, Chairman, Morgan Motor Company
‘Morgan cars were pleased to participate in the Birmingham Made Me Festival
2013. The festival highlighted the importance of design in the process of making
products that are very attractive to a customer. Morgan cars show modern design and
technology is combined with skilled craftsmanship to create its iconic vehicles. The new
Morgan 3 Wheeler is a perfect example of how the process works. Charles Morgan
explained how Autodesk computer aided design provided the parts and shapes needed for
this complex product. This process also helps a customer tailor a car to his exact
specification. He may even specify graphics to personalise his car. The West Midlands is a
centre of excellence for engineering and design and it was great for Morgan to be in the
company of Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin and AGA cookers representing
internationally known brand names.
Morgan Motor Company was very happy and proud to participate in the Birmingham Made
me Design Expo 2013. The exhibition in the foyer of the Thinktank was impressive and I
particularly like the plastic containers with car bits in and the Aero Couple with its shadow.
The 3 Wheeler also worked well and attracted a lot of attention. To entice people to the
exhibition, perhaps more could have been done around the site, although with all the
building work going on, I understand it would have been difficult.
I was also very pleased to see the Morgan 3 Wheeler on the fly posters around Birmingham.
The yellow colour was very eye catching and I think did make people aware there was
something going on.
I was honoured to present the story of the Morgan 3 Wheeler in one of the lecture theatres.
That story, combined with the story of design at Aston Martin and of the jaguar F Type,
provided a fascinating morning for a car enthusiast.
Maybe with more publicity these lectures could have attracted a much larger audience, as it
was extremely privileged information that was being relayed.
In summary, I think the event was a quantum leap from last year and now shows real
promise to becoming a week or two of design focus in Birmingham.
The city still appears to be in denial of its heritage and strengths, so it will be interesting to
see whether the success of this year will be enough to secure good financial support and
engage their full marketing department skills.
Because we have around 20,000 visits a year to the Morgan factory, it would seem that
going to see real manufacturing is an extremely popular leisure activity. There is also no
doubt that people are interested in design as it proven by the success of Kevin McLeod’s
programme ‘Grand Designs’’
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William McGrath, Chief Executive, AGA Rangemaster
Have established the project to the point where it is clear it is something that people should
take seriously. A number of things have now started to come together. Clear we have too
many LEPs and that we need some strategic coordination. Something with this project that
is making a statement for the region. We set out to do something that was deliverable, doable and scaleable and that is what we have delivered.
Use of space at Millennium Point – very good
What’s In it for the University?
It has materially raised the profile of BCU from post ‘92 University lacking distinctiveness
and clarity of purpose to one that is leading and playing a clear role in moving forward the
competitive agenda for the region.
Working so closely with the Council on developing the Eastside and being seen to lead in a
very clear way is important for BCU.
Length of Expo
Benefit for region coming out of the policy paper still to be written and distilling down the
125 policy speakers and two and a half weeks of policy input. Extraordinarily high calibre
of speakers and thought leaders at the events over the period and the intellectual capital
in this needs to be accessed and understood as the underpinning to the event. Papers are
not just ephemeral. Policy underpin will be made more clearly once the paper has been
published. 2010 July original Policy Paper published and it has been clear from that that it
takes a long time for people to absorb and act on these recommendations and eventually
people will act on it. Needed physical manifestation of these recommendations to get
people fully on board. The benefits of the recommendations needed to be highlighted in
terms of the importance of Innovation< Design, Manufacturing and how they are
benefitting our region. Demise of AWM and the advent of the LEPs meant that our activity
was happening at a difficult time for the regional competitive structures. We were
therefore proposing to do something which did not need structures but a willingness by
people to participate.
Reputation of the Region
Think simple point is that there are such a considerable number of people who have come
across the Expo and whose pride in the region has been boosted through their knowledge
and awareness of just what we do and how good it is. There also seems to be a greater
degree of entrepreneurship amongst the 25-35 group which this initiative has been
helping to develop through the BMM Retail Collective.
29
William McGrath Feedback continued…
‘Timing
Autumn next year might be a good time for the business community. Need to see if this
would work for the university/education
However also think we should have a Business School course looking at regional economic
development and design and innovations role within this.
Thematic element to be built into next year.
From inception to now rate of progress and momentum with this initiative has been
remarkable. Recognition that there is more to come with the policy document and that this
will have a validity and an importance competitively for the region
Anything in it for AGA
We are keen to be seen to be part of the region, designing and making here and playing our
role here. We have benefitted from working with the university on the KTPs and these
have turned up some very interesting information , new product directions and we were
also pleased to be involved with the student project ‘Think Differently’
Our involvement with BCU through the KTPs has been positive to our promotion and
marketing and it has been good to promote this feature at BMM13
We have won Awards and this too has helped to profile our role in the Midlands.
Universities need to make their knowledge more available to businesses, their students
and their assets and this relationship needs to be developed into the future’
Andrew Mitchell, RBS
‘We (RBS) have been working closely with Beverley, and the university, to understand the key
messages involved and what Birmingham made Me is trying to capture, and we completely
align ourselves to that and feel everybody benefits.
Birmingham has got huge amounts of talent. Birmingham Made Me captures all of the
strengths and benefits of the city and draws upon the strengths and depths of the past but
also turns it around to give us a great view of what the future might be.’
Jonathan Sandys, F-Type Principal Design Manager, Jaguar Land Rover
‘It was a pleasure to be able to participate in this event and certainly to such an appreciative
audience!
I am certainly happy for you to use content from the presentation in a future policy.
Thanks again for your kind invite to speak at this prestigious event.’
30
Stuart Ballinger, Head of West Midlands, JCDecaux
‘Many thanks again for your invitation to the Birmingham Made Me Awards on Friday, my
guests and I had a fantastic time. I thought the event was a triumph and worked really well
at Millennium Point this year. Thanks also for your kind words of thanks during your speech
on Friday - they were very much appreciated!
I’ve got some photos for you showing some of the advertising panels used throughout the
promotional outdoor campaign which I Can put on a flash drive for you. I’ve also still got 10
posters that we were unable to use last week (5 x Morgan, 3 x Prometheus and 2 x Aston
Martin).
Lucan Gray, Creator, Fazeley Studios
‘When I found out about Birmingham Made Me, I just thought that it was the most exciting
way of getting across the message of all the brilliant things that happen in and around
Birmingham. There is a cleverly worked out display of many interesting products. People will be
surprised at the range of different things produced in the city.’
Richard Vickery, Retail Manager, Harvey Manager
‘Harvey Nichols were delighted to support Birmingham Made Me; it is just the sort of thing
the city needs.
Moving forward, I suggest that we make it more of a visible event – through major high
profile displays in Victoria Square and Centenary Square as well as Broad Street for example
Look to work or collaborate with Steve Hewlett – Retail Birmingham who is responsible for
Style Birmingham
Look at timing of event, first week of September, to tie in with Style Birmingham, 20,000
visitors, at time at which one of two major fashion shows takes place in Birmingham. Attract
major high profile figure, from world of design, e.g. Paul Smith, David Walker Smith of
Fenwick, CEO Burberrys
Hold event over one week only, most of networking and policy seminars and events in the
evening – IKON Gallery, new Library of Birmingham, City Centre locations, Jewellery Quarter
etc.’
31
Sara Burman, Sara Page Designs ref Birmingham Made Me Retail Collective
May I say it was sad to see our BMM Retail Collective Store come to an end, particularly as in the
last 6 months I had gained regular customers and indeed a regular income. However, it was a
longer venture than originally proposed, and I am grateful for that.
It was a unique and very valid experience for all concerned, and personally I made great
progress in terms of my businesses growth, knowledge, and experience of the demographic, of
the consumer of my particular products.
Also during this time I have gained the licencing agreement with a Coventry based company
Coleshill Plastics, and the overseas account with the prestigious Louisianna Museum of
Modern Art, design shop. Most recently since the BMM Expo 2013, I am now collaborating
with Glass Domain, Jewellery Quarter, to use the 'wild wine' design on glass splash for kitchens.
I would like to thank you, and Birmingham City University coupled with the Mail Box (David
Pardoe I thanked in person at the Expo), for facilitating this opportunity.
Anthony Tattum, Managing Director, Big Cat Group
“I think this has been an amazing project. We have to bring the knowledge base in the city
forward into the commercial world and whilst doing that if we can also celebrate Birmingham
that is also great as we do far too little of that and people need to know what great brands and
businesses are on their doorstep.
I take my hat off to BCU who have put so much time into this letting BN and her team take this
forward. The concept is awesome so I hope that after two years we will be able to continue to
support the project as nothing is achieved in two years – if we’re to really achieve anything on
the back of this newly established economic platform it will take a minimum of three years.
Will Evans, Managing Director, Amery Brothers Consulting
“A lot of people from outside my professional network were commenting on the BMM design
expo and it’s generated a lot of profile for the partners. Its conspicuous that BCU has led the
project but good that BCU has been working in collaboration with other leading city partners to
develop a larger project with its own character batting for the city region.
Events programme included a good line up of speakers. The schools thought it was fantastic in its
depth and breadth. Windsor Academy in particular attending on three separate mornings and as
they were hosting a visiting by 45 students from Turkey, Spain and Germany there were delighted
to be able to take them to a good event really showcase the city and region to best effect.”
32
Steve Hewlett, Retail Birmingham
Key City Events 2014 – Style Birmingham October 2014, Birmingham Year of Science, Big
Bang Fair March 2014 NEC, Opening JLP, British Science Association Festival in September,
Skills Show in November. 2015: Opening of New Street Station and new Metrolink.
Councillor Ian Ward working on Birmingham’s promotion as ‘Festival City’. Can we make
BMM one of Birmingham’s key Festivals and one of the first projects that brings together
the City’s 5 BIDs with events or installations in each of their quarters –
Retail Birmingham
Colmore BID
Broad Street BID
Jewellery Quarter BID
Southside BID
Budget permitting, why not look to install sculptural features/artworks/digital or lighting
pieces combined with events / activities to attract public and lead them on a Birmingham
Made Me Trail across the following areas, for example -1)
2)
3)
4)
Brindleyplace
Hippodrome Square
Church Street Square
Victoria Square
Have a one week Festival with the installations extending over longest period possible –
e.g. 2 weeks - one month in summer – May/June with it culminating in Millennium Point
and Parkside and taking in Digbeth and the Custard Factory.
This approach would involve all five BIDs supporting to promote the event which should
enable an audience of 30-40,000 to be involved.
Ian Emes, Film Director, Pink Floyd collaborator and BCU Alumnus
"The Birmingham Made Me Design Expo is a great idea. I think what it's done so far is to
inform people what's already here. That we are proud and that we create things here. Now
we need a bold vision that people will travel to see. We shouldn't be second city, or second
guessing, or lacking in courage. It's too important for that.
“I am happy to get involved and to help with contacts for high profile art works and fully
support projects where students can support and gain valuable insights and experiences.”
33
Glenn Howells, Director, Glenn Howells Architects
Seminars
The seminars I was involved with were really well attended. The range of speakers
was really good, very high calibre and I learnt a lot.
Venue
Millennium Point is a good venue, especially with the new Park and to highlight
Eastside as an emerging part of the City. For the seminars the rooms were a bit
lacklustre as was the breakout space – might think about this aspect for next year.
Dinner
I thought the dinner worked well. I enjoyed the event and the meal was good. The
visibility was an issue but the atmosphere was good.
Timing
I suggest a one week focus for seminars and events next year to launch the Design Expo
which can run as an exhibition for longer to give people the chance to wander down
and view the content.
Strategic Significance
We generated lots of regional coverage which was good. But the focus for next year
must be on generating national coverage. Until the event is registered as something
recordable at that level we are not really succeeding. We need a media partner.
Overall
I feel the Design Expo this year grew in confidence and the quality and range of
presentations was impressive. I feel more partners have bought into it and I am
hopeful that perhaps we have the beginnings of a significant economic development
platform for our city region.
34
BCU EVENT
Student Services organised Event, ‘Graduate Speed Recruitment’ feedback from
Warren Chughtai, Student Services
1. 6 job offers for graduates; on the night and immediately after, as a direct result of the
speed dating event: Athan Walkes, Tahnie Martin, Ashley Dingwall, Justina Dovekaite –
Aspire 4 U, Sahna Iqbal – Aspire 4 U, Lianne Smith – Enterprise Rent-A-Cars
2. Recruitment is on-going – waiting for interview outcomes & some of the roles have
been re-advertised but will have a more accurate idea of the numbers by the end of this
month.
3. 18 West Midlands based SME employers attended event. Including: ACME Whistles,
Aspire4U, Boilerhouse Media, Intelligentia, Greenfield Capital, Business Development
Midlands, Studio Bonito, Wow Internet
4. Graduates sourced based on employer requirements - 19 West Midlands based
graduates from a wide range of backgrounds – Mechanical Engineering, Marketing,
Media, Computer Science, English Literature
5. Ashley Dingwall started employment last week! (WeWanna: Play – based in Birmingham
Science Park)
6. Several interviews arranged this week (1 currently happening at BCU: Gurshamsher
Dhesi)
7. Supported by Aspire 4U (BCU Alumnus owned) who helped organise and Daniella Genas
hosted the event (BCU Alumnus and Birmingham Young Professional of the Year)
8. There have been many new employer enquiries about engaging with BCU as a result
of the positive PR from the event.
35
Speed Recruitment Employers Feedback:
Tom Henebury, Business Development Midlands Ltd.
‘Thanks for having us at the speed recruitment event last night; it was nice to take part in
something a little bit different! I was wondering when we were likely to hear back about possible
matches. Also, I saw that there were a lot of photos being taken. Where are these going to be
published?
The photos look great. The whole event felt very professional and all of the graduates were really
impressive, even those who weren't suitable for BDM.’
Lianne Smith
‘Thank you so much for the opportunity it was a great event and you must be proud of yourself,
everyone seem to have a great time!
Thanks again!’
Sarah Nield, Business Support Manager, Greenfield Capital LTD
‘We found the event useful and enjoyable, thank you.
We look forward to receiving our matches shortly.
Kind regards’
Carolyn Holt, Much Ado About Weddings
Hi Warren,
‘Thanks for your email and once again thanks for the invitation to the event last night. It was
good fun and definitely very useful. There were some very impressive candidates.
E: carolyn@muchadoaboutweddings.com
M: 07712 891559’
Emma, ACS Vocal Academy
‘I really enjoyed this event.
I hoped to find two interns however there was one Mr Shera Singh D, I was very interested in.
Thanks for a great event. Thank you very much, The support has been great.’
Prof Mary Carswell, PVC, BCU
‘Well done to all involved, Warren. It had a great buzz about the place and fantastic to hear we
already have some job offers coming through.
Seminars: Arranged to provide a strategic forum for the discussion of how design and
innovation have competitive relevance at regional, local, company and organisational levels.
They provided a platform to showcase BCU academics and enterprise and an opportunity for
BCU to network with many thought leaders and employers
36
.THURSDAY 6TH JUNE 2013
DAY TO DAY THINK / POLICY SEMINARS
LAUNCH EVENT
ATTENDANCE (rounded): 125





Prof Cliff Allan, VC, chaired the launch day
LEP Forum – BMM has received media interest from BBC
Midlands, Midlands Insider and The Birmingham Post
regarding the LEPs talking about the hub and spoke
approach to collaboration between the LEPs with
Birmingham being the hub with the rich and diverse spokes
including Coventry and Warwickshire and the Black
Country, all are keen to follow up with some interviews
with them. Merger talks between GBSLEP and BCLEP have
also been reported since then.
BN has followed up general view of business for fewer LEPs
in region by writing about hub and spoke policy for LEPs,
speaking with Sir Albert Bore about general interest in this
approach by GBSLEP and BCLEP as well as writing about
C&W LEPs desire to see greater collaboration and a strong
Birmingham. BN article appeared in Birmingham Post
following launch and launch day covered by BBC Midlands
Today with Peter Plisner covering.
John Cridland, DG, CBI quoted on BBC Midlands and BMM
website video about importance of promoting strong
image for the region
A focus on design and innovation and how they are
relevant to the regional economic strategy and
development
FRIDAY 7TH JUNE 2013 – BRAND
LEADERSHIP & REPUTATION
ATTENDANCE: 80




Prof Chris O’Neil chaired 7th June with Dr Steve Harding
and Dr Steve McCabe taking part in the policy discussions
Kurt Jacobs, Chief Editor, Midlands Insider – an article on
design and innovation and importance to Midlands to
appear in Midlands Insider, week 15th July.
Paul Noon, RD, UKTI – is keen to meet with the University
post the Expo to discuss how UKTI can support BMM and
students from BCU moving forward with business startups, trade and export etc.
European Policy speakers on Cross Innovation project
present, arranged by Dr Steve Harding, BCU, including Dr
Bastian Lange The Serendipity Machine,Seb Olma,
Multiplicities and Anke Merkl Rachbauer, TMG Upper
Austria
Graduate, Lauren Cookson presented her new business
37
Monday 10th June 2013
Back to the Future – Our Heritage
Brands
ATTENDANCE: 50





Prof David Roberts chaired 10th June with Prof Tim Wall
also presenting as part of the seminar
Kate Farley, BIAD, met Saskia Boersma, Brand Manager,
Transport for London, and discussed collaborative projects
in future, and possibilities of working together.
Aga Rangemaster highlighted work with BCU on archive
based KTP
Drawn together BMAG, BCU, UoB with leading brand
businesses with strong heritage
Prof Tim Wall introduced to Dr Richard Clay, UoB
TUESDAY 11TH JUNE – DESIGN
COUNCIL: INNOVATION AND
ECONOMIC GROWTH

ATTENDANCE: 85


Prof Mary Carswell chaired 11th June with Beverley
Nielsen also presenting as part of the seminars
John Mathers and Design Council introduced to Dr Steve
Harding working up bid with colleagues in DC.
DC introduced to colleagues in BIAD including Prof Chris
O’Neil
WEDNESDAY 12TH JUNE 2013
MOVING ON UP – TRANSPORT
AND LIVING FUTURES
ATTENDANCE:


EARLY MORNGIN 85
LATER MORNING 45


Prof Kathryn Moore presented as part of the seminars
Paul Kehoe, CE, Birmingham Airport and Simon Walker,
DG, IoD, were introduced and exchanged details in light of
the IoD’s focus on aviation,
Prof Kathryn Moore’s presentation welcomed by all guests
and external speakers, many people taking her details, in
particular ref HS2. Sir Albert Bore and Cllr Victoria Quinn
establishing on-going relationship with Kathryn, asking her
to present her findings at future Birmingham City Council
Seminars relating to the landscape, especially HS2. Liz
Hirst, Head of Land and Property, HS2, also exchanged
details with Kathryn.
BN blog on Prof KM presentation and through Sir AB and
VQ introductions KM’s meeting with SoS for Transport is
being further facilitated with additional introductions
38
THURSDAY 13TH JUNE 2013
THE ART OF LIVING – DIGITAL
HEALTHCARE FUTURES
ATTENDANCE: 40



Prof Ian Blair and Prof Louise Toner chaired the 13th June
with Derek Hopper, Stefan Cash, Andrea Page and Nigel
Wynne, Faculty of Health, all present key faculty outputs
Professor Bob Stone, Chair in Interactive Multimedia
systems, Head, Applied Computing Research Centre,
Director of the Human Interface Technologies Team,
University of Birmingham, has reiterated that he is keen to
establish bonds between BCU and UoB in light of the Expo
and is keen to support the Expo in the future and in policy
writing where applicable to his remit of design.
Amanda Dodd, Care Channel, 80,000 users and shortly to
be broadcast on Sky Channel, filmed event and
interviewed key members of BCU staff
FRIDAY 14TH JUNE 2013
HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS –
EXCEPTIONAL ORDINARY
HOUSING
ATTENDANCE: 60

Prof Lubo Jankovic, Prof Jim Low, BIAD, with Prof Alister
Scott, TEE, with CABE, MADE, GHA, Urban Splash, The
Cube and other architects and developers

Urban Splash, present on day as presenter, subsequently
nominated as Finalist Stirling Prize. BN blog about their
presentation and nomination

Prof Mike Stevenson, BIAD, chaired 17th June, with Prof
Christian Edger, BCBUS presenting as part of seminar
30 BCU students had their collaborative project work
shown, and 4 were chosen to present as part of the policy
seminars
Had international launch and first public viewing of the
MG3
BIAD graduate Emma Shipley’s work being sold and
MONDAY 17TH JUNE 2013
Fashioning the Future – Lifestyle
and Retail
ATTENDANCE: 100



39




promoted through Harvey Nichols Bham from Autumn
following introduction to Richard Vickery facilitated
through BN at Expo.
Debra Hepburn, MD, RBH and Co-Founder YBD has
reinforced her relationship with Emma J Shipley post the
Expo, and YBD are keen to work with BMM with a view to
finding ways to further support entrepreneurs like Emma
to establish themselves successfully. Beverley is due to
meet with YBD with a view to seeing how Buyers can be
encouraged to take part in Birmingham Made Me to utilise
the great design talent that we have.
Adrian Frid, RD, Miller & Carter, happy to discuss with
students the importance of delivering value added
customer experience. We are in the process of putting him
in touch with a former BCU graduate in order for them to
meet with a view to strengthening her own business
procedures, in light of his vast experience and knowledge.
Angela Burman, Designer, Birmingham Made Me Retail
Collective – throughout her time at the Birmingham Made
Me Store, Mail Box, Angela has had great networking
opportunities and as a result has announced a
collaborative project and world tour with the Micro
Sculptor Willard Wigan MBE, who has created a micro
sculpture of one of her successful lines of bears.
Sara Page, Designer, Sara Page Designs, has also
established links with other companies and has license
deal with Melamaster, Coventry, a seasonal dining
company distributing products for home and kitchen as a
result of her exposure and networking at BMM, she has
also met with Graham Southall of Glass Domain (Jewellery
Quarter), about a collaboration using my 'Wild
Wine' design and others for glass, kitchen splash
backs. She says ‘BCU made designer with a Birmingham
Manufacturer - I think that is the spirit of Birmingham
Made Me!’
BCU Students – Had the opportunity to network with
major brands on this retail day, including Harvey Nichols,
Mailbox, Miller and Carter and Young British Designers.
Many students networked and spoke with Emma Shipley
after the event to discuss with her experiences and journey
from ‘BIAD to London Fashion Week’ – they were delighted
to have the opportunity to speak with someone who has
been in ‘their shoes’ and has made a good success of her
branding and luxury products.
40
TUESDAY 18TH JUNE 2013
ORIENTEERING – DOING
BUSINESS WITH CHINA

ATTENDANCE: 60


BCU contact made with English China Business Forum
(ECBF), an organisation which helps SMEs to do business in
China. Dr Yeow Poon, chairman of the forum stressed its
commitment to providing practical support for small
companies building business relationships in China. The
forum is also committed to building relations between the
city’s business community and the growing population of
Chinese student at colleges and universities in the area,
and was delighted with the BMM expo and its networking
opportunities for BCU and ECBF. We have good contact
now with James Ng, JN Legal Consulting and a Legal
Consultant for Wragge & Co as well as Candy Yuan, Yuan
Ltd. They are keen to work with Chinese students here as
there are 6-8k Chinese students and keen to ensure that
we are harnessing their talents in Bham and are getting
them linked into businesses where we can. Candy
introduced to AGA as personally keen to purchase AGA
kitchen
Jane Matty, International Trade Advisor, UK Trade &
Investment, also reiterated UKTI’s ethos and how keen
they are to support SME’s and in particular support the
University with entrepreneurs and potential business startups.
Mike Ross, Amity Automotive Consulting has made
contact with Beverley since the Expo on the back of the
successful ‘Doing Business with China’ seminar, introducing
BCU colleagues to Fodragon and Shanghai Technical
Centre project which has some potential to offer
collaboration opportunitie for BCU TEE, BIAD. 18th July
meeting with Prof Simon Bolton to take contact forward
with TEE.
WEDNESDAY 19TH JUNE 2013
POINT2POINT – DISCOVERING
DIGITAL AND NEW MEDIA
PRODUCERS FORUM IN
ASSOCIATION WITH REBEL
UNCUT AND CREATIVE SHIFT

ATTENDANCE: 125
Dr Kerry Gough met with a BMM contact and keynote
speaker, Peter Turnock, MD, CMA Moldform Ltd, creators
of the Prometheus Helmet, they have established a good
41



relationship during and since the Expo and are keen on
working with one another and more importantly, future
BCU BIAD students around film making and design. They
are also considering working together on a chapter that
looks at the importance of design and fabrication with in
the film industry. This is an area that is often overlooked by
our students, so it would be good to develop this further
and to bring this work into the classroom. There are
certainly opportunities for collaboration with our BIAD
students here also.
The Birmingham Ormiston Academy Media team also
approached Dr Kerry Gough to discuss future
collaborations with BIAD. Two of their students have also
applied to us directly as a result of discussions after the
event, whilst new relationships have been formed with the
Radio and Television team as a result of the BOA visit to
Birmingham Made Me.
Colleagues within TEE are also keen to work with BIAD on
showcasing and highlighting the possibilities for future
careers and possibilities within the media after the expo.
Philip Thickett meeting with Lucan Gray over new studio
space planned for Fazeley Studios
THURSDAY 20TH JUNE 2013
Design & Motion – Automotive
and Advanced Engineering
ATTENDANCE: 80





Prof Mel Lees chair, Parmjit Chima and Prof Craig
Chapman present
Prof David Bailey many connections post his presentation,
many students were keen to speak and liaise with him.
Prof Bailey interested in buying Westfield kit car for
Coventry University
Parmjit Chima, TEE and Julian Turner, Westfield
Sportscars have continued and strengthened their
relationship and continue to work together on educationbusiness collaborative projects with BCU students
Carl Barcock, Chief of Design Methods, Rolls Royce met
with Neil Cheeseman, Zytek Automotive discussed work
with Rolls Royce.
Jonathan Sandys, F-Type Principal Design Manager,
Jaguar, discussed his passion of design and spoke with
many BCU, UoB and Aston students and answered their
questions in regards to becoming a designer in his capacity
and working for a large brand like Jaguar. Jon gave his
advice and contact details to some students with a view to
exploring work experience.
42
FRIDAY 21ST JUNE 2013
SUM OF THE PARTS –
EDUCATION AND BUSINESS

ATTENDANCE: 70



BMM SCHOOLS PROJECT 2013
Prof Chris O’Neil, Camille Chinneck for Prof Simon Bolton,
newly appointed as BIAD Associate Dean, and Beverley
Nielsen presented as part of the seminars
Prof Mike Beverland, Management School, Bath
University, has now liaised with Beverley Nielsen post
expo with a view to potential of book about design,
innovation and sustainable economic models
Chris White, MP very positive about BCU’s role in
championing design and innovation in region and Looking
for Growth policy document presented to Tory Party
Conference fringe last year. BN written blog featuring his
speech on Birmingham Post business blogs.
Steve Heron, former Senior IDEO consultant is keen on
continuing the work he has done with BMM this year on
the student-business collaborative project, which brought
BCU students in touch with large brands, and got them
working on real projects.
Our Design Expo Schools Competition provided the chance for school
students to experience design in the real world. We were delighted to
welcome 30 schools who expressed interest in the Design Expo and
Competition and have arranged factory visits to companies including
iconic brands — Pashley Cycles, Acme Whistles, WB the Creative
Jewellery Group, Westfield Sports Cars and Emma Bridgewater. The
Schools also attended presentations and seminars at the Design Expo,
some to tie in with their curriculum.
We engaged with these schools and have built strong relationships with
the schools and look forward to welcoming them to take part in next
year’s programme, which we plan on starting earlier in order to engage
more schools.
The Schools’ requested a longer lead time as they needed to incorporate
these additional project into their already very busy year, but hope that
with ample time next year would be able to include it into the curriculum,
which we would be delighted with. Having a structured curriculum
approach to the project will help us in securing more interest from other
school from Birmingham and the wider region.
The BMM Team will begin liasing with schools in the Autumn term to
engage more school/teacher/pupil interest in the project.
43
Birmingham Made Me Schools Project 2014:
Actions agreed:
1) Re-submit Lottery funding bid drawing on costing’s from
2013 Schools competition by mid-August latest
2) BMM14 Schools competition to be themed on ‘Young
Birmingham’ drawing on region and regional business for
inspiration for new product concepts/products submitted
3) Teachers to be invited to Steering Committee event 5-7pm
to be held early September at BIAD facility to get feedback
and shape up plan for 2014 (Action VB/BN/WE)
4) WE and BN to meet with Lyn Holder, BCU to look at BCU
Outreach Programme and opportunities to tie in with that
to promote BCU directly to schools (VB to action – BN/WE
to attend)
5) Early December get school teachers into BIAD/BCU and run
couple of 2 hour sessions – e.g. Makey Makey with
students and teachers, businesses to include 15 mins on
what’s happening next
6) Need to get business volunteers involved so can get them
into schools to help with prototype development and try
to get programme embedded into curriculum
7) Develop timeline of key activities for 2014 project.
8) Target 1000 students and 50-75 schools
BMM STUDENT
COLLABORATIVE PROJECT 2013
Please see annex for the evaluation of the BCU Students
Collaborative Project Initiative
Think Differently gave 30 BCU students chance to ‘learn and earn’
working alongside the Midlands most globally respected brands as
part of the Birmingham Made Me Collaborative Student Project. It
was an exciting collaboration opportunity putting students’ ideas
at the heart of business know-how.
Earlier the Think Shop in-work student project had enabled 20 xdisciplinary students to develop lateral prototype concepts whilst
based at Acme Whistles. These projects were also taken forward
for the Design Expo.
Within little more than a week students had already visited AGA,
Pashley Cycles, Brooks England, Morgan, Vax and Westfield
Sports Cars.
Birmingham City University students studying subjects from a mix
of topics and faculties had the chance to see how these iconic
products are made, learn about design and production processes,
44
technical features, together with market and business priorities
and approaches.
Following this familiarization process with the businesses involved
students took part in workshops assessing options for these
businesses looking five or so years into the future. They assessed
the big challenges confronting them, refining these to identify
radical business futures and visions to present to the businesses at
the Birmingham Made Me Design Expo as a means of engaging in
further debate and dialogue.
The students presented at the Birmingham Made Me Think
Seminars twice, discussing their approach to the project and also
the outcomes, both for them as students but also for the business.
The businesses had some great input from students and are very
keen to repeat this project next year.
45
Evaluation of the Collaborative Projects initiative
The pilot year of the collaborative projects initiative is now coming to an end. In order to
determine the success of the first year we require a very brief overview and evaluation of each
of the projects. These will feature in a case study document that we will use to publicise the
initiative.
We ask for you to fill this in as a project team. We are relaxed on who takes the lead in writing
this piece, whether it is staff or students, but we would like the document to represent the
team’s perspective.
No more than 2000 words (4x A4 pages) Please complete electronically.
Where possible, we encourage you to include an appendix of images to accompany the written
evaluation piece.
Please complete by 19th July 2013 and return to thomas.cotton@bcu.ac.uk
Collaborative Project Name: Birmingham Made Me Expo 2013
Name of staff partner(s): Iain Acton, Beverley Nielsen
Name of student partner(s):
Cristian Rares Taraban, Simon Pope, Jack Trew, Natasha Punj, Natalie Adams, Kim Bui,
Daniel Adewunmi, Jeremy Cooper, Mirjam Kristian, Guilherme Miranda, Emma Mayman,
Strahila Royachka, Yanique Moodie, Chigozie Ubanagu, Gregory Dunn, Theodora Pangou,
HOLLIE BRIANT, Sam Lawson, Puttha Sangkla, ROBERTA AKEMY OKAMOTO,
Preiti Randhawa, Nataliya Rozhina, Rougang Wang (Vicky),Jo Tooley, Hester Bennett Carter
Danielle Taylor, Amy Sellars, Chloë Frost, Josie Holuj.
Which faculties/schools/external partners were involved?
Faculties: TEE, Business School, BIAD, PME
Consultancies:
Disruptive
Lemonade,
Noddingdog,
McCann,
Elliot
Total number (estimate)
of students
exposed
to the project
(notCogent
employed
as part of
46
Manufacturers:
AGA,
VAX,
Brooks
England,
Pashley
Cycles,
Morgan
Motor
Company,
project): 40 - 60
Westfield Sportscars and Acme Whistles
1. Summary of the collaborative project
Birmingham Made Me Collaborative Student Project 2013 was an initiative to drive
multidisciplinary working between faculties across Birmingham City University through industry
engagement. The initiative was started by Beverly Nielsen to get BCU students directly involved
with the 2013 Birmingham Made Me Design Expo at Millennium Point. The following seven
brands were identified to participate – AGA, VAX, Brooks England, Pashley Cycles, Morgan
Motor Company, Westfield Sportscars and Acme Whistles and a proposal for delivery was put
together by Iain Acton, a lecturer on the MA Design Management programme at BIAD and a
consultant for Disruptive Lemonade.
Following funding allocation, twenty-eight students were recruited from the following specialist
areas: design, business, textiles, digital production, media, fine art and journalism and split into
smaller sub groups to work with the seven brands.
The project followed the following format:
 Factory tour and in-company workshop, followed by the students groups to collaborate
together and explore the theme “THINK DIFFERNTLY”
 Using brand tools and innovation frameworks the students were tasked with exploring
new ways to think about the emotional relationships between product and brand.
 The output was to define concepts through an A0 poster format and floor vinyls that
could be put on public exhibition.
Aga Group – Student Perspective
“We were looking at the next generation of AGA owners, encouraging a new generation of
owners while highlighting reasons to buy an AGA (i.e social, food quality, multipurpose) and to
clear up any preconceptions.
We did this by analysing the AGA brand, visiting a showroom, experiencing an AGA in use and
the quality of food it produces, studying past visual campaigns, researching customer reviews
and stories
We looked at various methods and ideas including an AGA café where families can come and
experience AGA cooked food and see it in action.
We chose family 'memories' and 'stories' as our direction, expressing the emotional factor that
AGAs bring; memories that will be formed around an AGA throughout a family's life and daily
routines. Overall, our idea helped to tap in to the emotional side of an AGA, making potential
customers realised that an AGA is more than a cooker.” Chloe Frost, Textile Design
47
2. How has the project involved the project team in working with other disciplines, faculties
and/or external partners?
The project was always going to be about multidisciplinary working, providing students with a
unique opportunity to work closely with other disciplines they would not normally encounter
during their studies at BCU. Additionally, the students would be exposed to at least two of the
seven brands via a factory visit and workshop.
The support partners were identified from innovation, design and marketing consultancies to
provide the students with relevant coaching, guidance and feedback on their concept proposals.
The partners also provide valuable insight into the practices and methods of the consulting
industry.
Disruptive Lemonade, Iain Acton: Disruptive Lemonade builds innovation and entrepreneurial
capabilities through providing coaching and training programmes for individuals, teams and
organisations. They have been commissioned by Birmingham City University Employer
Engagement team to develop innovative approaches to delivering applied multi-disciplinary
learning for students across faculties and Midlands businesses.
Noddingdog, Steve Heron: As an accomplished innovation professional, I have over 20 years
experience in leading multi-disciplined teams through a wide variety of creative challenges.
Focusing on combining the specific business needs of the client with an innovative approach for
exploring co-creation methods that tap directly into the creativity of the consumer, I deliver
insightful and actionable ideas which enable businesses to transform their brands, products and
services for successful growth.
McCann Brimingham: The Birmingham branch of the world’s largest advertising and
communications network – McCann Worldgroup – which boasts over 200 offices in 130
countries worldwide.
Cogent Elliot: Cogent Elliot was one of the earliest advertising agencies in the UK, founded in
Coventry in 1936, we have remain staunchly independent ever since.
Aga Group – Student Perspective on multidisciplinary working
“All team members were from different backgrounds and disciplines. We had each been chosen
for certain skills and had to apply these individually as well as help the other team members.
These included marketing strategy, photo and video editing and layout and Photoshop.
Throughout the project we were all able to gain an understanding of the other students'
specialised skills and practised using these for our end result.
48
This learning was extremely useful towards the end of the project when we all needed to help
with Photoshop and editing our final ideas ready for the expo.” Chloe Frost, Textile Design, Aga
Group.
3. What role have the students taken in ensuring the successful realisation of the project?
The students were split into seven teams (one group for each brand) of between 4 and 6 and
given a semi structured approach to exploring opportunities for each brand. In all cases the
teams contained different disciplines but all the teams had different mixes. The teams were
given a set of key dates and deadlines for the workshops and feedback sessions. However,
beyond this structure they were largely self-managing and were given full responsibility to
arrange their own meetings and schedule when and how to develop and execute their ideas.
The staff /student relationship was very much seen as a partnership – staff adopted an
approachable supportive role which include coaching and directing student with their concepts .
The following students comments, explain their understanding of roles and responsibilities.
“My main role in the group was as a cooperative member helping the group to define
schedules to have the tasks done within the deadlines as well as being responsible to
produce the presentations requested in order to inform our ideas and development of
the project. In this project I was able to put in practice some of the theories I learnt on
my course. This has been a challenge for me due to the fact that I have never worked
with marketing and design before. Through this project I was able to meet the board of
directors of a respectful British company, AGA, this motivated not only me, but the
whole group to develop a good chance to experience the brand and how it is perceived
by those who know it very well (the employees) as well as its customers. This was an
important phase for the project and a wonderful experience for me.” Roberta Okamoto
“Students were given the responsibility of managing their workload as a team. Each team of
students had the task of assessing each individual’s skills and abilities in relation to the project,
and using this were able to allocate various tasks appropriately to different group members. To
achieve the key outcomes of the project, students were required to communicate effectively
and efficiently with their fellow teammates and staff verbally, visually and through written
communication, as the majority of time spent on project work was done remotely. Tasks such as
having to correlate research, share and critique ideas and collaborate creatively through design
were successfully carried out remotely by the students effectively utilising all forms of electronic
communication available to them. Although staff have provided guidance and support
throughout the project, students have had to be self-motivated and proactive with their time,
balancing project work with their studies.” Sam Lawson
“Each team member had fairly equal roles, work was divided and we would each report back
with our ideas and findings. This allowed us to bring in our own skills and ideas and come to a
compromised idea between the four of us. Overall, student employees bring a wealth of fresh
ideas to such a project, especially when working on a completely new style of project. However
work has to be juggled with university work. The project encouraged professional time
49
management and liaison skills- meeting with other team members on a regular basis while we
were all on different timetables and with different deadlines running alongside the collaboration
project. The project also helped to develop communication skills; within our team, working with
and amongst other teams, with the staff involved with the presentation of ideas.” Chloe Frost
“The students took lead in the project from idea generation to production. They delegated team
roles and tasks and kept on top of schedules and time management. Working with renowned
brand such as ACME Whistles, allowed teams to not only find opportunity areas for the
company, but also gave them the chance to actually pitch their solutions to them.” Preiti
Randhawa
4. Student question: How has working alongside members of staff and external professionals
enhanced your university experience?
“Working alongside the members of staff and the external professionals helped me have a real
working experience. I have had the opportunity to put theory into a practical situation, because
in this project it was necessary not only to develop the project through our existing knowledge,
but we had to develop the project based on the perceived challenges of the customer and
determine the best way to fit our ideas onto their expectations. This was critical in order to fit
the ideas into their necessity to achieve the customers they were focusing. It also helped me in
feeling more confident regarding the abilities I have acquired on my management course as well
as being more confident to seek for a job in a different area because through this project I
realised that I can adapt myself easily into different environments and to teams with people
from different backgrounds as well.” Roberta Okamoto
“Taking part in this project has given me invaluable experiences of interdisciplinary working and
close industry engagement, which have vastly improved my skills in both verbal and visual
communication, and improved my employability. This project has given me hands on experience
of sharing creative goals with fellow students and design professionals. Throughout the project I
have been able to hone my communication skills, having to work with students from other
disciplines with no prior knowledge of the design process and international students with
English as a second language. My involvement in this project also aided my career development
by helping me gain industry contacts that have given me career advice and leads on finding
employment.” Sam Lawson
“Working alongside staff and external professionals broadened our view and understanding of
business within the design sector. We were able to bounce ideas and queries off staff which
helped our development as a team and the development of our concept. It also confirmed the
expertise within our university and the outside experience and connections our staff have. The
staff helped us to really push our thinking and ideas and definitely helped us to reach our full
potential while working on this project.” Chloe Frost
50
5. Staff question: How has working alongside students benefitted the project?
The project was always about leveraging the fresh thinking of students into industry. The
question was about how we get multiple discipline perspectives and being able to execute their
concepts to right calibre for a public facing exhibition.
There were two aspects to working with the students on this project:
1. Working with a large group of students enabled the BMM Design Expo to work with
a greater number of brands.
2. The students younger demographic profile provided insights to the company of
next generation perception of the brand. But also they could tap into the creative
talent that BCU has to offer.
6. What have been the most challenging aspects of the project?
The project was highly ambitious within the timeframes that were specified amplified by the
number of students coming together from across around 10 courses from four faculties. The
resources, from staff time perspective, were inadequate and more administrative support and
time was required to support students. Finding adequate funding is essential to support staff
time is to deliver more such projects in the future.
It would have benefited from part-time student employees to support with the execution and
printing of posters, vinyl’s and associated installation.
It also needs to be recognised that in a multi-disciplinary project some specialist skills are in
short supply which is an issue for a public facing Design Expo as quality management of final
work is important. The project was started late and as a result developed self imposed
constraints within which to work. We were on the limit of what was feasible to expect from fulltime students with other modules and work commitments.
The project would have benefited from some dedicated administrative support for the students
in terms of the expense claims and HR issues. This has been challenging to work with so many
students needing to be put on the payroll for approximately 25 hours of work. The HR forms and
process seemed excessive for this type of project.
Need time to be allocated to wrap up the project.
The following students comments, explain their understanding of the challenges of the project.
“The most challenging aspects of the project were the time management because we had a
very short period of time to develop a strategy to achieve the customer’s expectations. But, at
the end, I believe that our team was able to overcome this issue by being able to produce the
final idea within the deadline.” Roberta Okamoto
“Although it heightened the learning of the students, one of the biggest challenges was working
in multidisciplinary teams on a predominantly design focused project. Time management for this
project was particularly challenging, as the length of the project meant that students and staff
were working to short deadlines.” Sam Lawson
51
“The project did not start properly until quite late so we had a number of weeks of just doing
general research rather than starting the actual process. These few weeks would have been
extremely useful towards the end of the project so that our final ideas and concept could have
been developed further and not rushed. Because of the short amount of time, last minute
decisions and changes had to be made across the teams in order to make the expo come
together as a whole. This was challenging as this deadline coincided with university deadlines
and the last minute changes had to be juggles with university work unexpectedly.” Chloe Frost
“Having to juggle university projects and deadlines alongside the Birmingham Made Me
Collaborative project and not knowing what to give priority to. Not having existing contacts to
source materials or product interest.” Preiti Randhawa
“Two major problems our team was challenged with were lack of time and lack of structure.
Additionally, students at our team felt very isolated from rest of the BMM project. Two out of
three students were in final stage of their MA study. If the project would be scheduled three
month earlier or from the beginning of the year, it would certainly have more time to spare
from the MA students. In my opinion, each project has to decide from the beginning who is a
project manager. The ideal situation will be if each team will have separate supervisor. In our
team decision on who is project manager, who is responsible for the decisions and taking
appropriate action, was left to undecided.” Nataliya Rozhina
7. What have been the successful aspects of the project?
The project needs to deliver multiple outcomes – for the students, the companies and the
design expo – in very tight timeframes. Moreover this was the first time such a project had been
run and therefore should be commended on it achievements.
The most pleasing aspect have got to be the positive stories I have heard from the students
about how the project has given them real experience of business and working to challenging
deadlines with people they don’t know. Some are benefiting through broadening their
understanding of their skills and how this can help them look at other career options beyond
their core discipline.
Finally the students work looked fantastic and gathered many positive comments from the
audience and businesses.
The following students comments, explain their understanding of the successes of the project.
“In my opinion, the most successful aspect of the project was the fact that it put together
students from different faculties, abilities and backgrounds, who have never seen each other
before, to work together as a team to develop an entire new project exactly how it would be if
we were going to start a new job, so this helps us to have an idea of how we are going to face
this issue, in the future, when starting to work for a real company.” Roberta Okamoto
52
“The expo itself was extremely successful; all the student teams' work worked together well and
everything looked professional and well thought out. During the run up to the expo, the project
improved presentation skills especially explaining ideas to a board to staff. The project
introduced us to marketing and branding as well as really understanding a company, their
branding and their product. The student allocation to teams provided us with a realistic example
of working within a team and taught us how to bring together our own skills and utilising skills of
the other team members. It was also good to work on something outside of university related
work.” Chloe Frost
“Working on a live project with people from different specialisms, with different processes that
you can learn from. Being under pressure to generate a fully functional idea and produce the
product only within a month, this pushed us to create and try out more ideas than we would
have done in a University project. As well as, seeing your work on show and getting vital
feedback from passers-by.” Preiti Randhawa
“We are the only team who actually make a working prototype of our product for the exhibition.
Out concept was so successful with the Acme Whistle Company, that they announce a plan to
do a spin off with it. Again we are only team who achieve a physical prototype.” Nataliya
Rozhina
53
Birmingham Made Me Student Project 2014 Proposal: Beverley Nielsen, Steven Heron
and Iain Acton
INNOVATION
The British are not
particularly
innovative. Hard to
agree with but
that was the
deflating takeaway from a
discussion on the
subject of
“Innovation and
new business
models: how to
grow out of the
recession” at the
recent CEO
Summit in 2013.
Dr’s Kevin and
Jackie Freiberg
describe Innovation
as – “Not being for
the faint of heart.
The path to
innovation is messy,
it is littered with set
backs and
challenges. It
requires us to
Notice, Lead, and
Disrupt the status
quo”
Marketing andCritical Point
Innovation is about
traditional market
change and
research one
companies find
feature - an
change very risky,
unhealthy
they are to often
deference to the
focused on the
importance of a
competition which
brand are holding
leads to ‘me too’
back innovative
products. Providing
thinking and action
the consumer with
for business…big
a sea of sameness.
time.
Consumers get
bored and they
seek out the new!
Innovation Culture – The Big Elephant in the Room, because it’s complicated and risky…
How might Birmingham City University tap directly into the changing work practises of
professionals, education and business to create a Forward Thinking approach for
creating a very strong Collaborative Culture of Innovation that benefits BCU students
and Birmingham businesses.
54
Making things happen – setting collaboration up for success
1 - Companies
AGA – RBS – Pashley – Morgan – Vax - others but focussing on
ones we have strong relationships with through Idea Birmingham
2 - Knowledge Audit – Creative briefs
This is a rapid deep-dive by external consultants and BCU ‘course
leaders’ into exploring what the companies are good at today,
exposing the pain points and what they might be good at tomorrow
in order to create inspirational opportunity areas.
Activities –
One on one interviews
Opportunity workshop
Co-creation workshop – with consumers
Output
Company alignment and engagement of opportunity areas that
challenge and have the potential to deliver innovative outcomes for
each company
Development of Creative briefs
Companies fully back these briefs
It’s a win win they have the opportunity to explore ideas that would
otherwise be too risky or expensive.
Briefs could focus on
A – Short term fixes
B - Mid term Evolution of existing products/services
C – Long-term Revolution of existing products/services
Options B&C could bring added benefits to the companies by
accessing the superb research and development facilities of BCU.
Companies would be asked to provide some funding for these
options – c£2k
Evolution Brief
Existing customers
New customers
New technology into
existing products
KT Models
A
Fix Brief
Low risk – low cost
initiatives
Immediate branding,
marketing challenges.
55
Social media
opportunities
3 - Coaching Projects
The knowledge audit and subsequent ‘design
brief’ enable a highly creative yet disciplined and
focused approach for coaching and reviewing
student engagement on each project. Allowing
greater number of students to take part (from
100-300)
Critical to benefit a range
The briefs will be constructed
of student courses from
PointBusiness, Marketing,
Technology, Engineering, Art & Design + based
around a real and inspirational challenge.
Each brief has the potential to be scaleable and
could attract additional Company investment.
Critical Point
C
B
Revolution Brief
Applied Research projects
New markets
High risk Technology
New business models
New customer groups
Collaboration
Collaboration
• Companies
• Education
• Consultancies
The process starts as
a ‘BCU led’
exploration working
with known
consultants, such as
Steve Heron, Iain
Acton and academics
with relevant
experience, to
identify with the
client specific Areas
of Investigation
The up front
BCU/consultant
involvement helps to
set the initiative up
for commercial
success (short term,
mid and long term)
The role of the
academic/consultant
switches to support
the students and
Business to help
keep the ‘drum beat’
of the projects going
The multi-disciplined
student teams start to
work on the more left
field concepts
The students can be
highly creative and
resourceful in the way
they prototype and
iterate around
potential ideas – they
dramatically improve
they skills &
experience that they
can take into the
commercial world
The Business is
engaged and aligned
on the areas of
investigation and the
pipeline of initial
ideas
This allows
development of ideas
in structured manner
enabling engagement
of specialist academic
support - Prof Simon
Bolton/ Craig
Chapman/Mike Ward
subject to fee.
56
The business is
Critical
Point
provided
with a very
tangible and flexible
resource in the
University and
Consultant that
allows them to
explore real
opportunity areas for
innovative thinking
that would otherwise
have seemed to great
a risk.
Birmingham
University is seen a
very viable
‘innovation’ resource
for business (big
consultancies are very
expensive)
Each project allows a
business to tap into
the extensive
resources and
facilities of the
University in a way
that would be
prohibitively
expensive using
either internal or
consultancy resources
Birmingham Made Me Retail 2012 - 2013 Collective Feedback
Anna Peacock, AnnabPavone: ‘Overall, I found BMM Expo 2013 to be a fantastic
experience and extremely beneficial in promoting my business. I received a lot of positive
feedback from visitors to the exhibition and have been contacted by several businesses that
have shown interest in my work, with offers of potentially working together on future
projects.
It was wonderful to have the opportunity to exhibit alongside established Brands such as
Aston Martin, Acme Whistles and Pashley Cycles, to name a few and I was very proud to
be part of promoting Birmingham and the fantastic designers it has produced.
However, with the exhibition space being set out on two floors, it was a bit disappointing
that all the exhibits weren't integrated more. I feel the exhibits on the second floor were
perhaps missed out by many visitors as there wasn't sufficient signage to link both the first
and second floors of the exhibition. Perhaps for future Expos, BMM Designer/Makers could
collaborate with some of the more established brands and produce a series of exhibit pieces
specifically for the Expo, which would not only help the promotion of all exhibitors in a more
creative and innovative way, but would also generate a more interesting and cohesive
exhibition for visitors.
BMM Expo has great potential in becoming a renowned Design Exhibition, not only for
Birmingham, but nationally. I think it's great that the Expo is a way of celebrating and
promoting both established and new upcoming designers in the area and that London isn't
the only city in which fantastic design can be found.
For future BMM exhibitions, I think an improvement in security and supervision of the
exhibits may be needed on both floors, as I witnessed a lot of the exhibit pieces being used as
playground apparatus by many of the 'Thinktank' visitors, which not only posed huge health
and safety risks, but damage to exhibitors work.
Thanks to everyone at BMM Expo for the positive experience and opportunity to showcase
my work alongside some of Birmingham's best designers’
Ranjit Bahia – Bahia Designs: ‘I know that you have all been really busy, but I would like
to say a Big Thank You for the evening on Friday 21st June. I enjoyed the entertainment
and the food and saw it as a wonderful end to the Birmingham Made Me Retail
opportunity, which gave me chance to network.
Also the collective winning an award was fantastic, giving me and the collective a
positive incentive to push on our businesses.’
57
Ermine Jackson-Miles: ‘Just to say thank you for all your support over the past months
and a big big well done for such a lovely event.’
Viv Wilson: ‘I attended the Retail Marketing Seminar and it was excellent. Very
informative and useful. NB I was a few minutes late and wasn’t sure whether to go into
the lecture theatre because the talks had already started. There were about 6 of us
waiting to enter. A member of BCU at the door would have been useful.
The location is not attractive to visitors. Although it is not far from town, there is little to
draw visitors to make the effort to travel there from town. It would be better to try to
house all the exhibits on one floor unless there are sufficient to make two good exhibitions.
It looked” thin on the ground” on both floors. There needed to be signage to sign post the
upper floor. Staff at” Thinktank” commented that visitors there had remarked that there
were no signs putting to the fact that the exhibition continued upstairs. It would help to
brief the Millennium Staff on the reception desk. They didn’t understand the BMM concept
and were not aware of the exhibits upstairs.
There were Introduction to new businesses/university/Colleagues/expertise but it needs
more visitors to be effective. The link between the companies is confusing. There are
Midland Companies as well as Birmingham. The brand is a bit confusing. Locate the event
more centrally, more exhibits preferably on the same floor.
They were spread too widely. Increase signposting for other areas Train host staff so that
they understand the concept of the exhibition.’
Angela Burman, Burma Bears: ‘I felt the expo was successful this year. I personally think
it Felt better downstairs than upstairs, it felt quite isolated; would recommend keeping all
exhibits on one floor. Nice if everything on one level – not enough signage. Everybody gets
seen if on one level.
The seminars were marvellous – superb choice of speakers, it was amazing.
Venue was OK – I think Mailbox will always be the benchmark and as such I will naturally
compare it to last year.
Ever since BMM started, I have had a different viewpoint, sense of pride/hope about
Birmingham. The fact that there is BN and there others at the back of this, pushing it out
is great to know and encouraging for me as a designer.
Would participate as myself, not as part of the collective however. Rating 8/10’
58
Ammara Masood: ‘We would like to say a massive Thank You for all the great
opportunities and platform that you have provided for us. We really appreciate it! We have
had a great start to our venture with your support. We hope to continue to be part of the
Birmingham Made Me/Idea Birmingham group.
Many thanks once again (Team Cofi Coo)
Tahmina Latif: ‘Firstly I like to say thanks for letting me exhibit my work. Unfortunately I
didn't attend any of the seminars that were on so for that reason I cannot give any feedback
on them sorry.
Secondly I was working most of the days at the mailbox shop during the two weeks that the
exhibition was on and couldn't come in and communicate with any of the people who came in
to see my work. Therefore sorry I can't give a detailed feedback but I know all my business
cards were gone so there were people who I know liked my work and that's about it.
Everything about the exhibition was well organized in celebrating Birmingham as a design
city well done for that.
But I like to comment on one thing, speaking to a few people after the exhibition ended they
said it would have been nice to get some sort of feedback from the viewers who attended.
I think for future thought it will be great to have the exhibitors there beside their work to
communicate with everyone attending and viewing the work. This will be a more beneficial
experience for both viewer to know who the artist/designer is and exhibitor to have some
feedback on their thoughts.’
59
BCU STAFF FEEDBACK
Steve Harding, Head of Policy Development, BCU
‘The Expo provided an opportunity to think about what a “smart” city should look like for
Birmingham.
For me this is best summed up by “authenticity”. We should focus on three aspects; our shared
heritage our known strengths and our support for grassroots open innovation
Heritage – how can heritage be best linked in the modern economy with the sometimes
contradictory need for growth?
Birmingham in the 19th and 20th centuries was known by its brands – products and cultures which
characterised its design abilities its ability to develop new ideas. It also needs to be said that the
city has an innate ability for self –deprecation in terms of cultural heritage (Dave Haslam talking at
Vivid http://www.weareeastside.com/author/vivid/)
There lies the paradox of many Heritage brands and designs now seen as lost brands or forgotten
(John Bryson, UoB)
How can this be redressed? The example of combining Heritage and digital is one approach – new
aps to combine with heritage (see Substrakt and Library of B’ham
http://substrakt.co.uk/2013/04/11/dozens-trails-for-the-new-library-of-birmingham/)
The spatial aspect of heritage should make us focus on our vast stock of distinctive buildings as
places for creatives to work and play in (Bastian and Sebastian). This will link with the point on
grassroots open innovation.
Authenticity – focus on the known strengths of the city.
This approach was championed by Linz (ref) The emphasis Anke Merkl- Rachbauer advocated is on
being smart about what’s special in the city and getting people together to focus on key areas to
then take globally. A united focus on the existing strengths of the city region and invest there– a
big tent approach.
It seems to me this is a simple recipe which demands difficult choices along the way. It requires
trust and leadership too.
This approach means a total emphasis on FDI should be questioned. All cities are chasing the same
companies and there are resource implications for cities in doing this. A balanced approach will
work best.
Grass roots innovation - Bastian Lange talked about grassroots design, led at the community level.
This could be fab lab type approaches and arts projects from artists in the city exploring
environmental issues (http://www.multiplicities.de/en/)
Cities need areas where grassroots innovation can take place – often characterised as “open”
innovation. Seb Olma talked about Serendipity Spaces – places where exquisite collisions can take
60a visit to Birminghamhttp://serendipityplace (The City as Serendipity Machine: notes on
lab.com/blog/2013/6/11/creative-brumming) - Connecting between the spaces’
Dr Kerry Gough, Senior Lecturer, BCU
‘I just wanted to drop you a quick line to say what a marvellous event you have organised.
Congratulations. Some wonderful relationships have flourished as a result of this. This would
not have been possible without all of the effort that the Birmingham Made Me team put into
its development and co-ordination. So, thank you.
Peter Turnock and I are planning to continue our conversations and he is keen to work with our
students. I would also like to work with him on a chapter that looks at the importance of
design and fabrication with in the film industry. This is an area that is often overlooked by our
students, so it would be good to develop this further and to bring this work into the classroom.
There are certainly opportunities for collaboration with our BIAD students here also.
The Birmingham Ormiston Academy Media team also approached me to discuss future
collaborations, so I have invited some of the BOA team over for a tour of our new Media facilities
so that we continue this conversation when we move in this summer. Two of their students have
also applied to us directly as a result of discussions after the event, whilst new relationships
have been formed with the Radio and Television team as a result of the BOA visit to Birmingham
Made Me.
Colleagues within TEE are also keen to work with us on showcasing and highlighting the
possibilities for future careers and possibilities within the media.
So thank you Birmingham Made Me team, what a wonderful opportunity for sharing and
generating ideas for future collaboration.’
Philip Thickett, Head of Department, Media and Communication, BCU
‘I would like to totally endorse Kerry's comments. BMM has been a triumph this year so well done
all.’
Julian Moore, B2B Marketing Manager, BCU (‘Mini Expo’ at Chancellor’s Installation on
1st July)
‘General and specific benefits- Just a quick email to confirm that last night’s event went really
well, and the collections I displayed (Sara Page and BCU Textiles Student work) were well received
by all attending guests. I will send some images once the photographer sends me a link.
Thanks again for your support in allowing me to include these items.
I really enjoyed liaising with Sara and had a great conversation with Angela Burman. I am going to
support her with some PR and there also may be a link to some other work I do in support of
Adoption & Fostering, linked to ‘Whisper’, the listening bear - such a critical and much-needed
resource.
I’ve actually put up a mini display of Sara’s work within Leyland House (Marketing and
Communication’s Department), which is currently
61 being admired by staff.’
Alexa Torlo, Project Manager, New Technology Institute, BCU
‘I would just like to take this opportunity to say thank you and congratulations for putting on
such an impressive showcase event. Thank you for inviting us to be part of this year’s Expo. It
was a wonderful experience and felt privileged to be associated to some of the best innovators
in the West Midlands.
For me personally, BMM Expo is a great platform to test digital innovations and think this
approach complements the traditional aspect that the showcase naturally exhibits. Having
more of these interactive sessions, like the ‘Makey Makey’ workshop, could add another
dimension to the event and could potentially attract a more diverse audience.
If you have not had a chance to see what we got up to at the Expo, attached is a video that was
taken by one of our Future Media students during the workshop
short version - 0.46
http://youtu.be/BlIr6hPFsnI
long version - 2.24
http://youtu.be/vULi9EPPdMA
The venue worked well for the showcase, but on occasions it felt too large at times. We also
came across a few logistical issues with our interactive workshop and in hindsight would have
possibly of opted for a more digital friendly location within Millennium Point. In the end the 4th
floor lobby area of the Big Screen worked well and had a great energy to it.
For me the venue could have worked better if it provided some obvious “small” flexible spaces
for delegates to congregate in, with WIFI, comfy seating, tea and coffee. This type of temporary
“co-working” space, could be connected to a live stream of events taking place in the seminar
room? By doing this, people have the choice to dip in and out of events throughout the day and
over the 2 weeks.
The Cross Innovation project has allowed us to focus on this concept of space and brokers,
identifying over the course of the project best practice examples from across the EU of where
and how these spaces work best to encourage cross overs to happen. It might be useful to
exchange this knowledge in preparation for BMM 2014.
Overall we thought the event was a great success, everyone was very helpful and I’m looking
forward to what 2014 will bring.’
Prof Tim Wall, PME, BCU
‘Thank you Beverley. I was delighted to be involved even if my contribution was modest.
I did think it was quite marvellous to see such an initiative from BCU, and I hope it will be the
start of a growing public profile for us.
Congratulations on having pulled it off, and thank you from this BCU staffer.
Tim’
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EXHIBITOR/SPEAKER/SU PPORTER FEEDBACK
*Please see end of document for all collated feedback from individual exhibitors,
speakers and supporters involved with BMM 2013.The questions asked are below:
Feedback Questions

Views on any general and specific benefits gained from exhibiting at Birmingham Made
Me 2013.

Comments on the Policy or 'Think' Seminars and whether you found these useful and
positive - again any specific or general benefits would be of great interest.

Thoughts or insights on the venue itself, and whether you found the timing over two
weeks useful.

Has this event changed your views or the views of others about Birmingham and the
Midlands and is it useful in promoting a stronger image and reputation for our City and
region?

Has it been helpful in introducing you to new businesses and business people or
university colleagues and expertise?

Have you any suggestions for improvements we could make in moving forward with
BMM14?
Norman Price, Chairman, Birmingham Science City
We would like to see more focus on science and education and are pleased to have been in on-going
discussions over the past year with the BMM team about this. We would like to see more technology
and digital businesses involved. Millennium Point very good venue for those target markets, felt
that the space was underutilised. Science City would like to be involved next year
Paul Noon – RD, UK Trade & Investment
City and Region needs to improve reputation, not as positive
Came to West Midlands 10 years ago – so impressed that the people and businesses great very
impressive, great opportunity to play on strengths
Abilities and promoting them – quality of speakers, excellent, nice conversations with interesting
people – challenge sessions, policy in Foreign office, ‘Crash Teams’ sessions to business
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Penny Parkes - The Birmingham Assay Office
‘We put a lot of effort into our stand, and we thoroughly promoted the event socially. To date
there is no direct feedback or commercial benefit for us, but it is still early days. Our stand was
unmanned throughout 3 weeks, which was a shame, so we weren’t able to interact directly with
the public to ascertain any feedback.
Martyn Pugh, who lent us the beautiful jug to display as part of our exhibit was delighted to take
part also. This event has helped to cement the relationship between not only the Birmingham
Assay Office and Martyn Pugh and the designers of our Aston Martin Badges, but also
Birmingham City University.
Our artwork was used in all the print, which we were delighted about, and looked fantastic. Lots
of soft benefits for us, but commercially too early to tell.
I felt personally that the larger exhibits dominated the exhibit – the smaller companies and
jewellers felt dwarfed by larger companies. I don’t know whether it came across that there is a
huge amount of design in jewellery and silversmithing too and that we use the latest
technologies in designing our beautiful jewellery but often use traditional methods to
manufacture and produce the goods. I think this could be highlighted a bit better next year.
Design, innovation and originality, everything Birmingham Made Me is about is a perfect
message about the Jewellery Quarter. We need a bigger presence at the Jewellery Quarter next
year, the JQ BID ran some small events, but its didn’t feel to directly tie in.
The new profile for JQ is about that it is a place to live etc. But it should be about being a place to
work, where craftsmen are very skilled in what they do. It seems as though people don’t find it
‘sexy’ anymore, and that is a shame. I would like BMM to help bring more ‘sexy’ back in
jewellery design and making. Because of the nature of jewellery and how small it is, I feel our
sector would need about ¼ of the exhibition space to really tell a story and make an impact – it is
not just about finished product, but what goes into it – skills CAD with latest design technique –
let’s tell the story.
I felt this year had a lot more impact than last year at the mailbox,
Thinktank was great, the venue was great, and I thought the CMA shark was great too. All the
things going on in region is fantastic and we need to know more about it!
The Birmingham Assay Office would definitely like to participate next year. Our problem this
year was that it coincided with another event (Jewellery show in London) and we had a very small
team to organise the two. Normally June would be ok; however the Jewellery Show being held in
London next year will be bigger next year than this, so may impact on how much we can
logistically do. Maybe end of May start of June would be better for us.’
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Chloe Williams, Brand Manager, Pashley Cycles
‘Unfortunately, we did not have the opportunity to attend the seminars.
The venue was an inspirational location/environment with regards to its connection to
science, technology, innovation and learning – it suited the BMM event well, although we are
not sure how much public traffic it got compared to the Mailbox.
The timing over the two weeks was fine for an un-manned display.
It has strengthened our belief that there is still lots’ going on in the Midlands with regards to
design and manufacture. It is very important to share this with the local region to encourage
positive moves towards strengthening and building on the current perception people have –
hopefully to inspire new growth and innovation. In the future, it would be good for the event
to become more recognised nationwide (especially drawing attention from London).
There were great introductions to new businesses/university/ Colleagues/expertise but we
would have had more opportunity to network if we had been able to attend the seminars.
It would be useful to have more notice of the exhibition / space requirements for resource
planning purposes.’
Steve Green, MD, Brooks England
‘Exhibition big improvement on previous year. Nice to see all exhibits in one room, a great
space, airy and good venue.
Would participate again and would like to be part of it next year
Partly down to weather that not participated in manning the stand this year and keen to do
more manning next year but not as much as last year.
Student project – pleased with that feedback. Some of the designs for the advertising hoarding
were v impressive.
Would require BN to provide a little story including pics and would get this onto blog page.
Thought ideas from students were impressive
Liked the Brooks England exhibit and thought the stand looked very good.’
Anke Merkl Rachbauer, Linz Consultant
‘Thank you so much for your wonderful work. Give a big and “hi” to everybody, and I will certainly
come back to your wonderful city!’
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Prof Richard Clay, University of Birmingham
‘Thanks for giving me the opportunity to speak (it was a good audience in the end - you built it and
they came!). I look forward to having an opportunity to work together in future.’
Prof Bob Stone, University of Birmingham
‘Thanks Beverly (and Vanessa, of course) - it was my pleasure. If there's anything I can do to help
in the future for the region, just let me know. Did you see us with our healthcare projects in the
Independent earlier this week (and in the New Scientist before that)? We're going to be on one of
the local rags very soon and are being interviewed by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on
Tuesday.
So it's all looking really good for the future’
Emma Shipley, EMMA J SHIPLEY LTD, BIAD Graduate
‘Dear Beverley,
Thank you for your kind words and for inviting me to speak, it was a great day and the exhibition
looked fantastic. Glad to hear it all went well, congratulations!
Best, Emma’
Brian Shipley Director of Operations EMMA J SHIPLEY LTD
‘I trust it has now settled back to normal after the BMM event, and Mary and I thoroughly enjoyed
our time there last Friday evening. I had a chance to look around the exhibition, followed by
the entertaining events and the awards. Beverley did a great job both in organising, championing
and then hosting the event on the night.
Best Regards
Brian’
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Laura Coles, Marketing Graduate, Vax, Graduate BCBUS
‘Venue was very modern and eye catching for those traveling outside of Birmingham. Spacious,
but being separated on different floors was confusing for visitors. People were unaware the
exhibition was on different levels.
Upon visits to the ThinkTank, footfall seemed low. It makes me question if the venue was
secluded preventing free flowing traffic footfall?
Exhibition Stands - There was a lack of clarity about what the exhibition was representing if you
had stumbled across the exhibition mistakenly. This was due to lack of information presented
around the stands.
The simplicity of the exhibition stands was presented nicely, however some stands appeared
more visually pleasing stands than others.
It was disappointed to be informed we didn’t have an ‘interactive stand’ last minute after being
told that we would.
After setting up the exhibition space the night before with posters, by the next opening day, all
display items were removed day without any notification to myself or colleagues. Upon arrival to
the exhibition we were given two different reasons by two different members of staff for
removal – ‘poor quality’ and ‘some had fallen off the walls.’
We were told that we were unable to display our roller banner due to health and safety reasons
but noticed others had theirs on display throughout the exhibition process
There appeared to be no members of staff monitoring the stands – upon two visits I had found
our products repositioned (fallen over), litter on the floor near the stand, and display materials
hanging off.
Other Thoughts – Great that entrance to the ThinkTank was offered upon booking attendance
of BMM. Promotion to the workshops did not seem strong, the one workshop I came to attend
received 1 attendee and therefore had to be cancelled
Organisation & Clarity – Everything seemed to be rather last minute and lacked clarity –
preparation and increased collaboration would be recommended for the future
Exhibition stand – Exact spacing dimensions could be provided and establish who is actually
designing the space. This will allow us to know what display materials we need to deliver.
Video footage – The exhibition date approached and we still had not seen or approved our
footage. This should have been prepared and approved in advance to the exhibition date.
BMM has been helpful in introducing Vax to new businesses and business people or university
colleagues and expertise, and it has been nice to work alongside BCU.’
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Lincoln Fan, Marketing Executive and Principal Graphic Designer , Laney, Graduate MA
Design Management, BIAD
‘Network Potentials – For Laney, it was primarily a brand building exercise. Firstly, to introduce
the Laney brand to wider audience outside the music instrument industry. Secondly, to further
consolidate Laney's history roots and heritage with Birmingham. Furthermore, Laney's
involvement with BMM via exhibition enabled us to generate news worthy content for our
digital and social channels. In short, the BMM exhibition won't affect immediate sales figures,
but have given the Laney brand a good boost in prestige and exposure, which in the long-term
will prove invaluable.
Of the few I've managed to attend, it was inspiring and useful to see how many of the bigger
companies face the same challenges as SMEs. The need to innovate, to export, to build brand
power.
Regarding seminar format and scheduling, in the future, I believe it might be better squeeze the
seminars to something similar to a 2-3 days media conference and/or exhibition with focus on
one subject/topic on a particular day.
In addition I think BMM should live stream or record seminars on YouTube and/or Video to
garner more exposure.
Good location, I think the 2 week format might be too long for business people. Perhaps a 2-3
days format, similar to standard exhibitions and conferences might generate more hype in a
shorter space of time. This could negatively affect the educational side of BMM, perhaps a
compromise format of 1 week?
Future fringe activities could also take advantage of Custard Factory's vacant spaces and
proximity to The Millennium Point.
Most of the BMM seminars and activities are based around concept, ideas and business
strategies, which are hard for layman to understand, the only visual manifestation are the end
products displayed in the exhibition. I think an additional exhibition format to show how a
product is designed and produced will prove more appealing.
Instead of videos, perhaps a series of pictures, with short captions, showing key stages of how a
product is designed and made alongside the final product might prove more appealing to the
masses?
Digital & Social Media Marketing Suggestions BMM had lots of activities and understandably a
lot to say. I've found the blogs to be too word heavy. Bit sizes editorial with images might deliver
more exposure?
This is in no way a negative mark on the students who did a good job. I think the blogging could
do with a bit more PR expertise and planning in advance, and pictures... Lots of it!
Maybe costly, but I recommend procuring of a simplified URL address BMM.co.uk or similar to
make it more accessible and memorable.
I personally networked with a few creative companies, many those from around Custard
Factory; this is due to table seating arrangement though. Perhaps sector specific table sitting
arrangement might be better?’
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Julian Turner, MD, Westfield Sportscars
‘Fantastic event and absolutely loved the fashion show, singers etc – a great job very well done.
With more support from TEE then we would have done drifting, building a car etc – they were
offered our drift car due to the last minute issues. Needless to say – they have 12 months before
the next one!
Thanks for the contact – and well done again for a fab event’
Thomas Allan, Shape Designer, Denby
‘BMM was a great opportunity to for Denby to showcase Malmo, its brand new range. We
have started marketing on our made in England credentials more over the last few years and it is
something we are immensely proud of. It's great to help to dispel the myth that we don't make
anything in the UK any more. It's a great advertisement for the creative industries and area
where we really are still market leaders.
Millennium Point is a city centre location that already has foot fall and attractions which helps
with visitor numbers and hopefully because it's part of the university campus it also introduces
Denby to the next generation of potential customers. 24 Design made good use of the expanse
of space and light that the building offers.
Unfortunately this year we were not able to attend any of the think seminars, but will make a
concerted effort next year (?), some of the speakers were very high profile. If we able to make
any contribution to the talks program in the future please let us know.
It is hard to quantify exactly the positive effect of taking part in the BMM exhibition in terms of
sales but it was a very good opportunity to raise awareness of the brand and our latest range.’
Nicola Blaize, Owner, Blaize Ceramics
‘I regret I didn’t have as much time when the event was taking place to be involved more , as I
have finally completed my Masters , and all my deadlines were coinciding with the event . It
looked fabulous, and I was very proud to be part of it.
I hope we do cross paths again, please pass on my thanks for all the encouragement I have
received from the Birmingham region in the past , it has given me confidence to continue and
grow my business.’
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James Plant, Plant & Moss
‘I will start at the beginning of this that due to internal pressures on the business I was not able to
make the most of what Birmingham Made Me had to offer this year. I was regrettable that I could
not make it to more of the events.
The exhibition this year showcased brands work off in a more grand setting which added impact to
the pieces on display and the expo itself. Birmingham Made Me has continued to be a great place
to network and to learn about local (global) brands and success stories.
I would have liked to been able to make it to the seminars but unfortunately I was unable to. From
looking at what was available, there was a varied and useful range of seminars that catered to
varying age groups and differing interests that all linked back to the development for the region.
The venue itself was great and had real impact on the awards evening. To dine amongst the
exhibits and with the added use of the entrance stairs for awards gave an uplifted and authentic
feel to the evening.
The event in my eyes, without doubt, promotes the city and the region. Birmingham Made Me
allows a large audience to see what the region is capable of creating and an even wider audience
to hear about what is produced. Many people when I have spoken about the brands involved have
been surprised and intrigued by how many of the British greats come from the West Midlands.
The event proves a strong bed for linking and networking with other businesses and interaction
with students, directly and through referrals. The involvement of students in projects such as Think
Shop, working with regional brands, gives the students an insight like no other. With guidance and
mentoring coupled with real-world businesses it really allows them to progress.’
Martyn Hale, Chairman, HME Technology
‘I was very disappointed in the attendance at the opening ceremony and felt for the organising
committee!
I was on vacation for most of the event but thought the timing did not take account of A level exams.
Also not too sure how successful the schools event was!
We lost power to the CNC miller so that stood idle for all the period but that was under the authority
of Parmjit’s department.
Until I meet with Parmjit I am unsure of the people flow or interest in our product or business.
However my aim was to have some activity in the Expo than just static machines on show but I guess
without power that aspiration failed!
Maybe the emphasis should be more linked to business 'networking' If this comes across negative
that is not my intention’
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Jodie Bateman, Business Administrator Apprentice, MADE
‘Birmingham – Image and Reputation: I think that the Birmingham Made Me Expo was a
great way to publicise designs as Millennium Point is a very busy venue, the location of
the Expo was great as it was right near the Think Tank and members of the public were
able to view it as they walked in which was nice.
Although there were good points about the Expo I also think there is a lot of work that
needs to be done if another one is to be run at Millennium Point in the future.
We had trouble organising things with Sophia Tarr, for example we arranged twice to
drop the models off to Millennium Point and once I had arranged everything Sophia then
wanted to change the date for them to be dropped off which just wasn't doable.
I think that in future there needs to be a more organised team of people working on the
exhibitions as everything was a little all over the place - I waited at Millennium Point on
the second floor for half an hour when dropping off the models, as no one was there to
explain where I was going or where to put the models, there were no signs telling me
where BMM was and after asking BCU they wasn't even sure what was going on.
Also I think that Sophia should have been clearer about storage facilities, we had a bit of
an issue with storing the packaging that the plinths came in - as we borrowed them from
Craft Space Touring, Custard Factory, and they wanted the plinths back in the way they
were given to us. Unfortunately I do not think Sophia made it clear enough to my
colleagues that there was no storage at Millennium Point as my colleagues were told that
Millennium Point could store them and now we are missing the packaging and parts of the
plinths - due to Sophia agreeing to keep them there. If someone had have told us this we
would have taken them back with us.
I think that the idea of BMM is great and it is promoting the City in a really positive
way! My opinion is that more of the public should get involved with something like BMM
as it is giving Birmingham a good reputation.’
Modasar Rasul, Learner Enhancement at Aston University
Hi Vanessa. Thanks for connecting. I was with colleagues and we went to millennium point to see
Bham made me, we were very impressed with what BCU had organised there, so well done to you
and your team. Shame it's ended!
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Claire Farrell, Director, EC Arts, Graduate, BIAD
‘I thought that Birmingham Made Me 2013 was superb; the lecture programme was
outstanding and very well received.
I thought the individual promotion of the exhibits/exhibitors especially through the short films was
excellent. Social media needs to be improved and comms in general. As an organisation that
delivers big projects I understand the resources that are needed for this and the cost implications.
I.e. I am sure this could easily be improved if you had the budget available.
EC Arts supported in kind and a very small amount of cash to produce the letters for BMM, as an
organisation we did not benefit in a particular area or through the films. But we are quite
different to other exhibitors; exhibiting for BMM would not generate new business, as our projects
are self-generated. We were very pleased to support BMM in any way that we could.
BMM is and has generated incredible profile for the region and city, it is very important to
continue the great work. The first two years have been brilliant and a third year with the
experience gained to date will be fantastic.
As above, I think 2014 will be incredible based upon the experience gained to date. The first
year was mostly exhibitors - and a great job. This year was more about seminars, in 2014 a
balance between the two with the budget and venues needed to deliver it will be a fantastic year.
A curatorial theme/rationale for exhibition
Exhibitors selected or call out for particular themes and brief in line with above
I think the BMM posters on JCDecaux CIPS should be utilised again back for 2014. An integrated
comms/PR & social media strategy (pending budget of course).
Sarah Noakes, EC Arts
I felt the design team were brilliant, they really reassured us as Exhibitors and were very
supportive; they made everything feel very relaxed than last year. We can’t wait to be involved’
next year.
Olga Militsi (Awards Dinner Guest), Graduate BCBUS
The closing event of the expo on Friday was really nice. Toms and I really enjoyed the evening and I am
sure you received a lot of positive feedback by everyone.
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Monique Lee Millinery, Graduate BIAD
‘First of all, I'd like to thank you all for your hard work and all the efforts you devoted into this
exhibition. Thanks for inviting my brand to exhibit at this venue. It was an amazing opportunity
for me to exhibit next to so many amazing, well-established brands.
The whole concept of the exhibition is very well thought through, and the VI is really strong. The
exhibition catalogue, banners, flags, adverts were all very well illustrated, very eye catching!
I felt I was honoured to be a designer based in Birmingham with the promotion and support
from BMM and BCU. There are definitely certain benefits of being in the midlands. You have the
support from manufacturers; cheaper living cost and I would say as well as less competition
compare with designers who are based in London.
I also found the East Park side is very well planned and the location of Birmingham Made Me
exhibition was a great choice in terms of easy to access and there are many other facilities for
visitors, so families could plan a perfect day out with children. Although, I found the area I had my
work at was a bit dark and when I was there, there was a child played with my hat and knocked it
off to the floor. Maybe the exhibition design company could provide ' Do not touch ' signs next
year? I produced my own signs after seeing that and I saw various versions of do not touch signs
from different exhibitors. I found that made the exhibition look a bit messy. (With the signs) But I
am sure this could easily be improved!
Overall, I really enjoyed exhibiting with BMM. Those business cards I printed were almost all gone.
It was very generous of the organiser and you all to have me participating in this wonderful venue.
It was great to get my work to be seen by the public to generate publicity. Thanks to the support
from BMM, Beverley, you and Sophia and the team for the support and great communication
during setting up the exhibition. Thanks for your efforts to help out the designers based in the
midlands. It was great encouragement. I look forward to join you all again next year!’
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From: Rebecca Struthers [mailto:rebecca@heritagewatch.co.uk]
Sent: 22 August 2013 11:24
Subject: Lonmin DIA Award Ceremony
Good morning Beverley,
Thank you again for your advice which helped us gain sponsorship to make our watch from
Lonmin. The piece is now finished and being photographed for IJL which is a huge relief, making a
watch in 10 weeks has been pretty epic.
I have attached an invite to our award ceremony on 2nd September in case you might be able to
make it. As soon as we have the press shots back and I'm allowed I'll have to send you some
pictures.
Best wishes,
Rebecca.
Rebecca Struthers
Director
Heritage Watch Company
www.heritagewatchcompany.co.uk
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