Students Help Shape EP Painting's Marketing Strategy

April 30, 2013 - PRLog -- The undergraduates took part in the research project in Ellesmere Port to develop their market research skills. The students were set the task of comparing how existing customers and non-customers find suppliers through websites and search engines.

The project aimed to give the students practical experience of working with external organisations and develop links with possible future employers.

The Company provided the brief on areas it wanted the student marketing team to explore. The group prepared a market research proposal which was agreed by EP Painting along with the data collection methods which included interview questions and questionnaire.

After collecting the data the students carried out an in depth analysis and produced a final research report comprising detailed conclusions and marketing recommendations based on the research findings. They presented their discoveries and recommendations to representatives from the Company with an informative discussion of the research and its implications.

Arthur Ellis, Director of Operations at EP Painting Ltd, said “It was refreshing to hear the students’ analysis and recommendations on a real challenge for our business which always creates a debate within our Marketing Department”

Stuart Paul, Senior Lecturer in Marketing at the University of Chester, said: “By taking part in this project the students developed a number of key business skills, were able to apply theory to practice and gained valuable experience of working with a local organisation.

“This underpins our philosophy at Chester Business School, which is to provide our students with the practical marketing experience in preparation for employment.”

“I’d really like to thank everyone at EP Painting for their encouragement and the way they helped and welcomed the students. I am pleased that the findings have been of great benefit to the Company.”

Student David McGrath, 31, from Port Sunlight, Wirral, said: “The market research project has provided me with an invaluable experience into how marketing theory can be applied to real life work situations.”

Student Charlotte Ditchburn, 21, from Aspatria in Cumbria, said:  “Working with EP Painting and carrying out this project has given me a real insight into the level of work and thought that has to go into organising and carrying out market research and being able to get the best you can from it in order to help the Company.”

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