Insight and Intelligence Services
500000 70000 The Reach of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
Insight and Intelligence
your organisation • Stakeholder engagement: Connect
three key components: • Research: Gather rich information
and organisations who can further your business goals • Tailored communications support: Boost awareness of issues
GBCC’s Services of on topics of to with people that of
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What is Insight and Intelligence Services?
strategic interest
consist
your agenda right now
Would you like to raise your brand’s profile by sponsoring research that makes a difference to the Greater Birmingham business community? the answer to any of the above is yes, then GBCC has Insight and Intelligence Services packages to help you meet these goals
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Is Insight and Intelligence Services the right fit for your organisation? Would you like to collect robust data on a specific market, sector, or your own organisation, with personalised recommendations? you have a desire to engage the Greater Birmingham business community on topics of importance but are unsure who to approach?
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Insight and Intelligence Services: Research
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The Insight and Intelligence Services team have extensive experience in delivering research services across a broad spectrum of topics and methods. We can undertake any research of interest to the local business community that aligns with GBCC values and can include one or any combination of the following: Desk research Focus groups BusinessesSurveysalso have the opportunity to commission and sponsor high profile reports.
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Examples of Previous Research: West Midlands Chambers of Commerce, West Midlands International Trade Report (2022) • Desk research, survey and focus groups spanning across the West Midlands • 77 page report with key findings and recommendations for 6 Chambers across the region
Examples of Previous Research: Birmingham City Council, Business Research and Engagement: Young People and COVID-19 (2021) • Survey and focus groups with businesses aiming to employ young people • 58 page report including key findings and recommendations for Birmingham City Council and local businesses
Our stakeholder engagement service aims to connect you to key players in the political or commercial landscape to the benefit of your business. Activity that falls under this strand includes, but is not limited to: • Roundtables with MPs, local businesses and/or local political figures • Facilitating introductions to key regional contacts in the public and private sector • Hosting briefing sessions on the current political landscape
This service can raise the profile of your organisation within relevant stakeholder circles and put you in front of people who can help you meet organisational goals.
Insight and Intelligence Services: Stakeholder Engagement
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Produced a briefing paper shared with local/national stakeholders to shape lobbying activity that fed into COP26 preparations
Examples of Previous Stakeholder Engagement: Wilton Park, Sustainability Roundtable (2021) Sourced directors from a range of businesses to discuss their net zero aspirations analysis on the profile and strengths of contributions
• Produced a series of briefing papers & social media videos on regulatory changes which was shared with businesses across the WMCA region
• Held a total of 19 briefing events which were attended by over 330 businesses sharing best practice on how to overcome Brexit related trade issues
Examples of Previous Stakeholder Engagement:
• Produced an in-depth report which gathered quantitative and qualitative feedback from over 700 businesses in the WMCA region on the challenges they were facing as a result of Britain’s departure from the EU
West Midlands Combined Authority, Brexit activity (2021)
“The GBCC Policy Team has partnered with the WMCA in helping local businesses prepare for Brexit, with two rounds of commissioning of their services going back to 2019. Throughout that period, we have been impressed with the efficiency and effectiveness of the team’s work and found them a reliable partner to deliver fast and accurate support to businesses and generate quality intelligence to help with our strategic planning.
Based on the effectiveness of previous work, we are currently planning a third tranche of work, focused on the new import regulations being introduced this year. We would not hesitate to recommend the team at the Chambers to anyone looking to commission this sort of work or seeking to engage businesses in the area. - Tony Smith, Head of Strategic Policy, West Midlands Combined Authority
Testimonial: Stakeholder Engagement
The outputs from this work have been impressive and have made an important contribution to helping West Midlands businesses adapt to the new trading environment. In 2021 GBCC delivered 24 training courses in the customs consultancy programme, with 99% finding the information useful and responded to 339 additional queries. Brexit business briefings were delivered through 19 digital workshops and videos on different topics, with 92% satisfaction. They also produced a report summarising the desk-based research, surveys of business and feedback from the above engagement with recommendations for further government support to business which has been presented to various forums including at Mayoral level.
Communications support is included as standard when you commission our stakeholder engagement or research services and can include the following: • Communicating outcomes of research or stakeholder engagement activities in our e news, which reaches over 16,000 people daily • Podcasts • An article in ChamberLink, our magazine with a readership of over 20,000 • Blog posts • Briefing paper We also offer this support as a package in its own right, and have worked previously with partners on topics such as business rates reform and technological development. Insight and Intelligence Services: Communications Support
CommunicationsPreviousSupport:
Birmingham City Council, Business Champions (2022)
GBCC shared regular e-shots with local organisations around the most up-to-date Covid-19 workplace safety requirements and recommendations to cascade to their networks
Examples of
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• GBCC Facilitated regular roundtable discussions with a dedicated group of 40 local businesses to enable BCC to shape effective messaging about current Covid restrictions and workplace guidance
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Birmingham Education Partnership/Birmingham Careers Hub, Enterprise Adviser recruitment support (2022)
GBCC supported Birmingham Careers Hub by encouraging individuals from the local business community to volunteer their time as ‘Enterprise Advisors’ to local schools and colleges This Included tailored e-newsletter articles, e-shots, a podcast and a webinar, as well as one-to-one telephone conversations to successfully recruit volunteers
CommunicationsPreviousSupport:
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“We have been working with the Chamber for the past 5 years, providing advice on all business rates matters across the different sectors, sharing our views on current legislation and developments in the system and giving suggestions about how the business rates regime can be improved for rate payers, both in Birmingham and nationally.
- Hilary Witts, Head of Operations (Ratings)
“We regularly contribute blogs to the Chamber’s website, sometimes make joint statements with the Chamber’s policy team and also write for the Birmingham Economic Review. Our head of department also attends round tables and policy discussing events.
“We have a very good working relationship, with a two-way flow of information and thoughts. We find the team at GBCC personable and helpful with their fingers on the pulse in relation to ongoing issues that ratepayers are experiencing. “The Birmingham market is very important to us and we have found that the relationship has put us in touch with many local companies, as well as taking the messages that we are trying to deliver wider afield, such as to the British Chamber. This helps with our lobbying for change for ratepayers. Overall we really appreciate the support GBCC provides for us.”
Testimonial: Communications Support
Henrietta Brealey, Chief Executive Officer
Henrietta became the youngest CEO in the organisation’s 208 year history in April 2021, at age 30. Prior to becoming CEO, Henrietta was Director of Policy & Strategic Relationships leading the GBCC’s research, policy, stakeholder engagement and campaigns activity as well as management of the GBCC’s top tier of membership: the Patronage group. In 2018 she was appointed to the GBCC Board as an executive director. In 2019 she was named as one of Birmingham Live’s Brum 30 Under 30.
Raj Kandola, Head of Policy and Strategic Relationships
The Insight & Intelligence Services Team
Raj is Head of Policy at the Birmingham Chambers of Commerce with a remit covering Transport and Infrastructure. He also offers strategic support to GBCC Patrons and leads on the stakeholder engagement side of the Insight and Intelligence Services offering. Prior to joining the Chamber, Raj worked in the City of London for 8 years and in Communications for a former Shadow Minister.
Beth Clewes, Insight and Intelligence Services Manager
Beth leads on the research aspect of the Insight and Intelligence Services offering. She is responsible for delivering the GBCC’s Quarterly Business Report which offers an up to date snapshot of the performance of the regional economy and is the most comprehensive regular report of its kind in the city-region. Previously Beth worked as an Impact Development Officer at the University of Birmingham and a Social Researcher at the Workers’ Educational Association.
Public sector: • Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Patrons • Government Ministers • Party Leaders • National Government Departments • Regional political bodies • Combined Authority Executives • Pan-regional delivery bodies (Midlands Engine, Midlands Connect) • Economic & political think tanks • Local Authorities Private sector • Access to over 2500 businesses in the region • Regional corporate CEOs and regional industry leaders • Regional and professional membership bodies (e.g. RHA, CIPD) Our Networks
Please note that GBCC exist to connect, support and grow our members and the local business community. As such we will only engage in delivery Insight & Intelligence services packages where the purpose of the activity is in line with our mission, vision, values and articles of association.
Work With Us Insight and Intelligence Services Packages: • 3 additional questions in GBCC’s Quarterly Business Report, including access to key business demographic responses: £3000+VAT • Roundtable with key stakeholders, including write-up of outcomes: £2500+VAT We can also work with you to create bespoke packages to suit the needs of your organisation
Get in Touch Beth InsightClewesandIntelligence Services Manager Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce T: 07722 124207 E: b.clewes@birmingham-chamber.com