Business Strategy

Innovate - Keep Ahead of the Market - Plan for the Future

We help organisations to research, develop and plan their future business strategy.

We specialise in replication, business growth and social enterprise development.

We have comprehensive experience in market research and business planning skills.

Market Feasibility Studies

We can help you to design and undertake market research to inform your future business strategy. Our team is highly experienced in primary and secondary research techniques. We can consult with your stakeholders - team members, volunteers, clients, beneficiaries, funders; and review market trends, competitors and opportunities to help anticipate market opportunities.

Business Planning

We host facilitated coaching sessions with CEO's and management teams to discuss current progress, ideas, market research and opportunites to help inform your future business plan. We can bring together a team of suitable experts to advise on specialist areas of your business and we can provide training, coaching or consultancy support to help write your business plan and apply for investment.

Our team has worked with over 250 non-profit clients across a wide range of industry sectors to provide market research and business planning support. Our clients list includes social enterpises, the public sector and charities, working with clients including NESTA, BITC, The Young Foundation, The North West Development Agency, Bexley Council, The London Development Agency, Office of the Third Sector, Elixir Foundations, MyBnk, Hackney City Farm, Bobelle, UnLtd, and London Development Agency.

Please find examples of our projects below:-

Mind in Harrow
Mind in Harrow were considering whether to franchise their Head for Work Accredited Training Programme. Economic Change was commissioned to undertake a Social Impact Study and Market Feasability Study for the Head for Work Programme. This entailed interviewing a range of stakeholders, undertaking competitor analysis, defining the ideal franchising package and financial model.
“I was impressed with Heather’s grasp of the brief, which she completed within a tight timeframe to produce two informative and very well presented reports. Heather was also pleasant to work with and made every effort to respond to our feedback during the project.” Mark Gillham, CEO, Mind in Harrow

Aspire Foundation
Aspire Foundation were looking to franchise different social enterprise models within the homeless charity sector. Economic Change was commissioned to undertake a Market Feasibility Study. We undertook a review of current social enterprise models within the homeless charity sector and interviewed 40 plus charities working in the homeless sector to anticipate their interest in the social enterprise models offered by The Aspire Foundation.
"Heather is passionate about what she does and very professional. She's responsive and in my experience aims for quality results. Owen Jarvis, CEO, Aspire Foundation

Enterprise UK
Enterprise UK wanted to produce a best practice guide on how to replicate Business Network Models. Economic Change was commissioned to identify and interview leaders of international and national network models and to produce a guide for publication. Case studies secured, included renowned networks such as Girl Guides and the Women’s Institute.

UnLtd and Skoll Foundation
UnLtd and Skoll wanted to develop short training courses for social enterprises. Economic Change was commissioned to undertake research and design the training courses. We undertook market research including a survey with 200 respondents and interviews with a selection of social entrepreneurs, and a competitor analysis. Based on the findings we designed and delivered a pilot short course to inform the future business strategy.

North West Development Agency
Undertook a market research study into the sustainability of social enterprises across the North West and reviewed market sector opportunities for the social enterprises, working with Regeneris.

JISC / British Library
Adviser for the Business Information Resources - Landscape and Feasibility Study, working with the British Library.

Business Link4 London
Undertook research and produced a Market Intelligence Report on Support Services for Young Entrepreneurs in London, working with Tribal SDP

Bexley Council
Undertook a Feasibility Study for a Young Entrepreneurs Incubator Centre in Bexley, Trust Thamesmead, working with The Mackinnon Partnership

Office for the Third Sector
Undertook primary research with young social entrepreneurs to seek guidance and input to inform the production of career advise tools for higher education careers advisers.