simple creativity idea

A few years ago Valerie Laws in Northumberland spray painted individual words on sheep. All the words together made up a poem.

She then observed the sheep and the different poetry that they came up with. Her mission was to demonstrate quantum mechanics through the medium of sheep.

http://www.valerielaws.co.uk/

It is a little deeper than simply using a random number generator with a set of words!

If you want to understand how the use of sheep can be applied to business problem solving - contact us and ask for Derek

Market research seminar in Bath

PRD Partnership Ltd are doing the after lunch seminar for NRG Networks on the 8th July in Bath. For more information about the location please see

The topic will be about how business owners can collect good quality information and increase the chances of their new business strategies being successful.

Market research seminar 24 June in North Somersert

PRD Partnership Ltd are doing the after lunch seminar for NRG Networks on the 24th June in North Somerset. For more information about the location please see

The topic will be about how business owners can collect good quality information and increase the chances of their new business strategies being successful.

Psychometric training available

Psychometrics can add a good dimension to decision making, leadership, communication, and team work. 


PRD has been working with Miro Psychometrics for some time. We know it to be reliable, based on established theory, and produce high quality information. In particular the assessment can be used to assess individuals and teams easily.


Training days are on

London 19th & 20th July

Manchester 16th & 17th September

For more information please visit the Miro Site

Apple - to be admired?

You have to admire Apple for making so much money. Yet they seem to also retain credibility. They have a fan base that suggests to the world that Apple products are fantastically designed, work intuitively, and are a "lifestyle" accessory.

On the 26th of May it was announced that Apple overtook Microsoft in the league of companies and became the largest "tech" company in the world. Only Exon Mobil are larger.

Often news of Exon or Microsoft is not so good. Its often about how their stuff does not work so well, what nasty people they are, or just another funny picture of Bill Gates. News about Apple is often only good.

What I do not understand are the following:

As the makers of an MP3 player that has moving parts rather than solid state they manage to charge five times the amount of an unbranded product.. In fact all their products are much more expensive, but their packaging is wonderful.

Most of their items are proprietary. This means that they have some element of protection and work best or only work with other apple products. For instance if you want a dock for your iPod, it will have to be an "Apple" dock made under license. No standard usb connections.

They use "cheap" manufacture. Whilst everyone does this - the spotlight has recently been on Apple due to the suicides in their subcontracted factories.

Like everything else - their stuff breaks or becomes obsolescent. iPod's batteries wear out, and it is common for people to mention that they are on their second, third, or fourth product. Such loyalty!

The secret of Apple seems to be their appearance and function - not just packaging, but how their products look and feel. Against other similar products their menus work more intuitively and the "buzz" around the product gives you a feel good factor that can forgive any issues that arise.

The fact remains - they stretch their brand as far as they can. This is about price and profit. Are they about to be uncovered as just another corporate?

You may be green but I'm greener

The Stroud election was on the news last night. The Labour MP has put an ad in the local paper suggesting that he is "green" and making no mention of his Labour party membership. He has been the Stroud MP for 10 years, and as a town it is possible one of the more forward "green places" around the south of the UK.

However the battle seemed to be firstly about the ownership of the green tag. Is it something that is owned by the green party? Indeed the Conservatives want to say they are green (as long as market forces dictate).

The only party that does not want to save the planet is UKIP - Eurosceptic and Envirosceptic.

I went to the National Self Build Centre in Swindon - lots of new stands - interestingly mostly Airsource heat pumps - a "green" technology that many greens do not like. Big business can make and install easily - and their stands can crowd out the "pure" green - but is it a step forward? Possibly - this is progress if you want to save carbon.

Plug into your market - a new service from PRD Partnership

PRD Partnership started with Roger Croft and Derek Cheshire having good experience supporting innovation and entrepreneurs.

In the last 5 years we have written quite a few business or strategic plans. We have also facilitated a lot of workshops on a variety of topics.

Plug into your Market was born out of working out where our immediate value has been to clients.

This is a market research service that examines the best route to market for products and services. This is based on research of the market, the firms resources, and their values. Our skills are used to both research and analyse information, think laterally, and support the owner of the business into making a set of decisions that they feel both excited and realistic.

Plug into your market results provide focus, reduce risk, and makes better use of your resources in developing your business proposition.

For more details please see our webpage or contact us for more details

University of Bath Workshops for Small businesses

Roger and Derek are offering a couple of open workshops this Spring for the University of Bath.

27 Jan 2010 - Building ideas into business opportunities
31 March 2010 - Using creativity techniques with business

Both will be at Carpenter House.

Here is the press release for the first one:

New Year, new start - turn your dream into reality

The University of Bath is offering people the chance to turn their dreams about starting their own business into reality.

The New Year brings new horizons for many, and the University’s Division for Lifelong Learning is offering people the chance to realise their ambitions with its new one day workshop, ‘Building Ideas into Business Opportunities’.

Rachael Selley, participation manager for the Division for Lifelong Learning, said: “A New Year often makes your mind turn towards new horizons and resolutions."

Maybe you’ve just been made redundant, thinking of a change in direction, or your children have just started school or moved out.

“This workshop will cover the key actions and stages to develop your business idea whilst minimising any business risks.”

The course includes how to:
• Carry out quick and dirty research to define your market space.• Develop an offering that customers want.
• Develop a business model that works for you and your customers.
• Build marketing and financial systems to make your business robust.

Everyone who attends will take away a free business plan guide and template to help them develop their business idea.

This workshop will be run by Roger Croft who has delivered University programmes on Enterprise and Leadership and Management since 2002. Roger has an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Business Venturing as well as certificates in Coaching and Mentoring and Action Learning. He also runs his own business PRD Partnership Ltd.

Former student, Paul Horan of Yapp Brother Ltd, said: “Roger is a gifted tutor. The content and style of the course was a revelation and I gained a considerable amount to take away with me. The course is very much recommended.”

The ‘Building ideas into Business Opportunities’ workshop takes place on 27 January at Carpenter House in Bath city centre and is being offered at the special rate of just £25 including a buffet lunch.

Subsequent workshops will cost £43. To take advantage of this special offer and register your interest, please contact Delia Slucutt on 01225 384414 or email.