IFF Research

First Findings Revealed in UKCES Report - UK Employer Skills Survey 2011

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:30:49 +0000

UKCES have recently published the first findings report of the UK Employer Skills Survey 2011

The report of this high profile study was written by IFF: the study involved over 87,500 interviews with employers across the UK and covered issues such as recruitment difficulties, skills problems, and training and workforce development.

IFF was the lead contractor on the study and one of three fieldwork contractors.

UK Employer Skills Survey 2011

Opposition is Failing to Win Over SME's

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:14:47 +0000

Labour’s message on business and enterprise is failing to get through to many decision makers in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), according to new findings from IFF Research’s SME Omnibus.

The results show that the Coalition leads Labour on every policy issue SMEs were interviewed on, in some cases by wide margins. On the key question of which of the two has more credibility in looking after the overall interests of SMEs, 43% favour the Coalition over 19% for Labour.

On specific policy areas, more than half believe the Coalition is the most credible in avoiding placing inappropriate burdens on business, against just 16% opting for Labour. Almost half believe the Coalition is the most credible for minimising the tax burden (20% chose Labour) while 46% prefer the Coalition for encouraging business growth, twice the 23% who selected Labour.

Only on the issue of enabling business to make a contribution to wider society did Labour come close to the Coalition, seen as the most credible by 30% against the Coalition’s 36%.

“This is a wake-up call for Ed Miliband and Ed Balls,” says Mark Speed, joint managing director at IFF Research. “Their messages on entrepreneurialism and growth just don’t seem to be getting through. Labour has always struggled to be seen as the party of business but the gulf between it and the Coalition is stark.

“However, a glimmer of hope for Labour is that a significant proportion of SMEs didn’t know who was best for them or for Britain. Although individual results vary, around a third of respondents opted for ‘don’t know’ in each case. Clearly many businesses remain to be convinced by any of the parties, and there is a prize to be grabbed by those who can convert the ‘don’t knows’ into advocates for their approach.

“Also somewhat more positively for Labour, we found that SMEs echoed Ed Miliband’s view that there are both good and bad businesses. Nearly two-thirds, 63%, agree with the sentiment that there are ‘bad’ businesses which are ‘predatory and out to make a fast buck’.”

In the news online at Real Business

Labour is failing to Win Over SME's

For further information, please contact Mark Speed by email at mark.speed@iffresearch.com or call him on 020 7250 3035

IFF Research Hire Three Trainee Research Execs and Promote Five of the Existing Team

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:03:00 +0000

IFF Research has promoted five of its team members, including Ben Davies who takes up the role of Director.

Ben joined the firm as a Research Executive in January 2003, since when he has been involved in studies examining employment, training, education, business support and entrepreneurship.

Joint MD Jan Shury explains: ‘Ben’s quick rise to the position of director is a reflection of his consistently high standard of work and his dedication to the company. He’s an asset to the team and we’re confident that he’ll go on to do many more fantastic things at IFF.’

Additionally, Catherine Riley, Peter Hall and Charlie Taylor have all been promoted to the role of Research Managers, while Andrew Skone Jones is now a Research Executive, after joining IFF’s graduate programme nine months ago.

David Vivian, Director of Research, adds: ‘We were impressed with the standard of work produced by Catherine, Peter and Charlie from day one. Similarly, Andrew Skone Jones is already showing remarkable potential and we’re really pleased to have him on board.’

IFF Research also welcome onto their Graduate Programme, Jessica Huntley Hewitt, Margaret Anderson and Jolyon Fairburn-Beech.

IFF Research Team Day - Down on the Farm

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:40:18 +0000

IFF recently held a team day, which was spent volunteering at Mudchute Park and Farm on the Isle of Dogs.

The 32 acre site has the unusual high rise backdrop of Canary Wharf – an interesting contrast with the rural feel of the farm itself. The farm is built on derelict land that was saved from developers in the 1970’s. Mudchute Park and Farm has been preserved for the benefit of local people to enjoy free of charge. It has taken years to make the site safe and there are still some areas that need further work before they can be enjoyed by visitors – which is where the team of IFF volunteers came in!

Blesssed with fine weather on the day the Mudchute team had organised a wide range of important (if not always glamorous) jobs for IFF to do. IFF staff were split up into four teams of painters (pictured), scrubbers, cleaners and slabbers.

The painting team won the award for most ‘on trend’ work-wear, whilst the cleaners sent to spruce up a World War II anti-aircraft gun definitely had the edge for ‘most unexpected task’.

It proved to be a welcome break from our more usual desk-based work, ending with a picnic and a game of rounders in the sunshine. For those who wanted to continue their team building at the pub, Rob Warren led the company to the Gypsy Moth in Greenwich. Rob assures us that the circuitous route taken to the pub was in order to take in the sights of the area, and nothing to do with his sense of direction.

IFF has a rich tradition of giving, so a day out of the office volunteering whilst team building was welcomed by all and greatly appreciated by Richard and his staff at Mudchute Park and Farm, as well as the Park and Farm’s regular volunteers.

For more information on Mudchute Park and Farm

To find out how you can support Mudchute

IFF Research Launches into the Cloud

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:29:21 +0000

IFF Research is marketing its latest syndicated telephone survey of 2,600 businesses across nine European countries providing detailed insight into what the European business sector expects from Cloud computing solutions.

The Pan European Cloud Survey will be delivered by RedRay International Research Partners, a network of six full service research agencies across Europe, with overhead costs shared to provide cost effective actionable data on what the European business community really thinks and wants from the Cloud. Businesses in the UK will be interviewed by IFF research, one of the partners in the RedRay network.

The telephone survey will identify what the potential Cloud adopters, doubters and rejecters think about its benefits and drawbacks and what they want from Cloud providers.

In each business the research partnership will interview a senior decision maker able to comment on the company’s IT strategy (for example, the CEO, MD or IT Director). The results will be provided at both a European level and broken down by each country and other key variables.

What is covered?

• Awareness and usage of Cloud services

• How companies choose Cloud services and providers

• The perceived strengths and weaknesses of the Cloud

• Barriers to take up among doubters and non-adopters

• The perceived future of the Cloud and how do businesses want it to help their organisation

Plus there is the opportunity to ask questions of specific relevance to you.

Reporting

The standard reports include:

• A full set of data tables (paper and electronic versions) – a European wide dataset with a breakdown by each country

• A report of the full findings for your country, including conclusions and strategic recommendations

Bespoke reporting is available on request.

If you would like more details on our Pan European Cloud Survey or have any questions please fill in our short enquiry form or contact IFF Research direct and speak to Jan Shury or Mark Speed:

jan.shury@iffresearch.com

mark.speed@iffresearch.com