Productivity from Below: Addressing the Productivity Challenges of Microbusinesses

Lead Research Organisation: Aston University
Department Name: College of Business and Social Sciences

Abstract

Academic and policy interest in productivity rarely captures the experiences of an important segment of the small firm population: micro-businesses (1-9 employees). The informal and opaque management processes in such firms pose challenges for the assessment of productivity and development of practical interventions. This project uses rigorous academic research co-produced with non-academic stakeholders to design and implement policies that support management to boost productivity in such firms. Our context - disadvantaged communities managing and working in the catering, retail and creative sectors in the West Midlands - serve as a critical case to improve knowledge and practice on the relationship between management and engagement practices and performance in micro-businesses.

The research is collaborative and comprises three leading applied centres with researchers from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds: the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (CREME), the Enterprise Research Centre (ERC) and City-REDI (Regional Economic Development Institute). They work alongside non-academic stakeholders that rarely feature in 'mainstream' business support ecosystems (despite their reach in myriad micro-enterprise networks): Ashley Integrates (an award-winning social enterprise with a keen interest in promoting employability of migrants), the Bangladeshi Network (comprising four groups with local and national reach into the sector), Citizens UK (a national civil society alliance) and Punch Records (a business with a strong social mission to promote artists from deprived background).

A multi-method is adopted comprising five WPs that aim to develop insights into micro-businesses that can be used to develop interventions to promote productivity. WP 1 locates the project in the context of a recent national study on the characteristics of microbusinesses. Further analysis will highlight challenges facing those micro-businesses that have a desire to improve performance and grow. A granular understanding of management and engagement practices in micro-businesses will be generated in WP2 by in-depth qualitative investigation of 24 case studies of firms over an extended period of time. Manager and worker perspectives on the organization of work are evaluated. This knowledge is shared and utilized in WP 3 with a range of non-academic stakeholders, with the aim of mapping and mobilizing the business support ecosystem. Policy options will be identified, which will then - in WP4 - be tested and evaluated with micro-business owners who have the ambition to participate in bespoke change programmes to boost productivity. An active programme of knowledge exchange and dissemination (WP5) will cross-cut the project and will comprise a series of journey mapping knowledge exchange co-produced workshops, involving micro-business owner/managers and their employees, and external support agencies. These are designed to understand how involvement in the study has influenced any change to initial management style towards introducing new management and engagement practices, and how these have improved productivity. WP5 will also inform dissemination, and the qualitative component of the formative and summative evaluation.

The project will produce important practical outcomes for businesses my providing support for evidence-based interventions that will benefit around 30 micro-businesses that participate in customised programmes designed to upgrade leadership and management skills leading to a boost in productivity. Insights from their experiences and will promote greater understanding of 'what works' that can guide practitioners in other contexts.

The project will also actively support the development of a more responsive and inclusive business support ecosystem in the West Midlands by mobilising 'mainstream' and non-traditional intermediaries (for example, our non-academic partners) and via multiple pathways of engagement.

Planned Impact

The potential impact of the proposed research is far reaching. The insights generated will directly benefit strategic and operational policy making and business support delivery. It will help stakeholders to devise and refine policy approaches targeted at enhancing managerial capability and employee engagement to increase productivity. The list below indicates who benefits and how they benefit:

Micro-business owners from marginalised communities: approximately 30 owners will benefit directly by participating in the bespoke support provided in WP4. Benefits will accrue from the provision of tailored business support to improve productivity which will sit alongside the main Aston Programme for Small Business Growth. Similar independently evaluated programmes involving the Aston Centre for Growth in Aston Business School have resulted in performance improvements of an additional 22% three years after participation in an intensive leadership and management education programme. These micro-business owners will benefit by being signposted to appropriate sources of business advice by representatives of business support providers. Learning accrued from the initiative with community-based networks will be disseminated through blogs, policy briefings, and workshop participation (including via the CREME Annual Ethnic Minority Business Conference). This engagement will provide a platform for expanding the capacity-building potential of this initiative beyond partners in the project.

Non-academic partners will benefit from acquisition of new detailed information on micro-businesses, which can be used to improve their service offer to such businesses. This will be achieved by researchers, partners and 'mainstream' business support stakeholders working closely together and sharing knowledge and expertise on enterprise support.

Local and national policy makers will gain intelligence on policy options from marshalling evidence on what works - and how - in business support from co-produced working papers. The research team brings together experienced applied researchers with experience of working together and separately on projects for sponsors with interests in enterprise, management, employee engagement, business support and local economic development - including BEIS, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, LEPs and Growth Hubs, local government and third sector organisations. As such the research team is experienced in preparing and disseminating research findings to a range of audiences.
 
Title Black New Street Documentary 
Description CREME and Punch Records co-commissioned a documentary, BLACK NEW STREET that casts a reflective eye on the legacy of Birmingham's black businesses and customs. The documentary, which premiered on 22nd October 2020, featured interviews with THE P WORD cohort and stalwart figures in Birmingham's black business community, the documentary also explored what the future does and could look like for the city's black entrepreneurs, with a sharp focus on the creative sector. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2020 
Impact The video has been promoted on social media and so far had nearly 2000 views. 
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsYukuICGNA
 
Title CREME In Action: Practitioner Partners 
Description CREME In Action - a video series showcasing ethic minority entrepreneurs, currently features practitioner partners from the PfB project. 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2021 
Impact YouTube video 
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqQNfo4Iyg4
 
Title CREME In Action: Supporting Entrepreneurs 
Description CREME In Action - a video series showcasing ethic minority entrepreneurs, currently features participants from the PfB project. 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2021 
Impact YouTube video 
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvrTovYHCww&t=6s
 
Title Creative Sector WhatsApp group aimed to establish collective conversations between Creatives 
Description One immediate impact from the research was the establishment of a WhatsApp group comprising participants from the creative sector (and a member of the research team) who took part in the pilot study focus group. 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2019 
Impact The WhatsApp group is a highly engaged platform with regular communication on business development opportunities, peer support and key events in the creative sector. 
 
Title Productivity in the Creative Sector Video. 
Description A pilot study took place in collaboration with the project practitioner partners [see Collaborations & Partnerships section] and included participants from the catering, retail and creative sector. The focus groups sought to better understand productivity in light of the competitive context; methods of work organisation; and skills and tools available to firms operating in these sectors. An outcome of this activity included: Punch Records (our Creative Sector practitioner partner) producing a video of highlights from the creative sector focus group. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2019 
Impact The video, which has been posted via social media, helped raise the profile of the research both in the academic community and in the microbusiness sector. 
URL https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HJ8cj6NmyInbDvmDJuQBJRuruhfw51Sw/view?ts=5d0cf92c
 
Title SHE Documentary 
Description CREME and Punch Records co-commissioned a documentary, SHE, premiered on the 10th June 2021, which sheds light on what it means to be a female entrepreneur in 2021. The documentary shares stories from around the West Midlands from a range of established and emerging female-led businesses, SHE showcased ambitious, creative and successful women in a range of industries that continue to face barriers in their respective fields. SHE is an inclusive documentary that aims to spark conversations across areas such as gender, race and disability. View here. SHE debuts the Pathways to Enterprising Futures (PEF) project. 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2021 
Impact 800 views to date. 
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV5y2ypSIEA
 
Description • Ethnic minority microbusinesses (EMMBs) are important; yet they are under-researched and largely ignored by business support and human resource (HR) specialists.
• They are distinctive because of pervasive informality and the absence of formal HR and management practices; the dominant role of personal preferences of owner managers family members; and detachment from 'mainstream' business support and HR networks.
• Extant small firms' research suggests that EMMBs are largely uninterested in HR development practices focused on more productive methods of operating. Yet our research indicates otherwise. We focused on EMMBs and local trusted industry representatives (intermediaries) who were collaborating with academics on HR development programmes targeted at more productive methods of operating. This work contributed to us winning the prestigious ESRC Impact Prize in 2021. Specifically, in collaboration with:
- Punch Records, we established a peer support and leadership development programme - THE P WORD. The programme connected creatives to business support networks from which they were previously excluded, provided commercial guidance, and resulted in contracts worth £80,000. The programme also ran into a second year with a new cohort of creatives.
- Citizens UK we formed a 'Business Leaders Group' (BLG) comprising local retailers. The BLG has become a vital forum for peer learning and was a conduit for the government's emergency support schemes during the pandemic.
- The Bangladeshi Network and the Aston Business Clinic we designed and delivered an intervention on digital transformation in the Bangladeshi catering sector. CREME also hosted a conference, titled: Farm-to-fork food resilience: Birmingham and the curry house trade. This landmark conference - co-designed and organised by Bangladeshi business owners, public agencies, and research organisations - highlighted the challenges facing the sector and the changing nature of competition, alongside inspiring examples of innovation and strength in the face of multiple moments of national and global crisis.
• Prior to this research many of the businesses we worked with had negative experiences of working with the university sector (being used simply as sources of data) and business support institutions (as they were often overlooked by 'mainstream' initiatives). The intermediaries were keen to promote greater awareness of the plight of the businesses they represented. This gave rise to an extensive public awareness programme (comprising blogs, podcasts, and workshops), co-produced by academics, intermediaries and the businesses involved in the research.
Exploitation Route • There is considerable scope for more collaborative HR-focused initiatives that are sensitive to the context of EMMBs. Insights from intermediaries can add important perspectives into this.
• Sustained commitment from intermediaries and academics is required if EMMB owners are to be engaged in effective programmes of business and HR support.
• A more inclusive 'ecosystem' of traditional and non-traditional partners helps to engage EMMBs in development programmes focused on more productive methods of operating.
- For instance, HR professionals can work with intermediaries to help improve the management practices of EMMBs through HR developmental programmes.
• Development programmes will require political decisions on the choice of partners and the approach to be taken.
Sectors Agriculture, Food and Drink,Creative Economy,Other
 
Description Our focus group with PUNCH Records led directly to the creation of a WhatsApp comprising the 15 business owner participants. This WhatsApp group is very active and regularly exchanges information on business and personal development Creative Sector A nine-month programme of leadership development for creative entrepreneurs was developed. The programme was co-designed by Punch Records, CREME and creatives as an outcome of a consultation exercise in response to the economic shock of the Covid-19 pandemic. It targets professional and practical barriers to commerciality by focusing on leadership and influence, the law, finances, business planning and digital marketing. This programme is a precursor to a bespoke HR intervention on productivity planned for the final phase of the Productivity from Below project. https://www.wearepunch.co.uk/the-p-word Catering Sector Part way through data collection for the Productivity from Below project, Government Covid-19 restrictions meant many catering venues had to close or move to takeaway-only, which prompted a move in favour of digitalisation that would allow at least some businesses to keep trading. Our practitioner partner representing the Bangladeshi catering sector observed that the restaurants who were doing well were those using social media to promote the takeaway arm of their business. This prompted a request from the practitioner partner on behalf of the project participants as to whether CREME could assist in addressing this development need. Accessing support through public programmes proved difficult, so CREME drew upon its in-house expertise and assembled a team of business and marketing graduates to develop a solution. Utilising findings from the focus group and interviews, an online intervention was designed. The course included three components: theory, application, and evaluation. Theory offered an overview of social media platforms and their relevance to the catering sector. This preparatory element sought to explain the value of using social media as an effective marketing tool. Application focused on providing participants with skills to set up and populate their own social media platforms. Equipped with the knowledge to implement their learning in the real world, participants were then given time to set up their own social media platforms before attending the evaluation session which focused on showcasing and troubleshooting. The intervention was the restaurateurs' first experience of working with the University sector. Participants have expressed interest in further engagement, including a more focused intervention on HR and productivity for their sector. Retail sector In response to the pandemic, Citizens UK and CREME facilitated a meeting of local retailers to share experiences on the challenges of running a business in the locality, identify gaps in business support, and explore how business owners might represent themselves during the crisis. A key outcome of the workshop was the decision to establish the Business Leadership Group (BLG), a peer support group to represent local businesses and communities. The patient nurturing of community-based relationships was instrumental to the development of the group and differentiates it from other - often detached - representative bodies like Traders' Associations and lobby groups. The BLG has become the forum for conversations on HR-related matters The ability of the BLG to respond in an agile manner during the Covid-19 crisis was crucial to establishing trust with local entrepreneurs and bodes well for the longer-term initiatives on HR change. For the purpose of illustration, one meeting of the group focused on the Covid-19 pandemic, during which participants expressed concern about the lack of information on business support. Many feared closure, whilst others experienced difficulty, due to a lack of clarity and/or uncertainty, when applying for grants. The BLG's response was to convene an online round-table with a senior officer from the local City Council, who was overseeing the business grants from Government, which resulted in the business owners better understanding the eligibility criteria and securing help.
First Year Of Impact 2020
Sector Creative Economy
Impact Types Cultural,Societal,Economic
 
Description Collaboration with Aston Law School : Legal Support for Microbusinesses 
Organisation Aston University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution In collaboration with Aston Law School, a package of legal support has been agreed to help businesses associated with the PfB project, this includes priority access to the Aston Law Clinic and workshops on legal issues relevant to microbusinesses.
Collaborator Contribution In collaboration with Aston Law School, a package of legal support has been agreed to help businesses associated with the PfB project, this includes priority access to the Aston Law Clinic and workshops on legal issues relevant to microbusinesses. Two microbusinesses have already benefited from such support: - Client 1 provides biometric, keyless secure storage units to the public, a place to securely store handbags, laptops, coats, and shoes, and even charge their phone whilst out for evenings in clubs / restaurants / pubs. The client has a Supplier Contract that [anon] wanted to be reviewed. The main point in the contract is the question of liability should the secure storage malfunction. This was not very clear and the customer using the secure locker would expect this liability to be placed upon the manufacturer of the supplier of the secure locker. The Law School has reviewed the existing contract and raised some very important questions around liability. The client has taken on board the Law School's comments and recommendations. - Client 2 is a qualified chef and an innovator developing new recipes. The client develops recipes in collaboration with manufacturers. The contract with the manufacturer requires confidentiality and non-disclosure. The client current NDA (non-disclosure agreement) does not provide the required protection and seems very loose. The Law School has reviewed the NDA and has made some recommendations.
Impact Two microbusinesses have already benefited from such support: - Client 1 provides biometric, keyless secure storage units to the public, a place to securely store handbags, laptops, coats, and shoes, and even charge their phone whilst out for evenings in clubs / restaurants / pubs. The client has a Supplier Contract that [anon] wanted to be reviewed. The main point in the contract is the question of liability should the secure storage malfunction. This was not very clear and the customer using the secure locker would expect this liability to be placed upon the manufacturer of the supplier of the secure locker. The Law School has reviewed the existing contract and raised some very important questions around liability. The client has taken on board the Law School's comments and recommendations. - Client 2 is a qualified chef and an innovator developing new recipes. The client develops recipes in collaboration with manufacturers. The contract with the manufacturer requires confidentiality and non-disclosure. The client current NDA (non-disclosure agreement) does not provide the required protection and seems very loose. The Law School has reviewed the NDA and has made some recommendations.
Start Year 2021
 
Description Collaboration with microbusiness entrepreneurs. Practitioner partner Ashley Community Housing an award-winning social enterprise with a keen interest in promoting employability of migrants. ACH is a co-investigator on the project. Key contacts: Fuad Mahamed and Richard Thickpenny. 
Organisation Ashley Community Housing
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Ashley Community Housing will benefit from acquisition of new detailed information on microbusinesses, which can be used to improve their service offer to such businesses. This is achieved by researchers and practitioner partners working closely together and sharing knowledge and expertise on enterprise support.
Collaborator Contribution Ashley Community Housing has a record of collaboration with Monder Ram and CREME. Second, they have agreed to be actively engaged in all stages of the project. Third, they are committed to using the national networks to scale-up the project to other areas of the UK. The role of Ashley Community Housing is important in securing diversity in the sample of firms and overcoming the challenges of gaining access.
Impact This collaboration will create a business development intervention that is rooted in the concerns of (neglected) microbusinesses as well as scientific principles. To date, academic and practitioner partners have presented together at conferences/events (see Engagement Activities section) to share findings and insights from the project. Going forward the partnership will continue to: share findings from the research; (2) discuss potential responses to findings and options to upgrade productivity in the selected sectors; (3) secure potential participants for the research. Update March 2021. (1) Issues raised through listening exercises, convened by CREME with microbusiness owners in responses to the Covid-19 pandemic, have prompted Ashley Community Housing to set up online training and advice on matters relating to financial support and access to grants. (2) Ashley Community Housing have won a large contract (worth £1 million) to deliver business support to 500 migrant-owned businesses in Bristol and the West Midlands. The project is a direct outcome of Ashley Community Housing's collaboration with CREME. CREME will be an advisor on the project. (3) A PhD student has joined the CREME team to work with Ashley Community Housing on a project entitled: Facilitating refugee entrepreneurship: an action research intervention. Update December 2021. (1) The Productivity from Below project has directly influenced two further one million-pound projects: o Pathways to Enterprising Futures (PEF) project, an initiative to support 600 women into employment or self-employment in Birmingham o A programme of support, funded by the European Commission, that will support migrant businesses across Belgium, Greece, Latvia and Spain. (2) Another PhD student has joined the CREME team to work with Ashley Community Housing.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Collaboration with the Creative Sector. Practitioner partner Punch Records (a business with a strong social mission to promote artists from deprived backgrounds) is a co-investigator on the Productivity from Below: Addressing the Productivity Challenges of Microbusinesses project. Key contacts: Ammo Talwar and Simon Redgrave 
Organisation Punch Records
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Punch Records will benefit from acquisition of new detailed information on microbusinesses, which can be used to improve their service offer to such businesses. This is achieved by researchers and practitioner partners working closely together and sharing knowledge and expertise on enterprise support.
Collaborator Contribution Punch Records has a record of collaboration with Monder Ram and CREME. Second, they have agreed to be actively engaged in all stages of the project. Third, they are committed to using the national networks to scale-up the project to other areas of the UK. The role of Punch Records is important in securing diversity in the sample of firms and overcoming the challenges of gaining access.
Impact This collaboration will create a business development intervention that is rooted in the concerns of (neglected) microbusinesses as well as scientific principles. To date, academic and practitioner partners have presented together at conferences/events (see Engagement Activities section) to share findings and insights from the project. Going forward the partnership will continue to: share findings from the research; (2) discuss potential responses to findings and options to upgrade productivity in the selected sectors; (3) secure potential participants for the research. Update March 2021. (1) In partnership with Punch Records, we have assisted in the co-design of THE "P" WORD, a nine-month intensive programme of transformational business support for the creative sector. (2) CREME's in-house business advisor, Paul Basil, has provided business support to firms linked to Punch Records, including diagnostic business planning/appraisal and financial advice/referral. (3) A PhD student has joined the CREME team to work with Punch Records on a project entitled: Organising for Positive Social Change. Update December 2021. (1) Punch Records and CREME's, THE P WORD, a leadership programme for creatives will run into a second year with a new cohort starting approximately March 2022. (2) The Productivity from Below project has directly influenced the Pathways to Enterprising Futures (PEF) project, an initiative to support 600 women into employment or self-employment in Birmingham.
Start Year 2019
 
Description Collaboration with the Retail Sector. Practitioner partner Citizens UK (a national civil society alliance) is a co-investigator on the project. Key contact: Saidul Haque Saeed. 
Organisation Citizens UK
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Citizens UK will benefit from acquisition of new detailed information on microbusinesses, which can be used to improve their service offer to such businesses. This is achieved by researchers and practitioner partners working closely together and sharing knowledge and expertise on enterprise support.
Collaborator Contribution Citizens UK has a record of collaboration with Monder Ram and CREME. Second, they have agreed to be actively engaged in all stages of the project. Third, they are committed to using the national networks to scale-up the project to other areas of the UK. The role of Citizens UK is important in securing diversity in the sample of firms and overcoming the challenges of gaining access.
Impact This collaboration will create a business development intervention that is rooted in the concerns of (neglected) microbusinesses as well as scientific principles. To date, academic and practitioner partners have presented together at conferences/events (see Engagement Activities section) to share findings and insights from the project. Going forward the partnership will continue to: share findings from the research; (2) discuss potential responses to findings and options to upgrade productivity in the selected sectors; (3) secure potential participants for the research. Update Match 2021. (1) We have been working with Citizens UK on a consultation exercise with local retailers and community groups. An outcome of this activity has been the formation of the business leaders' project group. One meeting of the group convened to discuss the challenges facing microbusinesses due to the Covid-19 pandemic was attended by Mohammed Zahir from Birmingham City Council (BCC). Mohammed outlined the current business and financial support provision available to microbusinesses, whilst also attending to individual queries. As an outcome, seven of the business leaders in attendance received Covid-19 pandemic grant support provided by BCC. (2) CREME's in-house business advisor, Paul Basil, has provided business support to firms linked to Citizens UK, including diagnostic business planning/appraisal and financial advice/referral. (3) A PhD student has joined the CREME team to work with Citizens UK on a project entitled: Civil society and the development of inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems: the case of Citizens UK and Birmingham's migrant businesses. Update December 2021. The Productivity from Below project has directly influenced the Pathways to Enterprising Futures (PEF) project an initiative to support 600 women into employment or self-employment in Birmingham.
Start Year 2019
 
Description 26th Annual Ethnic Minority Business Conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact 1. The annual ethnic minority business conference was held on 10th November as a hybrid event at Aston Business School and focussed on the theme of: 'A New Agenda for Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship'. Topics discussed during the conference were: 'Grasping the Size of The Prize: The Value of Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship and An Agenda for Change'. This year's conference was a global affair, with contributions from Dr Indianna D. Minto-Coy, Senior Lecturer, Mona School of Business & Management, and Ian Harrison, Head of Trade, Department of International Trade, and researchers across Europe, who discussed European perspectives on migrant entrepreneurship.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description 26th Annual Ethnic Minority Business Conference Celebratory Dinner 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On 10th November CREME held a dinner to celebrate 'Entrepreneurial Success in Britain's Diverse Communities', in attendance was David Atkinson, Regional Director for Lloyds Banking Group. The 80 plus guests also heard from Aston University Vice-Chancellor Prof Aleks Subic and three entrepreneurs from the region: Daniel Alexander, Director, Daniel Alexander Films, Oyinkansola Adebayo, CEO, Niyo Group and Shale Ahmed, Founding Director, Aspire & Succeed.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description 26th Annual Ethnic Minority Business Conference Celebratory Networking Lunch 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On 4th November over 60 people joined CREME for a Celebratory Networking Lunch at Zen Metro, entrepreneurial guest speakers were: Keith Shayaam-Smith, CEO, Legacy Centre of Excellence, Daina Anderson Mpunzi, Director, Open Lens Media and Taran Singh, Director, Taran3D Ltd. Each speaker shared their journey into entrepreneurship, highlighting their motivations, challenges and successes.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Access to finance for small businesses - Walker, S (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact - Art Business Loans has provided a financial lifeline for many ethnic minority businesses for near 25 years; it's Chief Executive, Steve Walker, identifies the challenges many small firms will face in the future in a blog titled: Access to finance for small businesses.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://sway.office.com/7sV9492EaFevQXo5
 
Description An Introduction to Public Service Commissioning - Basil, P (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact CREME and Citizens UK's Business Leadership Group (BLG) hosted 'An Introduction to Public Service Commissioning' workshop on 20th September 2021.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-introduction-to-public-service-commissioning-tickets-162066125143?...
 
Description Aston University: Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Event. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The PfB project was showcased at Aston University's EDI event on 29th April 2022.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Basil P, Ram M, Saeed SH (2021) Are you missing out? CREME, Greater Birmingham and Solihull Growth Hub and Citizens UK Event 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On Wednesday 10th February 2021. CREME, Greater Birmingham and Solihull Growth Hub and Citizens UK hosted 'Are you missing out?' This special briefing provided an opportunity for small business owners (including retailers) to find out what's available in terms of Covid business grants and how to access such support.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Bharier D (2021) Assessing the scale of impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the hospitality & catering sector. Blog. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact As an outcome of a practitioner partners meeting it was agreed that a blog series, co-created between academics and practitioners, would be produced detailing first-hand experiences and knowledge of those associated with the Productivity from Below project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL http://ow.ly/p12H50EWwvu
 
Description Building an inclusive human resource community: Insights from an action research study of ethnic minority microbusinesses - Ram, M and McCarthy, I (2021) ( 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact A synopsis of the team's recent Human Resource Management Journal paper: Building an inclusive human resource community: Insights from an action research study of ethnic minority microbusinesses, has been published as a blog and showcase by the Enterprise Research Centre.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.enterpriseresearch.ac.uk/building-an-inclusive-human-resource-community-insights-from-an...
 
Description CIPD Applied Research Conference - Working with the grain, productivity from a digital perspective - Ram et al (2022) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The CIPD Applied Research Conference took place on 26th January 2022, during which a session took place between colleagues representing the PrOPEL Hub. Academics from Aston University and the University of Nottingham took part in a panel discussion on the topic of productivity from a digital perspective. Monder Ram spoke on behalf of the Aston team
Delegates joined virtually. The Productivity from Below (PfB) project was promoted at this event.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://twitter.com/CREMEatAston/status/1486322689123958789?s=20
 
Description CREME & ACH - A partnership creating impact in the community - Gunter, M (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Monique Gunter discusses her partnership role with ACH and CREME and how it encourages a better culture of the two organisations working collaboratively on projects in a blog titled: 'CREME & ACH - A partnership creating impact in the community'.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://sway.office.com/iAkLDK6ERjtFbTKo
 
Description CREME Conference - Ram, M (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The Annual CREME Conference took place on 1st December 2021. This was a Hybrid event where delegates joined in-person and online. Speakers included Andy Street (Mayor of Birmingham), Paul Scully (Minister of Small Business), international scholars, and practitioner partners. The Productivity from Below (PfB) project was promoted at this event.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://twitter.com/CREMEatAston/status/1466088380253544448
 
Description CREME Conference Networking Dinner - Ram, M (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The Annual CREME Conference took place on 1st December 2021. The Productivity from Below (PfB) project was promoted at this event. The event was also supported by a networking dinner on 2nd December 2021.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://twitter.com/GBSLEP/status/1466529075497889797
 
Description CREME Placements in Action - Dheensa, A, Patel, N and Kasim, M (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact As part of CREME's student engagement work, three graduates were welcomed to the team to support the Centre's projects, including Productivity from Below (PfB). Read more about their experiences in a blog titled: 'CREME Placements in Action'.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://sway.office.com/CLNGHrDYDTN42gWV?ref=Link
 
Description CREME25 Conference - Networking Lunch - Ram et al (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact A networking lunch for businesses, business support providers and practitioner partners, was held on 17th November 2021, as a pre-event to the CREME Conference, showcasing participants from the PfB project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://twitter.com/MicroBizESRC/status/1460968764246306821
 
Description Choudhury F (2022) Return of THE P WORD: Meet the class of 2022. Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact - In collaboration with Punch Records, Fahmida Choudhury has written a blog about the Launch of THE P WORD 2.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://sway.office.com/cTUC6BtVSISrK2eK?ref=Link
 
Description Choudhury F, Ross-Cameron T (2021) Conference was a catalyst, now to consolidate and collaborate. Blog. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact As an outcome of a practitioner partners meeting it was agreed that a blog series, co-created between academics and practitioners, would be produced detailing first-hand experiences and knowledge of those associated with the Productivity from Below project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL http://ow.ly/O6Dg50E52jv
 
Description Citizens UK Black History Month Leadership Showcase - Saeed SH (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact To honour Black History Month 2021, CREME teamed up with Citizens UK Birmingham to showcase the leadership stories and experiences of four community leaders organising to promote positive social change for the creation of a more civil society.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://twitter.com/CitizensUKBham/status/1445749500572626962
 
Description Citizens UK and CREME Celebrate Black History Month 2021 - Birmingham Leadership Stories - McCarthy, I, Aziz MA and Saeed, SH (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact To honour Black History Month 2021, CREME teamed up with Citizens UK Birmingham to showcase the leadership stories and experiences of four community leaders organising to promote positive social change for the creation of a more civil society in a blog titled: 'Citizens UK and CREME Celebrate Black History Month 2021 - Birmingham Leadership Stories.'
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://sway.office.com/QzZ2twH5EcFe2cC4?ref=Link
 
Description Debate on Unlocking the Potential of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Entrepreneurs - Ram, M (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On 13th October 2021 project PI, Monder Ram chaired a 'Debate on Unlocking the Potential of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Entrepreneurs' as part of the CIMR Debates and Workshops in Public Policy series.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.bbk.ac.uk/events/remote_event_view?id=24335
 
Description Dixon-Barrow J, Qin S (2021) Deliver inclusive & digital third country national (TCN) business support. A new journey begins. Blog. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact As an outcome of a practitioner partners meeting it was agreed that a blog series, co-created between academics and practitioners, would be produced detailing first-hand experiences and knowledge of those associated with the Productivity from Below project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://sway.office.com/OSjKtPlnhzZLroy5?ref=Link
 
Description ESRC Info Bust Session 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Members of the academic team met with colleagues from the ESRC on 11th October 2022 to update on progress since winning the ESRC Celebrating Impact Prize for Business Impact. The event was attended by 65 delegates.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description ESRC PrOPEL Hub conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact PrOPEL Hub Conference: The ESRC PrOPEL Hub conference was held on the 15th and 16th November 2022 at the University of Strathclyde. The two-day conference brought together expertise in Human Resource (HR) practices from nine different universities across the UK, the CIPD HR practitioners and policy makers. With more than 75 attendees from public and private institutions participating in the event. Over the last two and a half years, ESRC PrOPEL Hub associates have been working together to disseminate insights on how effective workplace practices and progressive people management can deliver better jobs and workplaces, improve employee engagement and wellbeing, and enhance innovation performance and productivity. Professor Monder Ram contributed to the conference and presented research from the Productivity from Below project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Entrepreneurship & Diversity in the UK: supporting ethnic minority businesses event - Ram, M (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On 21st November 2021, Monder Ram promoted the economic and social contribution of microbusinesses at the Social Market Foundation: Entrepreneurship & Diversity in the UK: supporting ethnic minority businesses event.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHQmimuxET8
 
Description Farm-to-fork food resilience - Bangladeshi Catering Conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On 7th September 2022, CREME hosted a conference, titled: Farm-to-fork food resilience: Birmingham and the curry house trade. This landmark conference - co-designed and organised by Bangladeshi business owners, public agencies, and research organisations - highlighted the challenges facing the sector and the changing nature of competition, alongside inspiring examples of innovation and strength in the face of multiple moments of national/global crisis.

Following on from the conference, event co-organiser and restaurateur Shale Ahmed contributed to a BBC news article , Metro article and radio interview. He also featured in a Food, Farming and Countryside Commission video.

Further publicity surrounding this event continues including: BBC West Midlands TV Coverage; Central News TV Coverage; and a Food and Farming Commission article and video.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Festival of Engaged Scholarship. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On 21st July 2022, Monder Ram presented at the Festival of Engaged Scholarship (the research approach of the PfB project) at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/festival-of-engaged-scholarship-tickets-330617605157
 
Description Fletcher L, Ram M, McCarthy I, Scully J. (2020). Employee Engagement in Micro-Businesses: A Forgotten Piece in the Productivity Puzzle? Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Applied Research Conference. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Monder Ram, Imelda McCarthy, Judy Scully and Luke Fletcher had a paper accepted for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Applied Research Conference. The conference took place 22-23 January 2020, Dublin City University Business School, Ireland. The paper was entitled: "Employee Engagement in Micro-Businesses: A Forgotten Piece in the Productivity Puzzle?"

The conference was a meeting place for academic researchers and practitioners working in people management, employment policy and related fields. It holds a unique place in bringing together these two communities to hear about cutting edge research in Human Resources and discuss how it can be applied in practice. The conference was interdisciplinary and covered a wide range of aspects of people management, employment, learning and development and organisational development.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Green A, McCarthy I, Ram M. (2019). Microbusinesses and inclusive growth. Inclusive Growth in Cities: Global Lessons for Local Action Conference. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Anne Green presented: "Microbusinesses and inclusive growth" at the Inclusive Growth in Cities: Global Lessons for Local Action Conference, on the 19-20 November 2019, University of Manchester.

The conference brought together scholars both domestic and international from disciplines as diverse as economics, geography, social policy, politics, sociology and urban planning, with policy-makers, practitioners and thought leaders. The key objective was understanding what can be learned for action at the city region scale, and to find new solutions to social and spatial inequalities in the face of increasing social divisions, rising populism and the growing welfare costs of unequal societies.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Gunter, M (2021) A Win for Social Mobility. Blog. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact As an outcome of a practitioner partners meeting it was agreed that a blog series, co-created between academics and practitioners, would be produced detailing first-hand experiences and knowledge of those associated with the Productivity from Below project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020,2021
URL https://sway.office.com/R5uuLXh4buY9mH0J?ref=Link
 
Description Hackathon 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact On 14th July 2022, PhD student Shuai Qin, working with practitioner partner ACH, hosted a Hackathon, linking Aston University students with Migrant Entrepreneurs, to address real life business challenges
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://twitter.com/CREMEatAston/status/1547552866109460481?cxt=HHwWgsC8-bzIgfoqAAAA
 
Description Improve your Productivity Programme 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact In June 2022, Aston University's ACG and CREME hosted 'Improve your Productivity', a condensed version of the Aston Programme for Small Business Growth, as part of the ESRC PfB project. The programme consisted of three parts: (1) Growth Mindset, facilitated by Prof Mark Hart, (2) Innovation and Opportunities, led by Dr Julie Holland and (3) Finance Essentials for the Business Leader, delivered by Matt Davies. Sixteen microbusiness owners attended the programme, including businesses from the creative, catering and retail sector. As part of the programme participants:

• Reviewed their current business performance
• Identified their strengths, competitive advantage and positioning in the marketplace
• Reviewed their customer value proposition
• Were supported to better understand their finances to make more informed decisions.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description International Perspectives on Migrant Entrepreneurship 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On 26th May 2022, CREME hosted a conference, titled: International Perspectives on Migrant Entrepreneurship: Policy and Practice. Findings from the PfB project were shared at this event.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://twitter.com/CREMEatAston/status/1529805065472598017?cxt=HHwWgoCz8cHm-roqAAAA
 
Description Jones (2022) Levelling up for a diverse Micro-business support network. Blog. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact - Katherine Jones (CREME Knowledge Exchange Fellow) has written a blog, 'Levelling up for a
- diverse Micro-business support network', which reflects on the PrOPEL Hub's end of project event.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://sway.office.com/4CGxmqv8Ears73Jt?ref=Link
 
Description Jones K (2020) Black New Street. Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Katherine Jones has a blog entitled Black New Street that casts a reflective eye on the legacy of Birmingham's black businesses and customs. The documentary, which premiered on 22nd October 2020, featured interviews with THE P WORD cohort and stalwart figures in Birmingham's black business community, the documentary also explored what the future does and could look like for the city's black entrepreneurs, with a sharp focus on the creative sector.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://sway.office.com/o4QLkStfn1SQ6mez?ref=Link
 
Description Jones K (2020) The P Word. Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Katherine Jones has produced a blog entitled 'The P Word'' focused on why 12 Midlands-based creatives are going to change their industry in 2021.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.linkedin.com/posts/katherine-jones-ab533b1_12-midlands-based-creatives-are-changing-acti...
 
Description Jones K (2020) Thriving in uncertainty - the power of entrepreneurial leadership and the need for community. Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Katherine Jones has produced a blog entitled 'Thriving in uncertainty - the power of entrepreneurial leadership and the need for community' which sets out five key messages for leaders and entrepreneurs and reflects on the role of universities in supporting businesses through uncertainty.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.linkedin.com/posts/katherine-jones-ab533b1_the-power-of-entrepreneurial-leadership-and-a...
 
Description Jones K (2021) Thriving in Uncertainty - The Impact of COVID-19 on entrepreneurs and their businesses. Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Katherine Jones has written a blog entitled Thriving in Uncertainty - The Impact of COVID-19 on entrepreneurs and their businesses. The blog explored the impact of the pandemic in a variety of sectors as well as some interesting ideas that are coming to the fore during this time including: pivoting, ambidextrous leadership, Innovation and creativity.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://sway.office.com/CMnPyTAD8fehwTN2?ref=Link
 
Description Jones K, Thickpenny R (2021) Pushing an agenda to democratise business knowledge. Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact As an outcome of a practitioner partners meeting it was agreed that a blog series, co-created between academics and practitioners, would be produced detailing first-hand experiences and knowledge of those associated with the Productivity from Below project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://sway.office.com/yPFaAA1GELF4YEBl?ref=Link
 
Description Kasperova (2022) Distrust in mainstream support providers' hinders the growth potential of ethnic minority businesses. Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Eva Kasperova (CREME Research Fellow) has written a blog which summarises a review of the academic evidence and analysis of primary data on the barriers faced by ethnic minority businesses.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL http://ow.ly/gHrM50KK7WJ
 
Description Kasperova E (2022) Distrust in mainstream support providers hinders the growth potential of ethnic minority businesses. Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Eva Kasperova has written a blog on a new agenda for ethnic minority entrepreneurship, based on the findings of a major review, titled: Distrust in mainstream support providers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://sway.office.com/DF439Avg64b7lEDX?ref=Link
 
Description Kasperova et al (2022) How do local authorities include migrants in decision making? Blog. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact - CREME Academics: Eva Kasperova and Monder Ram, in collaboration with practitioner partners Richard Thickpenny (ACH), Dawn Murray, and Julie Anne Wright (Birmingham City Council), have written a blog which explores how local authorities can better include migrants in decision making.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://twitter.com/CREMEatAston/status/1580566586813190145?cxt=HHwWgsDQ7fe7pu8rAAAA
 
Description Knowledge Exchange Workshop with CIPD and Microbusinesses 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact This workshop brought together representatives from CIPD and microbusinesses on 8th July 2022.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://twitter.com/CREMEatAston/status/1545423793014857733?cxt=HHwWioCzoY6wufIqAAAA
 
Description Knowledge Exchange Workshop with Caterers who attended Social Media Training 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Knowledge exchange workshop to identify successes, sustainability and impacts resulting from the PfB project. This workshop took place on 7th February 2022, comprising catering business owners who attended the social media training.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Knowledge Exchange Workshop with Creatives who attended The P Word 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Knowledge exchange workshop to identify successes, sustainability and impacts resulting from the PfB project. This workshop took place on 28th October 2021, comprising creative business owners who attended THE P WORD leadership development training programme.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Knowledge Exchange Workshop with the 'Improve Your Productivity' programme participants 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact This workshop brought together representatives from the 'Improve Your Productivity' programme to identify successes, sustainability, and impacts resulting from the programme.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Low Pay Commission's Research 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The PfB project was showcased at the Low Pay Commission's Research Workshop on 28th April 2022.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description MAX - Ram, M (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On 25th November 2021, Monder Ram spoke at MAX - a project co-funded by the European Union that aims to change the public perception of migrants' contribution to society.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://twitter.com/MAXproject4/status/1463801266644127744
 
Description Making Legacies: Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation - Ram, M (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On 28th October, Monder Ram, promoted the PfB project at the 'Making Legacies: Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation' TAG network event.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://twitter.com/TAGNetworkMids/status/1449052160780537856
 
Description McCarthy (2022) Farm to Fork Food Resilience Conference - Rising to the Challenge: Supporting Bangladeshi Caterers in Times of Crisis. Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact - Imelda McCarthy (CREME Research Fellow) has written a blog about the Farm to Fork Food Resilience Conference.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://sway.office.com/cUpPLj9RuoaAwAag?ref=Link
 
Description McCarthy (2022) The Management of Microbusinesses in the Pandemic. Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact - Imelda McCarthy has written a blog, which explores the lived experiences of microbusinesses, from the retail, creative and catering sector, titled: The Management of Microbusinesses in the Pandemic.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://sway.office.com/BekGZ5XcR1t2Asbv
 
Description McCarthy I, Uddin J (2021) Facilitating digital transformation in the Bangladeshi catering sector. Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact As an outcome of a practitioner partners meeting it was agreed that a blog series, co-created between academics and practitioners, would be produced detailing first-hand experiences and knowledge of those associated with the Productivity from Below project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://sway.office.com/n7FhBn2KkBnnH5nv?ref=Link
 
Description Overcoming Challenges of Family Business Ownership & Wealth Transfer (Part 2) Lanz, S 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On 22nd September 2021 CREME partnered with the Institute for Family Business Research Foundation (IFB) to host a workshop, titled: Overcoming Challenges of Family Business Ownership & Wealth Transfer (Part 2).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/overcoming-challenges-of-family-business-ownership-and-wealth-transfe...
 
Description Overcoming Challenges of Family Business Ownership & Wealth Transfer (Part 3). Lanz, S (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On 29th September 2021 CREME partnered with the Institute for Family Business Research Foundation (IFB) to host a workshop titled: Overcoming Challenges of Family Business Ownership & Wealth Transfer (Part 3).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/overcoming-challenges-of-family-business-ownership-and-wealth-transfe...
 
Description Partnering for Change: ACH, CREME and the 'Productivity from Below' project - McCarthy, I and Thickpenny, R (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Imelda McCarthy and Richard Thickpenny have written a blog titled: 'Partnering for Change: ACH, CREME and the 'Productivity from Below' project'.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://sway.office.com/xlqYEgHNL78pVLWy?ref=Link
 
Description PhD Mini Conference. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact On 2nd March 2022 CREME hosted a PhD Mini Conference to provide doctoral students, working with practitioner partners linked to the PfB project, with the opportunity to showcase their research.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description PrOPEL Hub - Silent Minority Event (part 2) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On 15th March 2022 in collaboration with the PrOPEL Hub, CREME hosted the second event in the Silent Minority series, titled: Putting microbusinesses on the policy agenda, involving key stakeholders including: BEIS, FSB, CIPD, Low Pay Commission and the National Enterprise Network, to exchange ideas and brainstorm solutions on topics relating to:

• The contribution of microbusinesses in helping us to level up and recover post-pandemic.
• The impact of current business support initiatives such as the government's help to grow scheme and implications of the Levelling Up White Paper for microbusinesses
• The role of public and private policymakers and the PrOPEL Hub in evolving more inclusive business support interventions that reflect the lived experience of microbusinesses; and
• Approaches to policy development that involve microbusinesses in co-production
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://twitter.com/PrOPEL_Hub/status/1503742930279964675?cxt=HHwWhoC9jcuOr94pAAAA
 
Description PrOPEL Hub Aston University Research Showcase - Ram et al (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The PfB project was showcased at the PrOPEL Hub Aston University Research Showcase on 2nd November 2021.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.propelhub.org/propel-hub-research-showcase/
 
Description PrOPEL Hub: Levelling Up Managing People in Microbusinesses in a Changing World 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact PrOPEL Hub: Levelling Up Managing People in Microbusinesses in a Changing World: On 5th October CREME co-hosted the final microbusiness workshop with the PrOPEL Hub. The online workshop had over 50 attendees with contributions from Profs Monder Ram, Mark Hart and Graeme Roy and Aston University Industrial Fellow Damini Sharma. Delegates had the opportunity to hear discussions on understanding the microbusiness experience, mapping the microbusiness support ecosystem, and developing a positive action framework. The workshop highlighted the importance of microbusinesses and how crucial they are to local communities, the UK economy and how they are capable of high growth.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Punch Records: LEGACY film premiere. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact On 28th March 2022, 'LEGACY' a documentary, directed by Daniel Alexander, which explores the history of Birmingham's Hip Hop and Grime scene, was premiered. This documentary is a commission from the first running of THE P WORD.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://twitter.com/punchrecords/status/1506995393082576904?cxt=HHwWkMCyreuU9ukpAAAA
 
Description Qin (2022) Cross-community support for refugee businesses: Fruits of scholar-practitioner collaboration. Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact - CREME PhD Researcher, Shuai Qin, has written a blog, titled Cross-community support for refugee businesses: Fruits of scholar-practitioner collaboration, detailing a hackathon business support event with project partner ACH.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://sway.office.com/4oWlk68dtcqXlCvF?ref=Link&loc=play
 
Description Ram (2022) Time to change: A blueprint for advancing the UK's ethnic minority businesses. Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Monder Ram has written a blog titled: Time to change: A blueprint for advancing the UK's ethnic minority businesses, in which he states that a £100 billion boost to the UK economy is within reach if the country's Ethnic Minority Businesses are given the right support and their activities are recorded accurately.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://sway.office.com/IqRneTdd5vhN7uLc
 
Description Ram M (2021) CREME Student Engagement Event 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On 11th February 2021 CREME launched a new initiative engaging with Aston University students to facilitate placement opportunities through the centre's practitioner partners and network of ethnic minority businesses (including microbusinesses). The launch event provided an opportunity for employers and students to find out how they could get involved in this initiative.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Ram M (2021) Greater Birmingham Black Business Conference. Event 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Greater Birmingham Black Business Conference - A showcase of Black Business talent from across the region, held on 28th May 2021
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/greater-birmingham-black-business-conference-tickets-152825662671?ref...
 
Description Ram M (2021) Thriving in Uncertainty - Part 3. Blog. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact In the third 'Thriving in Uncertainty' podcast series, Professor Monder Ram welcomed Damini Sharma, Director of The OM Group, to share her insights and experiences on the importance of resilience in surviving and prospering in challenging times.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.propelhub.org/thriving-in-uncertainty-part-3/
 
Description Ram M, Aziz, M (2021) Towards a Strategy for Supporting Ethnic Minority Businesses in the West Midlands. Blog. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact As an outcome of a practitioner partners meeting it was agreed that a blog series, co-created between academics and practitioners, would be produced detailing first-hand experiences and knowledge of those associated with the Productivity from Below project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://sway.office.com/jWQb8eyj5qdi4evS?ref=Link
 
Description Ram M, Hart M, McCarthy I, Parekh S, Holness J, Uddin J. (2019). Productivity challenge in microbusinesses. 23rd Annual Ethnic Minority Business Conference. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Monder Ram, Mark Hart, Imelda McCarthy, Sonali Parekh (Federation of Small Businesses), Joshua 'Rtkal' Holness (MBC - Music, Birmingham, Culture) and Johur Uddin (Community Connect Foundation) presented on the productivity challenge in microbusinesses, at the 23rd Annual Ethnic Minority Business Conference, on the 5th November 2019, Nishkam Centre, Birmingham.

The event showcased new developments in research and practice in the fields of diversity and enterprise. With many entrepreneurs and business owners attending the conference - together with policy makers, academics and key local and national figures - this was an opportunity to hear about how the research makes a real difference to practitioners and entrepreneurs from all communities.

Inline with our commitment to engaged scholarship the presentation was delivered by academic and practitioner partners together.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Ram M, Karim A (2020) Karim Supermarkets. Podcast 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Monder Ram has participated in a podcast with a microbusiness owners from the retail sector as part of the Aston Means Business Podcast series. The podcast explored the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on microbusinesses.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www2.aston.ac.uk/aston-business-school/podcast
 
Description Ram M, McCarthy I (2020) The Impact of Covid-19 on Microbusinesses. Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Imelda McCarthy and Monder Ram produced a blog that explored the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on microbusinesses gathered through consultation with business owners, business support intermediaries and case study interviews.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.propelhub.org/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-microbusinesses/
 
Description Ram M, McCarthy I, Levington M (2021). Getting to Grips with Productivity in Ethnic Minority Businesses: An Action Research Study. CIPD Applied Research Conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The project was showcased at the virtual CIPD Applied Research Conference on 21st January 2021. Monder Ram and Imelda McCarthy took part in a panel discussion with Meryl Levington (CIPD). The session was named: Getting to Grips with Productivity in Ethnic Minority Businesses: An Action Research Study.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rachFVkHTA&list=PLrDYB78Tc-z-JTiUa7RX2roOn4AzxKAIT&index=3
 
Description Ram M, McCarthy I, Scully J, Saeed SH. (2019). Collaborative to its Core. Centre for Learning Innovation & Professional Practice (CLIPP) Conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Monder Ram, Imelda McCarthy, Judy Scully and Saidul Haque Saeed (Citizens UK) presented "Collaborative to its Core" at the Centre for Learning Innovation & Professional Practice (CLIPP) Conference on the 25th October 2019, at Aston University, Birmingham. The presentation focused on how the principles of Critical Engaged Scholarship, which underpin the project, can help Aston University meet the needs of its beneficiary groups (businesses, the region and students) in a changing world.

Inline with our commitment to engaged scholarship the presentation was delivered by academic and practitioner partners together.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Ram M, McCarthy I, Scully J. (2020). Getting to Grips with Productivity in Microbusinesses: A Collaborative Approach. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Applied Research Conference. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Monder Ram, Imelda McCarthy and Judy Scully had a paper accepted for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Applied Research Conference. The conference took place 22-23 January 2020, Dublin City University Business School, Ireland. The papers was entitled: "Getting to Grips with Productivity in Microbusinesses: A Collaborative Approach".

The conference was a meeting place for academic researchers and practitioners working in people management, employment policy and related fields. It holds a unique place in bringing together these two communities to hear about cutting edge research in Human Resources and discuss how it can be applied in practice. The conference was interdisciplinary and covered a wide range of aspects of people management, employment, learning and development and organisational development.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Ram M, McCarthy, McLaughlan I, Redgrave S, Ross-Cameron T, Jazz N, Uddin J, Uddin S, Saeed SH (2020) Productivity from Below 0 Practitioner Partners Showcase. 24th Annual Ethnic Minority Business Conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The project was showcased at CREME's 24th Annual Ethnic Minority Business Conference on 3rd December 2020. Imelda McCarthy chaired a session which showcased the practitioner partners and included presentations from:
- Ian McLaughlan (project advisory group) The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Hub.
- Simon Redgrave, Tarik Ross-Cameron and Namywa Jazz (creative sector representatives), Punch Records.
- Johur Uddin and Shahab Uddin (catering sector representatives), Bangladeshi Catering Network.
- Saidul Haque Saeed (retail sector representative), Citizens UK.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Ram M, Redgrave S, Jazz, N, Uddin S, Ahmed B, Mudokwani T, Saeed, SH (2020) Activism in the Academy - How the CREME is responding to Covid-19. Birmingham Commonwealth Association (BCA) Event 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On 31st August 2020, the BCA hosted the This Is My City festival, which included a session, entitled: Activism in the Academy - How the CREME is responding to Covid-19. The session outlined how CREME is working with practitioners to support businesses in the midst of the pandemic.
Practitioner partners and microbusiness representatives shared their experiences. The session was hosted by Monder Ram, and consisted of three parts:
- Part One - Covid-19 and Birmingham's creative sector: Simon Redgrave (Punch Records) and Namywa Jazz (CEO and Founder of Girl Grind UK)
- Part Two - Covid-19 and Bangladeshi caterers: Shahab Uddin (Streetly Balti) and Bashir Ahmed (Bangladeshi Network)
- Part Three - Covid-19 and the service sector: Tsitsi Mudokwani (Sisters Care Services) and Saidul Haque Saeed (Citizens UK Birmingham).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Ram M, Ross-Cameron T, Uddin J, Thickpenny R, Saeed SH (2021) Coping with the pandemic: voices from business owners and communities. Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact As an outcome of a practitioner partners meeting it was agreed that a blog series, co-created between academics and practitioners, would be produced detailing first-hand experiences and knowledge of those associated with the Productivity from Below project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://sway.office.com/sakECnPog1epPMvF?ref=Link
 
Description Ram M, Saeed SH (2020) Agitations in April: Community Organising and Business Support in the Pandemic. Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Saidul Haque Saeed (Practitioner Partner) in collaboration with Monder Ram, has produced a blog entitled: 'Agitations in April: Community Organising and Business Support in the Pandemic'
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.propelhub.org/agitations-in-april-community-organising-and-business-support-in-the-pande...
 
Description Ram M, Saeed SH (2020) Migrant community businesses organise. Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Practitioner Partner, Saidul Haque Saeed in collaboration with Monder Ram, has produced a blog entitled: 'Migrant community businesses organise'. The blog describes a community organising approach to improving public engagement in 'Inclusive Growth' and focusses on those entrepreneurs least likely to be at the table. The findings are based on interactions with members of the Citizens UK's business leaders' project group which includes representatives from the retail sector.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.citizensuk.org/migrant_biz_organise
 
Description Ram M, Saeed SH (2021) Taking Charge: The Business of Community Organising in the Pandemic. Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact "Taking Charge: The Business of Community Organising in the Pandemic" by Monder Ram and Saidul Haque Saeed explores the Business Leader Group and how it supports local businesses in the West Midlands.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://sway.office.com/kpAtE2dC3hZAmKbO?ref=Link
 
Description Ram M, Shaw E (2020) Thriving in uncertainty the power of entrepreneurial leadership and the need for community. Podcast 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Monder Ram has taken part in a podcast with Eleanor Shaw (University of Strathclyde) on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on businesses in the UK. The podcast explored the impact of the pandemic in a variety of sectors as well as some interesting ideas that are coming to the fore during this time including: pivoting, ambidextrous leadership, Innovation and creativity.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www.propelhub.org/tag/podcasts/
 
Description Ram M, Shaw E, Talwar (2020) Thriving in Uncertainty - Part 2. Podcast. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact As large parts of the UK entered into a second lockdown, Professor Eleanor Shaw and Professor Monder Ram in conversation with Ammo Talwar (CEO of Punch Records) and Susan Aktemel (Executive Director of Homes for Good) hosted a podcast 'Thriving in uncertainty' that explored the impact of the pandemic on entrepreneurs and their enterprises
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.propelhub.org/tag/podcasts/
 
Description Ram M, Uddin J (2021) We can't afford to open, we can't afford to close'. Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact As an outcome of a practitioner partners meeting it was agreed that a blog series, co-created between academics and practitioners, would be produced detailing first-hand experiences and knowledge of those associated with the Productivity from Below project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://sway.office.com/bhttps://sway.office.com/bFyjYHotxHiMxr0P?ref=Link
 
Description Ram M, Uddin S (2020) Streetly Balti. Podcast 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Monder Ram participated in a podcast with a microbusiness owner from the catering sector as part of the Aston Means Business Podcast series. The podcast explored the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on microbusinesses.The podcast has generated some excellent media coverage both nationally and internationally, including: A follow up interview on BBC Radio 4's, You and Yours programme and an article for the Eastern Eye newspaper: https://www.easterneye.biz/exclusive-asians-completely-forgotten-by-government-during-covid/
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://www2.aston.ac.uk/aston-business-school/podcast
 
Description Ram et al (2021) Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace. Federation of Small Business event. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace, Federation of Small Business event, 17th June 2021. Discussions explored ways to improve diversity within businesses and strategies to increase growth.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.fsb.org.uk/event-calendar/equality-diversity-and-inclusion-in-the-workplace-the-why-the-...
 
Description Ram et al (2021) EAI/AACSB conversation series. Event. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Monder Ram showcased the PfB project at the EAI/AACSB conversation series, held 18th May 2021, on the topic of: Defining, implementing, and measuring societal impact and engaged scholarship: best practices from business education.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.aacsb.edu/events/online/2020/eaie-and-aacsb-summer-sessions
 
Description Ram et al (2021) Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and CREME Creative Showcase. Event 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and CREME hosted an event on 23rd February 2021, showcasing the experiences of businesses from the creative sector. Insights were shared by guest speaker, Grammy Award winner (and P Word participant), Lekan Babalola.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://twitter.com/CREMEatAston/status/1364183030345191428/photo/1
 
Description Ram et al (2021) Helping Business Owning Families through the Great Wealth Transfer Symposium. Event 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Helping Business Owning Families through the Great Wealth Transfer Symposium, on the 26th May 2021. The symposium explored understandings of intergenerational justice within the context of business-owning families, and the role this plays in shaping the UK's tax and inheritance laws.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://twitter.com/ChimaGurdeep/status/1397495955902156801
 
Description Ram et al (2021) P-Word conference. Event. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Punch Records and CREME hosted the P-Word conference, on 25th February 2021, to showcase learning and impacts resulting from the programme to date. The conference was hosted by Fusion (Founder of Industry In The Streets, BMT and BWT Stories) and featured the guest speakers Jamelia, CJ Lloyd Webley, Jay Williams and Alexandria Chantiluke.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://twitter.com/punchrecords/status/1364979251846533120
 
Description Ram et al (2021) Strengthening Connections between Business Schools and Ethnic Minority Businesses in collaboration with the Small Business Charter and project partners. Event. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact In collaboration with the Small Business Charter and project partners, on 23rd February 2021, CREME delivered a workshop on Strengthening Connections between Business Schools and Ethnic Minority Businesses.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL http://ow.ly/GCYV50D9wTZ
 
Description Ram et al (2021) The Effective Digital Entrepreneurship & Business Support (EDEBS) Event. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On 25th March 2021. CREME and Ashley Community Housing hosted an event aimed at introducing The Effective Digital Entrepreneurship & Business Support (EDEBS) project, a two-year project intended to reinforce the launch, stabilisation and growth of 500 non-EU migrant businesses through personalised business support.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://twitter.com/CREMEatAston/status/1375108890065534977/photo/1
 
Description Ram et al (2021). CREME and the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for BAME business owners workshop. Event. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On 16th March 2021. CREME and the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for BAME business owners hosted a workshop, the purpose of which was to generate a debate on how the West Midlands can work together to develop a collaborative approach to supporting ethnic minority entrepreneurs in the region.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://twitter.com/CREMEatAston/status/1371852118232076303
 
Description Said (2022) CREME & ACH - Partners in Enterprise and Integration. Blog. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Hafsa Said (CREME and ACH Marketing and Communications Officer), has written a blog detailing the first joint away day between CREME and ACH. Both organisations implement integration through enterprise in Europe and hope to erase inequality through joint projects.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://sway.office.com/f5wODpcHATX09Y3v?ref=Link&loc=play
 
Description Save Our Streets: Has COVID killed our ethnically diverse high streets - Ram, M (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On 21st October 2021, Monder Ram presented at an event called: 'Save Our Streets: Has COVID killed our ethnically diverse high streets?'
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL http://ow.ly/Vn5s50GqOIV
 
Description Sha (2022) Towards A New Agenda for Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship. Blog. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact - CREME Research Fellow Heila Sha has written a blog, Towards A New Agenda for Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship, which reflected on CREME's 26th Annual Ethnic Minority Business Conference.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://sway.office.com/9cv8q68wyheX3uj0?ref=Link
 
Description Smith M, Rozbicka P, Talwar A, Babalola L, Ram M (2021) Culture exchange: Diversity, culture and enterprise. Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and CREME hosted an event on 23rd February 2021, showcasing the experiences of businesses from the creative sector. Insights were shared by guest speaker, Grammy Award winner, Lekan Babalola.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Talwar A, Quist E, Mahamed F, Ram M, Whitehouse P, Cartwright R, Saeed SH, Redgrave S (2021) Strengthening connections between business schools and ethnic minority businesses. Small Business Charter Event 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact In collaboration with the Small Business Charter and project partners, on 23rd February 2021, CREME delivered a workshop on Strengthening Connections between Business Schools and Ethnic Minority Businesses.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description The Silent Majority: Why does people management support for micro businesses so often fall short? - Ram, M (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On 9th December 2021 the PfB project collaborated with the PrOPEL Hub and delivered a half day workshop called 'The Silent Majority: Why does people management support for micro businesses so often fall short?' Professor Paul Edwards provided key notes.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://twitter.com/PrOPEL_Hub/status/1468889557508759553
 
Description Time to Change 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On 9 June 2022, the CREME launched the 'Time to Change: A Blueprint for Advancing the UK's Ethnic Minority Businesses' report in collaboration with the NatWest Group in the West Midlands at Aston University. Eighty delegates joined the event to hear from Mayor Andy Street, Andrew Harrison, head of Business Banking at NatWest Group, and entrepreneur Daniella Genas. Professor Monder Ram presented key findings from the report and invited regional stakeholders to share with the audience their thoughts on the report and how they will implement recommendations. In attendance were representatives from GBSLEP Growth Hub, Citizens UK Birmingham, Birmingham Race Impact Group, Legacy Centre of Excellence, Birmingham and Wolverhampton City Councils, and Innovation Alliance
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://mcusercontent.com/dad1b14524ad48aa91ca83684/files/93c67d5d-3d06-dcd0-e2b1-983a497bf1e4/CREME...
 
Description UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Event. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact On the 14th July 2022 Monder Ram and creative business owner Namywa Jazz presented at the Together with UKRI: Transforming Tomorrow Together - World Class Innovation event.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.bvsc.org/event/together-with-ukri-transforming-tomorrow-together-world-class-innovation
 
Description What Happens to Refugee-Origin Owners? - Ram, M (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Monder Ram produced a blog, titled 'What Happens to Refugee-Origin Owners?' which draws on longitudinal research conducted by CREME, which finds that businesses started by refugees are durable, inventive, and capable of significant growth.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://sway.office.com/feAJwauKpJe4tyak?ref=Twitter&loc=play
 
Description Working for positive social change: the case for supporting ethnic minority businesses - Ram, M (2021) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Monder Ram presented at the Our Common Future Event, held 11th November 2021, on the topic of 'Working for positive social change: the case for supporting ethnic minority businesses.'
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021