ID COMPASS
Case Study: The University of Chester Students' Union Commercial Review
The Challenge:
Chester Students’ Union, a small organisation with 12 staff and 3 officers, wanted to strengthen its commercial strategy, particularly around income generation and media sales, while operating under tight financial constraints. They needed:
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Clear strategic direction
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Confidence in their decision-making
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Evidence to support upcoming university funding discussions
The Method:
Ian Pain, founder of ID-Compass and an experienced veteran in the university sector, worked alongside Chester to conduct a structured Commercial Review to assist the team in identifying opportunities and developing a strategic plan for the upcoming years. Ian proposed:
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A diagnostic and data analysis exercise
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Face-to-face stakeholder interviews
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A facilitated in-person Strategy Day
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A tailored report with findings and recommendations
The Impact:
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Prioritisation of income streams and a refined commercial focus
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Accelerated decision making
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Confidence when engaging with stakeholders, through a credible external perspective
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Facilitated cohesion by creating space for strategic thinking and internal alignment.
The Verdict:
“The commercial review provided the space to find and solve the problems together in an area that we didn't have expertise. It was well facilitated and gave us confidence in our approaches and priorities moving forward.” – Jamie Morris, CEO Chester Students’ Union.
The Difference:
“Ian has a high level of integrity and honesty that comes across in his work. When working with him, you trust that he takes pride in what he does, which is both refreshing and comforting.” – Jamie Morris, CEO, Chester Students’ Union.
With over 20 years of experience in the university sector, Ian has encountered nearly every aspect of this dynamic market. He has served as the Chief Executive of a Students’ Union, managed partnerships for UCAS, and built and sold a successful student marketing agency that has helped hundreds of brands implement their student marketing strategies. You are unlikely to find anyone with a more comprehensive understanding of the industry.
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