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Researcher Abi Mackman and research director Gemma Mackman celebrate a Government business award

The annual Government Business Awards, which encourage and reward effective business practises in the public sector across the country, yesterday presented Mackman Research clients, Chelmsford Borough Council, with the top prize for Market Research.  The award was won in recognition of the Council’s Parks Audit which was carried out by Mackman Research in 2009. The winners were announced at Twickenham Stadium and presented by Bill Turnbull (BBC News).

In particular the research sought to discover why low income groups within the Borough are low users of public parks and gardens. Mackman devised the methodology, designed the questionnaire, collected the data, analysed the information and prepared and delivered the findings report. Our staff were out and about in Chelmsford not only in the parks, but directly targeting respondents at the  Job Centre, the Benefits Office and via door-to-door interviews.  The project was the first of its kind within the UK.

Officers from the Parks and Heritage Services, said: “The Mackman Group team had a professional, collaborative, ‘can do’ approach to the project and we were impressed with their flexibility and expertise. The final report was clear and in depth and a great piece of research.”

Gemma said: “The project was challenging but enjoyable and the fact that our research will assist the Council in encouraging more of Chelmsford’s residents to enjoy the wonderful parks that they have on their doorsteps made the project extremely worthwhile.”

Job done! Kevin Cook (Premier Signs) shakes hands with Ken Newson (Bridge Project)

A few weekends ago, we made a bit of a name for ourselves when we downed tools to paint The Bridge Project’s building at Bradbury Court, here in Sudbury. A few people in the town didn’t approve of the pink paint, and not all of the publicity was positive… but this only seemed to rally support for the charity, with three local businesses stepping forward and offering their services to help us finish the job.

Premier Signs provided two signs, incorporating the Bridge Project’s distinctive logo, and Spraybooth Technology and Balgores from Sudbury worked together with us to dismantle the wrought iron gates and spray-paint them in a specialist booth usually used for cars! The gates have been re-attached and the building looks fabulous.

The Bridge Project is a marvellous charity to work with and the positive support and action from the wider business community really proved that community involvement and good will is alive and well here in Sudbury. We’re very proud to be part of it.

Merv and Gemma get busy with brushes

We’re all tickled pink at Mackman after getting together this weekend to give one of our client’s premises (The Bridge Project, Sudbury) a much-needed lick of paint. The charity’s building now looks fantastic – improving the charity’s image and profile in the town. Infact, swapping our computer ‘mice’ and telephones for scrapers, putty and paintbrushes made a refreshing Friday afternoon change. (Which is not, however, how some locals are describing the vibrant colours…)

With everyone pitching in over the course of the weekend and more than 100 man-hours behind us, dishevelled woodwork and flaky paint are a thing of the past at Bradbury Court. All paint and materials were dontated by Kent Blaxhill, Sudbury and new signage is being created (again, for no fee) by Premier Signs and Displays in Colchester. The bright new colours come from The Bridge Project’s logo, designed by the Mackman Group.

Gemma & Paul Mackman (left) collect Community Involvement Award from Adnams

For a third consecutive year, Mackman Group struck gold at the Anglian Business Awards, this time winning the Community Involvement category sponsored by Adnams. The award is aimed at commercial businesses that can demonstrate how they combine business success with involvement in their community, which goes beyond their core business strategy.

The Anglian Business Awards is one of the top dates in the regional business calendar, recognising excellence and achievement in the local business community.

http://www.archantsuffolk.net/business/

Mackman Group have been shortlisted in the Community Involvement category of this year’s Anglian Business Awards.  Judges are looking for entrants in this award to consistently demonstrate good citizenship and show commitment outside normal business practice to people, places and events that are not directly aimed at improving their own business profile.

http://www.archantsuffolk.net/business/

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Garden designers Janey and Paul celebrate their Chelsea Silver win

If the bee disappeared off the surface of the Globe, then man would have only four years of life left.’ – Albert Einstein

Einstein’s prophetic message was seen by thousands of garden enthusiasts last week, thanks to the Global Stone Bee Friendly Garden at Chelsea Flower Show. Mackman have been managing the garden’s PR and publicity from the start, and we are delighted to announce that the garden won a Silver Medal at the show.

Following sustained coverage in national and local media up to the event, the garden was also featured on BBC’s Chelsea Flower Show programme twice during the week, and was profiled by Kate Humble on the BBC’s flagship morning news programme Breakfast. It also feature on the local television news and on BBC radio as well as in the national press and amongst an ‘Editor’s Top Five’ for glossy magazine ‘Houses and Gardens’.

‘We’re really honoured to receive this award,’ said the garden’s designer, Janey Auchincloss, who works from Lavenham. ‘It’s the first year we’ve been to Chelsea and it’s a real achievement to do so well. All the hard work and heartache has really paid off!’

Mackman PR has taken on more branded emails work this month, securing a contract from a long-standing client to write, design and deliver its targeted monthly branded emails. Avoiding the ‘hard sell’ and focussing instead on the company’s deserved reputation for friendly, personal service, the emails will build the firm’s profile amongst key clients in an environmentally-friendly (and budget-friendly) manner. Email marketing has been proven to effectively convert emerging or some-time customers in to repeat customers, particularly when managed by communication professionals.

Following an approach and invitation by Business in the Community (BitC) Mackman PR has joined Suffolk Prohelp.  Established in 1989, ProHelp is the largest provider of free professional support to communities in the UK.  Sufffolk ProHelp was launched in 2001 and the membership includes representatives from almost every part of the countys’ business community.  Previously Mackman Group has been an active member of  Colchester ProHelp. The business was launched in Colchester in 2003.

Clare Gray and James Royce - new faces at Mackman

We’re pleased to welcome two new staff to Mackman PR this month. The new posts reflect our continuing growth and success in the fields of research, public relations and on-line commerce and communication.

James Royce joins us as Technical Business Manager and Clare Gray will support our research and PR operations.  In an icy economic climate, knowing your market has never been more important – especially for small to medium sized businesses.  As more and more businesses realise how much effective pr and research can help them to maximize their potential, we’re looking forward to developing our own public relations and research capacities further.

Both James and Clare are  looking forward to being a key part of our growing business.

Work is underway on a research project aimed at enabling Age Concern to become more customer centric.  Not only will the exercise help Age Concern understand the needs of older people in the county better, but it is also expected to raise some important questions, which will help the organisation drive forward new ideas in the future.  Mackman Research is providing the work on a pro-bono basis.