Local business Qdos, based in Betley, are transforming the sales industry through app-based technologies. Qdos turned to the Keele University Business Gateway for support to grow their business and took part in the Keele Research and Innovation Support Programme (KRISP).

Qdos aims to support relationships between sales people and customers, demonstrating skills, expertise and value, allowing quick access to information, to react to customer requirements and feedback and to engage the right people with the right customers.

While taking part on the KRISP programme, Qdos employed two Keele University students; one role was for additional research of sales and literature to develop a performance metric in line with both academic and business expectations to help professional and personal clients. The project included survey design and questions to better understand the needs and wants of the customer. The second role involved working on market research to understand the sales environment from a business and academic perspective, applying models to identify strengths and weaknesses to demonstrate credibility in the science of the software and ensure the success of the business.

Co-founder of Qdos, Phillip Hesketh, commented: “KRISP has been a huge help, with fully-funded expertise bringing new skills and outlooks to the business. I think finding the resources on my own would have been a costly and time-consuming process KRISP is definitely a two way street which gives businesses valuable expertise but also students the experience they need for the future.”

Ryan Stanyard, one of the Keele University students employed as a Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) Associate added: “Overall, this project has definitely helped my CV, it has strengthened my skills and given me an idea of where my future career could be headed.”

Philip continued; “I would definitely recommend KRISP to other businesses. My advice would be to be as specific as you can when developing the project. Keele University has a great talent pool in a number of study areas that can bring valuable resources to your business. Qdos is now using the surveys and knowledge gained by KRISP to increase business interest, and we are looking to launch the app within the year.”

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent businesses can benefit from a range of specialist support and funding, more details of which are available through Keele University’s Business Gateway - 01782 733001 / business.gateway@keele.ac.uk.

*The KRISP project (ref: 32R16P00711) is part-funded from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) England Growth Programme 2014-2020.