Tuesday, 7 June 2011

Action Plan

Our company action plan is rather simple. 
1) Complete some more extensive market research to make sure we have a strong 'FOR' in terms of our business; across the country. If this is successful 
2) Get an investment that will cover our overheads for setting the company up and paying for any initial expenditure: 

Buying the startup equipment

Studio Rent or Outright buying it 

License to play music on air – PPL (One of the main expenses) 

Ofcom Radio License fee (The other main expense) 

Website

Hiring Presenters (salary dependent on how many hours they work for)

2) Buy all of the equipment, the license etc and conduct basic testing to make sure it all works 
3) Look into Hiring out a studio and leaseholds etc 
4) Get branded merchandise produced
4) ADVERTISE!! - Attend lots of different current events up and down the country i.e. freshers/Reading Festival and distribute them like as much as possible. 

5) Sort out the different programs and set times - continue advertising 
6) Employ presenters and work out a basic starting salary. - continue advertising 
7) Launch Party for the Radio Station 
8) Launch the Radio Station officially 

Research

In preparation for the next pitch our head of Branding Emma created a really useful questionnaire that would help us back up our idea.  She distributed it on websites other than ones that were associated with our uni such as Music Forums; which would after all be one of the main people that we were targetting- Music Lovers! and I also distributed it on social networking and other sites too. The response we got over the week that it was up was an interesting one which showed a majority voting FOR our station. Another thing it showed us was that people DO still listen to the radio, 88.0% of people surveyed still did and 84% of those people were in University Full time or Working. It also gave us insight into why people thought it was a good idea for example:

"I think the material on radio stations these days seems to be unbalanced, Radio 1 is supposed to be for all genres, but unless you wait until 10pm on a friday/saturday its mainly indie rock, which is why they created 1xtra but thats only digital and there is never a fm for dance music listeners, a local 'whats on' for students would also be good"

Lastly, when asked 'Would you be interested in listening to a new radio station broadcasted by students aimed at students and young adults '68.0%' said Yes.

Saturday, 21 May 2011

Dragons Outcome

The overall outcome of the pitch wasn't as positive as we had hoped, but the delivery of our product was clear and confident.  It was said that we needed to research our target audience's 'needs' a bit more; but ahead of this, make sure that there is even a demand for our service. She then told us to think about advertising strategies, marketing and budget. We had already discussed all of these aspects in our group meetings but due to the 5 minute time we had to deliver our pitch, these were removed from it (in favour of explaining what our company was about and why it would be so good!!) 

In preparation for the Summative, formal pitch, we are going to design a Logo and make sure our presentation is as professional and well researched as possible. We WILL make them want to invest in Laze Radio :D 

Dragons in the Den

So, we finally did our 'Dragons Den' style pitch and I think it went quite well.  Word on the Rave Rumour-mill had it, that a lot of groups were not really putting effort into it and were possibly not even going to turn up.  I have to say however that I think I was lucky because our group rose to the challenge and we worked well together.  We met up a few times outside of the timetabled E&E hours and discussed in detail what it was our product was about, and how we would approach the pitch. Below are some of the notes that were made in our very professional meetings :D 


Idea- Laze FM

What is the unique product or service? Laze is a Radio station that has a very specific target demographic with emphasis on having a really active listener input. We want to be able to showcase Unsigned and Younger Bands music and allow a relatively 'free' and 'open' choice. As well as being a Radio Station for 13-22 year olds, we will also aim to expand this nationally with concerts, festivals (winter), blogs, merchandise, a youtube channel etc.

Market- 13-22 and we aim to be the number 1 station that is specifically aimed at students, collectively rather than just students from a particular university only.

Why Will it Make More Profits-
  • Because its nationwide = ability to captivate a wider audience
  • We won't be restricted to listeners local
  • We won't be restricted just to playing the top 40, and the music played will be more diverse and therefore people who do not just want to listen to current music/want something different will also be included.
  • There is currently only Radio 1- Ok so it doesn't have adverts, but the adverts we would play would be aimed at younger people and the shows would have younger presenters and would be more upbeat.
  • Also with the other diversifications like different events throughout the year i.e. winter festival
How Much Money is required:

Studio + Equipment- £25,000
Commercial Radio Station License- £25,000 Approx
£50,000 Total
People- Trial Period of a Month that would be unpaid and then after their salery would be dependent on when they work and how many hours for.
Advertising Budget- Viral Marketing and Word of Mouth. Advertise on Facebook/ Myspace/ Social Networking/ Backing of popular websites I.e google, youtube, Metro/Evening Standard - £50,000

Roles
CEO- George Anckorn
Marketing and Advertising – James
Distribution/ Events Management- Iesha
Finance Director- Axel
Head of Market Research-
Head of Research and Development- N/a
Head of Co-operate Social Responsibilty- (image of brand) – Brad
Head of Brand/ Head of Market Research – Stefan and Emma

When the company generate profits

Within the first couple of months from smaller adverts, but we wouldn't break even until we had developed an established audience- the aim would be to start growing and have a good strong audience in 2-3 years. When we get enough listeners and enough of a following we would increase the charge for adverts especially around the more popular shows.
When we do an event

Sources of Income

Cash Inflows- Advertising from different places of interest to Uni Students.
      • Website would have advertising
      • Google Ad Sense Account
      • Youtube Channel would have Adverts at the start and bottom on any Videos that may feature on a 'The Radio' Youtube Channel i.e. acoustic sessions, unplugged sessions
      • As the station becomes more well known it could start charging premiums for adverts around particularly popular sets.
Cash Outflows- Using a Studio?
      • Hiring Presenters
      • Hiring Bands
      • Buying the startup equipment
      • Licence to play music on air - PPL
      • Ofcom Radio License fee
      • Venue Rent / Outright buying it
      • Website


Operation details
Taking it turns to do certain programs:
Airing all the time
Breakfast Show around 10
Midday- Request
News
Requests
Discussion
Friday Evening/ Late Evening-

How will we get it ready- as a group we will work together to get all of the equipment set up; two of our group have the knowledge of radio stations to work it technologically
Corporate Responsibility- Make sure the shows are appropriate to the age range
Distribution Suppliers- We are the suppliers, our business is not solely focused on one particular product, we are a providing a service.
How will these things change as a company develops and grows:
  • Our facilities and space may improve
  • Our profits will increase because we will be able to provide a better service, charge more for advertising and we will be able to host more events and that will = more revenue.
  • Iphone App Later
  • FreeView Channel - £30 Grand
Financial analysis

The largest time will be spent establishing a following, making sure equipment and general running of the shows is smooth. We will have a launch party

The prospects "What’s in it for me?" Why should I invest in you?"
  • Whats in it for me- become part of what is potentially the biggest thing to happen to radio since Radio 1
  • Why should you invest- refreshing, there is a monopoly on the market with Capital and Radio 1 but these are both flawed slightly because Capital only usually plays top 40, and Radio 1 does not have enough to appeal to the age range.


Advertising:
Air Freshers
Bottle Openers
Beer Mats
Mini FM Radios preset with our Radio
Stands at Freshers /StudentsEvents



Wednesday, 11 May 2011

Advice for Entrepreneurs - Seminar




Entrepreneur-  Puffer Fish – company (check website)
Co founded between two people

Creation called the “PufferSphere” – worked with Google, NASA, and Disney etc.
A simple idea/concept turned into something profitable.

Words of advice:
Make sure you know your own limits. Companies respect you more knowing what you can and can’t do.
Relations with customers keep strong
Always stay ahead of competitions
Better to invest in the people and products rather than getting bogged down in the trademark/copyright politics. You’ll end up saving more money gaining more support and loyal partnerships

Free Marketing

Corporate Social Responsibility/ Triple bottom line   

Notes from the film - Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno try to expose the controversial and unethical ways huge businesses make money. Subjects they covered were:

  • Dow Chemical and Bhopal
  • ExxonMobil Vivoleum
  • Halliburton Survivaball
  • HUD and post-Katrina public housing
  • New York Times hopeful future edition

Discussed about the concept of Free Marketing came about.

Milton Freidman influenced greatly the comings of free marketing.

Free market = Government step back, less regulations which protect the people. Intervention of the government would mean more freedom for them to make money – profit.
Freedom = more money, less ethics.

Wealth, money, privatization – themes that run throughout the free market.

How does this film help with our own business idea?

 -Corporate social responsibility
- Taking ethics into account
- Etc.


Having your own Business, what's there to think about?

E&E Wednesday 11th May

Lists of things to think about when in your own buisness.

Budgeting
- What for?
- How do you do it? (Have a plan)
- Compass for entrepreneur
- Help with capital raising: Time utilisation

How to make financial predictions:
- Cash inflows
- cash outflows
- Gross Margin
- Over Heads
- Capex
- Working capital

Sources of funding
- Self
- Bank
- Friends/family
- Self funding buisness
- Grants/local funds
- investor
- Buisness Angel

Common mistakes
- Delays in sales and collection
- Need for upfront payments
- Pricing (gross margin) (dont under price just to get your first sale)
- Draw

Budget
- P&L (Profits and Losses)
- Cash Flow
- Balance Sheet ( Assets – Stock, debters. Liabilities - money you owe to others)
- Cash flow is most important