World InfoComms Ltd

World InfoComms Ltd founded in 1999, publishes Connect-World, a magazine specialising in Information & Communication Technology (ICT) issues. The magazine is produced in six regions including Africa and the Middle East , Asia-Pacific, Europe , , Latin America and North America . It provides a forum for policy makers and other key players in the ICT industry, offering in-depth analysis and information on ICT issues.

Until recently the company has been primarily active in emerging regions such as Latin America . However, over the last year Europe and the have become increasingly important markets. Through its base the company is well placed to target the European market given the ’s position as gateway to the region. By targeting this area Connect-World wishes to do what their name suggests and be connected with the world.

In order to do this the company has joined the World Wide Web and created their own website. Though revenue is generated from the printed magazine’s subscription and advertising fees and royalties from other specialist publications, there is currently no significant revenue stream coming via the internet.

World InfoComms Ltd joined forces with the University of East London to design an Enterprise Bureau (EB) strategy that would attract new subscribers to their magazine through the website and formulate possible generating opportunities, primarily assessing to what extent people would subscribe to the online version.

What ensued was a market research study which was essentially a survey of existing and past magazine subscribers to evaluate the potential of the magazine’s website – www.world-connect.com. With the research the company intended to develop a more interactive site offering links and facilities for users to provide feedback.

The EB project enlisted the help of a university student to undertake a SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis of the magazine’s digital version. The report produced by the student was substantial. It is already underpinning decision-making within the company. According to David Nunes, the Managing Director, “All the people involved in the EB project worked towards meeting our company’s objectives. The student was highly responsible and very capable and the input from the academic was crucial to ensure the project stayed on course for the benefit of the company.”

The impact of the student’s input will shortly become apparent, as the company starts implementing some of the suggestions in the report. “We expect to start shortly reaping the benefits of the study as we begin to act on the report’s recommendations.” World InfoComms felt strongly that the placement met both the business and academic objectives and helped the student acquire work experience in a very professional environment. He welcomed the chance of having an impartial contribution into the company’s planning.