Partnering with Future Talent: Powersheds’ Experience

Setting the Brief

The project brief I set for the students was to investigate the opportunity for Powersheds to expand into new markets, specifically the EU. I asked the team to research:

• Current market trends, customer preferences, and demand for garden buildings.
• Competitors’ product offerings, pricing, and distribution strategies.
• Regulatory requirements, certification standards, and logistics involved in exporting and selling garden buildings abroad.

After a few productive meetings and an onsite visit, it quickly became clear that the original brief was quite ambitious. We decided to narrow the focus to Ireland, Jersey & Guernsey, and Germany, where the growth potential aligned most closely with our capabilities and resources.

 

Why I Took Part

I first heard about the project through the Help to Grow course at Huddersfield University, which I completed last year. The course leader recommended the consultancy programme to SMEs, and I thought it was an ideal fit.

Realistically, this was research I would have had to conduct myself or an external consultant, so why not give students the opportunity to work on a genuine business expansion project? It’s a win-win: the students gain valuable real-world experience, and we get fresh insights at no cost other than our time.

Fresh Ideas and Perspectives

The students brought a refreshing strategic perspective. They encouraged us to think beyond our traditional model of selling directly to homeowners and DIYers. One standout idea was exploring “sheds as a service”, renting them out via Airbnb or using them as promotional installations at festivals. It was a complete pivot from our current approach and sparked internal conversations about long-term diversification.

 

Working with the Students

I was genuinely impressed by the students’ knowledge, professionalism, and adaptability. They listened carefully, responded to feedback, and some showed exceptional initiative. It’s clear that several of them have the potential to become future business leaders.

 

Support from the University

I’d describe myself as fairly hands-off, but the University team was always there when needed. They helped define the project scope, introduced me to the process, and made it clear that support was available at every stage. That balance of independence and guidance worked really well.

 

Key Takeaways

The project produced both short-term action plans, steps we can take immediately to boost revenue, and longer-term strategic ideas that will feed into our expansion plans. The findings are valuable enough that I’ll be presenting them to our board as part of our upcoming strategic discussions.

 

Why It Matters

Initiatives like this are so important for both students and regional businesses.

• For students, it provides hands-on experience and the chance to make a tangible impact, something you simply can’t replicate in a classroom.
• For businesses, particularly SMEs, it’s an opportunity to gain new perspectives and free up internal capacity. Small teams often lack the time or specialist knowledge to dive deep into exploratory projects, so having students bring that energy and insight is invaluable.

 

Advice to Other Businesses

If you’re unsure about getting involved, just do it. Honestly, I’ve spent less than two full days over six months on this project, yet the value it’s delivered is immense. The students’ work has directly informed our strategy and saved us considerable time and effort.