FreshInsights program manager Claire Morrison, left, sets up for a presentation with one of this year’s consultants, Sarah Strong, who is developing a marketing campaign for Cogeco.GLENN LOWSON/The Globe and Mail
When Tim Caddigan, an executive with Cogeco Cable, hired a project leader from FreshInsights Consulting – a not-for-profit agency that recruits young graduates with the aim of keeping them in Burlington, Ont. – he thought he was doing the local community a favour.
Three years later, he says the agency was doing him a favour, too.
FreshInsights' young consultants lead projects in business planning, market research and strategic marketing for companies across the Golden Horseshoe.
The graduates are supported by mentors, including the former chief financial officer of Pepsi Beverages Canada and a former marketing director from Mars Canada.
"I was thinking I'd give them more than they'd give me, but I have been blown away by the recruiting," said Mr. Caddigan, Cogego's senior director of programming and community relations. "All three of our consultants have been stellar. It's a win-win for everybody."
Mr. Caddigan said the consultants brought with them up-to-date knowledge of business and marketing, along with fresh eyes and social media know-how.
FreshInsights consultants have completed projects for more than 30 public and private companies, including the Halton District School Board, Burlington Hydro, the AngelOne Investor Network and the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games.
Claire Morrison, FreshInsights program manager, said the not-for-profit company works closely with clients to develop a plan based on their needs.
"We also give graduates hands-on experience and the chance to work with clients to grow their business. The model works," she said, adding that its competitive rate of $50 an hour makes it especially beneficial for small to medium-sized companies.
As part of his campaign for Burlington mayor in 2010, Rick Goldring promised a program to keep talented graduates working locally, rather than leaving for larger cities. The following year, with a committee of business leaders and a grant from the Burlington Community Foundation, Innovate Burlington – as it was known then – was born.
The committee wanted to help reduce the youth unemployment rate, which typically stands at about twice the national rate, and give recent grads some much-needed experience.
FreshInsights consultants are hired for six-month contracts and earn $15 an hour. The selection process includes a phone interview and a panel interview. Candidates are given a hypothetical business problem, on which they must offer their perspective during the interview.
Twenty-five consultants have worked at FreshInsights, which is now attracting graduates from beyond Halton, including from Guelph, Kitchener and Toronto. Former consultants have moved into corporate positions at companies including Tim Hortons, Ford Motor Co. of Canada, Deloitte, and Ipsos Reid.
Scott Darlow worked at FreshInsights after graduating in 2013 from the Goodman School of Business at Brock University. After seeing the job posting on his school's job portal, he signed on for a six-month contract and then extended it to a year.
"There are openings at large consulting firms, but you start at the bottom of the ladder. With FreshInsights, I had the opportunity to lead projects very early on. That is unheard of in most places," said the 25-year-old native of Kitchener, Ont.
While at FreshInsights, Mr. Darlow created marketing plans, developed brand strategy, completed a valuation project for a startup, co-ordinated investment meetings for an angel investor group, and completed a research project for a hearing aid manufacturer.
Three months after his term, he landed a job at A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. as the company's first operations specialist in Ontario. Mr. Darlow works with teams opening new restaurants to train front-end staff. He consults with store managers about how to improve processes and ensure they follow guidelines from head office.
"Going into new franchises, I 100-per-cent use what I learned at FreshInsights," he said. "I had to develop my leadership and delegation skills, and work with different levels of an organization."
While Mr. Darlow said he "shamelessly plugs" FreshInsights to students he mentors at the Goodman School, he says it is not for everyone.
"You have to make sure it fits with your skill set. You have to wear a lot of different hats. Because the office is small, I was writing blogs, managing social media, putting up job postings. It is also a lot of branding and brand strategy. It is not creative marketing. It is more strategic minded."
One of seven current consultants is Sarah Strong, a bachelor of business administration graduate from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont. Ms. Strong is 10 months into a year-long contract. Right now, she is working on two research projects, as well as developing a marketing campaign for Cogeco.
"In school, we talk about all of the things that happen in the business world, but we don't get to implement them," said Ms. Strong, 22. "It is amazing to use the research methods, presentation skills and marketing strategies. I've been able to take my four years at university and translate them into tangible results.
"It's a tough job market. I am really lucky to come out of university and have this experience."
Special to The Globe and Mail