What is the meaning of business development for research institutions? There are a variety of meanings: mobilisation of resources for the development of research; opportunities other than work as a researcher; identification of superior products; optimisation in research and advocacy to seek as many resources as possible through fundraising; and organisational development to take into account the business aspects of research.
The material on business development in a research organisation is divided into six stages, such as organisational assessment, techniques to analyse the market and competitors, analysis of funders, developing new programs or activities in the organisation, developing good proposals and options to restructure the organisation. On the last day, partner institutions from Yogyakarta namely Survey Meter, Institutes for Research and Empowerment (IRE), and Center for Health Policy and Management at Universitas Gajah Mada had the opportunity to present the business development of their respective organisations based on these six stages.
Sri Budi Eko Wardani, Director of Center for Political Studies at Universitas Indonesia (Puskapol UI), spoke about designing a business plan for a research institute at the session on assessing the market and competitors. "Important issues to consider are the flagship product, the customer, business owner, competitor, price and breakeven point," she said. Mapping the capacity and area of each organisation is one way to set out positions. For universities, research capacity is a superior product.
As a follow-up, participants were offered the chance to conduct business development consultancy clinic sessions where KSI facilitator would review in more detail the plans for the business development of each organisation.
“I am delighted to take part in this useful workshop for the very first time. We have much to learn from large organisations; they are not exempt themselves from the many challenges of managing their organisations,” said Siti Nurhayati, researcher from PUSAD Paramadina.
