Insight from Graduates

Context
Committed to ongoing improvement, Accenture were looking to get real insight on their graduate recruitment process, from candidates going through it. They were observing that candidates were not overly critical about their experiences as they did not want to burn any bridges with Accenture.

Smarty Train Assistance
The Smarty Train partnered with Accenture to implement Declined Offer Insight (DOI). DOI enabled candidates to talk to The Smarty Train about their perceptions of the end-to-end assessment process from their 'customer' perspective. The Smarty Train  report ongoing trends to Accenture in a monthly highlight report, which also covers the candidates insight on other graduate recruitment propositions on their campus- invaluable to inform the fast paced graduate recruitment market.

Outcome
"Insight from DOI is always useful, precise and unexpected.  DOI is vital in us keeping our proposition relevant and fresh"
           --  Suzy Style, Graduate Recruitment Lead, Accenture

Summer Vacation Scheme Focus Group Series

Context
Committed to ongoing improvement, Accenture were looking to get real insight into the workings of its Summer Vacation Scheme, from current Interns.

Smarty Train Assistance
After working together with Accenture to define their insight objectives, The Smarty Train defined a Focus Group Programme to cover the Academic Year 2007-8.

4 Focus Groups will be moderated, with a cross sample of Interns, up until they start their full-time careers with Accenture in July 2008. Focus Groups will have different focus areas ranging from Intern's experience of the application and assessment process to get onto the Internship, to how they found their placement and how Accenture have worked to prepare them for full time employment.

Outcome
"The insight that The Smarty Train has delivered us has exceeded all my expectations.  They have acted as a useful, independent, intermediary to deliver insight that will keep our Internship Programme amongst the best in the business.  I have asked them to work with our Industrial Placement Students too"
          -- Karen McAnaney, Schemes Lead, Accenture

Industrial Placement Focus Group Series

Context
Committed to ongoing improvement, Accenture were looking to get real insight into its Industrial Placement Scheme, from current members of the scheme.

Smarty Train Assistance
After working together with Accenture to define their insight objectives, The Smarty Train defined a Focus Group Programme to cover the Academic Year 2007-8. 4 Focus Groups will be moderated, with a cross sample of IP Students, up until they start their full-time careers with Accenture in July 2009. Focus Groups will have different focus areas ranging from their experience of the application and assessment process, to how they found their placement and how Accenture have worked to prepare them for full time employment.

Outcome
"The IP Programme is very important to our business.  The insight that is being gained, via The Smarty Train, is instrumental in my plans for the IP Scheme"
          --  Karen McAnaney, Schemes Lead, Accenture.

Teaming with Love London

Context
Accenture were looking for a long term partner to undertake a number of team building experiences for undergraduates on their Summer Vacation Scheme, Horizons Scheme and Navigator Scheme.

Smarty Train Assistance
Our research has shown that the retention and development of top talent is becoming increasingly important even at the internship stage. Investing now will pay dividends later on.

The Smarty Train delivered its famous Love London! experience to bring together elements of teaming and problem solving all centred around exploring the Capital.

A working late-lunch was designed to be an end finale to the day, where students had the chance to reflect on the day's activities, and relate their experiences to those of high-performing team theory, via a facilitated discussion.

Outcome
Love London has ranked highly amongst participants' evaluation of the Induction Week.

"An awesome experience, particularly the wash-up theory session at the end. This day really made an impact on me, especially being new to London – I was wowed hands-down!"
          -- Schemes Student, Accenture

"The Smarty Train organized a whole day to think practically and technically about teaming, and delivered it with enthusiasm and professionalism. We have asked them to deliver several more sessions this academic year" 
          -- Karen McAnaney, Schemes Lead, Accenture