WorldFish Business Development & Communications Division
Products/Services Delivered 2008
The below provides an overview of products and services delivered in support of Center growth and development. Presented are deliverables across BDCDs 5 major focal areas and covering over 70 products and services provided by BDCD [Annex 1]. During the last 20 months since inception of BDCD, products and services expanded by nearly 580% and at a time of significant reduction in budget. Significantly enhanced and expanded services & products were made possible through streaming BDCD operations, attracting project funding, hiring consultants, engaging interns, subcontracting to other Centers to achieve economies of scale, share positions as a few examples.
This document provides an overview of products and services delivered in 2008. Not included however is considerable time required for daily communications and support provided through responding to an estimated 7500 emails, meetings and telephone calls from staff, investors, partners and the general public annually.
New ideas and suggestions for improvement are most welcome!
Product and/or Service Support Provided / Why is this significantArea A / Project Funding Support
94proposals valued at nearly $40M submitted to 49 investors. Additionally 24 concept notes valued at over $17M were submitted. BDCD supported the development of over 50% of WorldFish’s submissions.
25% of the value of submissions were to new investors / In terms of volume, this represents an increase of 18% in terms of number & 67% increase in terms of value over 2007 submissions. Success rate remains high at over 65%, which is one of the highest in the CGIAR.
Just under $10M in new project funding was generated in 2008. In terms of KPG for value of project funding targets for 2008 & 2009 were met or nearly met, expect for the 2010 target – as below:
- 2008 target of $12.5 M [94% achieved based on cash flow]
- 2009 target of $7.5M [100% achieved based on cash flow]
- 2010 target of $3.4M [65% achieved based on cash flow]
The web-based proposal database continues to be expanded with over 600 proposals included to end of 2008. For the first time in 2008, the proposal database was connected to the Medium-term-funding outlook to enable extraction of information for MTFO planning and forecasting.
In addition to the information on each proposal submitted, BDCD also writes comprehensive summaries for each submission. / The proposal database represents a critical planning, knowledge sharing, planning and proposal development tool underpinning the Centers grant development efforts.
The seamless extraction of information from the proposal database for the MTFO represents and improvement in efficiency for planning.
In the absence of end of project summaries, the proposal summaries provide key comprehensive narrative information on projects.
Toolkit for full-cost budgeting
–supported CSD in the development of costing template.
- Developed the internal summary project budget sheet .
Funding –opportunities. BDCD provides 6 different products and services to help staff identify funding for projects.
–BDCD received a grant from the CG to develop 4 compendiums of over 500 grants supporting agriculture research for development for the benefit of the entire CG. 3 compendiums on grants for Asia, Africa and fellowships are of direct relevance to WorldFish.
–Provided leads on mega-million dollar programs at regional and country level as potential funding and partnering opportunities
–Provided comprehensive analysis of funding and investor interests.
–Provided funding ideas for specific projects.
–Provided over 50 requests for proposals.
–Provided access to 2 of the world’s most comprehensive databases on grants. / Providing support for identifying funding opportunities for proposals is a key service provided.
Knowledge and information resource supporting proposal development – continued to update and expand our intranet site.
A key on-line tool is the Argument Bank – providing key facts and figures supporting proposal development. / This is a rich resource with considerable resources not to mention resources on over 50 investors and prospects.
Area B / Marketing & Communications
Marketing & Fundraising strategy, plan and advisory notes – developed comprehensive draft covering roadmap outlined in Annex 2. / The strategy aims to support growth and stability in funding to implement the Centers MTP
Early feedback following review has been very favorable.
WorldFish website – a key achievement was the development of a content management system supporting the update and management of the Website.
Ongoing focus on development and update of the corporate website. Including the development of several features to showcase the work of the Center. / The website is the #1 communications vehicle for investors, partners and media. It is our most cost-effective communications vehicle.
We are one of a handful of Centers who have our own CMS system which facilitates decentralization of website management and update.
Developed over 100 communications products during 2008, a number of key highlights are noted below. / Communications activity represented a sharp increase over 2007, which was already an impressive year.
Media coverage–provide coordination support for international media / WorldFish was the only CG Center which succeeded in having sustained monthly coverage throughout the year. Media coverage increased by over 80% compared to 2007. And over 500% compared to 2006.
Storymercials – with grant funding developed 2 short videos featuring our work on fish farming in Malawi and rehabilitation of communities following disasters in Aceh Indonesia
Novel packaging and distribution (as a postcard with credit card size CD) added to the interest and effectiveness of these storymercials. / These short videos of 90 sec were a first to the CG and also were selected by a group of UN organizations (FAO, IFAD, WFP) & CG as an example of effective communications. The videos have been very well received by investors, attracting media interest and opening doors with prospective investors.
Video news releases – to recognize 2 key international events -- International HIV/AIDS awareness day and Anniversary of the Asian Tsunami, for the first time ever, VNRs were produced and distributed through local and international TV channels. / Using DEV-TV distribution network we sought to increase awareness of Center work through a novel approach.
Center work on fish farming in Africa will be featured (we are told) in a special documentary to be aired in 2009 on opportunities for Africa’s development.
E-Alerts– 3 newsletters developed and targeted to over 1,000 recipients focused on fisheries & aquaculture . / This new product supports increased awareness of our work by a broad audience of partners and prospects. The simple newsletter proved to be an effective communication mechanism as previously there was no mechanism to alert broad audiences about our work. This E-Alerts service via email brings the latest WorldFish publications and science contributions to the key members and institutes of the fisheries arena. As of Dec 2008, there are 1192 contacts in the email list. 3 E-Alerts sent.
Web2Tools to increase awareness of our work – YouTube and Wikipedia / Developed a Youtube channel which since launching it 4 months ago have had over 2,000 views. Importantly, this has helped to attract audiences who might not have found out about our work.
A KPG is development of reports, briefs and publications targeting investors. The target of 12 was exceeded by over a 120% increase and up over 65% compared to 2007.
BDCD provides a comprehensive service for such publications offering writing, editing, design, and printing. A number of the special reports were written by BDCD including:
–Annual Report
–Lessons learned on rehabilitating coastal communities following disasters
–Policy brief on food safety standards
–Policy brief on fish for food security in the pacific
–Fisheries policies, support services and trade
–Supply and demand affecting fisheries & aquaculture in the Philippines
–Tropical river fisheries valuation
And provided considerable editing support for nearly 20 other major publications. / These special reports and publications increase support to investors to build the case for stronger support and funding to Research and Development.
Conference & major meeting exhibits – designed, produced and organized full exhibits for 12 events. This represented nearly 100% increase over 2007.
Provided streamers and posters in support of 5 other local and regional meetings and events. / Meetings and conferences represent a unique opportunity to increase awareness of our work.
Nominations and awards – researched and wrote 11 major nominations. / Nominations represent a unique opportunity to increase awareness of our work and build credibility. Some of the nominations, for example, to IFPRIs CG Millions Fed initiative represent a key opportunity to profile our high impact work to key level decision makers.
Special publications and distribution through various channels - BDCD takes every opportunity to increase awareness of the Centers work. Often this involved writing new material and represents a significant contribution by BDCD. Venue included: CG Collective Action news, CG Annual Report, CG impact book, CG Story of the Month (2 articles), ids, Sci Dev, and also we distributed material through Marine TV. / These publications reach audiences that we do not reach and represent a significant opportunity for increasing awareness of our work.
Marketing toolkit – developed CD of key resources supporting staff to represent the Center, develop proposals etc. / This has proven to be a very popular product and based on demand 50 CDs have been distributed.
Communications toolkit – a comprehensive toolkit of resources supporting everything from proposal writing to giving interviews with journalists. / With a special CG grant this toolkit produced for the benefit of WorldFish, other CG Centers and partners.
Publications catalogue – produced for the first time an annotated compilation of WorldFish publications. / Proved to be a useful and welcomed resource by partners, staff and Board.
Brand manual – a reference guide to enable the high quality production of WorldFish publications / A critical reference guide to facilitate consistent brand and quality of WorldFish publications.
Regional websites - designed sites for Mekong, and S Asia.
Provided training to regional office staff on use of content management system to manage websites / The corporate website has a strong regional focus & BDCD provided the design for regional office websites to be managed by the regional offices. .
Project websites – developed design in support of website for major projects or programs.
Newsletters – developed design for newsletters for Mekong and HR unit
Visitors Program – coordinated the programs for over 60 individuals to the Center
Area C / Knowledge & Information Sharing & Reporting
Knowledge management survey and analysis– undertook comprehensive survey of staff to identify opportunities and gaps and to inform the development of a strategy and plan for knowledge. 97 staff participated in the survey which represents an extremely high participation rate. / KM/S is a critical area to improve the efficiency of the Center in terms of internal KM/S but also to support effective KM/S with partners. KM/S has become a key element of one of the Must Win Battles for 2009.
Fishbytes - staff monthly newsletters: 12 issues. BDCD writes, designs, produces this monthly newsletter also made available to Board members. / Fishbytes is viewed as a key knowledge sharing vehicle for the Center.
Fishnet – redesigned the Centres intranet site. This is quite a major undertaking and involves not only the content but also the software supporting the entire site. / Fishnet is viewed as a key knowledge & information sharing vehicle for the Center. And staff feel its importance will be even greater with the design of the new site.
Publications management – develop, update and manage the Centers publication database / A key resource for staff and partners.
Trends and issues impacting the Center and its work with partners - a compilation prepared 6 times a year for staff and Board members. / Keeping abreast of trends in the external environment provides insights that help shape our work.
Info-Base : Information & knowledge not found in publications database, projects nor proposals database. / This database is being developed to be a ‘treasure trove’ of useful information. For example, none WorldFish papers on water productivity, presentations to various investors, partners, useful facts and figures on fish.
Document Search and Delivery - The library supplies soft copies of journal articles and other documents to staff on request nearly 850 documents were supplied, an increase of 10% over 2007. / This service is very popular with staff as it saves them considerable time and provides access to publications they would not otherwise have access to.
Dissemination of WorldFish Publications - The library is strategically disseminating WorldFish publications to a wider clientele by:
- participating in Oaister Open Archives Initiative (OAI), by making publication records harvester compliant: 230 records
- Google Books: 138 records
- AGRIS database: 230 records
- AgEcon repository: 17 records
- RePEC repository: 103 records
- Aquatic Commons: 7
- CABI Full Text Repository
Literature searches - Conducted 33 literature searches representing a 65% increase over the same period in 2007. / Literature reviews are important for design of new projects, proposal development, and writing papers.
Records input into the library catalog - 526 records were added to the catalog. 30% increase over the same period in 2007. / .This contributes not only to our own virtual collection but also to the CGIAR virtual library. Yet another avenue for increasing awareness of our work.
WorldFish Publication Records submitted to the Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA) database - Submitted 66 records to ASFA. / Thus the library while disseminating WorldFish Publications also earns a free subscription to the database.
Area D / Planning & Forecasting
Monitor KPG for growth – provided 6 updates during 2008 / Monitor and report on KPG for growth which are a key planning and monitoring tool for the Center.
Medium-term funding outlook – online tool developed to enable regions to update and extract information without BDCD assistance. / This is the key planning tool for management of the pipeline upon which future funding and the work of the Center depends
Analysis of current and future prospects for core funding and what we need to do to increase core. / Core represents 40% of our funding and sets the upper limit for growth. Core analysis and projects complex given the economic situation and Change Management.
Pipeline updates – coordinated 6 updates and 3 full reviews. / Pipeline updates are critical to the planning and management of the Centers funding
MTP financial tables & financing plan – involved preparation of the financing plan and several additional tables . / The MTP is the Centers key planning document.
Core monitoring – this is done every month on 5th day of the month. / Core outlook and remittances were monitored on a monthly basis and updates provided. Core contributes nearly 40% of Center funding.
Center funding dashboard - this is done monthly after month end . / Preparation of monthly updates to contribute to the dashboard outlook for core and high probability grants.
Board reporting – provided 2 reports to the Board on medium-term funding outlook.
Area E / Investor & Partner Relations
Hold meetings with and coordinate meetings with investors for other Directors and staff – over 25 meetings were coordinated including provision of all background information and materials. / Meetings are important in cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. At least every year we aim to meet with all our major investors.
Analysis of investor trends and complementarities with WorldFish interests – provided a number of comprehensive analysis by investor and thematic area on opportunities for WorldFish with investors. / Understanding investor interests in major areas of global interest and how this relates to WorldFish is important for resource mobilization and investor relations.
Extraordinary investor reports – provided over a half dozen synthesis reports on various topics in response to investor requests. / Synthesis reports requested by investors on thematic or geographic areas provide support for further funding and also provide resources for planning & review
I-Base: developed database to capture and share latest insights from interactions with investors. / Given the number of staff involved in interacting with investors nationally, regionally and globally, this tool will provide knowledge and information sharing.
Briefs on investors - Updated 20 briefs for investor and investor meetings. / Prepared and updated briefs on 20 key investors. Briefs provide a synthesis of investor global and regional priorities and strategies, funding history, pipeline, key contacts and key opportunities and serve as key briefing material for Directors, staff.
Compilation of key investor contacts, intelligence, key opportunities and talking points, funding history, current engagement and other information on over 50 investors / This is a key resource used in preparation of meetings with investors.
Survey of partners and investors - Undertook the partners and investors surveys in Jan 2008. / Understanding the perception of investors and partners is key to maintaining strong relationships.
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