What happens when you invite fresh perspectives into your business? For Gardner Systems, the answer has been new ideas, sharper thinking and real, actionable results.
A recent conversation between Hazel Kennedy from the University of Liverpool Management School and Joshua Mantle, Growth and Marketing Executive at Gardner Systems, highlighted the strong business case for engaging with the Management School’s Project Partners initiative.
For Gardner Systems, a fast-growing Liverpool-based IT company, Project Partners has become a valuable additional resource. Having taken part in the initiative for two consecutive years and across multiple projects, Joshua emphasised that the initiative consistently brings “fresh perspective” into the organisation. He finds that students have no prior assumptions, enabling them to identify gaps and opportunities that internal teams may overlook through familiarity with day-to-day operations.
Their insights offer practical, actionable ideas. Recommendations produced by students have been of a consistently high standard and many have informed real business decisions. As Joshua noted, there has never been a case where student input was dismissed; instead, strong ideas have been actively pursued. This makes Project Partners a practical, low-risk way for businesses to test new approaches and gain external insight, without the cost typically associated with external consultancy.
The value extends beyond the outputs themselves. The interaction process creates space for reflection within the business. The students engaged deeply with Gardner Systems, asking detailed questions about strategy, service offerings and target markets. These questions, often framed from an outside perspective, prompted Gardner teams to revisit established ways of working. As Joshua reflected, being asked “why” the business operates in a certain way encourages continuous reassessment and can highlight areas for improvement or innovation.
This reflective benefit is particularly powerful in fast-paced organisations, where time constraints can limit opportunities for more structured review. The students’ curiosity acts as a catalyst for critical thinking, effectively functioning as an informal audit of business practices while simultaneously generating new ideas.
Alongside these business benefits, Project Partners delivers significant value for students. Participants gain hands-on experience of addressing live organisational challenges, applying academic knowledge in a real-world setting. Through research, analysis and presentations to company stakeholders, students build confidence, develop consultancy skills and gain a clearer understanding of how business decisions are made. Joshua also noted the level of commitment students bring, with a strong focus on delivering meaningful, high-quality work.
From a practical perspective, the model is designed to be accessible. Gardner Systems adopted a flexible, hybrid approach to engagement, combining regular touchpoints with informal communication. This ensured students were supported while allowing the business to manage its time efficiently. Even with the required input, Joshua was clear that the return on investment is strong, describing the experience as a “no-brainer” that he would repeat
Summing up the experience, Joshua described Project Partners as “insightful, beneficial and positive”; a concise reflection of the value it creates for both organisations and students alike.
For businesses looking to access new thinking, challenge internal assumptions and support the development of future talent, Project Partners offers a compelling opportunity. To find out more or to get involved, contact busdev@liverpool.ac.uk.