In October 2011, Mthente was commissioned by Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) to conduct a brand awareness and perception survey. TIKZN is a provincial trade and investment promotion agency which works to promote the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) as an investment destination for local and foreign investment, as well as to help KZN based companies grow through identifying opportunities in export markets. By conducting this survey, Mthente will help TIKZN assess stakeholder perceptions in the key local, national and international markets where it seeks to promote increased investment.

Mthente will use the following methodology in order to fully understand the brand awareness and perception of TIZKN in these markets:

• Reviewing existing policies, strategy and interventions developed by TIKZN to develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and identify investment and trade trends.
• Preparing a survey questionnaire approved by TIKZN to be given to the sample market and regions identified by TIKZN as areas of possible future investment.
• Administering the survey, ensuring that all questionnaires are quality controlled for maximum results.
• Using Epidata® interface to transfer the information collected from the survey and analyse the data to identify key themes.
• Using the key themes found in the research to develop and conduct focus groups with stakeholders who do business or engage with/through TIKZN.
• Conducting interviews with key stakeholders identified by TIKZN and using Atlas ti®, collate and code data received.

After the completion of the research, Mthente will develop a report for TIKZN that identifies key themes found in the data. The report will contain key findings, awareness levels and perceptions of TIKZN and will give TIKZN recommendations on how to increase awareness of its brand and promote its services. This will help in turn assist TIKZN in meeting its strategic goal of playing a key role in the KZN provincial economy, facilitating investment between investors, the provincial government and KZN businesses.