Business School
STUDENT ROOM
BedsBiz SUMMER EDITION | August 2015
TALKING BUSINESS
RESEARCH POD
Issue 6
IN THE NEWS
Issue 6 5
SECTION HEADER EDITORIAL
Welcome to the Summer edition of BedsBiz, our Faculty magazine We’ve had some exciting developments across the School since the last edition. I’m delighted to announce that following a rigorous appraisal we were awarded the government’s Small Business Charter Bronze award; fantastic recognition for the excellent work we undertake with small businesses regionally and locally. We are now one of only 21 Universities in the UK with this recognition. Read the lead article to find out more! This year sees the Business school expand further into Milton Keynes with a portfolio informed by practice and placements built into the curriculum. Staff have been working hard to complete the quality approvals required and incorporating the input of employers. The result will be a range of fasttrack and business related courses
from Management, Marketing and PR to Human Resource Management and Accounting and Finance that drive the employability of our students through that unique combination of innovative business theory and practice that our graduates offer employers.
One highlight of the year so far was the arrival of senior marketing executives from supercar giant Lamborghini’s Sant’Agata Bolognese headquarters, in Italy. They enthralled students with their views on brand and their experience of reshaping the overall image of Lamborghini Automotive. This relationship is set to grow with exchanges planned that will bring new practice contexts to students. There’s more to read, so enjoy the successes of our students and staff in the pages following. Dr Gordon Mellor Executive Dean
SUBMIT YOUR STORIES NOW FOR THE NEXT ISSUE This magazine depends on the excellent stories of success our staff and students generate. Please email your stories and photographs for inclusion in the next issue to:
tim.priestman@beds.ac.uk
2
SUMMER EDITION | |August August2015 2015
Issue 6
CONTENTS
2 4
6
Editorial Cover Story
• University awarded Small Business Charter • New UBBS courses for UCMK in September 2015
Thought Leadership • Leader and manager as coach for performance and productivity
7 Student Room
8
• Charlie Hughes - taking opportunities creates more opportunities • Yetunde Omoniyi - why do a sandwich year? • UOB-MBA Global Association wins funding from Steps Project
From the Classroom
• Lighting design for event managers • Learning from networking at International Confex 2015 • Leadership Futures welcomes Colonel Emmanuel Kotia • Energising breakfast brain power • Practice Week project - Youth Insight
11 Alumni Stories
• Second Annual Alumni Event • Angela Bianca Redoblado - challenge as a way of life
13 Talking Business
• Driving forward: Lamborghini’s new positioning • MSc Project Management students win in APM Challenge • Students Consulting to DHL in the Distribution Centre Relocation Project • The Business School helping small businesses in social media • Business Matters
16 Research Pod
• Research on the use and impact of Business Analytics in UK firms • Big Data in Logistics project in progress • SMEs not using free analytics tool effectively • Dr Lang’s internationally recognised research published in two leading journals • Benefits of Practice Weeks explored in research • Shadows and light: diversity management as phantasmagoria
19 In the News
• New “Freeman” of the Worshipful Company of Fuellers • University representation at the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) • UBBS attends Confederation of British Industry (CBI) 50th anniversary VIP book launch
12 In Partnership
• Six refugees reunited with their families thanks to the School of Law • University opens Law Clinic • Learning strategy from the Swiss
SUMMER EDITION | August 2015
3
Issue 6
COVER STORY
University awarded Small Business Charter
The University of Bedfordshire Business School (UBBS) has been recognised for its start-up and business growth advice with the Bronze Award from the Small Business Charter. The award recognises the role the Business School has played in helping to kick start local businesses. Ian McNaught, Executive Director of the Small Business Charter said: “The Small Business Charter (SBC) is
delighted to award the University of Bedfordshire Business School a Bronze Charter Award. “The SBC welcomes UBBS into the consortium of 21 charter business schools across the UK, and looks forward to working with UBBS to positively influence regional SME engagement and economic growth.” A university business school has to undergo rigorous assessment to show it has proven and effective SME business engagement. It is assessed for the impact of the university business school’s support across the student start-up community and across its enterprise education programmes. “We’re very pleased that UBBS has met these criteria to a high standard and demonstrated its commitment to supporting small businesses,” said Mr McNaught. Dr Gordon Mellor, Executive Dean of UBBS said on receiving the award: “I am delighted to be able to accept this award on behalf of the Business School. This is great news both for the start-up businesses we work with and for our students.
“With this award, students who choose to study business at the University of Bedfordshire know that they will have the opportunity to work on real business issues. They will get industry experience and real-world skills to put on their CVs.” The University of Bedfordshire has a proud tradition of entrepreneurial students who want to start up their own businesses. It ranks 11th in the UK for estimated turnover (£22.3m) of graduate start-ups since 2008. “And now,” said Dr Mellor, “our students know the advice and assistance we can offer to grow their business idea has been recognised as being some of the best in the country.” Other ways that the Business School has helped local businesses grow is through its Continuing Professional Development Programme covering topics such as innovation and management. It also funds the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) qualifications and runs Practice Weeks on various subjects such as social media. There is also the opportunity to take on Business School interns. The accreditation opens opportunities for additional interaction with SMEs:
Issue 6
Issue 5
Growth Vouchers UBBS will be able to offer highquality leadership and management education and training services to owners/managers of microenterprises (i.e., with less than 10 employees) who have successfully obtained voucher grants. Start Up Loans As an SBC accredited Business School, UBBS can offer, in conjunction with the wider university provision, support to entrepreneurs and graduates in order to develop their business ideas with the help of unsecured, low-cost loans coupled with business support and mentoring. Entrepreneurship Programmes In co-operation with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS), the SBC
is participating in exploratory UBBS students on our internship discussions relating to program as well as working the creation of an with UBBS as a Entrepreneurship supplier.” r programme. Another business u O w thece o n UBBS can now which has been k nts tan contribute to this. helped through stude and assis grow e o c t i One business its contact v r s d a n offe ss idea hang with UBBS is a c which has seen e e i w as be busin its business Trademaid, their ecognised est in b grow helped a provider r been me of the try by support from of Catering so un the co UBBS is A Thin Equipment & Place, a creative Cleaning Supplies. agency based in Luton. Alan Clarke from “Our relationship with the Trademaid said: UBBS has been very valuable,” “Working with the Business said its Chief Operating Officer, School has helped develop our Grant O’Sullivan. “A number of our sales and marketing strategy team have benefited from courses whilst also improving the way we and training that has helped with use social media to help increase the development of our business. our presence on platforms such We have also worked with as Facebook and Twitter.”
New UBBS courses for UCMK in September 2015
SUMMER EDITION | August 2015
5
Issue 6
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Leader and manager as coach for performance and productivity Practice management skill for 21st century leaders Coaching has been identified as one of the top premium ‘next generation’ skills for leaders and managers in the 21st century to deal with problems and manage change. Latest research conducted in July 2014 by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), a formal coaching governing and regulatory body, demonstrates the link between coaching and people engagement in organisations. The research was titled ‘Engagement and the Link to • Leaders who use coaching Coaching – The Inconvenient Truths’. behaviours are 33% more EMCC research demonstrated that effective at engaging employees the constant climate of change in (Birsin by Deloitte, 2011); organisations, plus notions of an • The most effective behaviours to uncertain future, suppress optimism, affect performance conversations creativity and engagement. are listening actively, reinforcing • 71% of workers are ‘not positive behaviour and asking engaged’ representing a nearopen questions (TW, 2012). record low (Gallup, 2011); Performance coaching has emerged • 56% of workers view security within the role of manager and leader as more important than two years as both functions have matured. It ago (Towers Watson (TW), 2012). can, at certain stages in a company’s Managers have a real life cycle, help accelerate growth by opportunity to effect change: delegating authority or inject dynamic • “Few things can have as entrepreneurial flexibility much immediate impact in an ageing one. [upon engagement] Benefits of integrating as an effective performance t os s r relationship with coaching as an u o The m i hav ance e b one’s direct organisational e iv manager” (TW) strategy: effect ct performtively, e Global Workforce • Enhance the to aff stening ac sitive o i l p Study, 2012); leadership and e g g r a rcin nd askin o f • The top management n i re iour aestions factor (85%) performance; v a h e u b q contributing to • Help to create n e op increased employee an inspiring and engagement is sustainable high their line manager or performance workplace; supervisor (ABC Research • Raise performance Foundation/Buck Consultants, 2010). in teams and individuals; The nature of everyday work • Develop coaching skills to conversations needs to change: cause and promote the best
6
SUMMER EDITION | August 2015
performance in others. Benefits of learning coaching as a skill within the function of a leader/manager: • Measurably increase the performance of direct reports and others and develop them for the future; • Increase levels of motivation, creativity and engagement; • Manage different levels of performance from under performers to high performers; • Embed effective coaching and management in the personal leadership approach. In addition to our Small Business Charter Bronze Award we have grown our relationship with the Chartered Management Institute to run CMI Award workshops in Leader and Manager Coaching for Performance and Productivity. We are offering introductory workshops as a ‘taster’ for our more in-depth two day and four day CMI Award workshops.
John Grisby
Professor in Management Practice
Issue 6
STUDENT ROOM
Taking opportunities creates more opportunities
We met up with the BA (Hons) Business Studies course graduate Charlie Hughes to talk about his journey at the University and his upcoming role as the SU President. “From day one of the course we
were encouraged to work in groups with people we didn’t know. I was quite shy before coming to university, and it definitely put me out of my comfort zone. But it did enable me to meet and work with people from all over the world. Over the three years it gave me the confidence to run for President of the Beds SU. “As President, I want to carry on some of the work I’ve done this year (as the VP Education), particularly on employability as it’s the number one priority in students’ requests in Beds SU annual survey. I want to make sure that there are a lot of opportunities for students to get oncampus work experience. I also want to get a wider variety of responses
in the Beds SU annual survey; we want to find out from people who don’t come to SU why they don’t engage in our activities. “University of Bedfordshire is a big university but it seems small at the same time. If from the beginning you get involved in SU, jobs on campus or different opportunities you see up on posters and screens, more opportunities start coming your way. You need to do a lot more now than just attend your course if you want to become employable when you leave university with your degree.”
Why do a sandwich year? In 2014 BA (Hons) International Tourism Management student Yetunde Omoniyi was awarded the Magic Moment Award by the Premier Inn Hotel in London for providing an outstanding customer service. In 2013 Catherine Nthenya, studying on the same course, won the Best Employee of the Month for six consecutive months whilst working for Double Tree by Hilton London (former Jurys Inn). Both Yetunde and Catherine were on a sandwich year. During their time working for these hotels their exceptional work ethic was recognised by their employers and appreciated by the customers. So what are the benefits of a sandwich year? • It enables students to relate the theories learnt in the first two years of study to practical issues; • It’s central to advancing
knowledge and experience of intercultural settings in the UK or abroad; • It enables students to improve their personal, interpersonal and business skills, develops their awareness of professional working practice and increases their employability; • Through the sandwich year, students like Catherine and Yetunde have the opportunity to understand the world of work, set themselves individual learning targets, extend their range of learning styles to
include learning from practice and to gain confidence in a working environment; • Both working and the prolonged experience of a different culture are assets in a modern academic/ business world. As Yetunde said, “The sandwich year has been an interesting journey because I have learnt the ins and outs of how the Front Office and Food and Beverage departments operate within the hospitality industry. I look forward to working and developing my career with Premier Inn again in the future.” “We are so proud of both students and what they have achieved,” comments course leader Dr Caroline Tie, “the practical experience they have gained is an invaluable addition to their CVs and proof of the value of placements.”
SUMMER EDITION | August 2015
7
Issue 6
STUDENT ROOM
UOB-MBA Global Association wins funding from Steps Project
A dynamic group of MBA students have won funding from the ViceChancellor’s Steps project to start a UOB-MBA Global Association to enhance the student experience at the University of Bedfordshire. To date, there are an estimated of 4,000 global alumni and 1,000 enrolled students globally from both the MBA and Executive MBA programmes. The number of global networks is expected to grow to 10,000 by 2020. To connect the MBA community globally, the association aspires to spark innovative collaboration by adopting its three core values (3C’s) - Connect, Create, Change. Connect by bridging people and resources across boundaries in novel ways. Create by constantly initiating new innovative initiatives. And lastly Change, in changing norms through our actions to create a positive contribution to the world.
“The team is delighted with the win! We would like to thank our advisors, fellow MBA colleagues and lecturers for their continuous support. We look forward to passing on the baton to the new incoming leaders, to drive the association forward”, said Siti Aishah Md Selamat, the President of the association. Working in close partnership with the University’s Business School, Department of Management and Business Systems, the association’s Executive Committee and Subcommittee Team (ECST) will develop initiatives for the MBA community globally. For students and alumni in the UK, there will be on-campus programmes such as Peer2Peer learning, social activities, ‘Pow-Wow!’ sessions and alumni events. For the global community at large, a dedicated digital platform will create connections including social communication links,
podcasting and a real-time live chat feature. The student presentation for the Steps award was widely praised and the project had unanimous approval from the Dragon’s Den Panel. Steps provides funding to focus on introducing, changing or enhancing aspects of the Student Experience identified by students and staff as ripe for change.
For details of how to join the association, please contact: Siti Aishah Md Selamat President, UOB-MBA Global Association uobmba.global@gmail.com
FROM THE CLASSROOM
Lighting design for event managers Final year BA (Hons) Event Management students were invited to participate in a CPD event on Lighting Design for Event Managers delivered by Rob Negus from Cue Technical Ltd. Rob, who specialises in lighting and sound design operations, is studying event management at the University of Bedfordshire and is a Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) Leader. The students were introduced to the importance of lighting, physiology of colour and health and safety issues. The CPD session provided students with an opportunity to gain "hands-on" experience by practising how to use lighting for designing and theming events. Dr Nazia Ali, the Course Leader for BA (Hons) Event Management commented, “The students really enjoyed the CPD session and were very creative in altering a classroom to reflect a product launch through the use of lighting. The CPD event reflects the Business School’s practice-based education and enhances the employability of our students.”
8
SUMMER EDITION | August 2015
Issue 6
FROM THE CLASSROOM
Learning from Networking at International Confex 2015 A group of BA (Hons) Event Management students attended the International Confex 2015 (Olympia, London) in February 2015. International Confex is an important annual trade show and exhibition for those working in the events industry and studying event management. First year students were encouraged to attend by their PAL
Leader Rob Negus as he commented, “I think this day presents an excellent opportunity to develop our (student) knowledge of the industry, as well as making new contacts and networking with other students." Dr Nazia Ali, the Course Leader for BA (Hons) Event Management, stated, “Visiting International Confex 2015 gave event management students the opportunity to attend
a student session on networking and kick start a career in events led by event management graduates. Students spoke directly to event management companies involved in event design, venue selection, risk management, meetings and conferences. International Confex brought students face-to-face with event planning and operations companies referred to in-class.”
Leadership Futures welcomes Colonel Emmanuel Kotia The Leadership Futures lecture series continues to attract prestigious figures from across different sectors in the UK and internationally. Colonel Emmanuel Wakem Kotia PhD, Chief Instructor and Academic Programs Co-ordinator at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) Ghana has accepted our invitation and gave an inspirational talk to an audience of students, academics and guests in our Postgraduate & CPD Centre in Luton. Having been decorated for leading his troops in 6 major campaigns
such as Liberia, Lebanon and Cambodia, the DRC, Western Sahara, and Rwanda, Col. Kotia knows about leadership. Described as an “intellectual soldier” by one of the reviewers of his recently published book “Ghana Armed Forces in Lebanon and Liberia Peace Operations (Conflict and Security in the Developing World)”, Col. Kotia believes that leaders must have a clear vision. To achieve their vision they should be both passionate and knowledgeable, while adhering to their personal values. Driving these traits is the need for self-discipline. Col. Kotia lost his father at the age of 10 and joined the military forces in Ghana straight from high school. There he met many Senior Officers who acted as role models displaying the character traits that he believes all leaders should have. His personal vision was to become both a military officer and an academic engaged in
leading and training others to become leaders. His academic journey includes a Masters from Cranfield in Global Security and a PhD from the University of Ghana in Political Science. He is a visiting Professor of Peace and Security at Kennesaw State University and Westpoint Military Academy in the US. In addition, he designs and delivers programmes such as the MA in Gender Peace and Security and Conflict Peace and Security to students at KAIPTC. Further to this he has just developed an MSc in Defence and International Politics for the Ghana Armed Forces, Command and Staff College. Through his personal story Col. Kotia demonstrated that he is an inspirational champion of practice who inspires young men and women to follow their own visions to become leaders of the future.
SUMMER EDITION | August 2015
9
Issue 6
FROM THE CLASSROOM
Energising breakfast brain power Business Management students have engaged with a project related to Kellogg’s on a process of new product development as part of the Practice Weeks. To make the process competitive we created a competitive league where every activity was scored and the results were publicised daily. This ‘gamification’ of the academic experience is a newly developed pedagogical approach introduced for the first time this year, with plans for a structured software based system next academic year. This approach is gaining traction in higher education. As the week unfolded the groups
jostled for position improving their performance with every activity. The Practice Week culminated with the presentation event itself. Eleven groups presented their ideas to a panel of the teaching team and guest judge, David Harding, Professor in Management Practice who has professional business links to Kellogg’s. The winners of the League for consistent and quality performance over the week were team ‘Explorers’ (consisting of students: Ryan Anderson, Kennedy Mugovera, Brandy Ndjibu, Kambulu Ngindu and Vuyani Ntaisi).
The winning team, ‘Razvan's Group’, were judged to have delivered the best presentation; as one of the teaching team members and panellist commented “their presentation was as smart as they looked”. Professor in Management Practice, David Harding said “For the teaching team and students to recreate what really happens every day in industry – whilst managing hectic timetables – isn’t easy in an educational environment, so hats off to everyone involved in creating this excellent example of practice.”
Practice Week project - Youth Insight
One of our Practice Week projects, Youth Insight, with our partners and level 4 students (400), helped to analyse a serious health issue and gave our students the opportunity to influence local government policy towards our communities. Lack of exercise in the centre of Luton particularly results in raised mortality rates and obesity in young people. The national average for young people exercising at least once a week is 56.4%. In Luton the figure is 38.3%. Data on participation in sport and physical activity in Luton’s wards demonstrates this but does not explain why people are not exercising. Rather than re-analysing the existing participation data, this project adds to the knowledge of the attitudes and behaviours of young people, particularly in relation to sport and physical activity. The project focused on young people (18-25) within the three defined wards of Luton (Dallow, Biscot and Saints). Partners Luton Borough Council, Sport England, Active Luton, Luton Town Football Club and other community leaders
10
presented the context of the problem of inactivity in Luton to the students. Practice Weeks students, mentored by partners who came into the university and tutors, identified, designed and implemented a range of appropriate research tools. Students engaged in the community to conduct market research focusing on the attitudes and motivations of young people. This included a social media campaign, online survey and face-to-face interviews in Luton Mall facilitated by partners and tutors. In the final week the students provided a synthesis of results and presented these to senior members of the Council and other partners who were available for further
SUMMER EDITION | August 2015
mentoring to student groups. This project builds the skills and attributes required by employers and demonstrates to students that they have impact through working with partners and achieving outcomes they can add to their CVs. It also builds student confidence: students arranged two radio interviews with Three Counties Radio and Diverse FM for example. This project was embedded in the curriculum as part of the learning and student experience. Youth Insight has built an excellent and sustainable relationship with partners with the prospect of further project extensions in the future.
Issue 6
ALUMNI STORIES
Second Annual Alumni Event The University of Bedfordshire Business School aims to connect with its worldwide alumni to make current students even more employable. The Business School is placing increasing emphasis on bringing former students back to the University. Tim Priestman, Projects Executive at the Business School who has chaired the second Annual Alumni Event, said: “We are a global university and we want to reflect that in how we connect with our alumni. We want you (alumni) to
come into the Business School so you can engage with our students and they can learn from you.” One way in which the Business School may do that is with the student-led UOB-Global Association, led by Alumni which will connect MBA alumni across the globe. Students presented the Association to the alumni who attended the event, which was hosted this year at the Postgraduate and CPD Centre in Luton. The evening began with an introduction to the Professors in
Challenge as a way of life We caught up with our recent graduate Angela Bianca Redoblado to publish her story. “I am someone who is constantly seeking opportunities where I can challenge myself to do more and to try things that I have not experienced before – one of the many reasons why I decided to pack my bags and start living independently in the UK, where I didn’t know anyone and where I hadn’t visited before. It was also my first time to travel outside the Philippines. Living in Bedfordshire made my move to the UK easier – everything is accessible: the train station, the town centre and the University of Bedfordshire (UoB) campus are walking distance from where I live. “I chose the MSc Marketing and Business Management degree at UoB because it offers a good mix of subjects for my chosen field, nice facilities and has a diverse student/ staff population. “Studying here, I have learned to communicate, to be open and
to work with people from different backgrounds. The practical aspect that I enjoyed most in my course was presenting our research/work to my course mates as it has taught me how to promote/sell my work and to be open to suggestions and recommendations. I understand that it is important not to be afraid, to share my opinions, and to be responsible for my decisions. I have also realised that I should not be hesitant to put myself out there and to show everyone what I can offer. “Apart from studying, I had the opportunity to join other extracurricular activities such as the FLUX Business Competition. I have also done a Research Internship under the Department of Marketing, Tourism and Hospitality. And before even finishing my degree, through the Careers Services, I was able to get a six-month internship as a Marketing and Communications Executive at Charles Whitney Sports Marketing and PR Agency. “My duties cover a broad mix of marketing, public relations, social media,
Management Practice, before outlining the Business School’s award of the Bronze Small Business Charter. Speeches closed with the presentation of a new CPD programme.
CONNECT with the University of Bedfordshire’s Business School Alumni on LinkedIn: www.beds.ac.uk/linkedinbedsbiz-alumni
sponsorship development, events and administration. What I like about my job is that each day is different, and that there’s always a challenge new tasks that I haven’t fully worked on before, such as online analytics. “In addition to my job, I am currently at a six-month Leadership Programme under UpRising UK, a non-profit organisation. Through this, my group has launched a health and awareness campaign, entitled KIYS Visibility, which aims to promote and bring together the different local health organisations in Luton to the students of the University. “I would definitely recommend MSc Marketing and Business Management as it has a broad mix of subjects in marketing, people management, finance and digital business. UoB has so much to offer and the support from the staff is fantastic!”
For more information: @KIYSvisibility facebook.com/KIYSvisibility
SUMMER EDITION | August 2015
11
Issue 6
IN PARTNERSHIP
Six refugees reunited with their families thanks to the School of Law
Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum A young woman from Zimbabwe was one of six refugees reunited with and Ashahul Ali, a barrister at Duncan Lewis Solicitors. Both are their families thanks to an initiative Visiting Fellows at the University’s run by the School of Law. Centre for Research in Law (CRiL). Forced to flee her country due to Dr Borelli, Principal Lecturer in Law, continuous death threats as a result said: “The project is of great value, of her political activity, V (names both to the refugees and for the have been protected for anonymity students who take part. The rules purposes) had to leave her three and application process are children behind. Starting complex, and, given a new life alone in the the unavailability of UK wasn’t easy. e th Given lity of legal aid, many of With help from i b a l i our clients would the University’s a f ny o unav a m face significant Refugee Legal , aid ace obstacles legal ts would f s Aid Project e n l e c i l a in making (RLAP), her c t our t obs sful n a c successful children were fi signi ng succes applications granted visas ki unassisted." in ma plications and have joined ap d RLAP began in her in the UK. e t is unass November 2013, The project, headed and in its first year by Dr Silvia Borelli, had a 100% success provides free assistance rate in obtaining the reunion to refugees who are seeking of its clients with close family to be reunited in the UK with their members. Continuing into its close family members who remain second year, the project is set to abroad. Law students, acting under expand its activities, with the cases supervision, assist refugees in of seven refugees already pending. preparing applications to UK Visas Applicants come from across the & Immigration. Given recent cuts world, including places such as to legal aid, which has meant that Uganda, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. publicly funded legal assistance is “Through this project I have been not available for applications of this able to develop my own legal skills type, this is an area of particular and provide positive outcomes for need and great importance. clients. I have gained invaluable The programme is run in conjunction work experience and also made with Bedfordshire Refugee & Asylum new friends through the project,” Seeker Support (BRASS), with the said Taranjit Kaur, a student on support and assistance of Fiona the programme last year. Cameron of the Nottingham and
12
SUMMER EDITION | August 2015
University opens Law Clinic The Law Clinic has opened its door to members of public offering free legal advice in the areas of housing, consumer and employment law. The Clinic is a new project from the University’s School of Law, to give students practical experience interviewing and advising clients. The Law Clinic offers free legal support and guidance to members of the general public. All students have been trained in skills and techniques to support clients, and trained staff are available at all times to assist students. Zain Qazi, a second year Law student, said: “It’s a great opportunity for students to put their studies into practice. You can put it on your CV and you’re more likely to be taken seriously when applying for a job.” Tom Mortimer, Head of the School of Law, said: “This is an important opportunity for our students. The legal environment is extremely competitive and the Law Clinic will give added value to employing a student from the University of Bedfordshire. The Law Clinic will give our students the chance to interact with real people with real problems; it offers the link between theory and practice.” For further information or to book an appointment email: lawclinic@beds.ac.uk or telephone: 07702 338684 (24 hour voicemail facility). The Law Clinic is a Steps project funded by the Vice Chancellor’s Student Experience Fund.
Issue 6
IN PARTNERSHIP Learning strategy from the Swiss The MBSZ, Marketing and Business School in Zurich, hosted the University of Bedfordshire MBA's first Business School session of the semester, attended by students and faculty from the UK, Germany and Switzerland. The participants took part in a most informative strategy workshop at
Victorinox, the manufacturer of the world-famous Swiss Army knife, the epitome of “Swiss Made”. Intensive MBA subject induction sessions followed the day after. The Executive MBA includes students from across Europe with students from Krakow, Poland, joining the cohort next year.
TALKING BUSINESS
Driving forward: Lamborghini's new positioning Marketeers from supercar giants Lamborghini revealed they are changing the image of the Italian brand, at an exclusive event put on for University of Bedfordshire students. Maurizio Grande and Dario Salvelli travelled from the Sant'Agata Bolognese headquarters, in Italy, to speak to the University’s Business School students about how, and why, they are refreshing the Lambo’s image. The duo spoke about how the "Raging Bull" has looked for a slight change in its marketing with the 2014 launch of the Huracán, changing the image of the brand from “Italian, uncompromising and extreme” to “inspiration, visionary, cutting edge and pure”. Maurizio Grande, Brand Communications Manager, described the German takeover as one which has added “greater structure” to Lamborghini and demonstrated the vast changes between their old adverts, and brochures, to ones they are producing today. He said: “In the 1990’s and 2000’s we were producing an extreme and aggressive brand – cars for
flashy people maybe. The image was extreme and uncompromising. This has changed over time and prior to the launch of the Huracán, we wondered if we could change the overall image of Lamborghini Automotive.” The latest film produced by the team is their first ever to have a human presence, and portrays a slightly more luxurious brand, whilst the brochures communicate about the history of Lamborghini, the people who drive them and what their experience is like. The event also looked at how companies are responding to the challenges of digital marketing – focusing on social media. Dario Salvelli, a Social Media Specialist for HIBO who was brought in by Lamborghini to further its online profile with the launch of the Huracán, spoke about his tactics which have helped a four million follower increase on Facebook amongst many other achievements within the space of just eight months. He said: “The key for large companies online is to understand their audience,
and capture their attention within just three seconds. It is important to engage, quiz, reward, educate, and link everywhere.” As expected, Dario was quick to tweet and retweet about their visit on #LamboLove. Automobili Lamborghini has kindly agreed to return to the Business School next year, and has offered the Business School a reciprocal visit to the Lamborghini Factory in Sant'Agata, Italy. The lecture is part of the Business School’s vision to bring high quality practitioners into and around the curriculum to raise the aspirations of our students and prepare them as the workforce of the future.
Issue 6
TALKING BUSINESS
MSc Project Management students win in APM Challenge Our students have recently fought off industry professionals to win a category in the Association for Project Management (APM) Challenge. Two teams from Bedfordshire, totalling 12 MSc Project Management students, faced corporate members of the APM including the Nationwide Building Society and communications giant Thales. Available categories were for the best overall project, best presentation and best poster, with half of the University cohort claiming victory in the latter. Bedfordshire was also the only university to reach the final. The first group, Team Beds, developed a platform to enhance communications between prospective and existing master's
students. The project feeds into the recently launched Postgraduate Mentoring Scheme. Group two and the winners of the poster competition, dubbed Team ComPro, created an events calendar to integrate into the new student app, myBeds. The addition will present users with a calendar to keep track of university events and activities. Team leader of Team Beds, Sam Mahmud, spoke of his pride at representing the University: “The APM challenge has been a great experience for me and my team. In addition to personal development, the experience has opened fantastic opportunities for us. “We learned about applying all the tools and techniques of project management that we learned at the University. Overall, we think the
course at Bedfordshire helped us become what we are today and we are proud to represent the University in this competition.” Maya Creasey, Branch Administrator for the APM, stated: “I wish both teams every success as the next generation in the project management field. They are all a huge credit to themselves and also the University.” Run by the Thames Valley branch of the APM, the Challenge is in its fourth year and aimed at people at an early stage of their project management careers. The competition has previously included entrants from a number of corporate members within the region, of which there are over 2,500.
Students consulting to DHL in the Distribution Centre Relocation Project MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management, and MSc Engineering Business Management students successfully worked with DHL in a consultancy capacity to plan a distribution centre relocation project as part of their assessment over the three-month period in Autumn/Winter 2014/15.
14
Students worked with the Project and Implementation Director, and the Project and Implementation Manager of the Retail Division of DHL Supply Chain. Student project teams planned the migration of four ambient, chill and frozen food warehouse sites for one of the UK’s largest food retailers
SUMMER EDITION | August 2015
to one main distribution centre in the south-west of England, which included producing project activity lists, schedules, risk management plans, budget and quality plans. Presented suggestions gave the clients a fresh point of view and a range of options to consider in the project implementation.
Issue 6
TALKING BUSINESS
The Business School helping small businesses in social media The University has held an event on social media marketing hosted by the Business School in collaboration with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The event came out of a project in which FSB members were invited to share their social media problems in a Practice Week for a group of students to solve as part of their studies. The event gave the students a chance to feedback on the progress that was made as well as to give businesses some tips and advice. Stephen Hyde, Professor in Management Practice at the university said: “This sell-out event attracted over 100 businesses and very positive feedback. Our students demonstrated how they helped a small business through a Social Media project. We also shared
our expertise in Social Media and Google Analytics with students from our course.” Ian Cording, chair of the Bedfordshire branch of the FSB said: “Our members really valued the chance to hear from students and specialists about these very important business tools. We are the organisation that looks after the interests of small businesses and we like to see the partnership between business and education prosper. We need our graduates to be more
Business Matters offers discussions on topical business issues not directly covered in the academic curriculum. The series is hosted by Professor Stephen Hyde with fellow Professors in Management Practice, and others from the world of business. The sessions are designed to help all students discover more about the real world of business. They are participative discussions and definitely not lectures! Stephen Hyde commented, “As part of our mission to help our students become more worldly-wise in the business world, we felt that an informal environment with business executives sharing their experiences on specific topics could be really valuable. The discussions have gone down well with excellent feedback from students.”
There have been seven sessions so far: • Coming out of austerity and making the most of it • The future of UK retail – are superstores dinosaurs? • Handling difficult HR situations • Managing tight cash situations • Why being an accountant is exciting • Mergers and acquisitions – an insider’s view • The dangers of big brands and personalities – how ya doin’, Jeremy Clarkson? Visiting participants have included senior executives from major businesses such as Astra Zeneca and a past-president of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). Sessions last for just 45 minutes and
Business Matters
entrepreneurial and projects like this will really help.” Executive Dean, Dr Gordon Mellor commented: “This evening demonstrated our commitment to working with small businesses and bringing organisations and communities into the Business School. Students need varied work contexts to learn from public and private sector practitioners. Such practice drives the student experience and the employment prospects of our graduates.”
are recorded by RadioLab for subsequent broadcasting. All of the sessions are available to listen to again here: unibeds.info/bus-matt-archive; a facility which is already being used by our MBA students in Oman. As a student you can check what is happening at: unibeds.info/business-matters. To take part or host a Business Matters session please contact Stephen Hyde at: Stephen.Hyde@beds.ac.uk
SUMMER EDITION | August 2015
15
Issue 6
RESEARCH POD
Research on the use and impact of Business Analytics in UK firms
Figure 1. Company types and sizes of the responding firms (n=296)
Big Data can make a big impact, but Business Analytics (BA) is the key to transforming big data into big business value. BA has been increasingly used by organisations aiming to gain valuable insights and ultimately, competitive advantage. However, there is no clear picture about the current use of BA and little empirical evidence exists regarding the mechanisms through which BA impacts on competitive advantage and innovation. To address these knowledge gaps, Dr Guangming Cao and Professor Yanqing Duan from the Business and Information Systems Research Centre (BISC) have conducted a large scale survey of the UK business. 296 UK firms responded to the survey designed to collect data about BA applications and benchmark companies’ business competitiveness and innovation performance. The pie chart in Figure 1 shows the types of companies
that responded to the survey. The survey results show that Business Analytics are widely used in UK firms (see figure 2), but most of the applications can be classified as descriptive analytics that explain what has happened and what is happening. Prescriptive analytics (What should we do?), which use optimisation and simulation to recommend courses of action and show the likely outcome of each decision, are less widely used. Dr Cao and Professor Duan stressed that to improve a company’s decision-making effectiveness, more companies should develop their capabilities of using prescriptive analytics. Drawing on contingency theory and the resource-based view, Dr Cao and Professor Duan have developed a research model that specifies the paths from Business Analytics to competitive advantage, which was empirically tested using structural
equation modelling. Their analysis demonstrates that BA, through the mediation of a datadriven culture, positively impacts on information processing capabilities, which in turn has a positive effect on competitive advantage. Their findings advance our understandings of the mechanisms through which Business Analytics can be used to enhance information processing capabilities and finally to gain competitive advantage. A research paper titled ‘A Path Model Linking Business Analytics, DataDriven Culture, and Competitive Advantage’ received the best paper award nomination in the 22nd European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS 2014) which is the most prestigious conference in the Information Systems field. The research was funded by the University’s Research Investment Programme.
UBBS offers an MSc Business Web Analytics & Management
Figure 2. BA applications in responding firms (n=296)
16
SUMMER EDITION | August 2015
The only masters course in the UK that focuses on the practical use and implementation of web analytics tools
Issue 6
RESEARCH POD
Big Data in Logistics project in progress Big Data refers to any data set that is too big to be efficiently worked in real-time with traditional database tools. Modern businesses generate huge volumes of structured and unstructured data in both traditional and digital forms. Many firms have realised that this data could hold promise to give deeper insights into their customers, partners, and businesses. Big data has enormous value in logistics,
which firms are exploiting in different ways. Our research study, undertaken by Prof Ram Ramanathan, Prof Yanqing Duan, Dr Elly Philpott and Dr Usha Ramanathan, aims at exploring the role of big data in the logistics sector. To achieve this aim the team have conducted case studies and interviews in six logistics firms (big as well as small) in the UK. The study is supported by theoretical
foundations from the literature. Results so far point to the contribution of Big Data in creating value in logistics in the form of operational efficiency, customer experience and new business models through a range of options (e.g. optimisation and network models). There are also options for exploring synergies of logistics with other sectors.
SMEs not using free analytics tool effectively To add to the article about Business Analytics, a survey of small businesses at a recent event at the Business School (UBBS) has revealed that most SMEs are not using Google Analytics effectively. Google Analytics is a free website analysis tool supplied by Google which enables users to make their websites more effective and to understand who their website users are and where they come from. A survey of attendees at a recent online marketing event arranged by UBBS and the Federation of Small
Businesses (FSB) indicated that most businesses would like to use Google Analytics but do not because of a lack of training and skills. UBBS Professor in Management Practice Stephen Hyde said, “This survey demonstrates that there is a clear business need for training in web analytics and Google Analytics in particular. Whilst there are plenty of courses on social media marketing and search engine optimisation, there is a crying need for businesses to understand how to make their websites more effective
in helping them understand their customers’ needs and interests.” Professor Yanqing Duan, who initiated the survey commented, “This was only a small survey and clearly more research needs to be done to understand the barriers to businesses in using Web Analytics, such as Google Analytics, which is a free product, so it is obviously not a straightforward cost issue. We are planning to work with more businesses in order to deepen our knowledge and explore the ways to help SMEs in this regard.”
Dr Lang's internationally recognised research published in two leading journals Two of Dr Lang’s (School of Law) articles have recently been published in prestigious law journals. In his first article, published in the leading English-language journal on EU law, the European Law Review, Dr Lang critiqued a recent judgement at the EU’s Court of Justice concerning an outbreak of avian flu in Hungary. Some of the farmers affected by the outbreak had unsuccessfully sued for compensation for their losses arising from EU emergency measures. Although the EU has pledged to protect the right to property, the judges seemed to have forgotten that it includes a right to fair compensation, where private property is interfered with by public authorities. A second journal, European Current Law, has asked to reprint the article. Dr Lang’s second article – concerning the treatment of “vulnerable victims” by a recent EU directive – continues his earlier work on this subject, which was recognised as “internationally excellent” in the national Research Excellence Framework 2014. The article, co-written with Eveline Schenkel, appeared, in French, in the Revue de l’Union Européenne, one of the longest-running law journals covering EU affairs, which had specifically commissioned the piece from Dr Lang following his earlier work. Ms Schenkel (who works for a law firm in Brussels) provided the translation.
Issue 6
RESEARCH POD Benefits of Practice Weeks explored in research Practice Weeks are an initiative pioneered by the University of Bedfordshire Business School (UBBS). The purpose of Practice Weeks is to give every student on undergraduate and postgraduate business pathways an opportunity to develop skills through ‘real-life’ business tasks. Practice Weeks replace traditional reading weeks to equip our future graduates with the attributes and experience they need to succeed in the workplace and align with the practice-based vision of UBBS. A recent paper was published in the International Journal of Management Education, analysing the progress Practice Weeks have made since they were launched in early 2013. The research paper first explores the current mismatches
between Management Education delivered in UK business schools and the real business environment. This includes issues around graduates not being prepared for a fast-paced workplace, or having soft skills such as the confidence to be the future leaders of industry. The paper then highlights research that suggests there is a lack of dialogue between business schools and business leaders. Practice Weeks are then put forward as an innovative tool to combat recent criticisms levelled at Management Education and business schools, and show that the UBBS is a national leader in developing an initiative to overcome these difficulties. Between October 2013 and April 2014, 385 students completed a
Practice Week questionnaire. UBBS student responses showed that 85% agreed that Practice Weeks provided a positive platform to translate what was learnt in the classroom to a business setting. Furthermore, 79% of students agreed that participating in Practice Weeks would increase their chances of employment upon graduation. From the employer perspective, the research showed that representatives from local charities, council and organisations who participated in Practice Weeks were enthusiastic about the standard of student work and the opportunity to engage with possible future employees. Find out more: www.unibeds. info/practice-weeks
Shadows and light: diversity management as phantasmagoria Christina Schwabenland and Frances Tomlinson’s article, recently accepted by Human Relations, describes how they used the metaphor of the phantasmagoria to explore concerns raised in an action research group by diversity practitioners working in the voluntary sector. Facilitated by the authors, the group ran for six months, providing an opportunity for shared exploration and analysis. In the initial session practitioners described diversity as something that was hard to concretise and envisage. These perceptions of the ambiguous nature of diversity management were also often associated with anxiety and fear. During this discussion one of the facilitators found herself thinking about the phantasmagoria; an 18th century shadow and light performance in which a repertoire of scary characters were projected on to a screen, often morphing
from one shape to another. This association prompted the authors to an exploration of the insights this metaphor sheds on these more ambiguous and anxiety provoking aspects of diversity practice. The analysis suggested that one area of ambiguity is whether good diversity practice is about saying the right thing, believing the right thing or doing the right thing. Some of this ambiguity was expressed in the phrase “political correctness” which seemed to have developed almost “spectral” qualities to evoke fear and uncertainty. In the face of these concerns some practitioners talked of being uncertain how to best respond. How important was it to say the right words? Did it matter if the words were wrong if the
beliefs were benign? And how to respond to people using the “wrong words” if they were doing so at least partly to be provocative? Another aspect of the uncertainty that participants attached to diversity management concerned whether a convincing illusion of doing diversity could be manufactured without any fundamental changes having been made to organisational values and beliefs. The practice of diversity management is often presented as relatively straightforward but discussions in this research group demonstrated that formulaic quick fixes or good practice recipes have only limited value in dealing with complex dilemmas. Instead, they suggest that diversity practitioners must necessarily engage with the emotional dimension of diversity in order to move forward.
Issue 6
IN THE NEWS
University representation at the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
New “Freeman” of the Worshipful Company of Fuellers Professor Michael Kennedy, Head of the Department of Accounting and Finance, has been inducted as a “Freeman” of The Worshipful Company of Fuellers. Following this, by invitation he has attended a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Energy Costs. The Worshipful Company of Fuellers is one of the 110 Livery Companies of the City of London. The livery companies and the City of London have grown up together, developing and adapting over the centuries to help sustain London’s pre-eminence as a financial and business centre.
Colin Bradshaw, one of our Professors in Management Practice, has been elected to be a Trustee for the Chartered Institute of Marketing. This is a prestigious appointment following a lengthy election process monitored by the Electoral Reform Society. The appointment means that the University of Bedfordshire, along with all of our other links, now has a representative at the highest level in the Chartered Institute of Marketing influencing future direction.
UBBS attends Confederation of British Industry (CBI) 50th anniversary VIP book launch The CBI, in partnership with publishers St James’s House, has launched a book CBI: 50 Years of Business Innovation at a VIP reception at its flagship offices in Cannon Place, central London. The event was attended by more than 300 prominent industry figures, politicians and VIP guests, including former Deputy Prime Minister Michael Heseltine, and previous CBI director-generals Lord Digby Jones and Sir Richard Lambert. The 228-page hardback publication, produced in partnership with publisher St James’s House, charts the unique role that the CBI has played in championing British business over the past 50 years, and sets out the organisation’s vision for the future. As contributors to the prestigious publication the event was attended by representatives of the University of Bedfordshire Business School and Innovation & Enterprise (I&E) including the Executive Dean, Dr Gordon Mellor and Director of I&E Dr Nick Lancaster. The website can be accessed at: www.cbi50.co.uk SUMMER EDITION | August 2015
19
You can read BedsBiz online, just visit... www.beds.ac.uk/bedsbiz-magazine
CONNECT WITH US www.facebook.com/bedsbiz www.twitter.com/bedsbiz www.beds.ac.uk/linkedin-bedsbiz www.bedsbiz.blogspot.co.uk
Visit www.beds.ac.uk/bedsbiz to find out more about the Business School