BIZ
the
Ashcroft International Business School Magazine|issue 1
SKIES
reach for the 10020202
Where art and enterprise meet | page 2
www.anglia.ac.uk/aibs
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Welcome
Editorial
Welcome to the first 2010 edition of our news bulletin and a belated Happy New Year to all. A particularly warm welcome is extended to all our recently joined colleagues and new students who join us this semester.
There are lots of good and exciting stories to be shared in this edition, many interesting projects and innovations and some great stories of staff and student success. I won’t go on as you read this about how busy things are – a tremendous amount of hard work is going on – well done. I also know there are lots of other great things going on so please keep the stories coming in to Christine Durrant.
It has really crept up on me recently as to how busy we are and how much we have grown over the last 4 years as a School We have more than doubled in size in terms of revenue and student numbers, with particularly significant expansion in terms of international students on our campuses and also with our collaborative partners in the UK and overseas. We now have over 6000 students studying on our programmes on campus and off-campus – the largest faculty in our University. I hope you find the blending of our staff and student stories an engaging and interesting read. For obvious reasons the ‘home’ campus for our students tends to be their reference point for what is going on in the School and wider University – but as you can see things are busy all over. One of our biggest campus locations is now Trinidad where we have been working with our local partner the School of Accounting and Management for many years. We have recently launched our MBA out there and a cohort of doctoral students has just started.
It will not have gone unnoticed to our Cambridge students the redevelopment work going on on-campus and in just over 18 months we should have a new purpose built building for Ashcroft International Business School. Once again the School has received a generous donation from Lord Ashcroft, our Chancellor, to support the facility.
We face some challenging times in the university sector over the next two years – this will impact us all – staff and students. However, I do hope we can take confidence from the kind of success stories you read here and where we have come from over the last few years. I look forward to filling our future editions of this newsletter with new success and achievement stories – so please keep them coming in.
Professor Martin Reynolds
Martin Reynolds Professor Vice Chancellor and Dean
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Welcome to the first newly combined issue of AIBS magazine ‘The Biz’ which is aimed at keeping both students and staff upto-date with news and events in our School. Thank you to those of you who submitted articles for this issue, please keep the stories coming. We would particularly like to receive some good news stories from students and also from our partner institutions both in the UK and overseas. Contact us: The next issue of ‘The Biz’ is due out in May 2010 and we invite you to submit copy for this to Christine Durrant at christine.durrant@anglia.ac.uk. Topics of interest could include those related to: Good news stories, Personal and academic achievements, Events, Research, International visits and Diary dates, etc. …… or anything else you think may be of interest to your fellow students and/or colleagues. We would also welcome your feedback on the magazine, particularly on ways of improving it.
Contents 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28.
Welcome Reach for the Skies Beyond the Codes What Happens Next? The ‘Beermat Entrepreneur’ Building a Business that Packs a Punch Exclusive Film Show National Student Survey 2010 Students organise groundbreaking International Forum Event Business @ Ashcroft Pub Quiz Student Representation Take part in FLUX 2010 2009 Graduation Prize Winners CIPD Prize Winners Inaugural Annual Lecture of Ashcroft Enterprise Society Seasonal Events Discover Postgraduate Study at Anglia Ruskin AIBS student teams win through to semi-finals of the IBM UBC Graduating in 2010? Institute of International Management Practice New Global Academic Standard launched in Malaysia KBU – ARU graduates continue the tradition of excellence 10th IFSAM World Congress Doing Business in China: is the importance of guanxi diminishing? 9th European Conference on Research Methodologies New Members of Staff Congratulations! First ever Sunrise Walk is a hit Anglia Ruskin Alumnus leads food campaign An Educational Milestone People and planet really matter 2009 Essex Business Excellence Awards
Diary Dates
EVENTS
Skyscape Escape. Aeroplane (H.M.14), built from tea chests newspaper and an old car engine.
Reach for the Skies
From home made boats and cars, to sledges and planes, Chris’ incredible journeys have taken him to far flung parts of the world from Colchester to Japan, and even Hull to Antarctica! •
Where art and enterprise meet in a series of incredible journeys.
• • •
An exhibition and workshop on creativity, innovation, risk and enterprise.
What drives him to take incredible risks in the name of art? Why is he considered so enterprising? How do art and enterprise connect? Why do business leaders from all over the world come and listen to Chris’ incredible story?
Chris’ most famous work, an aeroplane from his exhibition titled Skyscape/Escape, will be brought into the Ruskin Gallery to form the centrepiece of the workshops. This represents a unique opportunity for all staff and students of Anglia Ruskin University to see Chris’ plane, to listen to his incredible story and to be inspired to think about about their own context for enterprise and innovation.
Ruskin Gallery 16th-25th March, 2010.
As part of the actions being coordinated by the Ashcroft International Business School to embed enterprise and entrepreneurship across Anglia Ruskin University, a series of workshops will be taking place in the Ruskin Gallery. A collaborative event between the Ashcroft International Business School, Cambridge School of Art and the Ruskin Gallery, Reach for the Skies is a unique workshop which explores enterprise, innovation and creativity through the inspirational journeys of Chris Dobrowolski.
Workshops will be running at the following times: Wednesday 17th March – 14:00-16:00 Wednesday 17th March – 17:00-19:00 Wednesday 24th March – 14:00-16:00 Wednesday 24th March – 17:00-19:00 Thursday 25th March – 14:00-16:00
Chris Dobrowolski is a driven man. An artist and entrepreneur, his work has focused on a series of incredible journeys in vehicles “knocked up in his garden shed” .
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Spaces for the workshops are strictly limited and must be booked in advance. If you would like to reserve a place or would like more information on the workshops, please email Stacey.Stokes@anglia.ac.uk.
Beyond the Codes: How Corporate Governance Really Works
Ashcroft International Business School | Chelmsford Campus
Tuesday 23rd February 2010 | SAW 105 | 10.00 -14.00 with buffet lunch | booking essential ALL WELCOME Talks by
Tom Bonham-Carter David Charters
To reserve your place E: eventsAIBS@anglia.ac.uk
Adviser to FTSE companies on board-governance relationships; previously Chief Executive of Barclays Global Investors in Hong Kong; with Barclays Stockbrokers and BZW Fund Managers
20 years as a Director of SG Warburg Securities, Managing Director at Deutsche Bank and then as an independent practitioner; five years in the UK Foreign Office which he joined from Cambridge University. Author of the ‘Dave Hart – Banker’ series of successful novels. 3
EVENTS
Stephen Bloomfield with Maxim Maramygin and Irina Tkachenko of Ural State University, Ekaterinberg
What Happens Next? Corporate Governance one year after the crisis”
we teach and the event was attended by students of corporate governance Anglia Ruskin and other universities, as well as members of staff and invited guests. The speakers and their topics included: •
Philip Dunne MP, Chairman All-Party Parliamentary Working Group On Corporate Governance – ‘The Parliamentary View’
The first of a series of Ashcroft Public Lectures, all dealing with the broad subject of corporate governance, was held at the Ashcroft International Business School on Tuesday, 3 November.
•
Stephen Bloomfield, Director of Corporate Governance Unit, invited high-profile authorities to give their expert views on contemporary events of relevance to all the business courses
E: Stephen.bloomfield@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 6834
• •
Philip Augar, author of ‘Chasing Alpha’ and ‘The Death of Gentlemanly Capitalism’ - ‘Global solutions for a global problem. Has the world really learned the lessons from the banking crisis of 2008-9?’ Maxim Maramygin and Irina Tkachenko, Ural State University, Ekaterinberg - ‘The Russian View” Jonathan Smith, Senior Lecturer, AIBS - “Corporate Governance: A Crisis of Mis-Leadership’
If you would like more information on this event, or future events contact:
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EVENTS
The ‘Beermat Entrepreneur’ – Aspirations in Business Mike Southon, who has a long history of successful entrepreneurship and has become known as ‘The Beermat Entrepreneur’, used the allegory of the Beatles
successful career in music to illustrate his talk to sixth formers taking part in the Aspirations in Business event, a joint initiative between Essex County Council and the Institute of Directors and sponsored by the Ashcroft International Business School. He invited students to think why they might want to start a business and considered the reasons given; making a lot of money, being your own boss and perhaps driving a fast car. He went on to give the reasons successful entrepreneurs have given and these included; Making money; making a difference to the world; having fun; freedom; independence from the restrictions of employment; and the opportunity to create wealth.
He advised that there is always a critical moment in entrepreneurship and it is important to be aware of this and to take advantage of the opportunity. Budding entrepreneurs need to be inspired by their idea, make a connection with the people they are trying to engage in a transaction and to bring something back to their local area; exactly what The Beatles did when taking popular American music, putting their own interpretation on it, often improving it and then introducing it to the Liverpool scene. It is important to find a foil for your own personality, someone with the opposite qualities. An extrovert will be the likely salesman of the team and needs an introvert to control the finances, for instance. Mike recommends that a successful business is likely to need three people on a team to cover the areas of delivery, sales and finance and advised that they get together to work on their successful
‘Elevator Pitch’ considering the 5Ps: 1. 2. 4. 3. 5.
Pain – where’s the pain or problem you are trying to solve Premise – what to do to solve the Pain Proof – testimonials invaluable People – who to aim to supply Purpose – why do entrepreneurs do it?
Mike strongly recommended finding a mentor and emphasised the importance of loving the business.
Finally he advised three things to make entrepreneurs successful: 1. Be local 2. Be reliable 3. Be nice, easy to deal with
He finished with the advice that there is a difference between money and wealth – wealth is what you have left if your money disappears! www.beermat.biz/mike_southon.php
EVENTS
VENT
Building a Business that Packs a Punch
Cambridge Businesswomen’s Network meeting
On 23rd June 2009, Robert Jones presented a session on “Building a business that packs a punch” to the Cambridge Businesswomen’s Network
(CBN) at Newnham College in Cambridge. The workshop included ways to beat the recession, rethink and then rebuild a business on sound strategic principles. The businesswomen engaged in lively dialogue and left the meeting full of ideas on how to develop and grow their enterprises.
The Cambridge Businesswomen’s Network aims to offer regional women in business the opportunity to meet, forge contacts and extend their skills. The monthly events are open to women from all sectors of the business community including the professions, the public sector, large corporations and small businesses and are a great networking opportunity. The CBN meeting at Newnham College in Cambridge was organized by Dr Berenice Mann of Cambridge-based Proactive Research Organisation. http://www.cbn.org.uk/
T: 0845 196 2549 E: robert.jones@anglia.ac.uk
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EVENTS
Exclusive Film Show and Discussion with Producer Link between innovation entrepreneurship and the fate of nations
On the 3 December 2009 an exclusive film show and discussion with producer on: Innovation and the Fate of Nations connected 100 students, academic and the business community. This film provided the audience with a deeper understanding of innovation within the field of entrepreneurship. The way this understanding was addressed by the media opened up a new landscape for innovative entrepreneurship education.
Given the present financial crisis, the issue of innovation becomes salient as it may be the only form of sustainable economic development. Affluent Western nations must find new ways of earning their places in the world, and only genuine innovation will do. This film sought to raise consciousness of the role of creativity and innovation in the rise and fall of nations, and answer the question of how the many crises we face may engender innovative responses. This is just one reason for choosing three nations at different points of descent and ascent of their national affairs, Britain, the USA and Singapore. Attendees of this event consisted of individuals from very diverse backgrounds including: Professor Charles Hampden Turner
Prof. Hampden-Turner is a British management philosopher and Senior Research Associate at the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge since 1990. He is the creator of Dilemma Theory, and co-founder and Director of Research and Development at the Trompenaars-Hampden-Turner
Group, in Amsterdam. He received his Master’s and Doctorate degrees from the Graduate School of Business, Harvard University. He has taught at Harvard University, Brandeis University and the University of Toronto. A recipient of Guggenheim, Rockefeller and Ford Foundation Fellowships he is also a past winner of the Douglas McGregor Memorial Award. He has consulted to Shell, BP, Motorola, ICI, TRW, British Airways, the BBC, Advanced Micro Devices, Philips, BZW, Coopers and Lybrand, British Aerospace, BellSouth, and Hanover Insurance, amongst others. Professor Alan Barrell
Prof. Barrell has spent 30 years in senior executive positions in technology-based companies, including chief executive roles at Baxter Healthcare, Domino Printing Sciences and Willett International. He has spent time at various board positions in early stage companies including chairmanship of the Cambridge Gateway Fund, founder shareholder of Library House Ltd. He is Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Cambridge Entrepreneurship Centre. His work in these areas recently led him to becoming one of the first recipients of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion. Most recently, he has been appointed as International Advisor to Youth Business China (YBC).
The most exciting part of this event was the face-to-face discussion with the producer at the end of the Film Show. Many questions were raised and issues addressed. For instance, there was a debate on whether the successful western economic clusters like Cambridge and Silicon Valley can be applied in Singapore through the application of regional innovation clusters found by the local government. The event was followed by an hour of networking session with food and Champagne Cocktails provided by Anglia Ruskin Entrepreneurs. For more information about the EXCLUSIVE FILM SHOW, please contact the Anglia Ruskin Entrepreneurs Team:
Henry Li T: 07889 841 399 David Karseladze T: 07503 509 209
E: info@cambridgeentrepreneurs.org.uk Website: www.cambridgeentrepreneurs.org.uk
“The success of this event means ARUE is planning to host a series of similar events beginning February 2010 on innovative entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship related topics with world-class speakers.”
STUDENT NEWS
National Student Survey 2010
The Ashcroft International Business School takes the NSS very seriously. Results from the 2009 survey have sparked action plans which will bring about positive change in your faculty.
For more information on the NSS visit www.thestudentsurvey.com And for more information on where your Faculty has scored on the survey get in touch with your Student Representative.
This years National Student Survey (NSS) is underway at Anglia Ruskin!
Emma McLendon Academic Affairs Officer Anglia Ruskin Students’ Union
Since 2005 when the survey began, the results of the NSS have driven Universities and Students’ Unions to become champions for change. Here at Anglia Ruskin, it is no different!
Our Vice Chancellor, Mike Thorne has placed the NSS at the top of the list of priorities – And so has your Faculty! For example, the 2009 survey highlighted that ICT and the Library resources was the highest area of satisfaction for our faculty. But it also highlighted the dissatisfaction over things such as clarity of feedback which is an issue that our faculty is now taking forward.
For final year students, the NSS is your chance to be heard. You can rate issues such as feedback on your assignments, Personal Development and your experience of Learning and Teaching whilst at Anglia Ruskin University. By doing so, staff can clearly see not only what your experience has been, but also areas that can be improved in the coming year! We in the Students’ Union also use the results of the NSS to help to facilitate change within the University. For example, after the results of the NSS were published in August, we submitted a report to the University at several committees where our stance on your voice was received well by prominent members of staff.
223,363 students filled out the NSS in 2009 (62% of the total eligible). This year, the Students’ Union has encouraged faculties to have set targets for response rates for 2010. The success of the 2010 NSS relies on you, the students. Although we as a Union have made it our priority, it is down to our final year students across all faculties to fill out the survey and honestly rate your University.
This year’s Students’ Union campaign tagline is “How was your Journey?” The theme of the campaign is the London Underground which gives us the opportunity to create a visual and dynamic campaign for everyone to engage with. Through this, we will be taking “NSS Road Shows” to our campuses. We are also offering competition winners tickets to Paris on the Eurostar and a mixture of other exciting giveaways! Look out for the free coffee! We will be touring our campuses throughout March and dates will be posted on our website www.angliastudent.com
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STUDENT NEWS Students organise groundbreaking International Forum Event
Students from Anglia Ruskin University and Cambridge University put on a great show of talent on 7 November in the Mumford Theatre, by bringing together world-class speakers to inspire and motivate 160 international students from UK, France, Helsinki Finland, China, Russia, India and Germany. The third in the series of International Forum events (the first two were held in China – in Beijing in 2007 and at Xiamen University, Fujian Province, in March 2009) featured one of the founders of the Women’s Telecommunications Network, Candace Johnson, a great serial entrepreneur and supporter of social enterprises worldwide. Professor Charles HampdenTurner of Nanyang University Singapore, whose new book Teaching Entrepreneurship was recently published by Cambridge University Press, Tai-Ping Fan, guru on traditional Chinese medicine and Professor from the Pharmacology Department Cambridge University, and Professor of Strategy Charles Lumbers from the European Business School in Nice, were all key contributors too. Sandra Hollis, Vice President of the International Office, updated the audience on Anglia Ruskin’s strategy and vision for its international relations. Pictured (l-r) are: Dr Tai-Ping Fan, Candace Johnson, Professor Charles Hampden-Turner, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Alan Barrell, Professor Charles Lumbers and Sandra Hollis
The day was concerned with creating the vision required to enable the next generation to help peoples of the world into ‘A World Without Borders’ mindset and action mode. The concepts of student leadership and learning by developing were at the heart of messages delivered all day, as student moderators introduced the speakers and conducted a question and answer session with a panel at the end of the day.
Teng Guan Khoo, AIBS PhD candidate and Jun Yang from Cambridge University Education without Borders Organising Committee officiating at the event The students gave very positive and enthusiastic feedback.
Plans are already in place for the next Education Without Borders International Forum, to be held in Hong Kong in June 2010, with Anglia Ruskin assisting in collaboration with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The links formed will be excellent building blocks for more international growth and development for Anglia Ruskin, growing our worldwide presence and reputation.
The Forum attracted a number of key academics and entrepreneurs from Helsinki, and work is under way for Anglia Ruskin and Laurea University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki to work together as Helsinki seeks to organise its own International Forum in 2010. Anglia Ruskin was delighted to host and sponsor this most successful International Forum event. Sandra Hollis said ‘The Forum achieved a great deal for the participants and equally, as hosts we were very excited by the event itself and the new international links formed, which will help our international strategy to accelerate and extend ever more widely’. For more information, please contact Professor Alan Barrell at alan@alanbarrell.com or telephone 01223 416466
Pictured (l-r) are: Dr Tai-Ping Fan, Candace Johnson, Professor Charles Hampden-Turner, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Alan Barrell, Professor Charles Lumbers and Sandra Hollis
STUDENT NEWS
Business @ Ashcroft Pub Quiz
everywhere we could think of, gave out flyers at every available opportunity, and promoted the quiz to students in lectures. The work paid off, as we ended up with 8 participating teams, comprising of Business School staff and students (and a few of the SU bar staff as well!). In addition to the usual general knowledge and TV quiz rounds, the quiz also had a couple of business-themed rounds; one of which was entitled ‘Marathon Challenge’ and required each team to take risks with monopoly money.
After many initial meetings to create it, decide on a name and elect the committee members, the Chelmsford Department of AIBS now has a fully-fledged, active student society called ‘Business @ Ashcroft’. Supported by the Students’ Union, the society ran its first ever event on 30th November – a pub quiz and raffle in the Students’ Union Bar. The President of the society, Unathi Sicwebu along with the secretary, Jessica Zifodya and the Treasurer, Rajit Ramasamy, planned the event, with the help of some fellow business students, John Webb and I.
Teams had to gamble on the outcome of the numbers of the roll of two dice which gave the quiz an interesting element and caused some teams to become ‘broke’, hampering their efforts to become the quiz’s overall winner!
Prizes were awarded to the top three scoring teams: first place went to ‘The Deanos’ who won £50, second place (‘The Tasmanian Devils’) won bottles of wine, and the team who came in third place (‘Very Dangerous Liaisons’) was awarded boxes of Malteasers for their efforts. Raffle prizes were also on offer so those who may not have won the quiz still had a chance to leave with something!
Looking around at the laughing faces, it seemed that everyone enjoyed themselves and that this first event was a success. It brought both students and staff together in fun, informal setting and enabled them to get to know each other a little better. Business @ Ashcroft student society looks forward to running further events and would invite students to let me, or the committee know, which kind of events they would like to see from the society in the future.
Approximately 4 weeks before the event, the committee and I enthusiastically went on the campaign trail: we put up posters
E: Hannah.myatt@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 6851
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STUDENT NEWS Student Representation What is a Student Representative?
Take Part in FLUX 2010
A Student Rep is a representative for your course. You are essentially speaking for your peers and represent them at meetings. Your job is to give feedback to the University about what is good about your course and if there are any issues.
Last year we took a group of six AIBS students to Plymouth, to take part in the national FLUX competition. What is FLUX? In a nutshell, teams of six spend 36 hours solving real business problems with help from experts from some of the UK’s most dynamic companies, in an Apprentice meets Dragon’s Denstyle competition.
Why should you become involved? This role is a great way to meet new people, to develop transferable skills that employers like to see and to make a difference. It looks great on the CV and at the end of the year you receive a certificate signed by the Vice Chancellor and the SU President for all your efforts.
What do you win? The title of FLUX National Champions 2010 and £500 cash each. Plus you boost your employability, meet top-class recruiters, enhance your CV, improve interview skills, meet new people and have a great time!
We are still recruiting student representatives for some of our pathways in Cambridge, if you are interested in finding out more please contact Allison Beaumont, Student Experience Coordinator, Cambridge E: allison.beaumont@anglia.ac.uk
This year the competition takes place on 29th-31st March 2010 in the vibrant city of Nottingham. If you would like to take part please contact Allison Beaumont, Student Experience Coordinator, Cambridge E:Allison.beaumont@anglia.ac.uk
2009 Graduation Prize Winners
Linda Hollingworth from the CMI presented Andrew Kirkland with the award for best performance whilst on a work placement. Alan Radford from Bird Luckin presented Danielle Adams and Matthew Rothery with prizes for best overall achievement. Matthew and Danielle also won best dissertation and received their prizes from Gwen Cockman from National Express East Anglia. Many congratulations to Andrew, Danielle and Matthew for their considerable achievements.
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STUDENT NEWS
CIPD Prize Winners
Three proud winners at Anglia Ruskin University were presented with awards to the value of ÂŁ100 and a certificate recording their achievements on Thursday, 14 September at the Central Essex Group Meeting of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
Sam Mott, Chair of the Essex, Ipswich and East London Branch presented the Ron Shepherd awards to Rachel Towns (left) and Paul Sims for their achievements on the CIPD's professional development scheme.
Emily Webster (right) received the Christine Payne Award for her management research report. Emily's management research report has also been entered into the CIPD's national competition for the best management research report and we wish her every success. E: hermione.mcintosh@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 6852
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STUDENT NEWS Inaugural Annual Lecture of the Ashcroft Enterprise Society
Rob Cameron, CEO, The Fair-trade organisation The Ashcroft Enterprise Society has been established by the students on the BA (Hons) Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Management pathway (www.anglia.ac.uk/enterprise).
Launching the Society, Walter Herriot, formerly Managing Director of St John’s Innovation Centre, Cambridge, said...
The aim of the Society is to promote enterprise and entrepreneurship within AIBS, Anglia Ruskin University and across Cambridge, building upon the already excellent links established with the two highly successful Cambridge University societies, CUTEC and Cambridge Entrepreneurs. This coming semester the Society will be running a host of activities, including monthly presentations by leading entrepreneurs drawing upon our 'Entrepreneur in Residence' network and wider afield. Each year a 'big name' will be brought in to deliver the annual lecture. The annual lecture series kicked off in impressive style on the 12 October 2009 with a presentation by the CEO of Fair Trade.
“We will seek to build upon the very close links we have established with students at Cambridge University to create a city-wide enterprise society capable of having maximum impact within the student community of both universities.”
I am very happy to report that in just its second year this has already found its market, having recruited to capacity with around 1 in 3 making us their first choice and with 1 in 3 failing to obtain a place. Now with 37 students on the pathway, the Enterprise Society, which was launched in May 2009, is getting its activities underway with a bit of a bang.
Fair Trade is the biggest Social Enterprise in the world, and Rob Cameron, the CEO is currently working to reconfigure their global strategic orientation. Not an easy task when you consider that he has to do this in consultation with over 300 country managers. It was a great coup for the students to have Rob Cameron deliver this inaugural annual lecture and I would like to thank those who came along to support the event. If you would like any further details on the Ashcroft Enterprise Society or the BA (Hons) Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Management, please contact Professor Lester Lloyd-Reason, E: lester.lloyd-reason@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 2479
“This fantastic initiative encapsulates everything that is so exciting about this highly innovative academic programme.”
Acting President of the Society, James Coburn, a student on the BA (Hons) Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Management
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STUDENT NEWS
First Taste of Christmas for International Students
food and were particularly intrigued by the gravy, stuffing and the Christmas pudding and brandy butter which were all on offer. Finally, all students who attended the meal were entered into a free prize draw for the chance to win a ‘present’. This was a complete surprise to the students and was the perfect way to end a very pleasant and enjoyable evening.
On 3rd December I was kindly invited to attend the international students’ Christmas dinner.
Hannah Myatt, Student Experience Coordinator, Chelmsford E: Hannah.myatt@anglia.ac.uk
Organised by the International Student Support team, the event gave international students the chance to experience a traditional British Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. For some who were only visiting the University for one semester, it was also an opportunity for them to say goodbye to their friends and for us to wish them well.
The event was very well-attended: around 30 excited students came along, including many from the Business School, all looking forward to what the evening had in store for them. As the students shared stories of their home countries’ Christmas traditions, it became apparent to me that Christmas crackers were very much a British custom. When the students were first confronted with the crackers they all looked rather bewildered by them! However, once the tradition had been explained, they happily pulled the crackers (although were a little wary when I told them they would go ‘bang’) and cheerfully wore their paper crowns – although I am not sure that anyone found the jokes particularly funny! The students all seemed to enjoy the traditional Christmas
Seasonal Party in Cambridge On Tuesday 22nd December 2009, we held a party for AIBS students staying in Cambridge over the Christmas vacation. We provided seasonal food, drink, games and a film. Throughout the afternoon just over twenty students dropped in and stayed to chat with members of our faculty staff. Each student was given a card and a small gift from under the tree. The event was a nice way to end the semester and we hope to do the same for our students next year.
Allison Beaumont, Student Experience Coordinator, Cambridge E: Allison.beaumont@anglia.ac.uk
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DISCOVER POSTGRADUATE STUDY DISCOVER POSTGRADUAT AT STUDY AT ANGLIA RUSKIN
ANGLIA RUSKIN
POSTGRADUATE INFORMATION EVENING FOR CURRENT UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS WED 24 FEB 2010 | 4.00PM - 7.30PM AT OUR CAMBRIDGE & CHELMSFORD CAMPUSES PRE-REGISTER FOR A PROGRAMME GUIDE AND TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN £50 IN HIGH STREET VOUCHERS. EMAIL: ANSWERS@ANGLIA.AC.UK 15
STUDENT NEWS
Robert Jones, Programme Leader, Executive MBA, with one of the semi-final teams for the next round of the IBM UBC competition.
Six AIBS student teams win through to the semi-finals of the IBM UBC In September this year I entered 11 student teams into the IBM Universities Business Challenge (UBC).
For the past six weeks, our teams have been competing in national heats, each comprising eight University teams. Every week the UBC organisers have sent out new challenges within an overall business simulation and the teams have responded with their new strategies supported by detailed financial and quantitative modelling. I am delighted to report that 6 of our 11 teams have won through to the semi-finals which will take place next year.
Our teams are participating in semi-finals as follows:- 25 Feb Royal Bank of Scotland, London 01 Mar Proctor & Gamble, Weybridge 02 Mar SERCO, Defence Academy, Shrivenham 04 Mar CITI, Canary Wharf 05 Mar CITI, Canary Wharf
I will accompany and support each team at the various events. Last year one team got through to the semis, and then got through to the grand final. The previous year two teams got through to the semis and one of these went on to win the grand final. Good luck to this year’s participants! E: Robert.jones@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 2549
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STUDENT NEWS Graduating in 2010? The time to start looking for a job is NOW!
Employment Bureau
The team in the Employment Bureau at ARU work with employers to present graduates with the education, skills and potential to fill their vacancies.
In 2009 the EB consultants placed graduates in employment in a wide range of businesses from investment administration and multimedia design to marketing and quantity surveying. And, despite challenging economic times, there are jobs available. At this time the Employment Bureau is working with many local employers who are planning on continued recruitment growth in 2010. That said, the current economy does present challenges for new graduates. So here are our top tips for securing job interviews:Register with the Employment Bureau now!
You should also visit other recruitment agencies now to register with them too. Don't limit your chances by completing only the on-line applications to agencies: you will increase your chances of securing interviews by visiting the agencies in person and building a strong relationship with the recruitment consultants. Recruitment agencies with national, regional and global networks will present a greater diversity of vacancies to you. Manpower, Reed, Adecco and Hays are examples of major global recruiters and all have offices in Chelmsford and Cambridge. 1
Prepare several versions of your CV
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Be realistic about starting salaries and be prepared to travel
Your CV will always be a work in progress, needing to be adapted as you acquire more work experience, qualifications and skills. Each CV you send out should be tailored to meet the most important requirements of a vacancy, the culture of the organisation and the key attributes sought by the employer.
The average salary offered to new graduates placed by the EB in 2009 was £17,000. Remember that renumeration is only one factor you should consider – opportunities for training, professional qualifications, travel, promotion and a broad range of skills acquisition are equally as valuable in the early stages of your career. If you limit yourself to a daily commute of no more than half an hour from home, you are severely constricting your opportunities.
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Research the employer organisation
4
Work experience is important
5
Start networking!
There are a myriad of sources of information available to you about any organisation you are targeting as a potential employer. Read, digest and synthesise this information and the language an organisation uses to reflect their style in your CV and application letters. It is often the deciding factor an HR Manager uses when selecting between applicants for an interview offer. If you have no work experience, or only very limited exposure to the workplace, then get some organised between now and graduation. Contact companies directly to ask about opportunities for work shadowing or work experience. Without realising it many of you will already have valuable networks of friends, family, associates who could be the link in the chain to you securing a job. Ask family members, your friends' parents, lecturers or colleagues at work if they know anyone working in the field you are aiming for.
Finding your first permanent job is a personal research project you need to start working on today! You can contact the EB team to book an appointment to register on:T: 0845 196 3616 T: 0845 196 2505
Chelmsford Cambridge
If you have any particular issues you would like to discuss regarding your search for employment, please email Sarah White in the Employment Bureau: sarah.white@anglia.ac.uk
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INTERNATIONAL
Photograph taken at School of Accounting and Management graduation ceremony and launch of Institute for International Management Practice: Caribbean, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, 6th December 2009. Dr Trevor Bolton (AIBS), Dr Asaf Pirali (Founder and President, School of Accounting and Management, Trinidad and Tobago), Lynn Snape (AIBS), Professor Michael Thorne, Vice Chancellor, Anglia Ruskin University.
Institute for International Management Practice
The early plans for IIMP: Caribbean, are to appoint a Head to lead our research efforts, to agree and establish our research and publication strategies, to progress and support the 8 doctoral students we have already recruited, to work with local business organisations and their representatives to cement our goals of being ‘practice based’ and relevant to local and international business needs, to identify and appoint a local Advisory Panel, to begin to plan for our first Research Conference in October 2010, and much more. We have been working towards the launch for some time and would anticipate our first research outcomes will be published early in 2010.
(IIMP) in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Institute for International Management Practice (IIMP) is the recently formed Research Institute of Ashcroft International Business School. A key and differentiating feature of IIMP is that it will exist not only in the UK but also via a series of ‘Hubs’ with key partners, located around the world. Such a configuration will allow us to begin to achieve our stated aims of engaging with businesses and organisations to create new knowledge and insights into international management practice, helping understand their impact upon organisational performance and innovation and on economic and cultural development at national and transnational levels. We are delighted to announce that the first non-UK Hub of IIMP has been launched. The hub will operate within Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean in co-operation with our long established partner in the region, the School of Accounting and Management (SAM). The Hub, to be known as IIMP: Caribbean was formally launched on 6th December 2009 through a signing ceremony which was part of the School of Accounting and Management’s annual graduation ceremony, held in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The event, which was attended by Professor Michael Thorne our Vice Chancellor, as well as Trevor Bolton and Lynn Snape from AIBS saw almost 500 local students graduate with Anglia Ruskin University undergraduate degrees in business – the largest number ever.
The launch was well received by the local community and received coverage in press and broadcast media. On the day following the graduation, the Vice Chancellor hosted a dinner attended by many leading figures in business and the public sector at which we are able to explain our plans and ideas. We are pleased to confirm that there is much local interest in the opportunities that IIMP: Caribbean can bring.
The School of Accounting and Management (‘SAM’) is the longest established and largest private tertiary education provider in Trinidad and Tobago. This year, it celebrates its 25th anniversary and we were delighted that our Vice Chancellor was able to attend the annual graduation ceremony, to host a celebratory dinner and to ensure that Anglia Ruskin was a full part of their celebrations. Anglia Ruskin University has been working in partnership with SAM since 2001. Some 1450 students are studying via SAM for Anglia Ruskin undergraduate degrees in business subjects and a further 250 for MBA degrees. We would anticipate that the launch of IIMP: Caribbean, we help strengthen, develop and extend our partnership. Current and emerging research themes include: ‘Success and succession in Indo-Caribbean SME’s’, developing so-called niche-tourism opportunities, including agro, eco and sustainable tourism, public sector performance and reform, judicial review and HRM and project management. For further information contact: E: Trevor.bolton@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 6847
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INTERNATIONAL L to R: Roger Palmer, Edmund Hewson, Sven Hollenson, David Haigh, Nicole Edglington, Darrell Kofkin, Kellie Vincent, Anthony Ramon, Paul Weeks, Christos Skoutas
New Global Academic Standard Launched in Malaysia
"Over the past two years GMN and AIBS at Anglia Ruskin University in the UK have undertaken a worldwide consultation exercise with senior marketing and business thought-leaders from academia and practice, recruiters and employers, to understand what they require from today’s marketing professionals. This has resulted in the development of the Global Marketer Programme - a full, validated, practice-led qualification leading to an MSc Global Marketing Practice. This Programme will enable marketing professionals to play an important role at the heart of any organisation, regardless of which country they are in."
Global Marketer Programme set to raise Global Standards in Marketing Practice Kuala Lumpur, 2 December - Global Marketing Network (GMN) today launched a new global academic standard for the marketing fraternity, called The Global Marketer Programme. Developed with Ashcroft International Business School (AIBS) at Anglia Ruskin University, and BPP Learning Media to help raise standards in global marketing practice, it was launched by His Excellency the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, WB Boyd McCleary with GMN Malaysia Honorary President, Datuk Marimuthu Nadason. Also present were distinguished guests from academia and practice, Global Marketing Network, Anglia Ruskin University, and BPP Learning Media. With The Global Marketer Programme, marketing and business professionals worldwide can for the first time now achieve an academic award at Masters level from Anglia Ruskin University, one of the UK’s largest and most progressive universities. At the same time, they can also ensure that they meet all the academic criteria required for acceptance as a Professional Member of Global Marketing Network, the worldwide membership association for marketing and business professionals. At the event, Darrell Kofkin, Chief Executive of GMN said, "Myself and Professor Martin Reynolds, Dean and Pro Vice Chancellor of AIBS at Anglia Ruskin University, set out in 2007 with a single vision and purpose to develop a world class marketing qualification for the marketing professional, as demanded by business, worldwide. The Global Marketer Programme is designed to prepare participants thoroughly for a rewarding career in marketing and ensure they can make a profitable contribution to business, wherever they work in the world.
The Global Marketer Programme consists of a Graduate Diploma Global Marketing Practice, a 120-credit qualification equivalent to the final year of an Undergraduate Degree, specifically designed for participants with little or no understanding of core marketing principles who are currently pursuing a career in marketing. The MSc Global Marketing Practice, aimed at participants who have demonstrated an understanding of core marketing principles and who are operating at strategic level or aspiring to do so, is the pinnacle of the programme and is a flagship 180-credit Masters qualification.
Kofkin continues. “The combination of GMN’s commitment to continuing professional development and AIBS commitment to practice-based learning will help Malaysian marketing professionals to enhance and excel in their career. The Global Marketer Programme is designed to give an edge to those contributing to a new paradigm shift in the Marketing discipline and to help people lead the necessary change in the way organisations position themselves and perform, amid global challenges.” Also speaking at the launch was Edmund Hewson, Managing Director of BPP Learning Media, the appointed publisher and distance learning partner for The Global Marketer Programme. Hewson said, “As is clear from the success that GMN has had in energising practitioners and academics, a genuinely ‘born global’ voice for practising marketers has been long overdue. Our vision for the programme is that it will be the benchmark qualification of choice for global marketing practitioners and, as importantly, that it will attract high volumes of committed students from all over the world, as members of the world’s leading marketing membership organisation.”
GMN Malaysia expressed its gratitude for the decision to launch this world-class new qualification in Malaysia and confirmed that it would be working to encourage marketing professionals to take the qualification at the earliest opportunity, not only to improve their own knowledge and capabilities but also to further the interests of the entire marketing profession.
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INTERNATIONAL
A memorable occasion for KBU diplomats and graduates
KBU – Anglia Ruskin Graduates Continue the Tradition of Excellence The hard work and achievement of 224 graduates and diplomats from KBU International College have been recognized at KBU International College – Anglia Ruskin University’s Graduation Ceremony, held on 24 October 2009 at the Main Hall, KBU, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Officiated by the Chairman of KBU Board of Governors, Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Teo Soo Cheng and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University, UK, Professor Alan Sibbald, the ceremony called to recognize the dedication, perseverance and commitment of all the graduates in their chosen fields of study. The ceremony was also attended by KBU Chief Executive, Prof Dato’ (Dr) Teo Chiang Liang.
KBU has earnestly positioned itself as the premier tertiary education provider in Malaysia, embracing the vision of providing the highest standard of tertiary education in a local and international context. The College has gone to great lengths to nurture students to become what they are today – highly skilled and competent individuals who are poised to take on future challenges with full conviction and confidence. The students/graduates’ accomplishments and achievements epitomise the fine quality of education and training that they have received from KBU and Anglia Ruskin.
KBU has enjoyed a far-reaching collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University, a UK university renowned for its commitment to academic quality. This longstanding partnership (since 1993) between the two institutions has allowed many students (both local and international) to use their qualifications as a springboard for exciting and rewarding careers.
Twelve high-calibre students were awarded the First Class Honours degrees in two business programmes from the Ashcroft International Business School: BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance
Chai Jia Yeen, Chang LiLing, Chang LiPing, Chiang Ai Leng, Loo Yee Ling, Ng Chee Meng, Tan Chien Ming, Ting Chew Choong, Wong Hui Loo, Wong Wai Ling
KBU Board of Governors, Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Teo Soo Cheng exchanging mementos with Anglia Ruskin University, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Alan Sibbald
BA (Hons) Business Management Lois Cheng Mei Ern, Yu Yin Young
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RESEARCH
10th IFSAM World Congress International Federation of Scholarly Associations of Management
Track S25-Global MisLeadership. Chairs – John Rayment and Jonathan Smith
Global Leadership refers to the need for leaders to act in a way that reflects the global environment in which their organizations operate and considers all aspects of the leadership role. Injustice and unsustainable practices can be thought of as failure to achieve high quality global leadership – hence the term global MisLeadership. Four strands of MisLeadership are identified – leadership which is missing, misguided misinformed, Machiavellian.
Contributions are now being sought for this track of the conference. The following are some possible areas that may be covered but we want to encourage your ideas:
8-10 July 2010 at the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers PARIS, France Justice and Sustainability in the Global Economy
Since the 15th century, colonization has been an important issue in the world, with de-colonization being a key event of the 20th century. The consequences of colonization and subsequent de-colonization have been enormous in economic, social and political terms. In particular, de-colonization has opened the door to today’s globalization. The theme of “Justice and Sustainability in the Global Economy” fits with the mission of IFSAM, the ‘United Nations of the Academies of Management’. This theme is of particular significance to developing countries, especially those in Africa, one of the key areas of development interest for IFSAM. Our theme also raises the question of the significance and contribution of managerial activities and management in relation to justice and sustainability, especially after the financial crisis.
• History of MisLeadership: Historical development of both leadership and MisLeadership: Roles of royal dynasties, religions, politics, nations, corporations and other power groups • Overviews of Global Leadership: Scope, boundaries, framework • Linkages between global leadership/MisLeadership and the main conference themes of justice and sustainability in the global economy • Role of Education, particularly business education, in the global economy: Moving toward a new business paradigm; Proposals for new foundations, attitudes, vision and values relevant to the global economy • Justice and Sustainability in the Workplace: The need for leaders to create resonance in the workplace by recognizing all the needs of their workers, including spiritual • Case Studies examining specific examples of MisLeadership: Actions and reactions of industries, governments and pressure groups.
John Rayment, Principal Lecturer, Globally Fit Leadership and Jonathan Smith, Senior Lecturer, Leadership are both track chairs for this conference. For further details see http://www.ifsam2010.org If you are interested in presenting a paper in this track please submit a one page summary of your proposal to: E: Jonathan.smith@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 2069
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RESEARCH
‘Doing Business in China: Is the importance of guanxi diminishing?’ Dr Jonathan Wilson, a senior lecturer in the Ashcroft International Business School has had an article accepted for publication in the internationally rated journal European Business Review.
The paper, written with Dr Ross Brennan, of the University of Middlesex, is the second time both researchers have had a paper accepted for publication in European Business Review within 18 months.
The paper entitled ‘Doing Business in China: Is the importance of guanxi diminishing?’ argues that as China continues with market liberalisation, there are indications that the strategic importance of guanxi (personal connections) is set to decline. The researchers reviewed articles on guanxi and established that although guanxi is still widely considered important, some experts are arguing that this importance is diminishing. In their study, the authors also conducted interviews with those involved in establishing or managing a UK-Chinese joint venture to gage their opinions on guanxi. Their findings suggest that to simply describe guanxi as being ‘important’ is too simplistic. Guanxi and Chinese cultural values are now widely publicised in the West. This has ultimately led to ‘guanxi learning’. Dr Wilson explains, ‘During the early 1990s, researchers were in agreement on the importance attached to guanxi. However, for firms interested in investing in China, there are now a large number of books and places to go to for advice on foreign direct investment. This means that guanxi, although still important, is in general better understood in the West. In addition, some researchers argue that China’s legal reforms may result in less emphasis on guanxi, while China’s ‘going outward policy’ has meant that many Chinese firms have had to combine guanxi with Western management practice. For more information. E: jonathan.wilson@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 2249
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RESEARCH 9th European Conference on Research Methodologies for Business and Management Studies 24-25 June 2010 at the IE Business School, Madrid, Spain Call for Papers Mini Track on Critical Theory Research Track Chair: Dr Andrew Armitage, Anglia Ruskin University Critical Theory Research (CTR) is an emergent perspective having philosophical foundations within the Critical Management Studies and challenges traditional modes of conducting research within the modernist project.
As such, Critical Theory Research is a response to organisational domination and advocates for emancipatory, ethical and creative research practices that upholds the dignity and individual values of those who take part in a research undertaking or projects whether be the researcher or the researched. It is proposed that this mini track will explore alternative approaches of undertaking research that uphold the tenets of Critical Theory and will attract example action research, gender studies, critical ethnographies, postmodernist perspectives, post-structuralism and organisational power relations. Papers for this mini track can therefore consist of both empirical studies and theoretical/positional papers that explore how Critical ‘Theory Research has and can contribute towards more authentic research practices both in terms of process and ethical considerations. Topics include, but are not limited to: Critical perspectives in quantitative, qualitative research and mixed methods research: Approaches, problems and solutions; Critical Research: Emancipatory, Participatory and democratic organisational practices; Ethics and critical research; Critical research, Reflexivity and self; Doing critical research: Methodological and methods of enquiry – insights and perspectives. For further details see: http://www.academicconferences.org/ecrm2010/ecrm10-home.htm
If you are interested in presenting a paper in this track please contact Dr Andrew Armitage: E: Andrew.armitage@anglia.ac.uk
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STAFF
New Members of Staff
Congratulations!
We are pleased to welcome the following new colleagues to the Business School:
John Mullen, Principal Lecturer HRM and Taxation, Learning and Teaching Adviser, has been awarded the degree of Master of Laws (LLM) in employment law by the University of East Anglia, Norwich.
CHELMSFORD
Jill Baldwin Senior Lecturer in Work Based Learning in Chelmsford Hannah Myatt Student Experience Coordinator for the Chelmsford Department Hermann Rapp Senior Lecturer in Management Practice
The purpose of doing the degree was to inform John’s teaching of Employment Law, Employee relations and Managing Diversity at Undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It involved part time study for two years attending fortnightly seminars and producing 12 pieces of coursework and a dissertation. Principle tutors were Gareth Thomas, Dean of the Norwich Law School and Professor Ian Smith, leading authorities and jointly authors of Smith and Wood's Employment Law - a standard text.
Sylvia Willmer Business Operations Manager CAMBRIDGE
Duncan Allan Resources Administrator
Following on from a specialisation in Equal Opportunities and Discrimination law, John is now proposing to do a PhD in the area of Managing Diversity - which he considers to be a step beyond the law, but so far too closely tied to Equal Opportunities; John’s hope is to at least loosen this link.
Genevieve Battey joined us a temp in the Faculty Office Marion Cobby Business Operations Manager
E: john.mullen@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196
Michael Duignan Business Project Administrator
Prof Charles Hampden-Turner Visiting Professor Petra Kovacsova Administrator
Katerina Nemcova Project Manager of Business Knowledge Transfer Akiko Okuda Administrator
Stacey Stokes Administrator BA (Hons) Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Management, Cambridge Phillipa Towlson Business Administration Manager, Cross-campus
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STAFF
First ever Sunrise Walk is a Hit The first ever, ladies only, Sunrise Walk for Farleigh Hospice took place recently and what a fantastic success it was!
Hermione McIntosh, Human Resources Senior Lecturer (second from the left), was one of a grand total of 636 local ladies who were adorned in bright pink Sunrise Walk T-Shirts, turned up to begin either the full 19km route, or the shorter half route, between 4.44am (sunrise) and 7.00am. Between them they pledged a wonderful £62,000 in sponsorship money.
The weather came up trumps, remaining reasonably nice and cool until around 10.00, but giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy full sunshine whilst sitting on the grass and enjoying their ‘congratulations’ breakfast after the walk. With a range of participants, with children as young as 4 taking part, to ladies in their 60’s and 70’s, it truly was a fun family day (well morning!) for all to enjoy.
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Anglia Ruskin Alumnus Leads Food Campaign Geoffrey Dovey is Chief Executive of DPP Ltd (Dovey Premium Products), a third generation family company in Dorset. Geoff graduated from ARU’s predecessor Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology (CCAT) with a BA in Economics and History in 1980.
NEWS
After 10 years working as a surveyor, Geoff returned to the fold and joined his family’s business in 1992. DPP Ltd supplies its own-branded chicken range to Asian restaurants throughout the UK http://www.dppltd.co.uk
Geoff took over the family firm and became CEO three years after completing his MBA at Bournemouth University. As a result of the MBA, Geoff implemented wide-ranging changes throughout the company – a hard enough task for any business, let alone while delicately handling the sensitivities and issues which came with managing a family firm. He also completed a counselling course to help him cope better with the family dimension of his role. He was a founder trustee of The Institute for Family Business and does occasional talks and articles concerning family businesses and what keeps them vibrant.
Geoff has been a friend of Robert Jones since his Cambridge days in the late 1970s. He has regular meetings and phone calls with Robert, often discussing the complexities of running and transforming a family enterprise, and the value of offering ethically sound products and services. Early in his business career, Geoff became concerned with additives in food, especially in chicken, and started a campaign to ensure the integrity of our food. "Consumers should know what they are buying and eating and the interests of minorities should be respected", says Geoff. This was his theme when he was interviewed at 7:23am on the BBC Radio 4 Today Programme on Friday 23rd October 2009. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00n7fzp/Today_23_10 _2009/
By coincidence, on the same day, Executive MBA students from Cambridge and Chelmsford were taking a Corporate Social Responsibility elective module in Cambridge. In a further coincidence, Leandro Silva, one of the Cambridge MBA cohort following this CSR module, is one of Geoff’s main suppliers of ethically sourced meat in Brazil. Leandro works in the UK and Brazil and is studying for his MBA part-time in Cambridge. The BBC Panorama programme in May 2003, aided by Geoff, revealed widespread adulteration of chicken meat. An updated programme was broadcast earlier this year. More recently, the food critic Jay Rayner published an article in The Observer on Sunday 18th October “My big beef about takeaway chicken”, featuring Geoff’s campaign. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/oct/18/jayrayner-adulterated-chicken E: Robert Jones, Course Leader Executive MBA T: 0845 196 2549
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NEWS
An Educational Milestone People and Planet Really Matter Students move into their new, state-of-the-art, £10 million University Centre Peterborough
At the series of workshops
facilitated by Oasis recently we explored the question concerning the requirements for a workplace of tomorrow if people and planet really matter. Given the huge range of urgent global issues now facing our planet - issues from global warming, reducing natural resources, drastically reduced plant and animal life, to AIDS and HIV and numerous armed conflicts - and given the power and size of many organisations, and the huge number of SMEs, I think I’d go a stage further than this question and emphasise that people and planet simply have to feature prominently in our organisations of the future if we are to survive. I wonder what it really is that currently holds us back from a major emphasis on people and planet now? How might these issues be addressed? What might be the consequences if there is not a real commitment to these issues now?
With its curved walls, bold colours and contemporary feel, the University Centre Peterborough (UCP) now provides the missing link in the educational facilities Peterborough has to offer with its 92-seat lecture theatre, 14 teaching rooms, computer laboratories and several student social services. The first brick for the university centre, in Park Crescent, which now forms the main hub of the site, was laid in October 2008, with the city’s university students joining Alevel students at the Peterborough Regional College (PRC) campus in Park Crescent. But now, one year on, students have their own specially-built centre to call their own university.
Executive director of UCP Linda Jones said: “When I started on the UCP project two years ago it was to create a vision for the university and this is the first step in creating that vision.
One of the major tensions at the moment seems to be between financial viability and bringing a more ethics, values based approach into the workplace. Again looking at the fundamental issues underpinning this tension I wonder why this really exists. How can this tension can be worked with?
“There is a massive demand for a university in Peterborough, the number of people with level four or university level education is 10 per cent lower than the national average.
One of the difficulties I think is that we are dealing here with issues of rapidly changing super complexity where we do not even know the right questions to ask let alone what the answers are. In this environment of super-complexity no organisation, leader or academic is going to be able to find solutions on their own. We have to think differently, we need new approaches to decision making and need to work together and collaborate much more in a serious dialogue about these issues to develop an appropriate contemporary mission for the organisation. This dialogue has to be non-judgemental and consist of a genuine open exploration where all members are treated with equal status. I believe this collaborative dialogue needs to adopt a holistic approach, where all aspects of the system are taken into account. A holistic approach is also one that considers all aspects of people’s mind, body and spirit. The most contentious, least understood and most often avoided aspect in this holistic approach within organisations is this spiritual dimension. Because of this it’s an area that fascinates me and it’s an area where there is a growing interest and focus internationally.
“It is not just about producing graduates, the presence of a university is a key driver of economic prosperity and it will create jobs and inward spend in Peterborough.
“Over the next decade we will be working alongside Opportunity Peterborough and Peterborough City Council to boost student numbers and fulfil our vision and create a campus in the city centre.” UCP is a joint venture company between Peterborough Regional College (PRC) and Anglia Ruskin University and represents the first step in Peterborough’s ambition to become a university city. It offers HNC/D, foundation and postgraduate courses in more than 30 different subjects including archaeology, construction, history, sociology, the performing arts, business, law, engineering and computing.
Chairman of the UCP board and director of Perkins Engines Allan Arnott said “The University Centre will meet the needs of many students progressing from schools and colleges as well as those seeking continued personal development, all in a full and part-time studying environment.
I believe that organisations developing a contemporary mission, improving decision making, adopting holistic approaches and thinking in new ways are key areas for the workplace of tomorrow and it is these areas that a colleague and I in the Ashcroft International Business School are exploring at the moment. They are fundamental steps to developing workplaces that are fully effective at all level workplaces where people and planet really do matter.
“The centre will make a major contribution to the economy of Peterborough and play a large part in its future growth.” More about UCP - www.anglia.ac.uk/peterborough
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Jonathan Smith T: 0845 196 2069 E: jonathan.smith@anglia.ac.uk
NEWS
DATES
2009 Essex Business Excellence Awards
Diary Dates 23 February
The Essex Business Excellence
Awards are organised by the Essex Chronicle Media Group in association with joint main sponsors Bird Luckin Chartered Accountants and Wollastons Solicitors. 2009 marks the twelfth year of the programme.
25 February
16-25 March
The awards are designed to recognise excellence, innovation, best practice and corporate and social responsibility in businesses right across the county.
29-31 March
Any business with a presence in the county, either in the public or private sector, is eligible to enter and there is no limit on the number of entries that can be submitted.
14 April
The Ashcroft International Business School sponsored and judged the Innovation category which is for companies that have recognised a gap in the market by creating and developing a new product, process or design that has improved the commercial prospects and performance of the company. It is not so much the size of the solution but more the innovation that has been brought to bear.
15 June 17 June
The 2009 winner of this category was Servowatch Systems Limited of Tollesbury, Essex, a leader in the provision of marine systems integration for some 25 years.
Beyond the Codes – How the REAL Corporate Governance Works
IBM UBC Competition
Reach for the Skies, Exhibition and
Workshop, Cambridge
FLUX 2010 Competition International Corporate Geovernance
Conference, Chelmsford HR Forum, Chelmsford AIBS 2nd Research Conference
24-25 June
9th ECRM Conference,
8-10 July
IFSAM Conference, Paris
Madrid
We are looking for people to get involved in the newsletter. We would welcome your feedback on this issue and letters/comments for future publication. You may even wish to test your wings as a writer. If so, please contact: Professor Martin Reynolds, Dean presented the company with their award at an event held at Braxted Park, nr Witham, Essex on Friday, 18 September 2009.
Christine Durrant T: 0845 196 6882 E: christine.durrant@anglia.ac.uk
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