The Biz by Christine Durrant

BIZ

the

Ashcroft International Business School Magazine|issue 5

Erasmus Scheme

Study abroad as part of your degree Joe de Mello, Erasmus Scheme student, Ume책 University, Sweden | page 14 www.anglia.ac.uk/aibs

Deans Update It is a great delight to be writing my first introduction to The Biz. I am holding the reins as Dean of the Business School for the next few months and am very much enjoying the challenges of the role. As ever, I hope you find much in The Biz that will interest you and that you will be as pleased as I am that AIBS is active in many quarters, working with students, employers, and our partners in many parts of the world. I will desist from drawing your attention to particular articles – there is so much we are doing and so much more we could tell you about, that I hope you will enjoy the whole magazine. It really is a fascinating time to be involved in business and management education and it is particularly pleasing to see the breadth and scope of our work. For those of you are studying with us in Cambridge, I am pleased to report that the development of the new business school building is coming on apace and we expect to occupy it in June and have it fully operational for September. This will give us a world class facility in Cambridge and is clearly something that we are very excited about. With sincere best wishes to you all. Dr Trevor Bolton (Acting) Pro Vice Chancellor & Dean

Editorial Welcome to The Biz, the Ashcroft International Business School’s staff and student magazine aimed at keeping you abreast of developments and opportunities in our Faculty. We hope you enjoy reading it. The magazine is produced four times a year and distributed via issuu.com. Alternatively you can access copies of this and previous issues on our website: www.anglia.ac.uk/aibs Contact us: Thank you to those of you who have submitted articles for this issue, please keep the good news stories coming. If you would like to offer us your news or ideas to us please contact christine.durrant@anglia.ac.uk. We look forward to hearing from you. Topics of interest could include those related to: o Good news stories o Personal and academic achievements o Events o Research o International visits o 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 NEWS 1 New Course – Cert HE Charity and Social Enterprise 1 Princess Royal attends opening of LCA Campus in Mauritius 2 Lord Ashcroft KCMG shares his views on leadership 2 Marcoms Team- what we can do for you 3 Anglia Ruskin networks enterprising education ideas to Romania 4 KBU launch postgraduate programme 4 ‘The Big Society Challenge’ Book 5 Chinese New Year 5 New Visiting Fellow 6 Wall graphic installed featuring ‘The Student Journey’ STUDENT NEWS 7 Future Job Fund – Are you looking for a job in the creative industries sector? 8 Student Services Employability Team 9 Students fire ‘Newsnight’ questions at risk-takers 10 Field trip to Paradise Wildlife Park 11 Employer Fair – Students engage with local and national employers 12 Students provide support to local companies 12 Student Case Studies – coming to a wall near you! 13 MBA Residential Weekend – Alternative reflections on leadership 13 Calling all Tier 4 students 14 Erasmus Scheme – study abroad as part of your degree 15 The Big Pitch needs you! ALUMNI NEWS 8 Annual MBA Network dinner RESEARCH 16 Leading the NHS in the 21st Century Conference 17 Misleadership: Prevalence, Causes and Consequences – new book by AIBS lecturers 17 No sleeping on the job! High performance working and wellbeing at work INNOVATION 18 Open Innovation – Update on research initiative BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT 19 Volvo Construction Equipment joins growing workbased degree movement SUCCESS STORIES 18 CURA-B INTERREG bid success 20 AIBS new website 21 Dubai Marathon 21 Business at Ashcoft Society 22 IBM Universities Business Challenge 2010/2011 Semi Final success

New Course Designed for leaders of charities, social enterprise and voluntary groups Developed by the Ashcroft International Business School, the Cert HE Charity and Social Enterprise Management is specifically aimed at chief executives, managers and other leaders within third sector organisations and is designed to equip them with the knowledge to keep them afloat and steer them towards the new opportunities that the Big Society presents.

Andy Brady, senior lecturer, says:

“We have developed this course after working really closely with social enterprises and the voluntary sector over the last three years. “These organisations are now being asked to do even more just as their resources are being cut. We want to give their managers, trustees and other senior staff the skills they need to ensure their organisations survive, and are able to exploit the opportunities presented by the coalition’s Big Society agenda.”

The Big Society initiative was launched by Conservative Party leader David Cameron ahead of last year’s General Election and the strategy is currently gaining momentum across all sectors of government, with the aim of transferring power and responsibilities from politicians to local communities and groups.

The two-year distance learning course, which costs £823 per year, features approximately one face-to-face teaching session per month and assessment is based on assignments, projects and presentations. The course starts at the end of March and applications are being taken now. To find out more, or to apply, visit www.anglia.ac.uk/csemanagement or call 0845 196 5992.

The course is very practical in nature and students will base their work around their own organisation. Modules include Marketing, Finance and Funding, Measuring Impact and Social Enterprise. Our specialist 3rd Sector Futures unit, which is based at the Ashcroft International Business School, has a strong track record of providing teaching for charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations. The course will feature a mixture of expertise from within Anglia Ruskin and specialist leaders from the third sector, to ensure the right balance of academic input and practical know-how.

Andy Brady, Senior Lecturer E: andrew.brady@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 6888

Princess Royal attends opening of LCA Campus in Mauritius Princess Anne arrived at the new location of our partner, the London College of Accountancy (LCA), in the Nexteracom building in Ebene, on the 2 December 2010 where she was welcomed by the British High Commissioner Nick Leake, Minister of Tertiary Education, Science, Research and Technology Dr Rajesh Jeetah and the founder and managing director of LCA, Ravi Gills. The princess unveiled the commemorative plaque of LCA and presented the Queen’s Award for Innovation to Mr Gills. Dr Jeetah told the royal visitor that the government’s vision to transform Mauritius into an education hub in the region is being realised.

Princess Royal (centre of long table) and her husband, Vice-Admiral Timothy Laurence (far right of long table). Also on stage are (l–r) the British High Commissioner to Mauritius, the Minister of High Education for Mauritius and Ravi Gill, Managing Director of the LCA, plus the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mike Thorne, at the podium.

Ravi Gills said: “I am delighted to have your presence here, and would like to thank you for honouring us today by presenting this wonderful award and opening our new college in this beautiful island which I regard as my second home.”

Lord Ashcroft KCMG shares his views on leadership Anglia Ruskin University’s Chancellor and Chairman of Trustees of the Ashcroft Technology Academy, Lord Ashcroft KCMG, launched a new lecture series to mark the tenth anniversary of the formation of the Ashcroft International Business School. Lord Ashcroft presented a lively and polished lecture entitled ‘Aspects of Leadership’ to an invited audience in which he outlined the dozen key qualities he considers are vital for strong leadership. The inaugural lecture took place on 16 November in the Michael A Ashcroft Building at Anglia Ruskin University’s Chelmsford campus. Lord Ashcroft – who has donated £10m to establish two dedicated buildings for the Ashcroft International Business School – is one of Anglia Ruskin’s University’s most distinguished and successful alumni and has been Chancellor since 2001. He studied at Anglia Ruskin University’s predecessor institution Mid-Essex Technical College in Chelmsford before embarking on his highly successful business career. Lord Ashcroft has written six books – his latest, George Cross Heroes is the third he has written on the subject of bravery. Earlier this year he published Minority Verdict which gives his view of the Conservative Party’s 2010 election campaign. His first book, published in 2005, was Dirty Politics, Dirty Times about his battles with New Labour and The Times newspaper.

Lord Ashcroft KCMG with our Vice Chancellor, Mike Thorne and Chairman of Crimestoppers, and the Chairman of Trustees of the Ashcroft Technology Academy in South London. After attending the lecture, Anglia Ruskin University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Michael Thorne said: ‘Lord Ashcroft’s lead on this annual lecture gives an indication of the calibre of speaker we will have each year. This dynamic event will further raise the growing worldwide reputation of the Ashcroft International Business School which is now marking its ten-year anniversary.’

Lord Ashcroft supports a wide range of charities, most notably covering crime prevention and education. He is the Founder

Marcoms Team – what we can do for you A leaflet produced by Marketing, Communications and External Relations (front cover shown), based in the Michael A Ashcroft Building in Chelmsford, will shortly be landing on your desk. The team provide expertise in marketing and communications across both sites of the Ashcroft International Business School.

The team is involved in the delivery of activities ranging from event organisation and website/new media development to brochure production and internal communications. The purpose of this communication is to provide you with information on our main areas of work and to advise you of the processes necessary to access support or advice from our team. We look forward to hearing from you! Our team members are: Christine Durrant, Manager Carole Martindill, Marketing Administrator Bianca Schottstedt, Marketing Administrator

We play a crucial role in ensuring that AIBS’ range of communication materials and activities are fully integrated to maximum effect reinforcing the university’s brand and reputation and using our resources effectively to achieve our marketing strategies and business goals.

Please send enquiries to: marcoms.aibs@anglia.ac.uk

Anglia Ruskin networks enterprising education ideas to Romania In addition to the project set-up activities and on-going project management activities required, Anglia Ruskin’s work largely consists of three phases as follows:

Last year Anglia Ruskin University entered into a partnership with the National Council of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Romania (CNIPMMR) and the Romanian Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest to help Romanian business students to enhance their studies through collaboration with business winners from the economy. The Ashcroft International Business School, CNIPMMR and the Academy signed a contract worth just under €1m to develop a new School of Entrepreneurial and Management Studies. The new faculty will use the highly successful BA (Hons) Enterprise and Entrepreneurial degree programme as a template for the development of a Masters programme to help business students to fast track themselves into the fast-developing Romanian economy.

The Antreman Project The Romania Antreman Project is the first stage of the process for the new faculty. This project will establish the new School of Entrepreneurial and Management Studies, which will be owned and managed by the National Council for Private SMEs in Romania. This new School will draw upon the expertise of academics and practitioners within Anglia Ruskin University and the Romanian Academy of Economic Studies to develop a new Masters in Entrepreneurial and Management Studies using the BA (Hons) Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Management as a blueprint. It will use the modules developed for the BA as a guideline and will similarly be delivered by a mix of academics, practitioner teachers and entrepreneurs.

•

January 2011 to September 2011: liaising with our Romanian academic colleagues to help them adapt the BA Enterprise programme into an appropriate Masters format for the Romanian market, running workshops to help shift the thinking of the staff in Romania and assisting in the recruitment of the practitioner teachers and entrepreneurs in Romania.

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October 2011 to December 2012: occasional week long intensive teaching assignments in Bucharest as well as on-going Module support.

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From January 2013 to project end in October 2013 assisting the students in developing their business plans, in the evaluation of those plans and then in coaching and mentoring the students as they turn their business plans into real businesses.

Phase One of the project is well under way and the second project meeting was held in Bucharest on 19-21 January 2011. The next large project event will be a week long visit to Cambridge (13–19 March) by our Romanian partners, when they will see at first hand how the BA (Hons) Enterprise and Entrepreneurial course is delivered, have an opportunity to visit companies and discuss the course ethos and practicalities with those who deliver and administer it. This visit will be followed by our Vice Chancellor visiting Bucharest to discuss the project on 22–24 March.

This new Masters programme will run from October 2011 to December 2012 and will recruit 150 students. Of these 150 students, 120 will establish new businesses with effect from April 2013.

Dale Coss Research Project Co-ordinator Romania Project – Antreman E: dale.coss@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 2344

The Antreman Project thus represents a pilot project to establish that this mechanism works and if successful further funding will be forthcoming to ensure that the School and the model become sustainable.

KBU launch postgraduate programme

The Big Society Challenge book

Known for providing holistic study experience and its excellent track record in UK ‘3+0’ programmes, KBU International College, Bandar Utama, Malaysia, moves up one notch in fulfilling its vision and mission by launching a postgraduate programme, the Masters of Business Administration (MBA) awarded by Ashcroft International Business School (AIBS).

Andy Brady from AIBS, Programme Manager – 3rd Sector Futures, has contributed a chapter entitled “Social Enterprise and Big Society” a new publication by the Keystone Development Trust: The Big Society Challenge.

Available from January 2011 at KBU’s School of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Management, the programme is designed for executives to senior managers who aspire to move up and enhance their career, and those who wish to move from a specialist field to a more senior strategic role. Participants will learn to apply theoretical understanding of management to complex business issues, gain insight into contemporary research and leading-edge practice in management, and generate originality and enterprise in approaching business issues.

The Big Society Challenge brings together a range of authors to explore the issues surrounding the Big Society, including the economic crisis, housing, finance, the environment, and localism. Contributors include academics from Anglia Ruskin, the University of Cambridge, the Open University and the LSE, and leading practitioners from government and the third sector.

As the programme is designed with working adults in mind, the part-time programme will be stretched over 2 years and conducted during weekends while the full time programme can be completed in 1½ years. At the recent programme preview session, Low Hong Keng, Head of Business School, Hospitality and Tourism Management at KBU pointed out: “As the programme is based on assessments it gives working adults a better opportunity to excel as they will not have to worry about time constrains when it comes to preparation for exams.”

Keystone Publications are intended to be thought provoking interventions in policy debates, as well as reporting on primary research. The publications are co-authored by academics and practitioners, often with the support of volunteer researchers and editorial assistants. The book was launched at the RSA in London on 13 January, with a debate between Elizabeth Truss MP, Steve Wyler, CEO of the Development Trust Association, and Sarah Benioff from the Office of Civil Society.

Professor Lesley Dobree, Deputy Vice Chancellor at Anglia Ruskin University, and Jonathan Knowles, Director of Studies of Ashcroft Business School also attended the preview session and gave students a clearer picture of what to expect during their studies there and the benefits of the MBA programme.

The book is available at a price of £10 or can be downloaded as a PDF from: http://www.keystonetrust.org.uk/communities/index.php? page=21 Andrew Brady, Programme Manager – 3rd Sector Futures E: andrew.brady@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 6888

Low Hong Keng, Head of Business School, Hospitality and Tourism Management with Professor Lesley Dobree, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Anglia Ruskin University

Chinese New Year

New Visiting Fellow

Year of the rabbit to bring more tranquil times in 2011?

Jonathan Swan JP B.Ed(Hons) MBA MSI We are delighted to announce that Jonathan Swan JP will be joining us for a period of five years in the first instance as a Visiting Fellow to our Faculty.

The 3 February was the first day of the Chinese New Year. A band of drummers and a Chinese Lion Dance summoning good luck and fortune took place on Anglia Ruskin’s Chelmsford campus to the delight of staff and students alike. With the tiger’s roar having dominated 2010 the Chinese believe the rabbit brings more tranquil times, with wild peaks and troughs replaced by gentler hops, together with better luck for investors.

Jonathan is a director of Operis TRG Limited, a specialist financial modelling and advisory firm working in the project finance and public-private partnership industry. He gained his MBA at the University of East London (UEL), is a member of the Securities Institute and author of the standard textbook on financial modelling – Practical Financial Modelling: A Guide to Current Practice.

2011 is the Chinese year 4709. Since each year is named after 12 different animals, the Chinese New Year Dates system makes it easily for people to remember their age, e.g. 2005 Year of the Rooster, 2006 Year of the Dog, 2008 Year of the Rat, 2009 year of the Ox, 2010 year of the Tiger while 2011 is the year of Rabbit. There are many legends on how the animals were chosen for the Chinese zodiac. This is one of them. The Jade Emperor invited all the animals on the Chinese New Year but only 12 came, so he named the 12 years after each of the animals. He proclaimed that those born in each animal’s year would have traits of that particular animal. Which animal are you? Check this at http://www.topmarks.co.uk/chinesenewyear/.

He is currently a governor of Anglia Ruskin University and a Justice of the Peace, and has previously served on the boards of several charitable and voluntary bodies. Jonathan has extensive experience of corporate governance in the public and private sectors, with particular expertise in audit and compliance. Jonathan will be supporting our accountants through his significant knowledge of this area, informing our curriculum through the expansion of our module provision and contributing to the development of our research agenda. With his extensive experience of skills and knowledge transfer in the PPP industry sector Jonathan is keen to add a practical element to the student experience and also says that:

“By stimulating debate and dialogue between academics and practitioners, I hope to contribute towards bridging links and removing some of the barriers that exist between the private and public sectors.” Jonathan's spare time is taken up by his three passions – bag piping, fishing, and boating – in each of which he continues to demonstrate an astonishing lack of ability. His wife and two sons tend to maintain a safe distance!

Chinese Lion Dance on Anglia Ruskin’s Chelmsford campus

The newly refurbished Michael A Ashcroft Auditorium, Chelmsford Campus

Wall Graphic installed featuring ‘The Student Journey’ The development of the wall graphics for the Auditorium in the Michael A Ashcroft Building in Chelmsford was particularly challenging as they needed to be relevant to students from all of the University’s five faculties and the various audiences of this multi-use space.

Designs for the access tunnels to the Auditorium featuring our University’s successful Alumni and Honoraries are in the process of being designed and will be installed during the Easter break. Student feedback:

The aim of this particular project was to communicate University and Faculty strengths by reaching out and connecting to those varied audiences and at the same time reflecting key learning and inspirational messages. An important consideration was not to distract audiences from the lecture in hand so the designer and I focused on developing designs on three walls, but only partially covering the areas.

“I think the wallpaper designs are amazing. I have actually copied some of the quotes into my diary as I found them so inspirational.” “The wall graphics in MAB is a great initiative and makes us feel a part of such a wonderful community at Anglia Ruskin University.”

The creative process was lengthy and involved, but it eventually led us to decide on representing three main areas of the student journey: • • •

“Interesting, exciting, attracts your attention, makes you think.”

Personal development and careers Effective team and performance management Organisational transformation and practice

“The wall graphics show how interesting and fun studying at Anglia Ruskin can really be.”

Images of students from all faculties are featured throughout the graphic portraying the hope that we develop students to leave our University more confident and inspired and fully able to take their place in the global arena. We have also made references to sustainability and business success as well as failure, and that we have the ability to learn from both.

Christine Durrant, Manager Marketing Communications & External Relations E: christine.durrant@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 6882

Future Job Fund Are You Looking for a Job in the Creative Industries Sector? As a 21 year old who finished University in June; I know what it is like to spend a lot of time searching for that perfect dream job. As a student of design, I have had multitudes of problems with there being little or no vacancies available. Most of the companies I surveyed were after a Senior Designer, one with many years of experience under their belt. None of these graphic companies provided internships or work-shadowing; and the few others that did required an advanced knowledge in Web design & HTML, CSS etc. I spent months looking for a position that would help teach and guide me in all the necessary skills and training I would need to be successful in a career in Design.

A Peeling Face by Emily Thomson

and knowledge, at little or no cost. Placements are for 6 months, however, who knows, it may provide the employer with managers of their future.

Finally in late October, I received information on a job that is run and managed by Ixion Holdings Ltd. Ixion and their partner, New Deal of the Mind, had launched a project to create over 500 jobs for young people between the ages of 18 – 24 in the creative industries. As part of this project, Ixion had created two roles in their company; including one that now involves me supporting the Marketing and PR activity. At first I found the job role daunting and the prospect of working in Marketing a challenge. But given the opportunity to work with and bring in my own creative element has allowed me to start an experience that will be crucial for my CV and future career. Without the Future Job Fund and its objectives, I would still be unemployed; gaining no experience.

With industries such as Advertising, Architecture, Music and Television, there is an experience to inspire everyone. What Ixion are providing to the young, innovative generation is, essentially, a fighting chance to embark on a career they really want. The creative sector is underappreciated and generally uncared for; so this project is fantastic to anyone who desires a career in design, photography, video etc. What Ixion Holdings offers is not confined to just the Future Jobs Fund, they are also involved in other projects that include apprenticeships, Train to Gain scheme and the Department of Works and Pensions’ work programme. They offer many support services; including NVQs, training, business advice and recruitment – all of which are designed to transform people’s lives through greater skills, leadership and learning in a changing world.

The idea behind this Future Job Fund project is fantastic for those who are inspired and artistic yet struggling to get their foot in the ‘creative and cultural door’. The scheme will allow you to be trained and educated in the role you choose and hope to pursue. You’ll gain valuable on-the-job experience that would be an asset to any CV. The chance that you may also gain contacts and build relationships within that area of work is a bonus to any young person looking to continue their career into the cultural industries.

For more information: http://www.ixionholdings.com/WorkforceDevelopment/FutureJ obsFund/tabid/460/Default.aspx

This project is not only great for young people; employers can really benefit from the scheme too. It provides an opportunity for an enthusiastic and eager person; with fresh ideas and suggestions, to impact a business with their up to date skills

Emily Thomson, Ixion Holdings Ltd

Student Services Employability Team Supporting your journey from student to graduate recruit! Josh Moore graduated from the Ashcroft International Business School, Chelmsford in 2010 with a BSc (Hons) Marketing and, with the help of the Employment Bureau team, he started work as a Marketing Executive within weeks of completing his exams. So, what’s the secret of Josh’s success in finding the perfect graduate job?

After a couple of interviews, Josh was offered the job and started in July 2010. “The Employment Bureau found me a job working in marketing, which is a brilliant experience. Once I had the job, they have kept in close contact to ensure everything is ok, which is really good. I recommend the Employment Bureau service to every student”.

Josh had worked on a part-time temporary basis via the Employment Bureau since 2008; his first job was as an extra on an episode of Police, Camera, Action! filmed in Chelmsford by Optomen TV. The subsequent roles were not quite so glamorous: call centre operator, events assistant, graduation catering assistant, administrator etc. However, as Josh says,

If you are graduating this year, remember it is never too early to start preparing yourself for finding work.

What you can do NOW! Come along to the Employment Bureau in Ashcroft Reception, Chelmsford or Hel 109, Cambridge to pick up a registration form and book an appointment with a recruitment consultant to discuss your career aspirations and find out about vacancies with regional employers. You can also email your CV to the Employment Bureau consultants: sarah.kempster@anglia.ac.uk, Chelmsford and nicola.sexton@anglia.ac.uk, Cambridge.

“I have been provided with numerous jobs which have supported me throughout my studies, kept my bank balance topped-up and offered many great experiences which all looked very good on my CV. I learnt a lot of people skills, boosted my career confidence and prepared me for the road ahead”.

If you need guidance in preparing your CV and writing cover letters for your job applications or have any quick career queries, you can come along to the Drop-In Sessions in Chelmsford offered by your Employability and Careers Advisor, Jo Boyton, on Mondays between 12–1.30pm at the Employment Bureau desk. Alternatively, you can contact Jo at jo.boyton@anglia.ac.uk. If you are studying in AIBS, Cambridge, then your contact is Gill Betmead, gill.betmead@anglia.ac.uk. Gill offers one to one interviews on Monday and Tuesday afternoons and drop in all day Thursdays in Helmore 341.

In early 2010, Josh approached the Employment Bureau to work with him on finding a permanent job when he graduated. The team knew Josh well and talked with him to clarify the type of job he was aiming for as the first step on his career journey. When an Ipswich-based IT firm placed a vacancy for a Marketing Executive with the Employment Bureau their consultants knew Josh was a great match; not only in terms of his academic qualifications, but also the skills and experience he acquired whilst doing part-time work.

Annual MBA Network dinner The 2011 Annual MBA Network Dinner will again take place at the Royal Overseas League in London (just behind The Ritz) on Wednesday, 3rd August.

“Mike Southon is more than Quite Interesting. He spreads insight and cheerfulness in equal measure, like an ambidextrous chef icing two cakes at once.”

MBA graduates from around the world attended the launch of the network last year and invitations to this year’s event will shortly be emailed out to them. If you are soon to complete your MBA then please save the date now. We have invited Mike Southon – known as the ‘Beermat Entrepreneur’ to speak at the dinner and you may wish to check out his website: mikesouthon.com. The following quote gives you an idea of what to expect!

John Lloyd, producer of Blackadder, Spitting Image, Not The Nine O’Clock News and QI For those travelling a long distance, rooms at the Royal Overseas League are very reasonably priced. Check out the Alumni Office’s website for up to date information on arrangements for the event and also who will be attending. www.anglia.ac.uk/alumni

Students fire ‘Newsnight’ questions at risk-takers Leading the event for AIBS, Lianne Miller said: ‘The entrepreneurs we have invited to be questioned are all pushing the boundaries of enterprise and initiative. These people have taken the biggest risks in order to find success, and their experiences of how they have created their business niches will enthuse and motivate the next-generation of entrepreneurs to do the same.’

Business brains spill secrets of success as part of Global Entrepreneurial Week As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week on the 18 November an Interactive ‘Question Time’ event was set up on our Cambridge Campus. The event enabled the budding business school students on its BSc Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Management programme to get some high flying business brains to spill the secrets of their success. The session looked at how significant enterprise and entrepreneurship is to economic growth, how entrepreneurial thinking makes a difference, and how up and coming entrepreneurs can learn from their more successful counterparts.

Prof Lester Lloyd-Reason from the newly-established Centre for Enterprise, Development and Research (CEDAR) at AIBS, is looking to encourages universities and business schools to be more courageous in their delivery of enterprise programmes.

‘CEDAR is encouraging business students to shift their thinking in terms of real-life enterprise by giving them privileged access to world class entrepreneurs who are keen to share their own personal experiences and pass on their acquired skills and expertise.’

The business founders attending the event include Beth Derks, Founder of No Double Dutch, creative thinking and change management specialists, Natalie Haywood, Founder of Leaf Tea Shop, Liverpool, a tea shop and music bar; Jason Lorimer, Co-founder of Below Zero Ice Bar in London, the UK’s only permanent bar made of ice which is kept at minus 5 degrees all year round; and Carl Pihl, founder and MD of Student Box, a student social networking site, and Drinkyz, London, a specialist in private labelled beverage and packaging.

For the last two years, there have been more events in the East of England during Global Enterprise Week than any other region. Enterprise Lowestoft Community Interest Company (ELcic) wants to ensure that the Eastern region continues to encourage everyone to be enterprising and explore all business opportunities. Hazel Johnson Chair of ELcic said,

‘This event will show how academia can link with real businesses – there is nothing more inspirational for students to hear from people who have actually done it to make the theory real’.

Jason Lorimer, Co Founder of Below Zero Ice Bar in London

The mission of CEDAR is to set the benchmark for University Enterprise Centres by blending theory and practice. This will be achieved through building a suite of highly innovative academic programmes, research and development activities and consulting and management training initiatives through CEDAR’s unique mix of leading academics, practitioners and world class entrepreneurs. The new degree was developed in response to the criticism that some entrepreneurial degree programmes were out of date and did not fit with the ever-changing and increasingly challenging economic conditions across Europe. Natalie Haywood, Founder of Leaf Tea Shop

Professor Lester Lloyd-Reason, Professor of International Enterprise Strategy Director, Centre for International Business E: lester.lloyd-reason@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 2479

Field trip to Paradise Wildlife Park In November 2010 Simon Evans, Senior Lecturer in Leisure and Tourism, led a dual-campus student field trip to the Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire. The park was previously known as Broxbourne Zoo, which used to have the reputation as the worst zoo in the UK and, with the advent of zoo licensing in 1984, was eventually closed down. Subsequently, new owners took over and the park is now renowned as one of the top three conservation zoos in Europe. This turnaround coincided with the purchase of Marley Farm in Kent – a large cat breeding centre, which is not open to the public, but instead set aside for European breeding programmes. The park itself consists of wildlife viewed as ‘ambassadors’ in order to raise awareness of conservation in the UK and beyond. The Education Centre at the Park contains evidence of the threat to wildlife, including a presentation of wildlife parts seized by customs officials at Heathrow Airport comprising of a tiger skin, elephant tusk and a selection of Gucci products made from snake skin and crocodile skin. Students were provided with a talk by the Education Officer at the Park about the major issues surrounding wildlife conservation worldwide and the role of the Park in contributing to sustainable practices in this key area. Discussions are currently taking place with the Park regarding opportunities for Anglia Ruskin University students to develop dissertation ideas to be undertaken at Paradise Wildlife Park. The students enjoyed their visit and gained some valuable insights into the operations of the wildlife park. Simon Evans, Senior Lecturer in Leisure and Tourism E: simon.evans@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 6875

Seized Chinese medicine, tiger skin and crocodile products

Employer Fair Students engage with local and national employers Following feedback from students that they wanted more opportunities to engage with local and national employers, AIBS and Student Services jointly hosted an Employer Fair on the 29 November. The aim of the fair was to invite local and national employers to meet our students and give advice to them about working for their companies in the future. In order to accommodate as many students as possible, we invited employers from a wide range of backgrounds to represent their companies at the event – those who attended included Adecco, Bird Luckin, IFDS, Ingleton Wood and DBS Data. We also had the Employability and Careers Service on hand to advise students on CVs and job applications. The event ran between 3pm–5pm and we were overwhelmed by the response. Large numbers of students from all faculties attended and were very keen and enthusiastic. Some students who attended had dressed in smart suits armed with copies of their CVs to give to the employers which meant it turned out to be a valuable networking experience too.

‘There were some really interesting employers. I am looking for a work placement for my third year so I found it really helpful to be able to give my CV to the representatives and make some connections’. We also had some excellent feedback from the employers who attended. Tony Dalliday represented Adecco and told us that he wanted to say, ‘A big thank-you for inviting Adecco to your Employer Fair. We had a great afternoon and met many excellent students who were a credit to Anglia Ruskin University. I am confident we will be able to help them to secure permanent jobs after graduation. We hope that this will become a regular event and that AIBS and Student Services can work on more joint ventures of this kind in the future. Hannah Myatt, Student Experience Co-ordinator E: hannah.myatt@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 6851

The students I spoke to told me they had found the event really useful. Rajit Ramasamy, year 2, Business Studies student said:

Students provide support to local companies

Third year undergraduate students studying on the BA Business Management, Marketing and International Management degree pathways in the Ashcroft International Business School worked on projects for a number of companies between September and December 2010.

We also received the following quote from the Chair of MENTER, a social enterprise company providing support to black and ethnic minority groups in the East of England. The project was to research opportunities for a new company MENTER Enterprises to provide training and support for these groups which MENTER plan to set up in the coming year.

The students, working in groups, undertook marketing projects which included identifying opportunities to use an Airstream caravan as a mobile bar, “green room” or a caravan for those interested in Glamping (glamorous camping for those not ‘in the know’) for The Gourmet Cupcake Company. Other projects included producing marketing and promotional strategies for the Writtle Road Nursery in Chelmsford, Saint FM (a radio station in Maldon) and Chelmsford Mind.

“This is a brilliant piece of work that the whole board needs to see and learn from. This shows how MENTER could be positioned in a strategic way to benefit the region if only we marketed ourselves. Is it too late? If not how do we move forward with a degree of certainty.”

Two groups of students undertook an analysis of the effectiveness of the Aspire Scheme for John Smith & Son Bookshop. David Fox, Director of Business Development, John Smith & Son commented:

Students undertake these projects each year for their degree programme. If you have any marketing support you require for next year (May 2011) then please contact Paul Weeks, Senior Lecturer, Marketing.

“I enjoyed the presentations immensely and it was clear that both groups had put a lot of effort into their research and understanding of the topic. I think that the ideas they put forward were very useful and of interest to the senior management team.”

E: paul.weeks@anglia@ac.uk T: 0845 196 6884

Student Case Studies

Have your say!

Coming soon to a wall near you!

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:

We are always on the lookout for new student case studies and photos to use in our University and School prospectuses, marketing campaigns and our website. We would like to know for example:

Christine Durrant T: 0845 196 6882 E: christine.durrant@anglia.ac.uk

Why you chose to study at Anglia Ruskin University? Which aspects of your course did you enjoy most and why? Would you recommend you course to others? If you are interested in appearing in any publicity material, and possibly in one of our wall graphics, please email us and we will get in touch to discuss how to proceed. E: marcoms.aibs@anglia.ac.uk

MBA Residential Weekend Alternative reflections on leadership This year's annual MBA UK Residential Weekend was on the theme of Global Responsible Leadership. John Rayment and Robert Jones organised a full weekend for their Cambridge and Chelmsford MBA students. Our guest speakers offered alternative reflections on leadership from their different perspectives, full of personal vision, provocative, and passionate. There was lively dialogue with the student audience at every stage. Geoff Dovey is CEO of Dovey Premium Products Limited in Dorset and he graduated from Anglia Ruskin's predecessor CCAT in 1980. DPP is a third-generation SME which supplies foodstuffs to Asian restaurants across the UK. Recently, he led a high profile campaign against adulteration of food with undesirable and undeclared additives, which resulted in a documentary on BBC's Panorama programme in 2010. Geoff's talk related to his personal vision and values and his strong belief in supplying ethically sourced foods. Professor Paul Turner is co-author of The Admirable Company: Why Corporate Reputation Matters So Much and What It Takes to Be Ranked Among the Best (Profile Books, 2008). Paul recently presented a paper on leadership at the British Academy of Management. Paul offered his views on leadership in large organisations based on his research, with examples of good and bad leadership. John Bird is the founder of The Big Issue and his wife Parveen is a student on our part-time MBA programme at Cambridge. John gave a very inspiring and thought-provoking talk based partly on his experience running 'The Big Issue'. He spoke out passionately against poverty (and charity) and in favour of profit, but including all parts of the community.

Students solving global issues! Hugh Parnell is helping a range of tech growth companies develop to maturity. He supports the environmental technology sector and is Chairman of Envirotech Limited and co-founder of the Cambridge Energy Forum and of the Cleantech SIG at Cambridge Network. He has initiated, with others, the Cambridge Responsibility Forum for companies and others interested in CSR around the region. Hugh gave an alternative view on leadership and some of the drawbacks of venture capital investment. John Rayment and Dr Jonathan Smith are co-authors of a new book Misleadership (Gower, 2011) which provided the basis of their presentations. For further information and imagery, please visit CambridgeMBA.Wordpress.com or contact: Robert Jones, Programme Leader Part-time MBA Cambridge E: robert.jones@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 2549

Calling all Tier 4 students From the start of semester 2 (week commencing 24 January), in order to adhere to our UK Border Agency obligations, and in addition to class registers, ALL Tier 4 students are required to sign a register of attendance.

Tier 4 Student visa holders who fail to sign in on a weekly basis may be referred to our UKBA Compliance Officer in the International Office and their details subsequently passed to the UK Border Agency.

Please go to the following areas before 4.00pm Friday for each of the 12 teaching weeks of the semester.

Student Experience Coordinator, Chelmsford: E: hannah.myatt@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 6851

Chelmsford: MAB301 Cambridge: COS009 When you visit the office please bring your Student ID card, make yourself known to us and sign the attendance sheet. Should you not be in attendance for any reason, please notify us by emailing aibsabsences-ch@anglia.ac.uk.

Student Experience Coordinator, Cambridge: E: allison.beaumont@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 2084

The ERASMUS programme Study abroad as part of your degree The ERASMUS programme provides students with an opportunity to study outside the UK for part of your degree programme. This usually occurs in the second year of your course and lasts over one semester. As well as taking modules that are similar to the ones you would study in the Ashcroft Business School in the UK you get the chance to experience a different culture and meet people from many different parts of the world (Asia, Africa and Europe).

(compared to living at home) and provide links to universities across Europe. The scheme offers students, like me, an invaluable experience and simply unforgettable memories. My experience of Umeå (pronounced closer to ‘‘Ooo-me-o’’), the biggest city of the Nordic region, has been quite unbelievable. The city changes drastically from summer to winter, when the days go from being approximately 24 hours of light to long dark and gloomy where you are considered lucky to see the sun for more than a few hours, where the temperature changes from a reassuringly warm 25°C, to a bone numbing -25°C and where the green summer grass is blanketed by over a metre of powdery snow. The change due to the latitude of city itself, being 150 km shy of the Arctic circle, Umeå is therefore on the same level as the south of Iceland, but luckily it benefits from the warming Gulf Stream. This creates a drastically different but truly amazing climate.

Paul Weeks, Acting Director of Studies, says:

“Many students regard their time on the ERASMUS programme as life changing and they form long term friendships with their fellow students they meet on the programme.” If you would like a life changing experience on the ERASMUS programme then please contact Stella Duncan email stella.duncan@anglia.ac.uk (Cambridge students) or Paul Weeks paul.weeks@anglia.ac.uk (Chelmsford students).

Umeå really was the perfect setting for a semester abroad. To say the energy of the city is vibrant is a serious understatement. There is a real sense of you can get things done. It’s emitted from everybody you speak to and people are never afraid to be different.

The following case study illustrates how Joe de Mello found studying in Umea Sweden.

The university was outstanding and the education system offered a different perspective on student life. In Sweden they take one module at a time but naturally work longer hours on it for a shorter time, meaning fewer things to concentrate on at once. The education is a different system of learning, but one which I really enjoyed adapting to. And that is part of the fun of spending time in different places. Adapting to different lifestyles, creating new routines and making new friends – all undeniably good reasons for why I would recommend doing an exchange like this. Not to mention the bonus of it going on your CV, making you more independent, more rounded and definitely in my case, far more privileged – all that in just a 5 month semester! It’s really an experience you just have to do.

Umeå – The City of Birches On the morning of 24 August 2010 I woke up knowing my life was about to change. It was the first day of my Erasmus exchange trip to Umeå, a trendy, beautiful student city located in the north of Sweden. Erasmus is the EU exchange programme which allows you to take a part of your degree in a different country. They provide a non-repayable source of funding for you to offset extra costs

I have seen the Northern Lights, shooting stars, mountains of snow, inconceivably sized lakes freeze over solid, the sun lower than the looming tree line at the height of day and even buses that run on time! Sweden was an amazing country and the things I will take from there will be valued by me far higher than I could have ever imagined. I am unbelievably grateful to those who helped me get there, and looking back, I am unbelievably happy that I got to go.

“The Erasmus scheme offers students, like me, an invaluable experience and simply unforgettable memories. It’s really an experience you just have to do.” Joe D’Mello

A snowy forest, Västerbotten County

The Big Pitch needs you! £10,000 prize up for grabs in exciting new business competition for students Are you a student bursting with enthusiasm and brilliant new ideas? Or, have you spotted an entrepreneur of the future in your class? If so, here is a chance for students to shine, thanks to the launch of an innovative new competition to promote student enterprise and entrepreneurship across Anglia Ruskin University. The Big Pitch (www.thebigpitch.co.uk) has been launched by The Centre for Enterprise Development and Research (CEDAR), working together with Business and Management Services, and organisers are calling on faculty members and staff to encourage as many entries as possible from every School and Department. Ben Mumby-Croft, Senior Lecturer in Enterprise Development, who is involved in running the competition said: “We’re looking for entries from across every course and every campus. Students don’t have to be studying business, as long as they are passionate and have a great idea, then they will be in with a chance of winning.” The competition, which is open to all current undergraduate and postgraduate students, is looking for bold and imaginative business ideas, such as a new technology or Internet business, a new consumer product, business service, social enterprise or even an iPhone app. Individuals or small teams can enter simply by submitting a one minute video pitch to the competition website www.thebigpitch.com, outlining what their idea is and why it has such great potential. This can be in the form of a ‘homemade’ video recording using a smart phone or webcam, or using specially set-up recording facilities that will be made available on both the Cambridge and Chelmsford campuses. Once uploaded, ARU staff and students can watch and vote for their favourite videos on the competition website and share links on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

The most popular entries will be selected along with the judges’ favourites and invited to attend an Entrepreneurs Bootcamp event in April. The best of the best will then be selected to pitch their ideas in front of a live audience at the Grand Final event in May. Ben Mumby-Croft added:

“The first round of the competition is only open until the end of March, so we’re asking faculty members and staff to help spread the word and promote the competition to students across the University to encourage plenty of brilliant entries – we need you!” For more information contact Ben on 07738 963828, email ben.mumby-croft@anglia.ac.uk, or visit: www.thebigpitch.co.uk

‘Leading the NHS in the 21st Century’ Conference Recently, Dr Jonathan Smith from AIBS was involved in organising the above conference, which took place in Cambourne, near Cambridge on 18 October 2010. This conference was for senior leaders within the NHS in the East of England. It was sponsored by the East of England Strategic Health Authority and was organised in partnership with the Spiritual Healthcare Network for NHS organisations and Anglia Ruskin University. Lynne Sedgemore, CBE, Executive Director of the 157 Group of FE Colleges, leadership adviser to Whitehall, and former Chief Executive of the Centre for Excellence in Leadership, was conference chair and facilitated the day. Delegates consisted of leaders from a range of levels in the NHS in the East of England together with chaplains, academics and consultants with expertise and interest in values and spiritual based leadership. With major changes taking place in the NHS – reductions in funding and numbers, and increases in patient and staff expectations – leaders in the NHS are facing immense pressure and challenge. Many are tired of change and are struggling to reconcile the tension of being both a caring institution and a business-focused one. There is a growing awareness of both the need to support leaders and staff more effectively within the NHS so they are able to provide the highest level of patient care, and of the need to develop new approaches to leadership. These new leadership approaches are focused on the importance of people, on those values that lie at the root of the NHS – expressed in its constitution – and on spiritual-based leadership. The conference sought to explore these challenging themes of leadership, re-energising leaders and enabling them to re-connect with thee fundamental reasons they do what they do.

Keynote Address by the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley Mr. Lansley spoke about the major changes proposed in the recent NHS White Paper concerned with giving patients more choice and control over their care provision. He emphasised that it was not about treating the NHS as a system, but was about people, service and caring relationships. He sees the NHS as a ‘symbol of social solidarity’ and emphasised that the measures proposed will fulfill the intention to create a patient – centric NHS that delivers improved outcomes and empowers service users. Mr. Lansley emphasized three key points: Mr. Lansley emphasised three key points: 1. 2. 3.

Patient experience is central – extending control and information to patients Focus on outcomes and results – measuring patient experience, not just targets Devolved decision making – empowering GP practices to commission service provision

(l–r) Ewan Kelly, Peter Gilbert, Lynne Sedgmore, Danah Zohar, John Nicholson (conference organiser), Jonathan Smith

Author and Scientist Danah Zohar on ‘Living by Values in the NHS’ Danah, author of Spiritual Quotient and Spiritual Capital spoke about the value of the NHS as a ‘national institution’ offering service and care. It is not simply a business. She spoke of the importance of building spiritual capital. To support the continuing spirit of the NHS, she encouraged all employees and leaders to consider ‘the 12 principles of spiritual intelligence’ which were listed as: self-awareness, vision and value led, positive use of adversity, holistic, compassion, celebration of diversity, field-independent (standing for one’s own convictions), ask fundamental ‘why’ questions, ability to reframe, spontaneity, sense of vocation, humility.

Professor Peter Gilbert on ‘Soulful leadership’ Presented a moving reminder of the need to value the soul when considering how someone can be truly ‘well’. Peter encouraged delegates to read the Health Care Commission report of Staffordshire Hospital and to be aware of the cost of a soul-less organisation. He emphasised the importance of staying connected with the frontline and of developing leadership with integrity.

Ewan Kelly, Director for NHS Education for Scotland on ‘Shaping Policies from a Spiritual Care perspective’ Ewan argued that the NHS is there to hold and support people who are in places of transition. ‘How’ tasks are performed is as important as ‘what’ is done. He argued that the way of being and relating is as important as competence, and that being human is being professional. More details about the conference and slides of Peter Gilbert’s and Ewan Kelly’s presentations are available from jonathan.smith@anglia.ac.uk.

No Sleeping on the Job!

Misleadership:

High Performance Working and Wellbeing at Work

Prevalence, Causes and Consequences By John Rayment and Dr Jonathan Smith, Lecturers in Ashcroft International Business School

Dr Diane Keeble-Ramsey was recently invited to contribute to an editorial for The Times about sleep deprivation as a result of the joint research with Andrew Armitage concerning High Performance Working (HPW) and Wellbeing at Work. The editorial stressed the issues that sleep deprivation can have detrimental effects not only on individuals, but also for employees, having both an impact upon costs, in terms of absence and stress in the work workplace, but also the knock on effects of low productivity, and competitiveness.

Published by Gower, 2011 This book is for those wishing to reflect on and develop their own and others’ leadership abilities. It introduces a new approach to a key element of management thinking in a way that encourages and empowers individuals to think on a different scale and challenge assumptions. The authors take a fundamental and critical approach, arguing that a lot of current ‘leadership’ is in fact MisLeadership, evidenced by the global financial crisis and range of urgent major issues facing everyone and everything on our planet. A wealth of examples and case studies relate the authors’ ideas to practice and enable leaders, followers and trainers to gain insights into the prevalence and causes of MisLeadership and ways in which it can be identified and overcome.

Based on findings from their research, which indicates that initiatives such as HPW and Wellbeing at Work, which were designed to alleviate and promote good working practices, are becoming a secondary concern for both employers and employees, especially in the current economic climate. As Diane says in the interview with Nick Martindale of The Times, “Since 2007 we’ve seen companies give up their intention of being good employers, particularly in the private sector, because of the global financial crisis”. Diane goes on to say that, “The view is that people need their jobs so they can forget about sustainable work patterns. The result is disruptive sleep patterns and negative effects on mental health and wellbeing”. It would appear other countries, except the UK and the USA, are taking these issues seriously, and take the concept of High Performance Working and Wellbeing at work more seriously, especially in larger companies that aim to foster creative, and sustainable work environments. For example, there is evidence that Australia has a long history of implementing fatigue management risk systems because of the challenges facing the country’s economic competitiveness and growth.

John and Jon have identified four types of MisLeadership: missing, misguided, misinformed and Machiavellian. The first three are unconscious, embedded in us throughout our upbringing, socialisation, education and employment such that they can be seen as Institutional MisLeadership. Machiavellian leadership is perhaps even worse – a deliberate attempt to deceive followers so as to achieve hidden agendas. It is commonly recognised in individuals attempting to achieve personal agendas within an organisation, but can go as high as the leaders of one group of countries or organisations attempting to achieve advantage for themselves and selected followers by exploiting others.

Diane and Andrew will be presenting further work concerning HPW and Meaning in the Workplace, and Corporate Social Responsibility within contemporary organisational climates at the European Association of Management (EURAM), and Critical Management Strides (CMS) conferences in June and July this year.

The four forms of Misleadership are matched by the four elements of Holistic Leadership introduced – effective decision making, adoption of a global perspective, move to a new economic and social paradigm, and commitment to a contemporary mission. Decision making approaches currently available to leaders may omit some of the most important facets of humanity, be based on invalid assumptions and targeted at invalid objectives. The requirement for a global perspective includes the need for a world-wide viewpoint but also consideration of all aspects of humanity including the physical, mental and spiritual fitness of individuals, groups and societies.

“Since 2007 we’ve seen companies give up their intention of being good employers, particularly in the private sector, because of the global financial crisis”. Diane Keeble-Ramsey Dr Andrew Armitage E: andrew.armitage@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 6846

For more information or to purchase a copy please contact either: john.rayment@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 6859 or jonathan.smith@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 2069

Open Innovation update The current big idea Open Innovation is the current big idea. Here Professor Terry Mughan reports on an exciting project being carried out at AIBS, Cambridge.

around environmentally beneficial products. OSCAR will design the structure and key features of a new innovation eco-system, extendible beyond the life of the project.

For many people, open innovation is primarily a means by which large companies like Colgate-Palmolive and Phillips seek to outsource R&D. Important as that is, we believe it has much more potential when we look at the entirety of the value chain and, in addition, the role played by government in areas such as SME growth, science parks and knowledge transfer strategy.

The idea is to explore the development of a series of protocols and incentives will make it easier for companies of all sizes and universities to share innovation and develop foundations for new business initiatives in partnership with other network members. The members will develop new business skills for recognising and managing the creation or sharing of valuable new ideas in an open innovation context and working in collaboration with other companies, large and small, in an open supply chain to integrate them.

The OSCAR consortium (standing for Open Innovation and Supply Chain across Regions) brings together universities and economic development organisations in Eindhoven (Netherlands), Leuven (Belgium), and Aachen and Sindelfingen (Germany). Ottawa (Canada) is also involved to enhance the reach and expertise of the group. OSCAR will link up cluster and sector infrastructures across north-west Europe to develop and exploit new techniques of open innovation and supply chain for the benefit of innovative companies, particularly SMEs, on a cross-sectoral basis. The aim is to give these companies access to innovation methodologies and supply chains which are currently protected by commercial secrecy or patents. The project will also support and help participating companies to exploit and market such technologies and target greater and faster business growth

This work builds on earlier studies carried out by AIBS into the internationalisation of SMEs, work funded by the regional development agency, UK Trade and Investment and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’. Most research into SMEs has focussed on their exporting strategies. Nowadays involvement in global supply chains is an equally important route into international business. E: terry.mughan@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 2248

CURA-B INTERREG Bid Success The Ashcroft International Business School (AIBS) is part of a consortium which bid successfully to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Interreg IV A “2 Mers Seas Zeeën” Cross-border Cooperation Programme 2007-2013. The objective of the Accurate-Business (CURA-B), project is to improve innovation and business development in the healthcare sector. Prof. Terry Mughan, Professor of International Management in AIBS, was invited to join this bid by Suffolk County Council to provide expertise in the conduct of research among SMEs and other parties, to advise on internationalisation and to carry out an evaluation of the overall project, with a specific view to advising on the health economics cost and benefit assessment. The project team started work on the project in January 2010 and will work on it for 3 years. The total value of the project to AIBS is almost half a million pounds and the other partners come from Holland, Belgium and France.

Terry and his team are looking forward to doing some great work across the borders of the UK, Belgium, Holland and France, which complements the investment the university is making within the Post-graduate Medical Institute (PMI).

‘Our role in this project is to advise on how collaborative networks can help small companies grow and get innovate products to market on a cross-border level. Improving the impact of new products and technologies in healthcare is vital for all European countries’ Prof. Terry Mughan Professor Terry Mughan E: terry.mughan@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 2248

Volvo Construction Equipment joins growing work-based degree movement Ashcroft International Business School (AIBS) at Anglia Ruskin University is working with Volvo Construction Equipment Division, Volvo Group UK Ltd, which is centred in Duxford, Cambridgeshire, to launch a work-based learning degree in line with a growing number of top named businesses in the UK.

Rachael Hall commented: ‘It has been so rewarding to work with Volvo CE in developing this programme. This new partnership is an indication of the innovation that has gone into the design of the work based pathways. The corporate programmes team look forward to working with the Volvo CE managers and helping them to further develop and refine their business knowledge and skills so that both the employees and the business will realise tangible benefits. I am sure this programme will be successful for both the individuals and Volvo CE as an organisation.’

The highly-acclaimed business school has been working with the company since the summer to develop this initiative and this has culminated in a scheme that will offer managers the opportunity to enrol on a BA (Hons) Management and Leadership. A group of 10 managers will be among the first group to embark on the course. Maxine Knowles, HR Manager at Volvo CE, is already looking forward to the direct benefits the course will offer the managers and the business. Speaking about the set up and running of the programme, she said, ‘Anglia Ruskin University had a flexible approach whereby they worked closely with us to map the Degree Programme content with the competencies that we wished to develop in our business.’ ‘We chose a work-based degree programme specifically as it is perfect for experienced managers who can draw on real situations and can very quickly apply what they have learned. A big positive of choosing a work-based programme is that the work carried out by participants can link back to ‘real’ business issues and therefore add value back into the business. With our first workshops complete, I have heard nothing but praise about the quality and relevance of the tuition!’ The programme’s potential to demonstrate added value to both the individual and the business was important to Volvo CE. Delegates experience a blended approach to learning which combines a mix of face-to-face contact, access to online learning materials and personal support provided by the tutors. Delegates on the programme undertake a series of work-based projects which form the assessment strategy for the degree. Programme Leader for Ashcroft International Business School,

Speaking about the launch of the degree, Val Ledden, Managing Director of Volvo Construction Equipment Division said: ‘We are passionate about developing the talent working within the team here at Volvo CE. For many years we have searched for a degree programme that meets our needs and I am delighted we have found a solution. The benefits to both the individual and the business are significant and we look forward to working in partnership with the team at Anglia Ruskin University.’ Vice Chancellor Professor Michael Thorne, Anglia Ruskin University, said in response: ‘This is another superb example of businesses doing what they do best, leading by example. This degree programme will bring benefits to both the employees and the employers which is why this will be the natural choice for work-based learning for the future. Volvo CE has joined Harrods, Barclays and UPS in teaming up with Anglia Ruskin University to increase efficiencies and staff motivation through higher education.’ Paul Kersley, Service & Engineering Director and course delegate, said: ‘We had been searching for a degree programme that suited our specific needs in terms of content, time required and learning style. For me, the degree offered an ideal blend of workshop activity, theory and work-based learning that will provide both experienced and developing managers with the leadership skills that are vital to the future success of our business.’

‘The individuals in the group have different skills and experiences and already the group has started to gel where delegates are helping and learning from each other, which can only be of benefit to the individuals and to the company.’ Paul Kersley Rachael Hall, Principal Lecturer, Corporate Education E: rachael.hall@anglia.ac.uk

AIBS new website a success! The Marketing, Communications & External Relations Team are delighted to report that the overhaul of the AIBS website during the first quarter of 2010 has proven to be a great success. Statistics show that, since the new website went live in late April 2010, the monthly number of clicks went up each month resulting in a 30% increase in website traffic in 2010 compared to the previous year. An increase in total clicks of 46% compared to the same time period in 2009 marked September as the record month of the year 2010. The most popular AIBS web links, besides the main AIBS website landing page, are the AIBS staff profiles, which shows that our website visitors are not only interested in WHAT services we offer, but also WHO they are delivered by and HOW we are structured internally.

The overall success of our new website, which is now easily navigable and accessible, evidences that it provides relevant and up-to-date information. In order to ensure our website increases its standard even further, we welcome any suggestions, ideas, and active involvement from our staff and students to support its continuing development. For further information, please contact: Bianca Schottstedt, Marketing, Communications & External Liaison E: bianca.schottstedt@anglia.ac.uk T: 0845 196 6842

AIBS Website Clicks 2009 v 2010