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s Hull University Business Schooljoins elite‘Triple Crown’ of accreditations confirmsschool’s top status

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In 10 years time…our senior teamcomment on theschool’s future goals

Improving publichealth andindividualwellbeing– themarketingway

World ofWorkweek2011welcomedprestigious guests

Contents

A touch of Xing..........................................................................Entrepreneurial alumnus, Phil Benson, shares hisviews on starting a business after graduation.

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1 Welcome

2 In 10 years time…

3 Messages from ourcorporate partners

4 A touch of Xing

6 Connecting with ouralumni

7 Improving publichealth and individualwellbeing – themarketing way

8 Educating executiveswith the MBA

News in brief

9 World of Work Week

Keeping in touchwith the BusinessSchool

10 Events diary

I am proud to announce that Hull University Business Schoolhas been awarded AACSB International accreditation, whichcompletes the Triple Crown of accreditations – AACSB, EQUISand AMBA.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff, theschool has now established its place as a leading businessschool, in the top 1% globally and one of only 13 in the UK tohold all three accreditations.

These quality marks are an excellent reflection on the strategicand innovative approach we have taken to learning, teachingand research over the past 12 years – clearly demonstrated bythe calibre of the graduates we have produced (p4).

However, accreditations are only the beginning. We have comea long way in the past 12 years, but we are continually strivingto advance further (p2) inspired by our vision and mission of‘connected thinking’ and ‘responsible leadership for a complexworld’, enabling us to offer the most relevant businesseducation for our students. This offering encompasses morethan just academic strength. We also provide help and advicewith ‘soft skills’, such as leadership and management, and aimto differentiate the CVs of our graduates through extra-curricular activities, including external speakers and ourannual World of Work week (p9).

Although I handed over the reins of the school to Dr BarbaraAllan at the end of April, I will continue to support andpromote the school’s efforts. I am proud of how far we havecome and look forward to continuing to help the schoolprogress in the future in my professional role.

Professor Mike JacksonFormer Dean of School

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Welcome

If you have any news for the nextissue, or require further informationon any of the items featured, pleasecontact

Kate TysonHull University Business SchoolT +44 (0)1482 463335k.tyson@hull.ac.uk

The amalgamation of business departments from acrossthe University was followed in 2005 with significantinvestment in buildings and facilities to provide HullUniversity Business School with its current home.Described as a ‘world class learning and teaching facility’,this was designed to accommodate the school’s growth insize and status.

Accreditation was gained from EQUIS in 2005 and AMBAin 2007. Now, with the attainment of the AACSB award,the school has pushed itself into the top 1% of businessschools globally.

Student and staff numbers have increased tenfold. From400 students in 1999, there are now 3,700 representingmore than 100 nations. Students are given a rigorous andholistic learning experience, with a plethora of value-added opportunities such as professional workexperience, internships and the chance to study abroadwith our partner business schools.

The school now has a complement of 116 members ofacademic staff, including 30 professors. There are nineresearch centres, each striving to push the boundaries inareas from ethical leadership to social marketing, systemsthinking to supply chain security. This year alone theschool plays host to two internationally renowned annualconferences – Organisational Learning, Knowledge andCapabilities (OLKC) 2011 and the International Society forthe Systems Sciences (ISSS) conference.

Although operating on an international level, the schoolis firmly rooted in the Hull and Humber and works closelywith organisations across the region to share its researchand help develop their staff and processes through shortcourses and consultancy.

An impressive achievement in 12 years – but what next?Business magazine asked senior staff where they think theschool should be in 10 years and how it can be achieved.

Professor Mike Jackson, outgoing dean:‘The business school is a beacon for the region, bringinginternational attention to the Hull and Humber. Theschool will continue to concentrate on areas in which itcan help the region and also become internationallyexcellent, for example the Logistics Institute.

‘We have now secured our position as a top full-serviceUK business school, something on which we need to buildover the next few years. By aligning our interests to theregion, we will be able to make an even more significantcontribution to the local economy.’

In 10 years time…It is a remarkable story – the journey taken by Hull University Business School since itsinception in 1999.

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Messages fromour corporatepartners...Having the Triple Crown ofaccreditations is big news for theschool – and our corporatepartners agree.

The Triple Crown of accreditationsis a significant achievement, onewhich gives the business school anenhanced standing globally.Recognition such as this will givegreater visibility to the region andits economy, and prove a boost tolocal businesses. I have been anadvocate of the business school forsome years and look forward tocontinuing our relationship to seewhat new positive direction it willtake next.Mike Goodare, Director, ArcoLimited

Merck Consumer Healthcare (SevenSeas) is one of many local andinternational companies that havebenefited from the world classresearch and leadershipdevelopment programmesprovided by HUBS that add value toour business. For HUBS to berecognised as one of the world’stop 1% of business schools willhelp Hull and East Yorkshire attracttop talent to study and work in theregion.Congratulations!Chris Zanetti, Regional VicePresident Europe, Middle East andAfrica, Merck Consumer Healthcare

The triple accreditation givescredence to the school’s vision andmission to produce responsibleleaders for today’s complex world.This recognition is an importantmilestone in the ongoing story ofHull University Business Schoolwhich looks set to continue on itsupward trend, as well as potentiallyboosting the regional economythrough greater awareness.Dr Paul Sewell, managing directorof the Sewell Group

Dr Barbara Allan, acting dean:‘In 10 years time I see us providing leadership in business andmanagement education and research at an international level. We willdevelop and expand our educational and research partnerships so thatthe school is well-known as an global market leader. This will help us tobuild synergies and connections between business communities, ourstudents and our partners globally.

‘We are already a strong business school and must build in excellence. Wewant to see even more students developing languages, enhancing theirinter-cultural skills and becoming managers and leaders who make animpact in the turbulent environment of today’s workplace. There is alsothe need to work even more closely with the business community toensure that they are able to access our research and to offer value-addedresearch initiatives to help them improve their performance and besuccessful in the rapidly changing and complex world.’

About our Triple Crown of Accreditations

AACSB International (The Association to Advance CollegiateSchools of Business), founded in 1916, is an association of almost1,200 educational institutions, businesses and otherorganizations in 78 countries. Its mission is to advance qualitymanagement education worldwide through accreditation, thoughtleadership, and value-added services and less than 5% of schoolsworldwide have earned the achievement. For more information,visit www.aacsb.edu.

AMBA (The Association of MBAs) is the international impartialauthority on postgraduate business education. The accreditationservice is the global standard for all MBA, DBA and MBMprogrammes and it accredits MBA provision at 168 schools innearly 70 countries. It is the only professional membershipassociation for over 9,000 MBA students and graduates,accredited business schools and MBA employers.

EQUIS ( European Quality Improvement System) aims to raise thestandard of management education worldwide. 128 institutionsacross 36 countries have been awarded EQUIS and its scopecovers all programmes from first degree to PhD. EQUIS attachesparticular importance to the creation of an effective learningenvironment that favours the development of students’ managerialand entrepreneurial skills, and fosters their sense of globalresponsibility.

L–R Lucienne Mochel, VP Accreditation Services, AACSBInternational; Dr Barbara Allan; Professor Mike Jackson;

Sue Stephens, Head of Administration, HUBS; Jerry Trapnell,Executive VP and Chief Accreditation Officer, AACSB International.

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Whatever the motivation, starting a business is notsomething to undertake lightly as becoming a successtakes a great deal of dedication and determination.Business magazine spoke to entrepreneurial businessschool graduate, Phil Benson, who along with hisbusiness partner and fellow graduate, Simon Long,opened Xing in 2006.

Business magazine (BM): Starting your own business is areal commitment. What inspired you to take the plunge?

Phil Benson (PB): Simon and I went to the USA in ourthird year of study, which is where we got the idea ofstarting the healthy smoothie bar, Xing. Healthy eatingand educating people to make smart diet choices issomething that we believe in and decided to turn ourpassion into a business.

We worked all summer in a pea factory to get the moneytogether to build our first cart in the University and now,four years later, we have a permanent stall at HullUniversity Union, a franchise at a local school, and a shopon The Shambles – voted the UK’s most picturesquestreet. Not bad really!

BM: In the current climate there must be plenty ofchallenges. What have you found to be difficult and howhave you overcome the issues?

PB: You need to become a ‘jack of all trades’, fromaccounting to marketing, and we are constantly learningnew things to become multi-talented, multi-skilledpractitioners. For example; at first we had no idea aboutusing social media for business, but now we havedeveloped a strategy that works for us and our customers.Studying at the business school gave us the foundation tobuild on; the basic skills that we used to start the business.

We really see the value of education and because of thiswe are great advocates of youth enterprise and the raisingaspirations agenda. We go into a lot of schools nationally

to change perceptions of healthy eating and encouragethem to think about their own ideas for business in thefuture. One of the local schools has even got their ownsmoothie bar – a franchise of Xing! They run itthemselves, which is a great way of teaching themresponsibility and encouraging future entrepreneurs bygiving them business experience.

BM: What advice would you give to those who are lookingto start their own business after graduation?

PB: You need passion as it will be hard work and there isno point in starting if you won’t put the hours in. If yourbusiness has no heart or soul it shows in how thebusiness is presented.

Also, learn how to negotiate. That is one of my strongestskills which, along with building up a good and trustingrelationship with our suppliers, have saved us a lot ofmoney along the way.

When we started out with the business, we took a desk atthe University’s Enterprise Centre. There we got a lot ofhelp and support in terms of making contacts, advice andbouncing ideas off other start-up businesses that are inthe same boat. I think that really helped – we had a well-established business address and an office to go into everyday, rather than working from our bedrooms or kitchen.Although we are often out and about, it’s good to have aphone and a base.

A touch of XingPeople start businesses for a variety of reasons – anenthusiasm for their subject, to become their own boss orto exploit a potential gap in the market.

Xing Health: Focus on smoothiesand general healthy eating foodproducts. Started in 2006 by PhilBenson and Simon Long, Xing alsoruns smoothie bars and enterpriseworkshops in schools nationallywww.xinghealth.co.uk

Phil Benson at work.

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What is the Enterprise Centre?The University’s Enterprise Centre opened inDecember 2008 as a place to encourage enterpriseand entrepreneurship in the local area. Open to allfreelance and start-up businesses, not just graduatesof the University, the purpose-built space providesoffice or desk space meeting rooms with videoconferencing, and reception facilities, as well as theopportunity to network with like minded individuals.

Adrian Allen, Enterprise Centre manager, believesthat for budding entrepreneurs the Enterprise Centreis a sensible choice. ‘Xing is just one of manysuccessful businesses which have begun in theCentre – we have helped over 60 early-stage venturesin the past two years by providing a professionalenvironment and offering a level of start-up supportthat enables individuals to focus on turning their ideainto a success.

‘The University is committed to supporting thecreation of new enterprises and also helping existingcompanies to become more competitive, both ofwhich are vital in the current climate.'

www.hull.ac.uk/enterprise

Connecting with our alumni

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The day conference at Hull and evening events in HongKong and Singapore combined expertise from the schoolwith external speakers who have made a difference in theworld of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Hull conferenceDelegates from a range of public and privateorganisations, as well as social enterprises, were givenboth an academic and practitioner perspective into topicsranging from ethical supply chains to ‘greenwashing’ –looking at whether organisations understand CSR or ifthey are using the term as spin. The day concluded with apanel Q&A session with academics from the researchCentre for Organisational Ethics and a representative fromsocial enterprise, The Goodwin Development Trust.

As part of the day, the school announced the launch of anew CSR Forum for businesses, created by seniormarketing lecturer, Dr David Harness. The group aims tocreate an open forum to facilitate discussion and identifyopportunities to collaborate in the future.

International eventsHaving received a great reception as a speaker at theannual Peter Thompson lecture in 2009, Dr Christine Lohgave the keynote speech in Hong Kong on her specialismof environmental responsibility, focusing on the need forcompanies to take the lead in this area.

The school was joined in Singapore by Thomas Thomas,CEO of the Singapore Compact for CSR. He spoke of theneed for businesses to embark on their own CSR journeyand the benefits that this can bring.

‘The initial events have been a great way ofcommunicating with our alumni across the globe and wehope to emulate this success in other locations in thefuture,’ said Dr Barbara Allan, acting dean of the BusinessSchool.

For more information about the Alumni Connect scheme,please contact Alumni manager, Sarah Fewster, ons.fewster@hull.ac.uk.

‘Responsible leadership for a complex word’ was the theme of three initial events to celebratethe launch of the school’s Alumni Connect scheme, attracting alumni and businessesinternationally to attend.

Director of Learning and Teaching, Dr Carole Elliott; Dr David Harness;Professor Chee Wong; Neil Jowsey of Arco; Dr May Seitanidi,

director of the Centre for Organisational Ethics; andJJ Tatton of the Goodwin Trust.

Healthy eating, doing more exercise and quitting smoking have becomehigh priorities for governments all over the developed world. But asgovernments can’t always use legislation to deal with these issues, they areincreasingly recognising the contribution that can be made by borrowingtechniques from the commercial sector. Using marketing tools to persuadepeople to make healthier life style choices – from food, to exercise to givingup smoking started in the 1970s, when marketing professors Philip Kotlerand Gerald Zaltman coined the term ‘social marketing’.

However, the relationship between ‘public good’ and marketing has notalways been an easy one. In fact, many marketing tools and techniques aredirectly linked to some of the health problems we face today: for examplethere is strong evidence of a link between exposure to alcohol advertisingand binge drinking. But, as Professor Gerard Hasting, one of the first peopleto recognise social marketing in the UK, puts it: ‘Why should the Devil haveall the best tunes?’

In the UK, social marketing became increasingly common during the 1980s,especially as governments realised the power of persuasion as analternative to trying to legislate. Since then, social marketing has beensuccessfully used by governments, charities and even commercialorganisations to promote behavioural change in many issues: fromincreasing recycling rates, avoiding skin cancer, wearing seat belts or evento engage employees in companywide fitness and exercise programmes.

At Hull University Business School, we are involved in several studieshelping to promote the social good. One study is looking at how cultureinfluences different types of messages related to condom use and smoking,while another study has just started looking at using social marketing toincrease physical activity and pro-active health choices for pensioners.

Implemented in a right way, making even small inroads will save the publican enormous amount of money. The National Social Marketing Centreestimates that the total, annual cost of preventable illnesses amounts toaround 19% of GDP – certainly a welcome saving in the times of budget cutsand spending reforms.

Improving public healthand individual wellbeing –the marketing wayDr Stephen Dahl, senior lecturer in marketing explores the link betweencommunications and health.

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BBC Budget coverage live

Business leaders from across theregion were invited to thebusiness school on Wednesday 23March as it hosted the nationaloutside broadcast for the BBCcoverage of the Budget.

Representatives from regionalbusinesses gave their full andfrank opinions on the Budget,sharing their views on what theywished for and were dreadingfrom the Chancellor’s speech.Politics show presenter AnitaAnand presented the coverage,which was shown live on BBC2and the BBC News Channel.

‘Sport and movement’conferenceStudents and teachers in theregion were given the opportunityto explore employment in sportsdevelopment at an eventorganised by the ScarboroughCampus and the ScarboroughSchool Sports Partnership, 9–10March 2011.

The event included a ‘speednetworking event’, withpractitioners in the field offeringadvice and guidance on how tobreak into the industry, as well ashelping teachers to incorporate‘learning through movement’activities into primary schoolteaching.

Ray Barker, programme leader forSports and Leisure Managementat Hull University Business School,said: ‘In the current climate, weidentified employability as a keyissue for our students, so we werekeen to create an event whichincluded practical tips onnetworking and advice on how toget ahead.’

Responsible drive tosuccessStudents Marie-Aude Hamon andMaud Le Voyer Rojas took part ina race with a difference inFebruary, driving from Paris toMarrakesh as part of the annualRenault 4L Trophy.

Over 3,000 students from acrossFrance participated in the race,which combines humanitarianefforts and orienteering to deliverschool and sports equipment toMoroccan families in need.

Marie and Maud are both currentlystudying at the business school aspart of an exchange programmewith strategic partner, BordeauxEcole de Management, France.

Mafia connectionsThe school was well representedat the inaugural Yorkshire Mafiaconference, held in Leeds on 15March 2011.

The Yorkshire Mafia is the region’stop business networking group,bringing together executives andstakeholders from the YorkshireBusiness Community to shareexperiences, learn and buildrelationships. The conferenceattracted over 1,000 professionalsfrom across Yorkshire andprovided a great networkingopportunity, as well as the firstever ‘Billion Pound Panel’ ofbusiness experts.8

News in brief

When both business and personalcash flow are being squeezed,training and education are often thefirst thing to fall by the wayside.

However, now is one of the besttimes for managers to invest in theireducation, to learn how to interpretthe ‘new world order’ in whichorganisations have to operate andan Executive MBA (EMBA)programme is one of the best waysof widening business horizons.

Professor Susan Miller, MBAprogramme director at the school,says: ‘The MBA allows students tothink in more rounded terms, tounderstand the issues in areas suchas accounting, finance and HR andalso the connections between them.

‘The block teaching format of theEMBA allows you to remain at workat the same time. This helpsstudents to more easily connect theclassroom theory with practicalapplications – and the businessbenefits to employers areimmediate.’

CEO of the Humber LearningConsortium, Andy Crossland,graduated from the Hull EMBA in 2010.

‘The programme taught me to bemore critical in my thinking and hasmade my decision making morerobust. Listening to the experiencesof other students from a wide varietyof industries was invaluable and Iwould recommend an MBA toanyone in my sector,’ he said.

In response to the current economicclimate, a 50% bursary is beingmade available for studentsbeginning the EMBA in September2011. For more information aboutthe EMBA please contact Gavin Bettson g.betts@hull.ac.uk or+44 (0)1482 463106.

Educatingexecutives withthe MBA

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Respond to an issue

Have your say in the next edition ofBusiness by suggesting an issue ortopic for discussion:

If you would like to contribute to thenext issue or to comment on thecurrent edition, please email PROfficer Kate Tyson onk.tyson@hull.ac.uk.

Videos onlineThe latest videos to be posted onlineas part of our events series are fromthe recent Alumni Connect conferencein Hull. visit www.hull.ac.uk/hubs formore information.

Social mediaYou can follow the latest discussions,networking, news and events at thebusiness school on social media.

Facebook: Join our school page atwww.facebook.com/hubs.

Twitter: Get the latest bite-sizeinformation on research, news andevents by following us @hubsonline.

LinkedIn: Our MBA Alumni have theirown LinkedIn group, which allowsthem to keep in touch, network andshare best practice.

YouTube: The school has its ownchannel, showcasing video clips ofevents, student testimonials andacademic comments on current hottopics. Search for hubsweb.

Keeping in touchwith the businessschool

Working with external organisations and guest speakers, the World ofWork office provided all business school students, at both Hull andScarborough, with a week-long comprehensive programme of events tohelp focus their thoughts on life after university.

Events covered all elements of the world of work – from mock interviewsand how to sell a CV, to understanding the importance of softer skills suchas business etiquette, networking and effective communication.

Valerie Monaghan, Career Skills and Placements manager at the businessschool, said: ‘We all know that the current economic climate is challengingfor graduates. Competition for employment is fierce, so it is vital that wegive our students the best possible head start into the world of work.

‘During the week, the school not only capitalised on its own expertise inpreparing students for graduation, but also worked closely with partnerorganisations, such as career coaches and marketing professionals, tooffer real insight and perspective into individual careers.

Alumni from the business school and the wider University played a largerole in the week – from recent graduates Sharon Shava, an analyst atAccenture, and Laurence Connolly, Finance Manager for Procter andGamble UK, to University graduate and CEO of LOVEFiLM, Simon Calver,who provided the week’s keynote event.

During his lecture, Simon looked back over his career since graduation in1985 and charted the rise of LOVEFiLM. He also gave advice to thoselooking to emulate his success, telling them to have ‘values that stick andresonate’ and to make sure that they ‘roll up their sleeves and get involved– getting stuck in can be the difference between success and failure.’

Matimu Manyike, final year economics student, was invited to interviewSimon for the University’s business society. He said: ‘The lecture wasbrilliant. The speaker touched on broad areas of his journey and the rapidrise of LOVEFiLM.

‘I think he had a lot of crucial advice, especially the emphasis he put ontransferable skills. It was inspiring.’

World of Work weekFrom the minute they arrive at university, many studentsare already considering their next steps, their future careerpath and what skills they will need to achieve their goals.

Simon Calver.

Open daysFull-time courses9 July 2011Open days offer the chance foranyone wanting to study on anundergraduate programme tovisit the Business School at eitherthe Hull or Scarborough campus.

Visitors will meet members ofstaff from the Business School,and interact with currentstudents, helping applicants tomake an informed decision abouttheir future education.

Part-time courses15 June 2011Open evenings for part-timecourses enable you to find outmore about how our ExecutiveMBA and BA BusinessManagement courses can enhanceyour business and managementknowledge and skills.

For further information on full orpart-time open days, please visitthe Business School’s events webpage at www.hull.ac.uk/hubs.

Hull and Humber BusinessWeek 2011The power of sport – investingin business and communityWith Assem Allam, AdamPearson, and Simon Morgan(Premier League)8 June 2011For more information and to bookyour place, please contact IanCalvert at i.calvert@hull.ac.uk

Businesslectures/workshopsLean Six Sigma ExecutiveProgramme, taught incollaboration with businessprocess outsourcing expert arvatoBegins 8 June 2011

Through Lean Six Sigma training,businesses can reduce costs by10–15 %. By making processesmore rigorous and effective,businesses are able to reduceprocess variation to ensure aconsistently high-quality productand minimise waste and toreduce costs.

For more information and to bookyour place, please contactRichard Faintr.faint@hull.ac.uk+44 (0)1482 347500

Logistics programmesStrategic Supply ChainManagement29 June 2011To reserve your place, pleasecontact Pam Jackson on+44 (0)1482 347500

For further information about anyof the events listed above orforthcoming activities, pleasevisit the events section of ourwebsite, www.hull.ac.uk/hubs.

Hull University Business SchoolHullHU6 7RX+44 (0)1482 347500businessschool@hull.ac.ukwww.hull.ac.uk/hubs

Events diary