ian wooton, strathclyde business school and paula whitehouse, aston business school
TRANSCRIPT
Models of effective
business engagement to
drive local economic
growth
Ian Wooton
Professor of Economics
Vice-Dean (Research)
Strathclyde Business School
Just as castles provided the source of
strength for medieval towns, and factories
provided prosperity in the industrial age,
universities are the source of strength in the
knowledge‐based economy of the
twenty‐first century.
Lord Dearing
September 2002
In a globally competitive economic
environment, we need to have
● a talented, enterprising workforce
● constant innovation in product and service
development
● a thriving culture of entrepreneurship
● dynamic, leading‐edge, scientific and
technological development
● world‐class research that attracts investment
What’s needed for growth
A thriving knowledge economy depends
upon its universities in 3 critical dimensions
● applicability of the knowledge and skills of all
its graduates
● developing an enterprise and entrepreneurial
culture amongst students
● the application and exploitation of research
capability
Role of universities
Universities must offer learning
environments with
● educational programmes that are prized by
students, alumni and employers alike for
● high quality of the learning experience
● global outlook
● readily transferable knowledge and skills of
the graduates
Effective teaching
High quality research has to be
of significance to
● policy makers
● business and management practitioners
● other researchers
Increasing focus on the contribution of
research beyond the academy
● on economy, society, public policy, culture
and the quality of life
● formed 25% of assessment in REF2014
Relevant research
Recognition of key role of entrepreneurship
in economic regeneration and prosperity.
● useful research informs our design and
delivery of teaching at all levels
● active involvement in entrepreneurial
ecosystems
● including strong engagement with
entrepreneurs their supporters
● ensuring research, learning and
development programmes are
relevant and have impact
Translating useful learning into
entrepreneurial actions
Small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) represent:
● 99.9% of all enterprises
● 58.8% of private sector employment,
● approximately £1.5 trillion turnover
Challenge for economic growth is to identify those companies that have the capability, the capacity, and the motivation to grow
University engagement through the Small Business Charter● promoting student entrepreneurs
and small business
Connectivity with SMEs
BUILDING CAPACITY IN
SMES FOR GROWTHPAULA WHITEHOUSE
DIRECTOR, CENTRE FOR GROWTH
ASTON BUSINESS SCHOOL
ACCREDITATION – QUALITY STANDARD FOR BUSINESS SCHOOLS
• Recognises levels of effective engagement – 30 dimensions
• Eligibility to run Government business support programmes:
Small Business Charter Growth Vouchers
Start-up Loans
SMALL BUSINESS CHARTER
KEY ELEMENTS OF ASTON’S SME
ENGAGEMENT
• Leading business growth programme – Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
• BSEEN start-up programme for students and graduates
• Placements programme for students, Graduate Advantage and employability programmes
• Research-led programmes integrating business support and student engagement, e.g. Servitization
• Aston Enterprise, student enterprise activity and Aston Entrepreneurs student society
• Business Partnership Unit and activity across all schools
A CENTRE FOR EXPERTISE IN BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
• Delivering impact for a growing network of SMEs and for the economy of the region
• Programmes, consultancy and research that enhance business and economic performance
ASTON CENTRE FOR GROWTH
• Expert delivery with a practical focus
• Objective to drive growth and build a community of business leaders
• Peer learning environment, alumni networks
• University opportunities – graduates, projects, research, KTPs
• External connections
WHY BUSINESS SCHOOLS?
INVISIBLE THEORY; PRACTICAL
OUTCOMES:
PROGRAMME EXAMPLE
GOLDMAN SACHS
10,000 SMALL BUSINESSES
GOLDMAN SACHS
10,000 SMALL BUSINESSES
• Delivered by four business schools nationally
• 228 participants at Aston since 2011
PROGRAMME IMPACT: PROGRESS REPORT 2014
• 10KSB UK programme increases participating businesses’ growth by between 10% and 25% relative to what their growth would have been without the programme.
• This boost to growth comes on top of the relatively high growth that the participating businesses were already experiencing.
10,000 SMALL BUSINESSES:
THE PROGRAMME IN ACTION
ALUMNI INITIATIVES:
NETWORKING AND EVENTS
STRENGTHENING CONNECTIONS:
VISITING INDUSTRIAL FELLOWS
A WEB OF ENGAGEMENT:
PARTICIPANT EXAMPLE
GARY PARKINSON
WATER ENVIRONMENTAL TREATMENT LTD
M&A seminar at Pinsent Masons Succession Planning at PWC 10ksb national alumni gathering at Goldman Sachs headquarters Servitization 2-day workshop Recruitment via Aston’s placement team Servitization summit TSB application discussions with Iain McKechnie MBA appointed to undertake Servitization feasibility Biomarker project with Microbiological faculty - BacstopTM
Appointed Professor of Microbiology to work on BacstopTM
Launch of 10ksb screen in MBA lounge Recruitment channels for mechanical engineer RBS innovation gateway event at London head office BacstopTM market research with estates director Product testing with Microbiology faculty Case study video filming for 10ksb programme Small business charter assessor panel Manufacturing cohort including hosting More to come...
Graduation
Present
GRADUATION WAS JUST THE START
Connections development -
selfcleanse
Initial feasibility of data solutions
Charity golf day
Supply of EFM and broadband
connectivity
Install of new IT infrastructure
R&D study of antimicrobial coatings
Creation of marketing tools
Re-write of employee contracts
More to come...
ENGAGEMENT WITH OTHER ALUMNI
