This document is a newsletter from Northampton Business School that highlights various ways the school collaborates with employers. It discusses bespoke course design for Veolia, leadership training provided to Northampton Borough Council, and knowledge transfer partnerships that benefit companies, students, and academics. The newsletter promotes Employability and Skills Week which connects students to employers through career fairs, workshops and networking events. It encourages readers to get involved and support the school's efforts to enhance student employability.

1. Business Magazine
Bespoke course Employability Enterprise Guest Lecture On the right
design for Veolia and Skills Week Coaching Series tracks
supports with Silverstone
start-up of Polish
restaurant
02 04 08 10 11

2. Welcome
from the
Executive
Dean
In this edition...
.................................................................
Bespoke course design for Veolia.....02
NBS Corporate Partnerships and
Consultancy.....03
Employability & Skills Week.....04
Knowledge Transfer
Partnerships (KTP) explained.....05
Tapping into talent.....06
Enterprise Coaching supports
start-up of Polish restaurant.....08
We are proud of the strong links we have with In Focus - Tim Peacock.....09
industry and commerce and are delighted to present
Hosting the Bank of England’s
you with the latest edition of BusinessWise which
focusses on the many ways we work with employers regional presentation.....10
from a wide variety of sectors.
Emotional strain of ‘service
The Centre for Employability demonstrates our with a smile’.....11
commitment to ensuring graduates meet the future
needs of employers by embedding employability
throughout the curriculum. To complement this the Follow us and be the first to find out about
opportunity of work based learning enables students
to gain valuable skills from placement and internship
new courses, news and events:
opportunities. We highly value the contribution of www.twitter.com/nbsuninorthants
employers and would like to thank all those who have
given their time to deliver presentations and in doing www.linkedin.com/in/nbsuninorthants
so enhancing the student experience. In addition a
wide range of organisations have offered students
valuable skills such as hosting mock interviews and
providing feedback on CV construction.
We continue to develop corporate partnerships Comments?
which enable businesses and organisations to benefit Would you like to comment on any of the stories
from the skills of academic staff and graduates;
featured in this edition of BusinessWise? Got
furthermore we provide bespoke executive education
an idea for the next issue? Let us know – email
programs and consultancy services nationwide.
Northampton Business School is increasingly businesswise@northampton.ac.uk
becoming a vibrant and exciting, truly international
business school with students, business clients and Published by Northampton Business School.
T. 01604 892036
partners from around the world. E. businesswise@northampton.ac.uk
Editors: Hayley Hunter and Michelle Smith. Design: Stamp
www.northampton.ac.uk
Dr. Ian Brooks
Executive Dean, Every effort has been made to ensure that all of the information
Northampton Business School contained in this edition of BusinessWise is correct a the time of
going to press. Please note that The University of Northampton
accepts no liability for the accuracy of statements in this and other
marketing publications.
@ianbrooks6

3. BusinessWise - Business Edition Page 2
Corporate
Bespoke course
design for Veolia
Working with John Sinclair, Deputy Dean and are keen to involve and train others needs and design products that flex to
of the School of Applied Science, Linda to do the same. their schedules as well as stimulate them
Lee-Davies from Northampton Business to apply theory to their own working
Directors and staff from Campus Veolia
School met with Campus Veolia at Veolia environment. We provide a lot of electronic
have provided very positive feedback,
Waste Management to negotiate their formative feedback and communications
commenting that this new method is
management development needs. Linda for these students who work all over the
refreshing and very different to their
designed a modern blended Virtual UK and often abroad for Veolia and have
experiences of other University courses
Learning Environment (VLE) delivery that managed to keep to our 48hr response
elsewhere. They have also found our
was paperless which respects Veolia’s service level promise to them. This was
staff to be cutting edge in terms of
environmental ethic. As a result 42 new our suggestion which appealed to Veolia
current, practical business knowledge
post graduate part-time DMS students along with our own mix of commercial/
in addition to benefitting from our own
were enrolled. Linda and Emma Wynne academic experience.”
research publications.
have inducted and delivered the first five
modules in Altrincham, Wolverhampton Linda Lee-Davies says. “This is definitely
and London to carve the way forward the way forward for part-time professional
with this new way of paperless teaching students. We must react quickly to their
Treading the MBA
boards at student
The Castle helps
Theatre Age UK
The Executive Director of The Castle
Theatre in Wellingborough approached Age UK approached Northampton
Northampton Business School regarding Business School with a vacancy looking
for someone to act as a consultant in Wendy Hoult
a search for quality, senior board
members to contribute to the arts restructuring the fundraising strategy
for them. Wendy Hoult a final year
community. We were able to supply a
MBA student volunteered to take this Wendy commented “This has been a great
range of quality CVs from academic
opportunity and use the final consultancy opportunity for me to give something back
colleagues as well as some of our local
report towards her change management to the community and at the same time
MBA alumni. The Castle’s first recruit
module and provide Age UK with the work towards my MBA. Being able to see
was Linda Coles, Lecturer in Leadership modern strategic thinking we teach. The other organisations at work; understanding
& HR who was instantly praised for her CEO of Age UK is delighted we were able their objectives, strategies and principles,
quick contribution regarding HR matters. to fill this quickly and with such a high links the theory of the MBA with real life.”
calibre candidate.
Linda Coles was then joined by Chris
Gaskill of The Ambulance Service and
Morgan Baxter from Nationwide Linda Lee-Davies commented on both these projects “For NBS -
Building society, both previous NBS being a driving force at the heart of the community in which the
management students. Shortly after University sits is important and how delightful - to have senior,
this Adrian Pryce, Lecturer in Business capable staff, students and alumni channel their efforts and even
and Economics joined the Board their course work into local and national social enterprise.”
providing strategic inputs and rounding
off a very strong team.

4. BusinessWise - Business Edition Page 3
Corporate
NBS corporate partnerships
and consultancy
Ross Thompson is completing a marketing
audit for Autopa on a consultancy basis
giving a post graduate student Monika
Bhatia some work experience at the same
time. Presented to the Board, the results
will be incorporated in the Strategic Plan.
Gil Ogilvie-Johns has started a six month
consultancy contract to embed a new
and proactive marketing strategy with
an emphasis on developing social media
as a key tool to enhance customer
relationships for Working Transitions.
Having helped recruit a post graduate
Consultation presentaion to Autopa student – Parag Shah and set the direction
for research for the company, Gil will also
Following a push by NBS Corporate to Linda Lee-Davies comments be ensuring Parag benefits from increased
transfer academic knowledge into the –“ Northampton Business School has employability using this direct work
local business community, four Corporate some very talented academics with real experience.
Partnerships have been set up in the last business experience of great value to
six months. Client liaison, recruitment and the business community. Furnishing Kardi Somerfield has finalised the contract
re-gearing some internal processes to them with an opportunity to do this has for a new marketing consultancy project
accommodate commercial needs resulted been as much a pleasure as seeing our for a year with a newly graduated student
in establishing a successful method of talented students secure high quality work who starts 2012 off with a new and
ensuring businesses and academics work experience to set off on their career.” exciting role.
closely together while providing good level
employment for our students.
Cobblers
satisfaction
Leadership by inspiration
survey and motivation
NBS Corporate Training with Northampton Borough Council
Hot on the success of the
economic impact study carried
out for Northampton Saints Hugh Davenport and Linda Lee-Davies were invited to address 120 managers from
Rugby Club. Alan Seymour Northampton Borough Council in the presence of CEO, David Kennedy in the splendid
(Sports Marketing) and surroundings of the Great Hall in the Guildhall. The topic of leadership by inspiration and
Ross Thompson (Business motivation was requested. In an energetic session which included juggling, illustrating
& Economics) have been how important it was to gain and balance willing effort from followers and understand
commissioned to undertake a them, managers were able to differentiate basic administration from real leadership
similar survey, this time focussing abilities. Feedback was very positive and both Linda and Hugh have been invited back to
on customer satisfaction at provide input into future training programmes.
Northampton Football Club
(Cobblers). The field work Renée Bullock, Human Resources & Organisational Development Manager from
involving student interviewers is Northampton Borough Council said “I wanted to take this opportunity to express our
being carried out in January and thanks for the inspirational and motivating session yesterday. The feedback has been very
February after which Alan and encouraging. Delegates left yesterday with a skip in their step and a smile on their face.
Ross will analyse the data and I have had a number of emails expressing the fact that the session moved them to think
present their findings to the client. differently about their roles.”

5. BusinessWise - Business Edition Page 4
Employer collaboration
Employability & Skills Week 2012 builds on the success of the
2011 Event.The purpose of the week is to encourage all our
JOIN US FOR
students to consider their employability skills in terms of their
future employment and for them to meet a host of organisations to
discuss the professional and future opportunities on offer.
EMPLOYABILITY
What is happening?
& SKILLS WEEK
A week packed full of activities & workshops designed to help Monday 20th- Friday
students to start to think about their future career. Is this something
you could support us in achieving...?
24th February 2012
Throughout the week we are • Professional Part Time Jobs Fair
organising a series of activities – Friday 24th February 2012, If you would like to support us
including: 11am – 2pm. Are you looking to during Employability and Skills
employ current students within a Week, please do not hesitate to
• Working in the Creative professional part time job? Do you contact the University’s Careers
Industries- Thursday 23rd have opportunities in or near to & Employability Service on
February 2012, 11am – 2pm. Northampton? 01604 89 2727 or email
Host a stand and talk to our students careers@northampton.ac.uk
about working in the creative • Meet the Employer- Host a
industries, provide hints & tips on stand in our Library Foyer &
networking, self employment, speak to our students about
run a workshop, or discuss any the opportunities that you may
We look forward to working
volunteering or work experience have available when they
graduate. with you...!
opportunities you may have.
CV • expand the number of employers,
sectors, placement roles and
period of personal growth and professional
development upon their return to
improvement
geographical locations applied for. university.
The workshops explained how students For many, it was perhaps the first time
workshops could ensure CV’s and cover letters match
and mirror the core values and beliefs of
anyone had confronted and challenged
them to really think through what it
the organisation they were applying to was they wanted to achieve from their
and to emphasise the importance of prior ‘Investment’ of time and money, and
The Careers and Employability service
research of the organisation. the scope of their future ‘Return on
offered a series of CV improvement
Investment’.
workshops to NBS students preparing to
Other topics covered included correcting
apply for placement opportunities in the
common errors such as grammar, spelling, For others, it meant a complete
coming year.
punctuation and sentence construction, re-evaluation of the sectors, employers,
reflecting on the conversational nature of roles and even the location of their
The workshops enabled students to:
a CV; in other words, a written dialogue placement. In essence, many students
with someone who has neither met you really expanded the number of possibilities
• review CV’s not touched since
or knows nothing about what you have and pathways open to them; a truly
secondary school;
achieved. fantastic result.
• eliminate the common mistakes that
placement and graduate recruiters The session also helped students to think Overall, the sessions sought to tease
regularly comment on; through the range of placements they out many of the typical errors recruiters
• focus and target applications, could target. To think through what they consistently comment on and to provide
tailoring them for each placement role might be asked to do during their year out support and constructive feedback to
applied for; and how they might reflect on this the students looking to secure their
placement.

6. BusinessWise - Business Edition Page 5
Employer collaboration
Knowledge
Transfer
Partnerships
(KTP)
explained
Knowledge Transfer Ian Wilkins, Managing Director of at Derby University, when the project
Tingdene approached NBS to formulate finished” Jose Garza-Reyes
Partnerships (KTP) is a UK-wide
a strategy and commented,
programme which enables
Benefits for the Academic
businesses and organisations “The uniqueness of the KTP Engagement in such projects refreshes
to benefit from the skills of programme has afforded Tingdene the academics awareness of current
the synthesis of not only a highly
academic staff and graduates. motivated graduate but also the
business issues and challenges. It
makes academics keep their own skills
There are many benefits of intrinsic academic support of the up-to-date and their research focus
knowledge transfer and using University. Together we challenged our relevant. It provides real business case
the case study of Tingdene production principles; long term Key studies for use in the classroom. When
Performance Indicators (KPIs) were students want contacts to collaborate
Homes we can see how a re-evaluated and ultimately this helped with, to do research dissertations,
KTP benefits the company, the formulate a manufacturing vision for academics have a network available.
associate (student/graduate), the future.” They also gain real life field case material
the academic and Northampton for their own research and future
Business School (NBS). Benefits for Associates academic papers.
Working under the supervision of
Benefits for the Company the Academic, the project provides Benefits for Northampton
KTP projects critically analyse current the associate with experience of a Business School
business processes and researches and fast-track, highly visible, strategically Maintaining practical contact in the
advises on better ways of delivering the significant project which is an excellent business community enables NBS
product or service. An Associate and way to start their business career. Such to see what the business community
an Academic see processes from the a career development process would needs. Tim Peacock, Senior Lecturer
point of view of “what can be” rather take years in a normal job role. Jose – Business and Economics, has been
than “what has always been”. This fresh Garza-Reyes was Tim’s associate on able to add BA Events Management
perspective often leads to significant the Tingdene KTP and MSc Management (International
improvements which have bottom line Logistics) to NBS’s programme portfolio
impact for the company. “I can positively say that my in recent years. These have come as a
experience on the Tingdene KTP was direct consequence of keeping actively
a major factor in my recruitment to in touch with local business.
the post of Lecturer in Manufacturing

7. BusinessWise - Business Edition Page 6
Employer collaboration
How you can get involved
Employer engagement is of enormous three hours for a series of interviews plus As a provider of a 12 month,
importance to Northampton Business preparation reviewing CVs before the
School and its students. It is through the interviews.
full-time placement
Provide a full-time, 12 month placement.
interaction with employers and employees
Each role to be based on a real job and/
that students are able to develop their As a host organisation for a or project.
work-based skills and become ready for
student visit
the world of work.
Provide a short visit to your premises for Julia Schumacher - Ambassador
students to help them understand your & Business Partnership Manager at
It’s not just the students who benefit from
organisation, processes and operation. Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership
this collaboration. As an employer you
Time commitment is three+ hours per
will be tapping into a pool of enthusiastic, “Engaging directly with the students
event.
energetic people who are passionate at Northampton Business School
about their subject area and will form is the perfect way for employers to
tomorrow’s workforce. As a provider of work influence the attitudes and capabilities
experience opportunities of young people, this type of
There are plenty of ways local businesses Provide a one week/40 hour work engagement encourages students to
and business leaders can engage with experience in a functional area related to become more enterprising and helps
the University of Northampton’s Business undergraduate studies within the Business them to understand the importance
School: School. Time commitment is five working of employability in the work place.
days/ 40 hours plus preparation for each Employers such as Avon, Barclaycard,
As a Visiting Lecturer work experience opportunity. Carlsberg, Mercedes as well as
Deliver a presentation to students on your many smaller local companies have
business, current organisational issues or willingly given their time to take part in
As an employer of students as
career paths in your business or sector. activities such as lecturing, conducting
part-time staff mock interviews and offering work
The time commitment is one 50 minute
Provide opportunities for students to placements, a rewarding experience for
session to include the presentation and
undertake work in your organisation up to the employer and vital for the personal
questions/answer session.
a maximum of 15 hours per week. and professional development of the
students.”
As an interviewer in a Mock As a provider of a short If you would like to get involved
Interview Process summer internship or find out more contact Helen Ure –
Act as an interviewer to enable students Provide a 12 week, full-time internship Academic Consultant, NBS Centre
to practice and develop their interview during the summer months (June – for Employability
techniques. The time commitment is September) based on a real job or project. Helen.ure@northampton.ac.uk
Tapping into talent Gwenyth Barker from IBM comments “IBM has a great
relationship with Bright Futures, for the key reason that they
provide bright, high performing, confident students into
Matthew Pouncey a final year BA Management student is the the Graduate Employment market, by equipping them with
President for the Bright Futures Society at the University of key employability skills including: commercial awareness,
Northampton and was keen to tell BusinessWise readers about leadership, negotiation and client focus. The events that are
the Society. run between IBM and Bright Futures are always guaranteed a
good audience and are always well worth the time, effort and
“Bright Futures is a non-profit graduate recruitment financial sponsorship. As a Graduate Recruiter, Bright Futures
specialist and is the UK’s leading career-focused student led provides the ideal pool of potential applicants for our Student
society. The society aims to promote and enhance graduate and Graduate schemes. It’s a relationship well worth
employability to the students of the university by bringing investing in.”
them into direct contact with top graduate recruiters from a
wide range of sectors and by providing them with the best Ali Mundell from Accenture comments “We decided to start
preparation for getting their graduate job and succeeding in the a mentoring scheme last year - Simon Reichwald [Director,
world of work. Bright Futures] and myself worked on that and we got lots of
applications from really outstanding candidates through the
We provide employers with the chance to present, meet and mentoring programme.”
work with our students. If you are thinking of hiring graduates If your company would like to be involved with
in the future it is an ideal opportunity to promote your company Bright Futures events or find out more please
or job role, network with students, academic staff and other email northampton@brightfutures.co.uk
organisations. Companies such as KPMG, AON, Deloitte, IBM,
Nestle, Rolls-Royce and a wide range of SME’s are already
partnered with Bright Futures.”

8. BusinessWise - Business Edition Page 7
Employer collaboration Speaking up
- Masters in
Competing IT Service
Management
to develop
Home-Start
website Susan Bailey and Debbie Alexander
of Northampton Business School
were selected from 100s of applicants
to speak at the 2011 itSMF UK
Final year students on our Business of real business environments. The Conference. Their presentation
Computing Systems degree compete hands on experience has a positive ‘Mastering ITIL’ emphasised the need
for universities, industry, professional
every year to develop a website for impact on the way students approach
bodies and training organisations
a local charity. This year the charity their work, while supporting social
to work together and to see the
is Home-Start Wellingborough and enterprise. importance in the merits of all that
District. The live consultancy project, they offer.
enables students to put all the skills The advantage of the Business
of management and software design, Computing degree over a standard It stressed the importance of
development and testing that they Computing degree is that it develops supporting staff in their personal
learn in their Business Computing professional, commercially focused development journey and highlighted
Systems degree, into practice. The graduates equipped with the that exemptions could be given where
students work with an organisation requirements of today’s businesses. there is an overlap. For example, the
to define, plan and manage an active The course develops students university offers exemptions for part
project from client specifications. and those already in the business of their MSc IT Service Management
Working with actual customers, environment to enhance their skill to (ITSM) for those with ITIL qualifications.
real deadlines and specific user improve job security or give them the From an employability standpoint, the
requirements, adds value to final year required skills to take the next step up Information Science Field’s innovative
strategy of underpinning their learning
students helping them compete in the the ladder.
outcomes with the Skills Framework for
current competitive environment.
the Information Age (SFIA) adds real
The course is designed with value to students studying for the MSc
Home-Start offers support, friendship embedded experience to increase in ITSM.
and practical help to parents with employability of those new to the job
young children in local communities market and also helps to improve job The University of Northampton won
throughout the UK and the students security and promotional opportunities the Innovation award for the Masters
are designing a website tailored to their for those already within the market in IT Service Management when
particular needs. place. Working with different the course was launched. Susan
companies inspires a professional Bailey commented “Employability,
The students not only have to fulfil attitude and gives the students an globalisation and entrepreneurship are
their academic requirements but the insight and understanding into real key drivers at Northampton Business
successful student(s) continue to work business processes and ethical School. Our ITIL and Prince2 qualified
with the charity to deploy their site and behaviour. staff, along with our accessibility
provide initial guidance in implementing to professional qualifications gives
students the best opportunity to thrive
the live version. In addition to the Home-Start Charity,
in a global marketplace.”
students are also working with other
The live project proves invaluable industries such as catering, private The inaugural itSMF Conference will be
to students wanting to develop into tutoring, multi faith chaplaincy, therapy held at the University of Northampton
professionals. Live projects expose and social enterprise. on 19 July 2012 and will incorporate a
students to new challenges and allows graduation ceremony for NBS students.
them to experience the demands
@infoscienceNBS

9. BusinessWise - Business Edition Page 8
Enterprise development
Enterprise Coaching supports
start-up of Polish restaurant
Gospoda U Braci
Enterprise Coaching is a European workshops depending on their and local councils as well as helping
Regional Development Funded (ERDF) circumstances. These are designed to to research web sites and develop
project delivered by Northampton raise confidence, generate business marketing materials, providing a truly
Business School. The aim of the project ideas and introduce the concept of bespoke level of support to the client.
is to encourage enterprise amongst the enterprise to clients covering the key Adel is proud to say that the restaurant
communities of Corby and to promote elements needed for business start-up. Gospoda U Braci is now open for
self-employment. The project employs business serving Polish food to the
Enterprise Coaches to work on the Adel Foster works for Enterprise people of Corby and delivering it to their
ground, engage with disadvantaged Coaching and was approached to doors.
communities and offers coaching to 16 help a Polish born Corby resident set
to 24yr olds, the long term unemployed, up a Polish restaurant with his brother. Visit them at: 95 Occupation Road,
those on incapacity benefits, lone The Enterprise Centre has provided Corby
parents, disabled clients and women. support in understanding the English
language, legislation and culture and in @enterprisecoac1
Enterprise coaching offers individuals more practical aspects such as visiting
the opportunity to attend different potential properties, estate agents
Enterprise & You: Giving local
Latest cohort of
students from
HMP businesses a
Wellingborough
successfully
complete
boost!
Business Boost is a newly launched, innovative consultancy
business service based within Northampton Business School.
start-up course The service aims to provide local small and medium size
enterprises with flexible, short term and cost-effective
business support solutions.
Kate Broadhurst, Enterprise Development Project
Manager from Northampton Business School was Business Boost offers a range of support options tailored to
pleased to attend the ceremony in December for the the clients’ needs including marketing and PR, web design
latest cohort from HMP Wellingborough to be awarded and optimisation, market research and insight reports.
with their certificates for completing an NBS business
start up module. Kate Broadhurst, NBS’s Enterprise Development Project
Manager is currently looking to recruit NBS students who, if
NBS has been running the course in collaboration with successful, will have the opportunity to engage in activity that
HMP Wellingborough since 2008 and the latest group enhances both student experience and future employability.
represents the 14th cohort of students to successfully
pass the module and receive their certificates. “By recruiting high quality NBS student consultants, each
paired with an experienced academic mentor, Business
The course, which runs in the prison over a series of 14
Boost is targeted at local businesses that may otherwise be
sessions, covers a range of topics including marketing,
unable to access commercial consultancy services”.
networking and financial forecasting and results in the
production by each student of a business plan and To find out more about the service and the current
accompanying personal development plan. For this opportunities please contact: Kate Broadhurst,
group of students these often make for interesting Email: kate.broadhurst@northampton.ac.uk
reading as they explain how the students hope to take
their lives in a new positive direction on release from
prison and start their business.

10. BusinessWise - Business Edition Page 9
In F cus
Tim Peacock
Tim Peacock joined NBS in 2002. Tim’s and delivering corporate courses. Tim is
area of interest are Operations, Supply one of several colleagues in the Business
Chain and Logistics. He is particularly School who engage in such collaborative meeting for the Chartered Institute of
interested in the application of Lean work. Logistics and Transport (CILT) in NBS.
Management concepts to business James Tombling, a BA Management
His recent involvement in Knowledge
processes. He feels there is great student, has been elected to the committee
Transfer Partnerships have been with a
satisfaction to be gained from looking into as a student representative. Once a
work-wear company from Northampton and
a process within a business and making it year companies from the industry give a
park home manufacturer, Tingdene Homes,
more efficient and effective. The satisfaction talk to business students on the career
from Wellingborough.
is made greater if the ideas that have led opportunities that exist within the Industry,
to the improvement have come from the He is interested in the multi-dimensional these links are proving fruitful. Avon
people within the business being freed up to benefits of knowledge transfer; to the Cosmetic’s Karim Jiwani tells us the number
have their ideas listened to and adopted, a company, the associate, the academic and of students applying for placements has
challenge in itself. the Business School. risen greatly since working with NBS. Nick
Bithell HR Manager from Knights of Old
Prior to joining NBS he spent time working It is Tim’s aim to further develop NBS’s links
has been able to appoint one of our recent
as a consultant and it is probably this that with the Logistics industry. He hosts
graduates to work in Payroll in the company
leads to him being keen to engage with the Northamptonshire County Committee
as a direct result of the links with NBS.
business, through knowledge transfer work
NBS team
through to
semi-final of
Universities
Business
Challenge
Northampton Business School and Africa. The team • Cross-cultural team working more aggressive approach,
entered three teams into the members are: • Results-driven approach while others possessed a
IBM sponsored Universities • Dominyka Zemaityte • Financial awareness higher uncertainty avoidance
Business Challenge (UBC), we • Michael Darko-Mensah • Problem solving which resulted in more detailed
are delighted that one of the • Managing the customer
calculations and deeper
• Marcus Holmberg
teams won its group and got relationship discussions. This resulted in a
through to the semi-finals, to • Sizwe Sabawu blend of an aggressive strategy
be held in March 2012. They • Xiaoting Zhu The team commented “We based on detailed plans,
will be one of 80 teams in the enjoyed working in a culturally where individual details had
semi-finals from the original Some of the competencies been taken into consideration.
diverse group. Even though
304 who entered. The semi- they have developed through During this experience we
we possess different beliefs
finals will be a one day event participation in the UBC learned new ways of thinking
and values we managed to
and look like they will be held include: by interacting with members
cooperate effectively as a
at Lloyds Bank Regional Office • Analytical skills team. Some of the team from various cultures.”
in Solihull. • Commercial awareness members from our group were
• Influencing skills more entrepreneurial and had We wish the team all the very
This was a truly cross-cultural • Leadership a tendency of being willing to best of luck for the semi-
team, with student participants take more risks and pursue a finals and look forward to
• Planning and organising
from Sweden, Lithuania, China reporting on their progress.

11. BusinessWise - Business Edition Page 10
Guest lectures
Hosting the
Visiting Bank of
England’s
lecturers regional
presentation
We would like to take a moment to thank
some of the visiting lecturers who have given Northampton Business School was delighted to host a Regional presentation by The
up their time to share their knowledge and Bank of England which attracted senior managers from across the East Midlands
experience with NBS students. to hear Alastair Cunningham deliver a presentation on the UK Economy. This talk
was evidence of the continuing good relationship between NBS and the Bank. In
Brian Capon, British Bankers Association the recent past we have also welcomed here other Bank of England Agents and
speaking to the Business Environment Deputy Agents, a Deputy Governor and even the Chief Economist himself. Each
students. has delivered a fascinating talk and on each occasion a lively question and answer
Debbie Galton, Fundraising Manager session has followed.
from the Hope Centre speaking to 1st Year Their presentations on the UK and world outlook for inflation and growth were
Business Environment students talking about of course couched in careful terms and presented spreads of likelihoods and
the use of PESTLE factors in the 3rd sector. possibilities rather than fixed forecasts. Reading some of the public pronouncements
Girdana Buccini and Allan Fraser-Rush from the Bank and from members of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) however,
guest lecture for the Fashion marketing we can see some pictures emerging:
students. The ‘headwinds’ (to use the Governor’s term) to be feared were mainly inflation and
Leicester City Football Ground visit with lack of competitiveness. That is now shifting ever more so that deflation and lack of
Martin Steer for Events Management markets are becoming the potential danger. Let’s not be surprised if another two,
students. three or four months of the current trends do not lead to some more Quantitative
Dr. Eleni Michopoulou, Lecturer in Travel Easing (QE) – maybe another £25 billion.
& Tourism, School of Culture and Lifestyle, There are continuing reports (from other than the banks) that Small and Medium
University of Derby, Buxton speaking to Enterprises (SMEs) are finding it hard to raise capital and/or to borrow. In light of this
students on the International Resort & Spa brake on economic growth, perhaps the Bank might like to impose conditions on the
Management module about ICTs extra money from QE – loan it directly to SMEs rather than allow it to sit on banks’
in Tourism. balance sheets.
Kate Russell, local employment law However, one great advantage this country currently enjoys is our financial stability.
barrister re-visiting HRM students. This allows us to borrow at relatively low rates, especially compared to certain
Eurozone countries. It is unlikely the Bank would do anything to jeopardise that highly
Thanks to you all beneficial state of affairs.
Guest Lecture 9th February 2012
Tom Lloyd, Management Writer and Author
Series
‘China’s Management Revolution’
8th March 2012
Richard Mintern, Chief Operating Officer –
The Monarch Group
The guest lecture series offers a wide range of ‘From shop floor to COO’
external speakers from industries who share their
15th March 2012
experiences in a one hour lecture. These lectures
Michael Jones, Founder of Michael Jones Jewellers,
are open to all members of the community, Northampton
employers, students and staff and are free to ‘New capitalism - or not so new? A local case study’
attend. If you would like to register for any of the
events listed please visit: All events are held at Northampton Business School and start
at 6pm with light refreshments and the lecture will begin at
http://nbsuninorthants.eventbrite.com/ 6.30pm with time for Q&A at the end concluding at 8pm.

12. BusinessWise - Business Edition Page 11
Research
On the right tracks Emotional
with Silverstone strain of
Over the last few years the University has theories into practice in an exciting and
‘service
developed closer working relationships
with a number of major employers in the
relevant way. To date three case studies
have been drafted covering business with a
area including the well-known international
racing circuit at Silverstone.
strategy, digital marketing and general
marketing. Two other case studies
covering operations management and
smile’
Staff from Northampton Business School finance are still in production. The effort of always appearing friendly
have developed a supportive arrangement and cheerful with customers can leave
with The Chief Executive of Silverstone The National Centre for Strategic staff feeling emotionally exhausted and
Circuits Limited, Richard Phillips and Leadership in partnership with the cynical according to new research led by
have benefited from this relationship in a Chartered Management Institute The University of Northampton.
number of ways: forms part of the Silverstone High
Performance Centre which was born The research was presented to the
• Visits by NBS Postgraduate students out of collaboration between Silverstone Annual Conference of the British
to the new £30m ‘Silverstone Wing’ Circuits and partner Educational Psychological Society’s Division of
project during its construction phase Institutions. Its aim is to provide access Occupational Psychology in Chester
with presentations from the Chief to the highest standards of advice, by psychologists from the University of
Executive and fellow directors covering guidance, development and innovative Northampton’s, along with colleagues
marketing, operations, future strategy and thinking around achieving and developing from the Autonoma University of Madrid
development plans. ‘high performing’ teams across all and the University of Southampton.
• The top 25 operation management business sectors throughout the UK and
students were hosted at Silverstone giving internationally. The national centre will Dr Cristina Quinones-Garcia from
them the opportunity to look at their host think-tank activities, team retreats, Northampton Business School led the
circuit operations, traffic management, board development programmes, research, which asked 199 customer
plans for the future, other development professional qualification programmes service employees to complete a
options, and track design features. The and will support the achievement and questionnaire measuring the extent to
top student for 2011, Charles Nyame, ongoing development of the UK’s which they were required to simulate
was presented the Silverstone Operation growing cohort of Chartered Managers. emotion in their jobs? Questions also
Management Prize by Richard Phillips. The Business School is represented on covered the amount of effort they had to
the NC4SL Board by Professor Simon put in to achieve this, and the extent to
• A number of NBS staff are currently Burtonshaw-Gunn. which they were emotionally exhausted
involved in using Silverstone as the basis and cynical because of this?
of case studies which helps students put
The results showed that people who felt
they had to make a greater effort than
most to simulate cheerfulness were
Lost significantly likely to be left feeling both
emotionally exhausted and cynical.
Alumni Dr Cristina Quinones-Garcia
commented: “This study has two
The University of Northampton is currently in contact with over 45,000 practical implications. The perceived
of our alumni. However, some of our former students have lost touch effort of candidates should be evaluated
and we are keen to find graduates to update them on our latest news at the recruitment stage as this could
whilst finding out how they have progressed in their chosen careers and help identify those individuals who are
informing them about future developments and forthcoming events. more vulnerable to burnout.”
“Organisations should also have
If you are not receiving correspondence from us, you might be one
mechanisms in place to help employees
of our missing Alumni. Please get in touch, simply contact us at The build resources that support them with
University of Northampton and become part of this thriving network of the emotional labour they have to carry
people linked to the University and each other. out when dealing with customers.”
Dr Cristina Quinones-Garcia was
Call 01604 892518 interviewed on the BBC World Service,
Email alumni@northampton.ac.uk BBC Radio 5 live and BBC Radio
Northampton and appeared in the Daily
Visit www.northampton.ac.uk/alumni Mail online discussing the research
further.