Bus

ines

s The business of creativityHow to distinguish yourself in a crowded,well-qualifiedmarket.

Issu

e20

|Feb

ruar

y20

12

Hul

lUni

vers

ityBu

sine

ssSc

hool

Professor TerryWilliams reveals hisplans for the futureof the BusinessSchool

Internationalcreative industriesbenefit fromHUBSacademic expertisewith Dr Zhen Ye

Practitioners andacademics sharetheir views toimprovehumanitarianlogistics

Contents

Opening the doors to inspiration..........................................................................Char March, a well-known poet and playwright, ishelping participants to unlock their ingenuity andfind their own creative voices through a series ofworkshops.

Issu

e20

|Feb

ruar

y20

12

02 04 09

06

1 Business Bitesseminars

2 Responsibleleadership in acomplex world

4 The business ofcreativity

5 Supporting businessinnovation

6 Opening the doors toinspiration

8 News in brief

Playing our part inports future

9 Logistical cost of aid

Middle East eventsAlumni

10 Events diary

If you have any news for the nextissue, or would like furtherinformation on any of the itemsfeatured, please contact

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

Each seminar will tackle topical issues with academicresearch and business expertise, combined with anindustry leading Q&A panel to address the issues raised.The series will be delivered in conjunction with the EastYorkshire (Humber) branch of the Institute of Directors(IOD).

IOD representative and director of footwear businessWedgewelly, Sarah Longthorn, said: ‘Working with thebusiness school we have paired industry experts withacademics to provide informative and insightful eventsthat are relevant to the business community.’

Richard Tuplin, regional Chair noted ‘The East Yorkshire(Humber) IOD is keen to ensure that our members get realvalue from the seminars and are able to link with theknowledge centre of our region – the University – forfuture mutual benefit.’

The first seminar, to be held 30 April 2012, will focus onwomen in leadership and will be led by HUBS academic,Dr Carole Elliott. Dr Elliott has many years of researchexperience in this area and was a guest speaker at KC’sBusiness Week 2011 event – Heels that do the Deals.

Discussion in the seminar will focus on gender diversity inareas such as how leadership can lead to the creation ofstronger companies particularly in uncertain times andcomplex environments, such as today’s business world.

Dr Elliott said: ‘It is fair to say that women are vastlyunderrepresented in modern day boardrooms, whichcould be of real detriment in the current turbulentclimate. Men and women often think and act differently inbusiness situations and it is this divergence which canlead to strength and growth for the future.’

For more information about the lecture series please visitwww.hull.ac.uk/hubs or www.iod.com/yorkshire. A fullevent listing is on p10.

1

Business Bites seminarsIndustry and academia are combining for a new series of free business focused seminars,taking on topics such as women in leadership, corporate governance and decision makingin the workplace.

Professor Terry Williams joined the school as dean inSeptember 2011 from Southampton’s school ofmanagement. Business magazine caught up with him totalk about his time at the school so far and potential plansfor the future.

Business magazine (BM): What attracted you to the role atHull University Business School?

Professor Terry Williams (TW): I like the fact that I wasmoving from a university department to a full businessschool with its own resources and autonomy to make itsown decisions.

The school is also set within a good University which is atthe heart of its community. This means that research is atthe core of the school, not detached academic researchbut business focused projects that make a real differenceto our partners and region. And I think we’re wellprepared for the extra demands that full fees will bring:the University itself has good central services available,and we have excellent National Student Survey (NSS)satisfaction scores from current students.

As an extra personal bonus, my main research over thepast few years has been in complex projects, which tallieswell with the work that the school has been doing incollaboration with Queensland University of Technologyand the International Centre for Complex ProjectManagement and I hope to continue this in the future.

BM: The former dean, Professor Mike Jackson, was in postfor 11 years. Was it difficult for you to step into the rolewith new ideas?

TW: Discontinuity is unsettling and can lead to problems.However, I believe the change over between myself andthe previous dean has been very smooth. The school has arobust strategic plan and I intend to build on this with thehelp of the excellent management team.

My personal goals for our growth and progression agreewell with the School strategy and indeed the Universitystrategy – to become more research intensive; to increaseour reputation and presence internationally; and tofurther develop our extensive links with industry toproduce practical, usable research. The Logistics Instituteis a great example of this last goal, not only working todevelop and promote the region but also fast becoming aworld renowned centre of logistics excellence andresearch.

We are already well on the way to achieving these goals.For example our international relationships office isworking hard to develop more links with good qualityglobal institutions in countries such as South Korea,China and Colombia. A boost to our internationalreputation will undoubtedly help the region as we attractmore students and top academics to live, work and studyhere.

I came to the school with a lot of good ideas forimprovements, only to find that many of them were inprogress. We will not make changes for changes sake, butto ensure that progress continues on an upward trajectory.

BM: What have your biggest challenges been so far? Doyou expect these to continue into 2012?

TW: The higher education system as a whole is facingmany challenges. The current economic climate has alsobeen difficult as training is the first element to be cut in adownturn. However, the recession could also have apositive impact on student numbers, as those who areunable to get a job or are made redundant continue tostudy.

Financially, the impact of the new era of fees and changesto funding in the recent government white paper isunknown at the moment. What we do know is thatpotential students and parents are doing a lot moreresearch and applying later as they want to make surethat they are spending their money in the best placepossible.

The University is preparing itself to be a top choice forundoubtedly more demanding students. In response, wehave positioned the school as a top academic choice witha high A level points tariff and a strong emphasis onemployability and the student experience.

2012 is likely to be challenging across the board, butoverall, we have an identity – ‘Responsible leadership in acomplex world’ – which resonates with academics andstudents alike and will stand us apart from our peers.

Responsible leadership in acomplex world

‘The school has a robust strategicplan and I intend to build on thiswith the help of the excellentmanagement team.’

With triple quality accreditation, a growing reputation in research and a good programme ofbusiness outreach, a strong leader was needed to take the helm at Hull University BusinessSchool (HUBS) when the former dean stepped down after 11 years in post.

2

3

Terry Williams –Curriculum Vitae1981 – 1984 Lecturer in Operational Research,

University of Strathclyde

1984 – 1992 YARD LTD (now BAE SYSTEMS)

1992 – 2001 Lecturer / Senior Lecturer /Professor in ManagementScience, University of Strathclyde

2001 – 2005 Head of department –Management Science, Universityof Strathclyde

2005 – 2008 Professor in ManagementScience, University ofSouthampton

2008 – 2011 Director of School ofManagement, University ofSouthampton

2011 – current Dean of Hull University BusinessSchool, University of Hull

‘Research into the development of the creative economywas a niche area but one which is set to becomemainstream with the support from the UN andGovernments around the world. I feel very fortunate to beinvolved in the field and exposed to the cutting edge ofthis development project on culture and creativeindustries,’ said Dr Zhen.

‘It is my role as part of each mission to work alongsideUNIDO’s field office, government officials and artisans in-country to study and change mind-sets to develop thecreative industries, whether it be traditional Bhutanesehandicraft (Zorig Chusum) or design innovation, such aswall sockets made in Cairo’s pottery village. There is anopen opportunity for developing nations to export theirtraditional art and craft, voice their traditions and buildon their abundant creativity.

‘Sometimes these societies do not realise that combiningtraditional culture with products creates a unique culturaladvantage. Lack of knowledge of how to access marketsand international competition undermines thedevelopment of the cultural sector. It is here that UNIDOplays a vital role by providing expertise for competitiveproducts, quality and advice on how to accessinternational markets and develop competitiveness.’

He continues: ‘On my most recent mission to Pakistan, Iwas amazed by the rich cultural heritage and the greatvariety of creative industries that are being cultivated anddeveloped through the UNIDO project, ranging fromtextiles and jewellery to marble and mosaic. I have alwaysbelieved that the potential for developing creativity is thesame for all nations, rich or poor – it is the value that isplaced on it by society which differs. For example,product designers are well paid in UK but this is not thecase in many developing countries. Meanwhile, thereexists out there a sea of culture and traditional heritage inmany developing countries which can be turned intoeconomic advantage.’

Dr Zhen is hoping to involve the University in futureUNIDO assisted projects and is working alongside UNIDOand governments to carry out further research in this area.In September, he co-authored a paper with Dr InezWijngaarde, Senior Industrial Development Officer fromUNIDO, and gave a paper on creative industries’intellectual property in the Annual Conference of theEuropean Policy on Intellectual Property held in Brussels.

He concluded: ‘I came to realise through the UNIDO-related and managed projects that my current research isclosely linked to development and can help countries toprogress while not losing touch with culture and heritage.I believe it is applied research that will make a differenceto today’s world.’

For more information about research at HUBS, visitwww.hull.ac.uk/hubs.

The Business of CreativityDr Zhen Ye from the business school has been working with the United Nations IndustrialDevelopment Organisation (UNIDO) HQ, in Vienna, as an International Expert in CreativeEconomy since 2009, advising on strategies for developing creative industries. During thistime he has taken part in missions to four countries – Bhutan, China, Egypt and Pakistan –all of which have a rich history and tradition of creative culture.

4

‘There is an open opportunity fordeveloping nations to export theirtraditional art and craft, voice theirtraditions and build on theirabundant creativity.’

Egyptian Woman Artisan

5

Case study: PakistanAs part of his mission to Pakistan, Dr Zhen Ye met withgovernment officials and visited UNIDO’s WomenEntrepreneurship Development Programme, giving alecture at Quaid-i-Azam University and Fatima JinnahWomen University.

The project empowers women to developentrepreneurship and Dr Zhen Ye gave advice on creatingopportunities for business growth. As a UNIDO expert, healso visited private organisations and ran a popularinternational trade workshop in Islamabad.

‘Creative exports such as stone mosaic use creativity tosell more for less (more value, less weight), allowingbusinesses to move up the global value chain and capturemore value per unit of the product. When compared withthe traditional block marble exports, traders can be farmore sustainable when being creative with the crushedmarble that results from the blast process of quarrying,which was rendered waste in the past.’

‘Realisation of the value difference between two products(kilos of marble mosaic vs. tons of block marble)underpins the transformation from an old economy basedon resources extraction and transporting weight to acreative economy based on human skills, intensive use ofcreative factors and sustainable transformation ofresources.’

‘This creative thinking is what the UNIDO assisted projectin Pakistan is all about.’

SupportingbusinessinnovationIt’s not always easy to be creative in pressurised worksituations. With this in mind, the business school hasadded new executive education short courses to itsportfolio to help professionals make an impact in theworkplace – Creative Presentations, Executive ActionLearning and a programme on ‘Feel the fear and do itanyway’.

Pam Jackson, business development manager,oversees the short course portfolio. ‘Followingfeedback from our business colleagues, it was clearthat although hard business skills are still verydesirable, many organisations and individuals arelooking at other ways of distinguishing themselves ina crowded and well-qualified market.

‘Soft skills such as presentation, confidence andmanagerial presence are also important. Firstimpressions count for so much, especially in interviewsituations, and a self-assured performance at workcan help promotion prospects.

‘As well as learning new techniques and enhancingtheir skills set, individuals are encouraged to sharetheir experience, network and learn from otherbusiness people, who all have the same aims.’

The programme timetable is available on the school’swebsite www.hull.ac.uk/hubs. Alternatively, bespoketraining can be arranged.

For more information please contact Pam on (0)1482347500 or pam.jackson@hull.ac.uk.

Dr Zhen with a group at the seminar ‘International Trade inCreative Goods’ for UNIDO’s Women Entrepreneurship

Development Programme.

6

A recent report by the Carnegie Foundation for theAdvancement of Teaching argues that business studentsare distinct from the rest of undergraduate education and,by not connecting with the arts, are less prepared forengaging in the business world. To combat theseperceptions, the business school has taken the unusualstep of working with a writer-in-residence in order to helpstudents and staff communicate more effectively andcreatively.

Char March, a well-known poet and playwright, will behelping participants to unlock their ingenuity and findtheir own creative voices through a series of workshops.

‘I was intrigued to be invited onto this project as it isdifferent to my work with other organisations. However,after learning more about the school, I can see how I fitinto its vision,’ says Char.

‘The school already celebrates the arts through itsdistinctive ‘head’ sculptures and support of the recentLarkin with Toads project. It’s lively and has a differentand innovative vibe, which undoubtedly gives it an edge.’

With a science degree to her name, Char is interested inthe meeting of arts with the perceived ‘dry’ subjects.

‘I nearly fell at the last hurdle with my environmentalscience degree as my dissertation was deemed not ‘hardscience’ enough because it was the first everEnvironmental Education project in Britain. I saw it as agreat way of combining arts and science to create a realand applicable project, but it took a lot of creative arguingfor people to agree with me

‘Everyone, regardless of their discipline, has the ability towrite and communicate creatively – they just need to findtheir own way to express themselves. With the businessand financial worlds in such turmoil, creativity is anessential tool for students to learn,’ she continues.

‘Passion for subjects is often lost as people get boggeddown in daily life, which leads to dry and dull writing.The principle is the same whether you are writing anessay on economics or creating a poem – use yourimagination and your passion to personalise the ‘story’which will engage yourself and your readers.’

The writer-in-residence programme was masterminded byDr Barbara Allan, deputy dean of the business school.

‘I had been thinking about the project for a few years butstruggled to find the right person. When I saw Char onthe BBC programme ‘Countrytracks’ teaching BenFogle to write poetry I knew that she was theperfect fit. Her infectious humour and stylewere just what I had been looking for tostart this project.

‘We know that business and creativity are not mutuallyexclusive. HUBS is very open to looking at how creativityfits with business – we want to ensure that our studentsand staff understand the power of communication skillsand how they can affect their future career.

‘Successful leaders are good communicators. By involvinga writer-in-residence, we are helping students to tap intocreativity and find their voice to become the businessleaders of the future.’

International exchange student, Jessica Tree found thesessions ‘wonderfully refreshing’.

‘It was great to have Char re-introduce creative writingafter being so focused on what is considered professionalbusiness writing. She taught us skills which allowed thegroup to open up to each other and express ourselves in away, I at least, would not have been able to do previously.This really allowed me to attempt to push the boundariesand come up with ideas which answered the question butin a way which was not necessarily mainstream problemsolving.

‘I would recommend to anyone serious about business toattend one of these sessions. In this time of businessglobalisation and changing economies, it is imperativethat people have the skills to problem solve in ways whichencourage innovative ideas.’

Char says, ‘When I first visited the school, autumn leaveswere blowing through the corridor. They were almostdancing through the school. It was as if the doors werealready open to creativity and all it needs is to beencouraged. Hopefully my work will help unlock thispotential,’ said Char.

To find out more about study at the business school, visitwww.hull.ac.uk/hubs. For more information about thework of Char March visit www.charmarch.co.uk

Opening the doors to inspirationTypically those studying business are seen as textbook-wielding, graph-loving straight-laced students, whose only concern is with future profit and loss. Yet with competition forjobs fierce in the world of business, and the financial world in meltdown, it is innovativethinking that will set our business graduates apart from their peers.

7

International recognitionfor PhDPhD student, Sharmaine SakthiAnanthan, won a place at the 2011International PhD StudentCompetition – Management in the21st Century, which was held atthe School of Management,University of South Australia(UniSA) in November 2011.Sharmaine was one of only 12students chosen to present herpaper, picked from over 2,000international entries.

Student employability keyIn addition to a good degree, weare helping students developskills to secure a great job afteruniversity, with a new summerschool, entitled ‘A GraduateCareer: Your Future Starts Here’.Sitting alongside the wide rangeof career development activitiesalready offered, the three weeksummer school includes companyvisits and guest speakers frombusiness.

The summer school is open tobusiness school students whohave finished their first year andthe modules will contribute totheir degree.

Scarborough schoolsprojectAcademics from Scarboroughhave been working with a localprimary school to teach pupilsentrepreneurial skills. Thebusiness school has sponsoredthe new stationery shop atNorthstead County PrimarySchool and lecturer Kevin Ordinvited the Year 6 pupils to thecampus to learn how to run asuccessful business. All profitsfrom the shop at the end of theyear will be donated to charity.

Go beyond at HullThe University is investing around£15m in staff recruitment over thenext year, a good proportion ofwhich is centred on the businessschool. The school has receivedand interviewed a number ofquality applicants for posts in allsubject areas and at all levels. Thebusiness school is investingheavily in the best quality studentexperience. Over 10 members ofstaff have been recruited acrossthe subject groups, with moreinterviews over the comingmonths.

New postgraduateprogrammesFinancial students looking for thenext step in their academic careernow have a wider choice at HUBS.The programmes are capitalisingon the increasing global trend infinancial programmes and buildson the popular MSc in Money,Banking and Finance, introducedin 2010. The new MSc Accountingand Finance and MSc Finance andInvestment will be recruiting in2012.

8

News in brief

Ports-based businesses havechosen the Logistics Institute as thenatural home for a new organisationaiming to generate greatereconomic impact from Britain’sbusiest trading estuary.

HumberPort has been created by theregion’s leading ports businesses,with the full support of the four localauthorities and trade associations.It is also in discussions with the newHumber Local EnterprisePartnership (LEP) about aligning itseconomic aspirations.

HumberPort was developed togenerate economic success throughthe effective promotion of theHumber as a vibrant ports facility ofinternational significance. It will bethe primary promotional body forthe Humber ports.

Bill Walker, director of theUniversity’s Knowledge Exchange,said ‘The name gives away the goalof the organisation. Having ‘port’ inthe singular portrays the firmly-heldview that to be truly competitiveinternationally, ports on both sidesof the Humber should be promotedeffectively as a single entity.

‘Local competition will remain but,through HumberPort, the region willbe able to stand up against othermajor ports complexes around theworld and establish itself as a majorplayer on the global stage.’

For more information aboutHumberPort, please contact BillWalker, w.walker@hull.ac.uk.

Playing ourpart in portsfuture

9

In the past 20 years, natural disasters have killed overthree million people, inflicted injury, disease,homelessness and misery on over one billion peopleand caused billions of dollars in material damages.

Against this backdrop of human tragedy, the role of logistics and supplychain performance in humanitarian crises has been attracting increasedattention as the sheer scale of associated costs is highlighted.

The Logistics Institute recently held a forum, chaired by visiting professor,Professor Martin Christopher, to discuss these issues. The event unitedinternational scholars and practitioners in its aim to identify the skillsand methods needed to deliver aid and development in the long term, aswell as deciding on a concise future direction for research.

Sponsored by Coca-Cola, Kogan Page and Unipart, the event invited guestspeakers and panellists to share their expertise and experience in theglobal humanitarian efforts context.

‘It is true that there has been an increased number of reported disasters inrecent years. These disasters do not only affect developing nations such asPakistan and Thailand, but countries at the forefront of moderntechnology – New Zealand, Australia and USA. Wherever the disasterstrikes it is vital to make sure that the right aid reaches the right people,and that assistance is given to rebuild communities in the long term,’ saidProfessor Christopher.

‘Training is key. Aid organisations need to ensure that they employ theright people for such a demanding role. Commercial logistics andhumanitarian logistics have very similar definitions and need many of thesame skills but there needs to be more specialised training in context-specific skills such as negotiation, emergency management, securitymanagement and training of others. There is a distinct difference betweenthis and every day requirements.’

The forum provided a review of the current global context and provokedthose involved to identify the priorities for the development of appropriatelogistics skills and capabilities in disaster-hit and disaster-pronecountries.

For more information about logistics at Hull University Business School,please visit www.hull.ac.uk/hubs/logistics.

Logistical cost of aid

As part of the business school’srelationship with internationalalumni, a delegation from Hull will beholding events in Bahrain and Oman,7–10 May 2012.

The visit will incorporate graduationcelebration events in both countries,highlighting the achievements of ouroverseas taught MBA students.Professor Terry Williams, dean ofschool, will preside over the events,accompanied by MBA director,Dr Dianne Dean.

There will also be business networkingseminars in each location, open toalumni and business people from theregion. Delivered by the director of theschool’s Logistics Institute, ProfessorDavid Grant, the seminars are entitledLogistics and Supply Chain HumanResources: An Often OverlookedOpportunity.

Focused on the ever growing logisticsindustry, Professor Grant will discusshuman resources and the skills andcompetencies required of logistics andsupply chain managers in today’scomplex and interconnected globalsupply chain settings. Thepresentation will include recentresearch in human resourcemanagement within the retail logisticssector conducted at the LogisticsInstitute.

The events will give our alumni theopportunity to connect with their peersand business contacts from across theregion. Further information isavailable on the business schoolwebsite – www.hull.ac.uk/hubs.Alternatively please contact SarahFewster, alumni manager –s.fewster@hull.ac.uk.

CallingMiddle Eastalumni

Full and part-time open eventsOpen events offer the chance for thoselooking to study at the business schoolto visit the facilities at Hull orScarborough.

Visitors will meet members of staff andstudents from the school, helpingapplicants to make an informeddecision about their future education.

The next part-time open event will takeplace on 27 June 2012. Visit the websitefor more information.

Business Bites in conjunctionwith Institute of Directors (IOD)Women in Leadership30 April 2012

Corporate Governance28 May 2012

Regional economics and the impactof the LEP28 July 2012

Decision making capabilities forcompetitive advantage29 October 2012

For more information and to book yourplace at the event, please visit thewebsite.

Short coursesConnecting with LinkedIn22 February 2012 and 23 May 2012

Effective logistics and supply chainmanagement5 March 2012

Mock tribunal workshop20 March 2012

Supply chain security21 March 2012

Systems thinking in serviceorganisations21 March 2012

Strategic supply chain management17 April 2012

Social media marketing26 April 2012

Creative presentations for business3 May 2012

To reserve your place, please contactSam Davy on +44 (0)1482 347500 ors.davy@hull.ac.uk

For further information about any ofthe events listed above or forthcomingactivities, please visit the eventssection of our website,www.hull.ac.uk/hubs.

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

Events diary