Business Newsletter

Staffsbus

Welcoming June Dennis, Dean of Staffordshire Business School Having recently joined Staffordshire Business School, I wish to thank staff and local firms for the warm welcome I have received. New to the Stoke area, I have been pleasantly surprised by the variety of businesses and wealth of local attractions in the area and am looking forward to learning more about The Potteries and how the Business School can contribute to the local economy.

I’ve already experienced that the business school staff go out of their way to ensure that the curriculum is relevant and engaging, as demonstrated in some of the articles within this edition. From the Silver Workers project, helping older people develop their business ideas to launching the first esports degree in the country with over 100 students on the first intake, the school offers a diverse range of courses and awards.

I’m looking forward to meeting our new students and introducing myself to returning students over the coming weeks as we begin the 2018 academic year. Students will be immersed in the Staffordshire experience from day 1 and will be going on team building visits to Middleport Pottery and Conkers outward bound-type facilities in addition to competing in a team business game – all within the first week!

If you are an alumni of the Business School or based in a local business and would like to support our students with real life projects, please get in touch and I’ll be happy to connect you to the relevant colleague.

June Dennis Dean Staffordshire Business School /junedennis /BusinessStaffs /staffsbusinessschool

Staffordshire University unveils specialist Esports Hub Staffordshire University has unveiled a specialist Esports Hub to train the next generation of esports managers, shoutcasters and broadcasters.

where students can learn in a real-life setting and understand what goes on behind-the-scenes of a major Esports event.

The university has launched the UK’s first Esports degree in September and prospective students got a first glimpse of the custom-built facility during an Open Day on Saturday 18 August.

“We have been working closely with industry employers who believe that this hands-on experience is vital. We want to put our students ahead of the game when they graduate and give them the best chance of getting a job.”

The hub features state-of-the-art technology and will allow students to host and broadcast live esports events.

Kit includes 12 gaming workstations with Razer mice and headphones, broadcast cameras and a broadcast gallery, specialist lighting, a studio area for three presenters and two shoutcasters, plus spectator seating.

Course lecturer Stuart Kosters explained: “The hub will be a place

The BA (Hons) Esports degree has been developed with help from the biggest names in industry and has attracted worldwide interest and applications.

The course focuses on the business of esports and students will be able to undertake a number of exciting placement opportunities with companies including Red Bull and at national gaming events like Insomnia.

Visiting the hub, prospective student Jamie said: “It looks really professional I love the lighting and the layout. When I came in it cemented that this is the course that I want to do.

“I’ve been watching esports for a long time but never thought there would be a pathway to get into it. I heard about this course and looking at the jobs available and what it offers, it made me really interested to find out more.”

June Dennis, Dean of Staffordshire Business School, added: “It’s great seeing the faces of people when they first come into the Esports Hub – it’s an amazing resource!

“The degree covers not only the technical aspects of esports but also how to run and promote esports events worldwide and has been designed in

We have been working closely with industry employers who believe that this hands-on experience is vital. We want to put our students ahead of the game when they graduate and give them the best chance of getting a job.

consultation with specialists in the field.

Graduates will enter a very buoyant job market in three to four years time.”

To apply or find out more about the course visit www.staffs.ac.uk/course/ esports-ba

MA Esports

Starting this January. The brand new course designed to take you to the next level in Esport Management.

Apply now http://www.staffs.ac.uk/ course/esports-ma

Stuart Kosters Lecturer in Esports

Taster Event Staffordshire University are proud and

give you the chance to meet other

excited to announce the return of the

esports enthusiasts and become part

Esports Taster Day to be held on 21st

of a passionate community as well as

October 2018. Last year the event saw

giving you the very best experience

over 1000 in attendance and hundreds

in competitive video gaming

watched online. The event is filled with

entertainment.

action packed gaming giving you the chance to watch, play and learn. There will be opportunities to play on the stage area and appear on camera, just as the professionals do. A vast array

Here at Staffordshire Business School

we not only have a BA (Hons) Esports degree, but we now also have an MA Esports degree too!

of esports games will be available to enjoy, from League of legends, CSGO, Dragonball Fighter Z and much more.

Last year this event won the award of ‘Best Event’ and we are hoping to do the same this year. The event will also

Date:

Sunday 21 October 2018

Time:

10am – 6:30pm

Location: LRV, Staffordshire University, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DF

THE EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND YOU DO NOT NEED TO BOOK A PLACE.

Five things you should know about Staffordshire Business School!

Our Marketing Management course includes exemptions from

2018 Best Twitter Performance

We are one of the leading Business Schools in the world for Social Media. We’ve won the award twice in the Business School category.

and also Google Garage Exams, covering SEO, PPC

Events Management Degree

Our Business Degree

NEW TOPICS for 21st Century Leaders

According to

League Tables 2019

Business Agility, Big Data, Authentic Leadership and Customer Experience Strategy (CX)

Accounting and Finance Degrees

Fast-track to professional qualifications when you’ve finished you’re degree.

Ranked

‘Students Satisfied with Teaching’ in the Guardian League Tables 2018

Accounting and Finance Blog

Accounting and Finance achieve 98% satisfaction in National Student Survey We are proud to announce that the Staffordshire Business School’s suite of Accounting and Finance courses are in the top 5% of institutions for overall student satisfaction according to the recent National Student Survey results.

The suite of courses achieved 98% satisfaction in the overall quality of the courses, ranking 6th out of 107 institutions teaching Accounting and Finance. The two-year accelerated award achieved 100% overall satisfaction rating for the second year running.

The breakdown of key results for the suit of courses is as follows (all rankings are out of 107 institutions teaching Accounting and Finance): • Staff are good at explaining things

• Staff have made the subject interesting • The course is intellectually stimulating

• I have received sufficient advice and guidance in relation to my course

• I have been able to contact staff when I needed to

• I have been able to access course specific resources when I need to • The course is well organised and is running smoothly

98%

90%

98% (3rd) 93% (3rd)

93%

98%

93% (9th)

Karl McCormack, Course Leader for the Accounting and Finance degrees, said: “It is really good to see that our accounting students are having such a great experience on their course and at the university. Our strong personal tutoring programme, staff enthusiasm and promotion of the Staffordshire Graduate attributes all play a crucial role in these results. It must not be forgotten though that the dedication of staff, both academic and support, shapes the overall experience.”

Dean of the Staffordshire Business School, June Dennis, added: “These results are testament to the great work that our Accountancy and Finance team does in producing a fantastic student experience. To be in the top 10 in the UK is a real achievement.”

Welcome Week Students at Staffordshire Business School got off to a flying start with the 2018 Welcome Week. The action packed agenda focused on Business Engagement right from the start #MoreThanWelcome.

“We encourage our students to participate in a broad range of innovative exchanges specifically designed to underpin academic studies, building skills and attributes for successful future careers.”

Professor Jess Power Associate Dean for Students Here are some of the highlights: Our undergraduate students experienced a range of stimulating activities at “Conkers” the award winning attraction in the National Forest; students that joined the Esports degree, the newest course in our portfolio, participated in EGX which is hailed as the biggest gaming event in the UK.

Being a “connected” university we understand the importance of making contacts, so right from day one we encourage our students to build sustainable networks through fun, inspired peer group activities to ensure lifelong friendships are formed and nourished within peer groups. This year students participated in the BIG challenge run by The Inspirational Learning Group – Dyers, whose founders are Alumni of the Business Management Programme; engaged in a treasure hunt competing against students from other disciplines and had the benefit of VIP guest speakers including Peter Fox founder, owner and director of “Village Vending” who provided a thought provoking insight into entrepreneurial leadership.

STARTS JANUARY 2019

Digital Marketing University Professional Diploma Location

Distance Learning

Duration

15 Weeks

Course start

January

Future-proof or kick-start your career by gaining the most up-to-date digital marketing skills needed to thrive in today’s ever-evolving digital economy.

This course is suitable for people with or without marketing experience including marketing executives, managers, senior management, IT managers and business owners or anyone responsible for developing or implementing a digital marketing strategy.

Course outline The Certified Digital Marketing Professional program provides an indepth and comprehensive introduction to the core essentials of digital marketing. It is validated by the Digital Marketing Institute and the content is designed by experts from all over the world.

The programme has been designed to meet the needs of busy professionals who need to fit study around work and other commitments. You will attend Staffordshire University for three days over the duration of the six-month course and the rest of your studies will be completed online. We support you with an on-line tutor throughout who advises you and guides you every step of the way.

At the end of the course you will complete a three-hour, computerbased examination.

Enquiries team

t: +44 (0) 1782 294400 http://www.staffs.ac.uk/course/ SSTK-10140.jsp

Leaders versus Leadership

Leadership is often defined as “something leaders do”, and this common (mis)understanding is the cause of much confusion, conflict, and under-utilisation of resources in both organisations and the wider society.

Finding themselves somewhat preoccupied developing superhero Teflonshoulders, flip-flopping around meeting short-term targets in support of their own survival, bonuses, the next step up the career-ladder, and a golden pension others can only dream of, too many formal leaders simply don’t have any time left to provide leadership. However, many who don’t perceive themselves as leaders do provide leadership. Tons of it – every day (that is if we could measure it in metrics). When cheering on your child, supporting a colleague, taking your grandparent to a doctor’s appointment, picking up some litter, or volunteering in a club or society, you are in fact undertaking acts of leadership through actively contributing to a better society.

To live in a society which we like to refer to as highly advanced and developed, we are rather backwards. Many of our institutions and organisations are still operating under the Great Man concept, with one all-powerful, strong and macho leader whose word is law. This is often a person we all tip-toe around and tell what they want to hear. Well, this reflects power – not leadership. Leadership is the activity of undertaking a journey together in order to deliver on a common good. As with migrating geese, it is less important who is flying first. What is important is where we are going and going first is something we all need to take in turn.

Although we are somewhat obsessed with titles, power, status and salaries, leadership is something we do – not who we are. The activity of leadership is not the prerogative of a small, exclusive group of ordained individuals. It is a shared responsibility none of us can abdicate from. Unfortunately, we are living in a country where class still defines us. Who our parents are, the post code we live at, and where we receive our education all matters, when it shouldn’t.

As a result, many of our formal leaders are made from the same mould with the same notion of privilege. As a result, many who could provide leadership are never given the opportunity. Such a status quo is holding us back. Simples.

I am pro-leadership with a view full of hope. Just imagine what we can achieve as a city and society by releasing the leadership ability and energy in us all.

Imagine the potential! Once upon a time not too long-ago, women were perceived as less able than men, and ethnic minorities less able than white people.

These things have thankfully changed, and not a minute too soon. However, what hasn’t changed yet, is an equally outdated view that leadership can only be provided by a small group of all too often, white, middle-aged, privileged men.

Because surely, no one else can provide leadership.

Find out more about our three apprenticeships in Leadership: http://www.staffs.ac.uk/higher-degreeapprenticeships/employers/

CIM courses in Professional Marketing of marketing and give you the practical skills to apply to your career within the marketing profession.

If you are working in an operational, supervisory or management role in marketing and wish to further your career, look no further than our CIM Diploma in Professional marketing and get the skills and knowledge you need to climb higher in your career.

Our CIM Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing is designed to advance your knowledge in relevant, contemporary marketing methods. We aim to build on the foundations of your current role in industry and ready you for a senior managerial career. When Are you an aspiring professional marketer? If you are then at Staffordshire University, we have the right course for you.

Our CIM courses in Professional Marketing will give you the knowledge and skills to succeed and progress within a

you achieve the CIM Diploma in Professional Marketing, you will be able to understand the wider role of marketing and how your practical skills can be applied to your career progression within the marketing profession.

career in marketing.

Start a CIM course this January

Successful completion of the CIM Level 4 Certificate in

Choose from:

Professional Marketing will establish the knowledge, skills and understanding to be able to perform at an operational level.

CIM Certificate in Professional Marketing

After this course, you’ll be equipped to carry out an essential

CIM Diploma in Professional Marketing

and successful professional marketing role within the workplace.

We will provide you with the understanding of the wider role

Find out more at staffs.ac.uk

The fast-track visit to Berlin An integral part of the Business Accelerated Degree is the International Trip. The trip this year looked at the culture and businesses in Berlin including how the culture impacts work plus environmental sustainability, individual customisation manufacturing for a global marketing by BMW who mass manufacture cars and motorcycles each individually customised to consumer requirements. It also included a guided tour of the Berlin wall by our very own tour guide Angela Lawrence who showed us a remaining part of the wall that had various paintings. Unfortunate they didn’t get to see Angela karaoke singing this year after the walk.

The trip also included looking at how traditional businesses successfully compete in very competitive local and global marketing, as well as how to develop a distinctive brand and unique selling points.

This trip enables our students to directly see and understand the business’s theories and practices live plus giving them the opportunity to ask questions and explore alternative business practices. It helps the team of student bond and work as a strong team in what is a challenging course.

Three Accelerated Degrees starting September 2019 Accounting and Finance Business Management Marketing Management Visit staffs.ac.uk to apply

Free training for over 50’s!

“I have been to three sessions so far and I have started to answer my own question, `who am I` by listening to other people in the group, speaking about my ideas and using the Silver Workers platform. Even today I am still working with my ideas and as with any creative process there is a developing sense of where I am going but I don’t think I am fully there yet.” “this also helped me to understand not only my strengths but also areas that I need to work on. My confidence is not always so good with networking and talking to people about myself and what I do, so albeit I shy away from this I know it is an area for development as I journey on with my business.”

“Thank you, Hazel, Tom and Marzena for helping me to understand that even being over 60 I can be creative and have something valuable to offer.”

Have you got to that point in your life where you feel it’s time for a change, a new direction, new job or new career? Well self-employment can offer a more flexible form of working, that may allow older people to stay in work for longer.

Age UK says that older workers are more likely to have a higher chance of success with over 70 per cent of these businesses lasting over five years.

Still not convinced, well one of our Silver Worker trainees is a lady who through illness had been unable to work for the latter part of last year. She says it made her think about where she was “after over 60 years on life`s highway” and where she wanted the next part of her journey to take her.

Staffordshire Business School have developed this project which includes face to face sessions and on-line support allowing people to work at the pace that suits them. This course will suit anyone looking to develop skills to either set up a business or looking to get back in to work. The course can help to develop both the confidence, mind-set and skills in this area.

She signed up for the Silver Workers free business start-up training and has now taken the next steps in achieving her goal. She said: “The Silver Workers project has been catalytic and came at just the right time to help me to look at what transferable skills and talents I have. It started my development of ideas that could become a new business and build on my previous work and experience.”

If you would like to participate in this free training, then please contact: Hazel Squire h.squire@staffs.ac.uk Marzena Rezska at Marzena Rezska2@staffs.ac.uk

Undergraduate (Stoke-on-Trent campus) OCTOBER 9.30am - 3.00pm

24

NOVEMBER 9.30am - 3.00pm M11993

Open Days 21