“Committed” Leicester Castle Business School Student Excels During Executive Company Project

In response to the global pandemic, ECP students transitioned from working face-to-face with their peers and their project hosts, to conducting their projects in a virtual environment. All ECP meetings, events, research and check-ins moved online. To ensure the success of their projects during the pandemic, students have needed to be flexible to ensure they have met key deadlines, maintain their professionalism and in doing so have shown great resilience.

Global MBA student Kenn Orocio recently excelled during his ECP where he worked closely with Voice America broadcaster Chris Cooper, Managing Director of Chris Cooper Business Elevation (CCBE). This company supports business leaders to increase their leadership skills and organisational performance using a variety of approaches, one of which is through an online business radio show.

Chris required fresh ideas about how to leverage his online radio show in a busy marketplace and also how to increase listenership and income. Chris asked for an ECP student to concentrate on these vital areas for his business. Kenn was ready for the challenge and targeted his research accordingly, on behalf of his project host. 

Kenn adapted quickly to working in a virtual environment. Of his experience the student said “meeting the kind people from CCBE, learning about their business and hearing what they have done to expand it has been very fulfilling.”. He also said that taking part in an ECP allowed him to improve “many skills that I have acquired through the years. Some of these skills are communication, time management, problem solving skills…and the ability to adapt.”

Of the project, Chris Cooper said “I enjoyed Kenn’s enthusiastic and committed approach to supporting the brief and his proposal which has clearly been a lot of work…I am very grateful for the support and the work produced by Kenn. I am in admiration of him for keeping motivated during a very unusual and difficult period for many. Being stranded away from your home country with no library access must be difficult.”

Chris also said “I took several thoughts from Kenn’s report that were helpful and it energised me to move it forward and also appreciate what an asset I potentially own… I think the report will continue to add value.”

Chris was so impressed by the research undertaken by Kenn that he has continued to host a new group of ECP students during our current cohort.

Student Seizes Opportunities During Executive Company Project with Paralympian

A Successful Sports Placement

LCBS postgraduate student, Paul Kaerger, has been on placement with Paralympic high jumper Jonathan Broom-Edwards. Amongst his many sporting achievements, Jonathan has been awarded three World Championship silver medals and one Paralympic silver medal.

During his ECP, Paul was asked to explore the ways the Paralympian can attract sponsorship from interested businesses, and to research companies who suit the target market of the athlete.

Of his ECP, Paul has said “I have enjoyed meeting Jonathan, learning what it takes to be a successful athlete and learning about the challenges that top-level athletes face has been very rewarding.”. Paul also said “the ECP has been a great opportunity to engage with a sports organisation to further my experience of working in the sports sector”.

With our latest cohort going out on their placements this week, watch this space as we follow the progress of our students.

To find out more about the Executive Company Project, and how it may benefit your business, contact us on ecp@dmu.ac.uk.

Student provides invaluable research for Voluntary Action Leicester (VAL)

Over the summer, MSc Strategic & Digital Marketing student Itunu Para-Mallam, completed an ECP with Voluntary Action Leicestershire (VAL). This company is a charity organisation which focusses on improving the lives of people in the local community through volunteering, and has been part of the Voluntary and Community Sector in Leicester and Leicestershire for over fifty years.

A prosperous partnership leads to a positive future

During her ECP, Itunu worked within the Communications team at VAL to analyse the charity sector and assess the impact of the company’s existing marketing and promotion. Itunu was pro-active in meeting with a variety of companies and stakeholders to conduct face-to-face interviews, which helped build a wide knowledge of the sector. 

Kevin Allen-Khimani, Sector Support Manager, hosted Itunu throughout her ECP. Kevin said “We have really enjoyed working with Itunu. Chatting things through with Itunu has reaffirmed our thinking concerning how we take our marketing and communication forward. Itunu has fitted in very easily with different teams at VAL, has a good understanding, but also asks the questions in a way that engages people. It’s been a great experience it’s really worked well for us.”

Itunu said “During the project I have enjoyed thinking of strategies and getting to know the charity sector which is an area I have always been interested in. An ECP isn’t an opportunity that most people get at university, and I felt that this would be an invaluable opportunity, especially as I’m going into the world of work very soon…the ECP has been a really good opportunity to get to know other people but also myself as a marketeer.”

Itunu now works at CDK Global in her role as a Product Marketing Graduate, and credits the ECP with helping to increase her visibility to employers and her confidence in applying for roles and working within companies.

Chaperone – online platform designed to empower scientists

Co-Founder of start-up company Chaperone, Pedro Fernandes Resende, along with Business Developer Catarina Morais Seabra wanted support for their business. Chaperone is an online platform designed to empower scientists in their careers by connecting them with career consultants across the globe, and the business is considering a move into the UK market. MBA Global students, Martina Proglio and Nicolas Sierra were tasked with researching a strategy for the business to use moving forwards.

Martina and Nicolas worked collaboratively to complete the research required by their ECP hosts. Martina said “we worked as a team in organising the job and evaluating how to best fulfil the research… Our aim as a team was to provide Chaperone with two projects that, once combined, would create a unique plan which could help the company to successfully enter the UK market”.

Martina Proglio

During the project, the students were motivated and worked closely with their project hosts to complete the research required. Martina saidThe meetings with the host were crucial: at first, I used to update the host with the progress of the project, then I used to ask questions about his objectives for the company so that I could have more material to work on. Presenting the drafts and the work I did little by little to the host helped me to include key details essential for the project.”

Of the project, Pedro said “Similar to most start-ups in theirs first years, we lack human resources time to hire professionals…and the financial capacity to outsource this work. This model, to work with MBA students, is a very attractive alternative in order to focus on these challenges.”

As well as providing essential research for the business, the project also gave the students the opportunity to hone key skills. Following the completion of her MBA, Martina gained employment as a Junior Account Manager at an advertising technology company and says the ECP was instrumental in her development of skills which she uses in her work role today. She said: “The skills I developed and improved during the ECP are helping me to deliver my tasks… practicing what I have learnt during my studies helped me to comprehend my abilities, that allowed me to determine the job path I wanted to pursue, thus improving my job research.”

Moving forwards the company has been analysing the students’ research results and is putting this into action. Pedro says he would recommend the experience to other organisations as “It´s great to connect and work with young, motivated and skilful MBA students.”

To find out more about how your company can benefit from hosting an ECP student, email ecp@dmu.ac.uk.

Dynamic Students Provide Invaluable Ideas During Executive Company Project

Chandila Fernando

In 2021, over forty students partnered with over thirty businesses to take part in this exciting initiative. Projects take place over the course of twelve weeks and span a variety of areas including market research, competitor analysis and research for future business expansion. Company hosts are equally varied, with businesses from the sport, charity and education sectors taking part. To participate in the initiative and prepare for their projects, students are required to undergo a selection process and also attend Work Readiness Bootcamp training.

Chandila Fernando, Co-Founder of The Investment Committee, requested ECP students to support his business. The Investment Committee matches investors with viable SMEs, and was looking for insights into a business plan and research into how to attract investment into a fund, to speed up the investment process for SMEs. International Finance and Investment students, Matteo Tanieli and Jose Fernandez, were keen to support the business and set to work on the objectives provided by their host.

Of the project, Chandila said “Standing back from our business it was important to consider alternative ways to expand and dilute our own thinking… Having on demand graduates willing to think of the unimaginable, and being able to push them into stretching their own creativity under adaptive guidance with tight deadlines, has been invaluable for both parties.”

Matteo said “I had never had a similar experience, let alone in a language that was not mine. But, after gaining confidence, thanks to the skills of the hosts and the Bootcamp activities, which are essential in my opinion, everything became much easier.”

Chandila found that by working with two students, this was of great benefit to his company, in gaining two different perspectives “Matteo and Jose had distinct outtakes from the project…Combining their thinking we challenged them to consider the perspective of would-be investors and the gap they could fill by engaging with their findings.”

Matteo found the ECP useful in his own development and said “In addition to honing your skills, being part of an ECP helps you to start creating your own network of professional contacts, which are essential for getting noticed and finding new job offers.”. The student also went on to provide advice for future ECP students and said “Don’t be shy and don’t be afraid to jump in.”

Matteo Tanieli

The outcome of the research during the project was an ethical lending platform, and Matteo so impressed his host that he has continued volunteering with the company to carry out the theorised platform.

Can your company benefit from the insights of an ECP student or group? Contact us on ecp@dmu.ac.uk to find out more.

Biosite Systems asks for research into the scale of construction companies globally

Felix Schmidt

Over twenty companies took part in the ECP initiative during the June 2019 cohort. Nick Hickman, Head of Marketing at Biosite Systems, a company that improves health and safety in construction environments, asked for an ECP student to investigate the scale of construction projects globally. This crucial research would be used to support the company’s expansion plans. MBA Global student, Felix Schmidt was well equipped for the challenge.

Of the ECP Nick said “Felix was an exceptional candidate and offered some really positive alternatives during the course of the project…The insight gained will help us plan more effectively and accurately for our geo-expansion plans.”

Felix summed up his time on his project with key pieces of advice for future students – “The three most important skills for successfully completing the ECP are time management, persistence and communication. The ECP definitely prepared me for my future career. The way of communication, the independent way of working as well as the time management requirements are valuable assets which I will need throughout every day of my future career.”

If you would like to find out more about ECPs, please email ecp@dmu.ac.uk.

Biodegradable Solutions

Biodegradable Solutions Limited

MSc Risk Management student Thomas Booth and MSc Strategic and Digital Marketing students Inaayat Kassim and Bilal Karim have successfully completed an ECP with Leicester-based business Biodegradable Solutions Limited. Business Directors, Ragesh Sejpal and Divyesh Thakkar, a DMU alumnus, founded the company with the aim to introduce and educate concerning biodegradable products, as natural and environmentally friendly replacements for single use plastic goods. The products provided by this company will meet Goal 12 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: responsible consumption and production. Divyesh said “plastics are a big issue for the world today; they are causing a lot of problems in landfill and in the environment. If we can start using biodegradable products, it can make our world a better place to live in”. 

An Exciting Research Opportunity

During their ECP, students worked closely with their company hosts at their premises, within their group and also independently to assess the market place, product range, tariffs, legislation and to support the company’s social media and website development.  

Of the ECP, Thomas said “I’ve really enjoyed developing my commercial research skills, the ECP has also been great to help me progress in my team working skills as it’s a very team oriented project”. Inaayat said “my advice for the next cohort is to ask if you’re unsure. Contact your academic tutor, they are there to help you. Also, be ready for a learning curve, you will be faced by challenges but you learn as you go on, and now I have skills for life.” 

Of hosting ECP students, Divyesh said “we have enjoyed working with the students. They’ve brought good ideas, particularly on how to get our message across on social media”. Ragesh said “I would definitely recommend the experience to another organisation, it’s a free resource and students bring a new skills set and perspective which we have found very useful”.

To find out more about the Executive Company Project contact us on ecp@dmu.ac.uk.

Alpaka -management software company takes part in the Executive Company Project

Director of technology company Alpaka, Kate Rodgers, recently asked for an ECP student to undertake analyses to support the development of the business’ investment plan. MBA Global student Dinesh Sivakumar was well equipped for the challenge. During his ECP, Dinesh spent significant time getting to know Alpaka’s product; management software for companies which can be used to organise people, places and items. To support his research for the business’ investment plan, Dinesh even met up with his host company at a trade show to find out more about the company’s technology.

Of her experience hosting an ECP student, Kate said “It was great taking part in an ECP as it was possible to devise a brief that helped our business grow. Dinesh produced a very comprehensive report. He clearly showed his findings and explained how his research helped shape his conclusions. Dinesh was always professional and prepared for our calls and meetings. I would recommend the experience to another organisation, it was fantastic!”

Our congratulations go to Dinesh for his excellent work during his ECP.

To find out more, please email ecp@dmu.ac.uk

New Business Model provided for A Cuerpo (Spanish Theatre Company)

Susan Paez, Founder of A Cuerpo, a business which provides Spanish theatre performance and workshops to educate children, was developing a new business model to develop an online platform to support language learning. Susan requested a student to explore the market to find the viability for this new product. International Finance and Investment MSc student, Ravi Chauhan, was well equipped to support the business with this research.

Susan Paez

Susan explained her reason for requesting support for her business from an ECP student: “As a one-person business it is difficult to cover all the skills that are required to run a business, and also there is only a certain amount of time in a day. I wanted to test the market and find out if there was an appetite for my business model.”

Susan also said “Ravi spoke to me, found out what I needed, created a questionnaire to study the market, implemented it and used this, along with further research, to write a report. This report was really useful to me as it compiled data that determined the business was viable and audience wants and needs.”

Of his project, Ravi said “I decided to conduct an array of different research avenues such as open and closed questionnaires…taking part in the ECP was difficult but I had to make sure I asked the right questions in order to progress with the report. Realising that I had created a game changing new business model for this new start-up company was most enjoyable.”

Susan said “I would definitely recommend other organisations to take part, there is nothing to lose and a lot to gain. My experience has been excellent and it has exceeded my expectations” 

Raka Garg, the Academic Supervisor assigned to support the academic aspects of the project, said “both student and host were equally committed and engaged in the project. Ravi brought in his unique perspective as well as business insights and research capabilities to address the project objectives…and Susan very engaged and forthcoming in working collaboratively with the student”

The ECP was so successful that the host has requested another student to continue working with in our current cohort.

Can you company also benefit from research conducted by a postgraduate student? Contact us on ecp@dmu.ac.uk to find out more and learn how you can take part.

Postgraduate Student Completes Outstanding Work During Research with Real-World Business

Michael Watson, Founder of Kewordal, a learning and revision platform, requested support from an ECP student for his business. A significant part of the Kewordal product is the engagement of corporate businesses and Michael asked for a postgraduate student to explore the potential of engaging corporate businesses and also to analyse the industry and market growth. Global MBA student, Bala Nagendra Nandigam, was keen to conduct this research on behalf of the company and spent 12 weeks working closely with his company host to provide the required insights.

Of his project Bala said “I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey… the ECP helped me to develop a new set of skills while making an academic report which I can add to my CV…this was an experience in a different area and industry, and I had to learn and apply new skills including strategic planning and analysis, analysing the industry growth and planning strategic moves that could add value to the organisation.”

Of his experience as an ECP company host, Michael said, “It was a pleasure hosting Bala during the period of the study. I enjoyed reading his research which chimed well with my own thoughts, as well as uncovering some new areas to consider. It was good to have this research independently carried out and to see it articulated and presented well.”

Michael also said “The outcome of this project will strengthen my discussions with interested parties…I would have no hesitation in recommending this experience to another organisation.”

The student’s work was so impressive that following his time on the project Bala has continued to work with his host on a voluntary basis. Our congratulations go to Bala for his dedication to his project.

If your company could benefit from the insights of a postgraduate student, you can contact us for more information on ecp@dmu.ac.uk.