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Enterprising KMS Students
There are many ways in which KMS students , at all levels of study , are encouraged to be enterprising , entrepreneurial and to engage with the world of work .
All KMS undergraduate courses can include a placement year between years two and three of study but there are many other ways in which students can enhance their employability .
First year students across the School can choose the Multinational Enterprise Business Perspectives module . This is their opportunity to work on a live project with a multinational company which this year was a digital communication and social media project set by Michelin Tyre PLC ’ s Customer Marketing Manager , Nick Gilbert and Digital Communications Manager , Mark Higginson .
This summer these students will be working with more than 50 different businesses and organisations including SME ’ s , social enterprises , a local Council and a professional football club .
2017 Student of the Year awards
The students are currently working on their projects and completing an online journal to help them complete their assessed reports . They have made some interesting comments about their experience of putting the theories they have learned into practice : One hundred and thirty students worked in small groups sharing their ideas with Nick and Mark through the ‘ elevator pitch ’ getting their main idea across in less than 1 minute . At the end of the project the students delivered a formal presentation to their tutor , Dr Teresa Oultram , who chose the best presentations to be delivered to the Michelin ’ s Leadership Team .
See how they got on at www . keele . ac . uk / kms / kmsvideos
All postgraduate taught students in KMS have the option to work with a local business or organisation on an Applied Company Research project instead of completing a dissertation . This year the School has benefited from the support of the Keele Research and Innovation Support Programme , known as KRISP , which has substantially increased the number of placements available .
The KRISP project supports businesses that are thinking about , or are currently in the process of , developing a new product , process or service . By providing dedicated human resource and academic expertise , KRISP delivers the knowledge , focus and procedures that will help local SMEs bring their innovative products and services to market quicker and support their long-term sustainable growth .
The KRISP programme is part-funded through the European Regional Development Fund ( ERDF ) as part of the England 2014 to 2020 European Structural and Investment Funds ( ESIF ) Growth Programme .
“ This was interesting as I was learning something new – but I kept thinking of potential improvements all of the time so my brain must be becoming a bit more consultant-like as I am picking up on things that I may not have noticed previously .”
“ Due to the small size of the company , my intuition led me to adapt methodologies from the Lean style of management , saving them money , reducing waste , and most importantly , saving them time .”
“ Having a chat about the app is one thing but the client ’ s true vision cannot be put into practice from that . Management theory shows there is a huge overlap in what the client says what the consultant understands , and what the application really requires .”
And from our project hosts : “ I am delighted with the work ( the student ) has been involved with , his approach , positive attitude , professionalism and the delivery of his project .”
“ The key actions were prioritised following the excellent research into International Markets for the sales and brand awareness opportunities . A timeline has been completed , that will be a great tool to use for my company and also a database has been formatted to be used for my company again an excellent tool .”
“ He walked me through what he had done so far and I am absolutely blown away ! He has worked hard and has interpreted the problem and possible solution / s with an impressive level of understanding , innovation and accuracy .”