°×С½ãÂÛ̳

Link:

ucl.ac.uk/advances/" target="_self">°×С½ãÂÛ̳ Advances

About 150 °×С½ãÂÛ̳ students received an insight into the basics of business at an intensive three-day summer 'boot camp'.

The undergraduate and postgraduates learned about starting up a business, the fundamentals that underpin them, and the importance of teams in the workplace.

The innovative course, taught through real-life examples, was organised by °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Advances as part of °×С½ãÂÛ̳'s programme of activities under the Economic Challenge Innovation Fund. It was delivered by staff from °×С½ãÂÛ̳ and the London Business School and ran from 8 June to 10 June.

Timothy Barnes, Executive Director of °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Advances, discussed major trends in the modern business world, team roles and how to pitch ideas.

Dr Dave Chapman, Deputy Head of °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Management Science & Innovation, gave a presentation on innovation and business models.

Keith Freeman, Associate Adjunct Professor at London Business School, talked about financial fundamentals and making decisions in successful businesses.

The course was designed to equip graduating students with practical business skills and knowledge of key concepts as they prepare to enter a difficult job market.

Timothy Barnes explained the objectives of the boot camp.

"The aim was to help graduating students, in particular, as they seek to differentiate themselves in a competitive recruitment environment and is a response to frequent requests from employers to help develop an understanding of business among university students."

Postgraduate student Olumide Majiyagbe, who took part in the boot camp, said: "As a political science student, I'm glad I had the opportunity to learn some fundamentals of accounting and all of the sessions were lively and very productive."

Economics undergraduate Lillian Trafford said the boot camp had exceeded her expectations.

"I assumed it would be basic information about working in companies and explanations of what that might be like. Having worked in offices the past two summers, I was a bit sceptical of how useful the course would be.

"However, within a few minutes I realised that this was not going to be a dull or tedious experience. All three speakers were energetic and had brilliant business stories to share with us.

"I particularly enjoyed the team tasks as it forced us to work with people we didn't know, which is challenging compared to the comfort of working with friends we know.Ìý

"This made me much more aware of how I might be perceived by others in a business world and what position within a team or business might suit me best. It was an absolutely brilliant experience, and I will definitely recommend it to all my friends, in fact I have already done so!"

This was the first Enterprise Boot Camp at °×С½ãÂÛ̳. The three-day course will run again later in summer 2009 and twice next year.

For more information follow the link above.

Image: °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Advances logo.

Ìý

°×С½ãÂÛ̳ context

°×С½ãÂÛ̳ Advances is the centre for entrepreneurship and business interaction at °×С½ãÂÛ̳. It exists to stimulate collaboration among researchers, business and investors, driving innovations that benefit society and the economy, with a particular focus on new businesses and SME engagement.

Related stories:

°×С½ãÂÛ̳ unveils economic support for UK design community
Entrepreneurs and innovators honoured at °×С½ãÂÛ̳ Awards for Enterprise
°×С½ãÂÛ̳ to tackle credit crunch with free training and consultancy

Ìý