15 November 2009 - School of Management and multi national greetings giant Hallmark team up for innovation
Academics at Bradford University School of Management are helping give managers at nearby Hallmark Cards the skills they need to bring innovative thinking to every part of the corporate's operation.
Dr Nigel Lockett, Director of the School's Centre
for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management (CEIM) and newly appointed
Knowledge Transfer Champion, is running a bespoke programme designed to challenge
and stretch managers working at the world's largest and best known name in
the greetings card industry
Dr Lockett will work with managers from a variety of backgrounds, from human
resources through to distribution and production. He will focus on enhancing
the creative processes and talents within the business to ensure that good
ideas are captured and converted into improved services and processes for
Hallmark.
Hallmark Cards, a family business established in America in 1910, expanded
during the 1960s, with the International Division opening in Bradford in 1966.
The company's greetings cards and gift wrap are now produced in 30 languages
and distributed to 100 different countries.
Dr Lockett says that as well as delivering executive education, working with
managers from a forward thinking global organisation, is good for business
and education. He explains: "Through Knowledge Transfer Partnership schemes
businesses like Hallmark can access a world class university research base
to support strategic business development. Academics can engage with people
working in their chosen research field and this all serves to further increase
the student experience.
"The School's students are taught by academics working with a global
brand, making their learning more relevant and meaningful to current practice
in industry."
Hallmark's strong culture of innovation, has put the brand at the forefront
of the greetings sector for nearly a century. Working closely with a university
partner offers access to resources and expertise that can help to address
future business needs..
Innovation Manager Selwyn Rose said: "We are moving toward a more open
approach to innovation by working with partners like universities with a specific
strength and expertise. We want to work with the best and Bradford University
School of Management has outstanding expertise in management development,
and an MBA programme that is renowned. In addition, this expertise is on our
doorstep.
"University research in areas such as social trends and consumer behaviour
can inform businesses, answer questions and help to solve problems. At Hallmark
we are committed to innovation but have recognised you can't do that on your
own - the more brain power, varied viewpoints and experience, involved, the
better the results, so we are now looking at other ways we can work with the
School," he added.
Bradford University School of Management promotes and supports business engagement
with corporates, SMEs, third sector and public sector organisations, through
a number of flexible and bespoke executive education programmes, accredited
MBAs, in-company projects, knowledge transfer partnerships and international
research.
For further information visit: http://www.bradford.ac.uk/execed
Ends
For further information contacts Ruth Lewis at Northern Lights PR, 01423 562
400