Cranfield School of Management

Work in the Community

Cranfield School of Management has achieved accreditation from the EFMD's EQUIS assessment, the aim of this procedure is to raise the standard of management education worldwide.

In particular, Cranfield was commended for its exemplary contribution to the community. The team recommends that other schools invest as much in their immediate and broader environment.

Contribution to the Local Educational Environment - Business Challenge

Cranfield School of Management takes opportunities to bridge the gap between education and industry and to build links with organisations within the local area. We have two annual business challenges for local schools which have been running for around 15 years.

The success of these schools business challenges has led to similar events in other LEA's particularly from schools aiming for Business and Enterprise Special Status. The activity brings together business and education, helping to create stronger links between them and providing a wide range of benefits to both parties.

Quote from Deputy Mayor of Milton Keynes (2009)

“It is events such as this that provide a spark that leads young people, who are at a pivotal time in their lives, into a career in business and commerce. These events are all too few and as a result are prized and favoured by all who compete in them.” Cllr Debbie Brock,


Student benefits include:

• putting theory into practice
• improving personal and team skills
• increasing knowledge and awareness of key functional areas of business

Quotes from students:

"I have been doing business studies at AS level this year and all the techniques and different options which were available gave me a more open view of a subject I previously had not enjoyed very much."

"I learned plenty of new skills, and it helped with subjects at school. I gained the ability to be patient and listen to what others think."

"I finally understand about supply and demand!"

"I found what I had learned in class easy to apply, I only wish I had experienced this before my business exam as I understand some concepts more fully now."

About the winners prize day out on the Cranfield Business Challenge (June 2010).

'’After winning the Cranfield Business Challenge we were invited on a Spy Games Day. This I believe is every child’s dream the chance to be James Bond for the day, guns, cars and bad guys all that was missing was the vodka martinis. This was without doubt a great day for the boys, girls and teachers alike. We all enjoyed the celebrity protection and got competitive in the laser tag.  For me the best part was storming the bank van which went with a big bang and lots of smoke. A perfect prize for the suited entrepreneurs, who may have found a new calling.’’ –  James Coney, Bedford Modern School.

Business benefits:

For the managers who mentor the team, the benefits include:

• practising leadership and team-management skills
• developing strategic vision and creative thinking
• understanding individual and group behaviour
• developing personal coaching skills

The mentors bring a variety of skills and experience, those valued most by students and cited as:

• expertise and knowledge
• commitment and availability
• ability to challenge decisions and promp for alternatives
• being supportive and patient

Quotes from young managers:

About the Cranfield Inter-County Schools Business Challenge (December 2010)

"The students found the event extremely challenging and also gave some of the participants a chance to do things they had never done before, such as delivering a press release to camera. One of the students commented that it was like being at a job interview or an episode from the Apprentice and indeed some of the exercises were similar to those used by companies when carrying out graduate recruitment assessment centres. This experience will be something that the students clearly benefited from. The challenge was made all the greater when one of the team dropped out on the morning of the event due to illness however the students responded positively and worked very hard throughout the day."

"The Business Challenge is total absorption - your company is living a dynamic organisation and you are responsible for its operating performance. The Business Challenge makes you work as a team. It helps those involved appreciate each others’ contributions and opinions as well as instilling reliance upon one another to keep going when things don’t seem to be working out. On a personal level, I felt challenged and stretched. I gained an incredible amount of knowledge and insight into working with members of a young, enthusiastic team who know some of the theory but were itching to put it into practice."
European Case Clearing House

"From my point of view, it was a good use of my time. I learnt how to better interact with younger people and recognise when to guide and when to sit back and let the team decide. I'd definitely do this again and would encourage anyone in business, no matter what level, to give it a go. It was a real interactive eye opener to mentoring, motivation and the world of business fundamentals."
Anish Hindocha, Mentor, 2008

Local businesses that have provided mentors in the past include: