Cranfield School of Management

The future of lifelong learning

Clare Kelliher, professor of work and organisation expects to see more older executives in lifelong learning programmes.  She says Cranfield’s programmes are tailored to people’s career stage, rather than their age – a strategy that would fit with changing demographics.  She believes other countries might follow the UK in removing the default retirement age.  Whatever age or stage people are at, it is important that they keep up, she believes, pointing to the influences of new technology and globalisation.

Recruitment Diary

Yet more evidence of how seriously employers are taking the much-trumpeted ‘skills shortage’ among young people: 70 per cent of businesses surveyed for a report by Learndirect and Cranfield School of Management admit they have done nothing to address skills shortages forecast for the future labour market.  The ‘Nurturing Talent: building the workforce of the future’ report concludes that apprenticeships are essential and that more needs to be done to promote the value of vocational education and the vital role employers should play in this. 

Finance remains most common route to the top at FTSE 100 groups

A career in finance remains the most common route to the top of FTSE 100 companies. The proportion of female board directors in the FTSE 100 has stalled at 17.3 per cent, according to Cranfield School of Management’s annual Female FTSE Board Report.

Achieve a winning marketing strategy

Emeritus Professor Malcolm McDonald gives ten top tips on how to achieve a winning marketing strategy.

Further information...

If it an't broke, don't fix it, but it's Lego so what else are you supposed to do?

Profile of alumnus (1993) Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, Chief Executive of the Lego Group.  Britain has always been one of Lego’s strongest markets, with sales rising by ‘double digits’ last year.  According to Jorgen, the popularly of the coloured bricks in the UK is down to Scandinavian and British culture sharing characteristics that are not apparent in Southern European countries.

How to get stuff done

People at work face a huge array of distractions that get in the way of them finishing anything.  But you needn’t just sit there feeling over-whelmed, there are plenty of ways you can get on top of your workload.  Donna Ladkin, professor of leadership and ethics at Cranfield School of Management, says: 'Some things are urgent but not important, others are important but not urgent. For example, CEOs need to develop strategy, not just focus on the immediate executional things; so they need to ring-fence time for that and protect it.'  Equally, many people focus on what needs to be done today at the expense of investing time to advance their career.  You have to be honest with yourself and exercise more choice, says Ladkin. 'People who do well are discerning. They decide what to respond to and hold on to their own agenda'.  'Every serious writer I know says that when they're working, they switch off the internet,' says Ladkin.  Even better, get away from your desk altogether.

Further information...

Talent spotting

How do you create a board that inspires managers and puts your business on the fast track to growth? Emeritus Professor Andrew Kakabadse believes there is no one formula for success.  Each high-growth company finds its own route to riches.  But the dynamics between the board and management team have to be right. 

Further information...

Radio interview

Professor Joe Nellis took part in a one-hour panel discussion called On the Money, presented by Declan Curry, exploring the trends that will shape the next 30 years for the UK and global economy.  In particular: What industries are likely to decline and what new ones are likely to emerge? What will the future talent pool look like and how will employment patterns change? Will the Euro still exist? These are just some of the wide ranging topics for debate.

London Marathon 2013: Para who narrowly escaped death shoulders 40lbs for race

A former Parachute Regiment platoon commander who narrowly escaped death after being blown up during a hostage rescue is to run the London Marathon carrying the equivalent weight of the body armour and equipment which saved his life.  Mike Ellicock is a graduate of the Cranfield FTMBA class of 2005 having previoulsy served as an officer in the Parachute regiment of the British Army.

Further information...

Unblock this talent pipeline

In the Top 50 Employers for Women focus report (page 4) Dr Ruth Sealy, senior research fellow and deputy director of the International Centre for Women Leaders said: “There has been a great focus on boards but there is now, and has been historically, a big problem with progression.  The position of women in organisations needs to be addressed at all levels, not just one.”  How can this best be addressed?  Sealy says: “One of the simplest ways is just really good leadership.”

Further information...