Companies need to think on global scale

Apr 11 2008 By Jenny Morrison

Competitors may be on other side of world, says academic

As Susan Hart takes up her post as the new Dean at the University of Strathclyde Business School she admits her pulse is racing.

The key aim of Professor Hart's agenda is strengthening the business school's international reputation.

Having worked in countries from America to France, she admits she wants as many students as possible to experience a global business education.

But while global ambitions may once have taken businesses to Hong Kong, Dubai or Australia, such international education may now be needed no further than the small family-run company at the end of your street.

And Professor Hart says while Strathclyde University's Business School sees no end to its international ambition, even the smallest Scottish companies must be internationally aware.

The 47-year-old said: "There is no room for complacency.

"Every company in Scotland must be aware of the fact that they are working in a globally competitive arena.

"Even the smallest company can be subjected to international competition.

"Of course there are some firms with a lower risk.

"But the time has come for every firm to stick its head above the parapet and look to the horizons. Everything from legal secretarial services to IT support to design services can be just as easily offered from a company in India or Australia as it can be from your own geographical area.

"Such a move, of course, has been largely facilitated by the internet.

"But channels of distribution are changing. There are many ways to achieve an international reach - but you have to be internationally aware."

For Professor Hart's Business School there are firm lines of attack.

"We are encouraging trade relationships by working with particular international trade associations - so that we up our profile with like-minded institutions.

"We are building relationships with international partners - so specific institutions are sending us students, often on an exchange basis.

"And we have international development offices that are working with local agencies to attract international business."

For other businesses she says the approaches should be similar.

And she said enrolling in a tailor-made course at the University of Strathclyde's Centre for Executive Education or Professional Business Unit is a good place to start.

She said: "The breadth of educational courses our Business School offers is second to none.

"Many business schools focus on four or five different areas, but the range of what we offer is unrivalled in Scotland and among the top five in the UK."

Professor Hart took up her new post as Dean last week, at a time when the Faculty claims to be cementing its position as a leader in Business and Management education.

In addition to her distinguished career as an academic, Professor Hart also worked in the private sector, in advisory and research capacities to organisations including RBS, McDonald's and Scottish Enterprise, as well as the SME sector

She said: "I am very much looking forward to the challenges ahead.

"I relish the prospect of leading an organisation of this calibre.

"It's a very exciting time to be at Strathclyde Business School."

Strathclyde Business School has more than 2,100 undergraduate students and 600 full-time and 1,800 part-time postgraduate students.

'The time has come for every firm to look to the horizons'