Objective
- For the student to renegotiate their understanding of theory and apply practically to help a client SME
- To create a systematic methodology for solutions including data collection and evaluation so the client SME can replicate in the future.
- To create a concise, informative report for the client SME with reference to academic literature but pitched for a non-academic audience.
- The student will develop intrapersonal skills, networking and presentation skills in an applied setting.
Overview
The focus with each innovation project is to encourage the student to apply academic knowledge in a consulting capacity to a client SME. They will do this by; eliciting the appropriate information from the client SME, finding a theoretical base for the solution, creating a methodologically sound process for the solution and reporting that back to the SME in a way that allows them to incorporate into their everyday working process. Student will complete this process in a safe and supportive environment.
Activity
The overall activity takes around 10 weeks. It is made up of a series of key milestone meetings. Extra meetings with both the student and the client SME can be added when needed and you should expect to offer support over email/phone/online conferencing in between formal meetings. This example will show an idealised case and the activity is the ‘project’ – This project is scoped initially by the university and the client SME to ensure it can be effectively tackled in this environment. Some examples of projects completed in using this method are;
- Pre-Project – The project has been formed in advance and student self-select for each project. Before the project begins the student will meet without the client SME to explain their intended approach to solving the project as a whole and what previous skills/learning they will draw upon to ensure success. They will be encouraged to brainstorm potential solutions outside of their current thinking and how this links to theory they have been introduce to in their academic learning. For example, the project may call for a ‘Business Canvas Model’ or the application of the 7P’s.
- Formal Project Start – This is the meeting where the student will be introduced (in person) to the client SME, the main focus of this meeting will be to discuss the problem, for the student to talk about their initial thoughts and plans, for this to be modified and agreed in discussion, individual work packages and a timeline for completion. This meeting will also agree what success will look like and how the solution should be presented, either company report or a presentation to the business (or both). The first work package will likely be to complete a literature review of the current thinking in the problem area and look at solutions being suggested in the literature or highlight significant absences.
- Progress Meeting without Client SME – The aim of this meeting is to check progress and to give the student an opportunity to air problems without the client SME present, sense check work before presenting to the client SME. This is also an opportunity for you as the facilitator to check/correct progress to ensure the project and the solution remain the focus of the students work; this meeting will also prepare the student for leading the next meeting with the client SME. This meeting can be repeated to support the student with any difficulties to reassure the students confidence.
- Progress Meeting with Client SME – The aim of this meeting is to communicate progress to the client SME, obtain approval/buy in for suggested solutions and the agree the next phase of work. The student will lead this meeting with their summary of progress so far, immediate conclusions and their suggested next steps, they will then open their work to questions and comments from the client SME and are encouraged to defend and explain their work with support. Again, this meeting can be repeated if necessary.
- Pre-Closure Meeting – This meeting take place without the client SME and the aim of this meeting is the student practise their entire solution in a supported environment, the difficulties, confusions to be addressed – for example, the student may need to give the client SME ‘bad news’ about the viability of an intended product or service. The structure of the final report/presentation will also be discussed and arrangements for sending should be agreed at this time, so the client SME has time to reflect on the work completed.
- Closure Meeting – The aim of this meeting is for the student to present their work, finding and the journey through this process, it is meant to have a celebratory feel as the student presents their solution to the company. The company are encouraged to ask questions, particularly relating to the implementation of the solution in their everyday business. There is also time for the student to reflect on the process of this project, what they have learnt and what they will take forward into their careers.
Skill Development
- The student across this process learns to apply their academic learning in an applied and dynamic setting.
- The student learns to present research findings and their own critical analysis to different audiences both verbally and written.
- The student learns to receive critical feedback on their work and to also defend their research.
Resources:
- Online shared folder to share and track work in progress.
References
This process was developed as part of the delivery of the Keele Research and Innovation Support Programme (KRISP) which is a part EU funded project at Keele University, https://www.keele.ac.uk/business/businesssupport/keeleresearchandinnovationsupportprogramme/.
New Keele Deal as the wider context of enterprise engagement at Keele University, https://www.keele.ac.uk/business/keeledeals/newkeeledeal/New-Keele-Deal-Summary-Document-September-2017.pdf.