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Diploma/Masters in Creative
Talents and Solutions
In 2001, Jo Ouston & Co began the planning,
design and running - jointly with Sainsbury's Supermarkets Limited and
Bristol Business School - of a post-graduate Diploma and Degree course
in Creative Talents and Solutions. The Diploma phase involved eight accredited
modules, delivered over 18 months. To date, three 'alumni' of the Diploma
programme have gone on to complete the optional Masters stage and they
were awarded their Masters degrees in November 2005.
As the first course of its type in Britain, everyone concerned obviously
watched the outcome with intense interest, to learn, not least, how far
such a programme could produce clear, quantifiable business benefits for
the organisation whose employees participated. The reflections of the
newly graduated students produce some enlightening answers.
Sam Memour, Retail Events Manager, points out that "assignments were
closely linked to Sainsbury's operations, and each one required students
to reflect on how the theoretical learning could be applied to the workplace."
He cites how, in the light of one module, he reviewed his department's
Christmas roadshows: "By delivering these in a more creative way
we removed £500,000 from the seasonal events budget." And not
just this. Sales in seasonal events have increased 40 per cent through
improvisation techniques learned on the course.
Category Product Manager Cathy Port remarks on how "Techniques I
learned have been observed by colleagues and adapted by them for their
own situations. Creativity seems to breed creativity."
This capacity to generate creative chain reactions emerges as one of the
most solid benefits of the programme. "I believe," Port says,
"that as a result of the creativity course we have been able to see
more possibilities in 'Try Something New'. The initiative seems to have
momentum over a wider area of the company's business."
Another MA graduate of the Bristol creativity course, Dr Theresa Huxley,
has seen very tangible benefits in her own technical area. She cites the
example of the know-how and confidence she gained to launch a new 'golden
grape', which has set an industry trend.
Suppliers have benefited too, and partnerships strengthened. "The
higher profile generated for the fresh produce division by its buzz of
creativity has done wonders for networking."
As well as these examples of high profile results, Sainsbury's are keen
to stress that "It is the sustained application of innovative thinking
to every detail of how a company works, as well as to what it sells, that
can contribute most to business performance."
See also:
>Diploma/Masters
programme feature from BBS Fast Forward magazine
>Academic Partnership - JO
& Co / BBS
>Releasing Creativity -
JO & Co open course
>Open
Courses >Tailored
Courses >Coaching
>Mentoring
>Facilitation
>Training Rooms
>Feedback
Copyright Jo Ouston & Company Limited 2000-2008
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