From MBA to MBE!

A Business School award-winning alumna, Rachel Blackburn, received an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours List for services to the Business Community and to Exports.

Rachel, CEO of US2U Consulting Ltd, works with businesses around the world. Her MBE particularly references her work with local, national and international businesses over many years to support their growth strategies. She has also supported a range of community organisations and helped advance the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) agenda in business and the community.

Having left school at 16, Rachel forged a very successful business career up to director level while juggling work and formal study, gaining two OU qualifications in Management as well as her MBA in 2004.

Top free course 2024: Bookkeeping and accounting

OpenLearn, the OU’s free learning platform, announced its most popular courses of 2024 and the Business School’s Introduction to Bookkeeping and Accounting secured the top spot once more. 

This free course covers the essential numerical skills required for accounting and bookkeeping, including the fundamental rules of double-entry bookkeeping and how they are used to produce the balance sheet and the profit and loss account.

With more than 1 million users enrolled on its courses last year, OpenLearn also listed Understanding Autism, Understanding ADHD, and An Introduction to Cyber Security in its 'Top 10'.

The Bottom Line continues

The latest series of The Bottom Line has already explored whether the traditional five-day week could be replaced by working four eight-hour days, as well as whether businesses can operate without managers.

The current nine-part series of the OU / BBC co-production, supported by academics from the Business School, Dr Oznur Yurt and Dr Alexandra Bristow, is broadcast every Thursday just after midday (12:04) on BBC Radio 4, with repeats on Tuesdays at 21:30.

New funding for research into police and well-being

Dr Keely Duddin (pictured on the left with colleague Dr Kendal Wright), a celebrated researcher in the Business School, has received funding for two projects which aim to improve well-being and inclusivity in policing, reflecting her commitment to fostering systemic change.

One initiative focuses on evaluating and enhancing the Baby Loss Support Network within the Metropolitan Police Service. This project, funded by the OU-Police Consortium with a grant of £11,335, seeks to assess the effectiveness of existing support mechanisms, including training developed by the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS), and explore the feasibility of in-house training programmes.

The second initiative delves deeper into the maternity journeys of women of colour in policing, examining the unique challenges they face during pregnancy, maternity or parental leave, and their return to work. With £10,296 in funding and collaborations with British Transport Police and Thames Valley Police, the project aims to illuminate systemic vulnerabilities, foster inclusivity, and amplify the voices of underrepresented groups.

SHORT COURSE SPOTLIGHT: Effective communication strategies and skills for work

This course will equip you with linguistic strategies for effective workplace communication. You’ll look at what makes a successful request, how to accept or refuse assignments, and how to discuss problems and complex communications without causing offence. While focusing on hybrid team communications, like emails and collaborative documents, the fundamental principles apply to all professional interactions.

Across three units, you’ll sharpen your understanding of clarity, politeness, and relationship management and, upon completion, you’ll receive a digital badge to share on social media and add to email signatures.

Calling all alumni!

Would you like to become part of our esteemed Alumni Council? Could you use your skills and expertise to advise on key topics that will shape the Business School’s future?

The Council meet four times per year (via face-to-face and virtual meetings) to support with all aspects of our alumni strategy as well as building the Business School’s reputation in the corporate word, internationally, and with philanthropic and corporate sponsors. It also helps grow our highly valued global alumni network. Find out more about the Alumni Council and its work here.

To apply, simply submit your application using the button below and send your CV to alumni-council@open.ac.uk, where you can also ask any questions and find out more about this voluntary role.

Ikigai in business

Ikigai is the Japanese concept of finding purpose through what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. When these four elements align, they can lead to fulfilment in your personal and professional life.

In this article, MBA alumnus Keith Grinsted reflects on how the concept of ikigai aligns with challenges faced by senior executives and business owners.

The 3-minute rule: mastering presentations and pitches

Thursday 6 February, 12:00 - 13:00, online

The more senior we become, the more we are judged on our ability to communicate and influence. If we can’t effectively persuade, present and pitch our ideas we hold ourselves back.

However, while technology provides us with more tools and platforms than ever before, our audience has them too, making them distracted, overloaded and impatient for clear messages.

In this webinar, Brant Pinvidic, veteran of 10,000 Hollywood pitches and author of The 3-Minute Rule shares his innovative formula for condensing ANY message into an effective pitch.