VIP Speaker Event

Booking is now open for our next VIP speaker event, PG Connect: Feed your passion, taking place on Wednesday 20 May 2015, 5:30pm in the Quad.

Want to learn how to stand out from the crowd and have a career doing the things you love? Then speak to the people who took a chance and did it for themselves! Book your free ticket here.

Join our panel…

• Gary and Allen Keery, the ‘Cereal Killer twins’ who created a media storm with the launch of their ‘breakfast cereal only’ café
• Phil Rumbol, the marketing guru creative behind the famous ‘Cadbury’s Drumming Gorilla’ advert
• Priya Lakhani, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards judge and former lawyer who lived her dream to build Indian food brand MasalaMasala
• Dr Simon Best, head of MDX’s Enterprise Development Hub (EDH) and compere for the evening

…as they discuss how you can pursue your passion, stand out from the crowd and market those great ideas whatever career path you follow. Followed by an evening of networking and nibbles with our speakers.

Part of PG Connect: our series of opportunities for MDX postgraduate students and undergraduate students interested in postgraduate study to listen to inspirational speakers and network with peers, academics and high-profile achievers.

Entry is free but you must RSVP online. Registration closes Tuesday 19 May 2015.

  

See you there

Middlesex University

Good Luck with exams and don't forget to vote (if you are eligible)

In a fortnight it is Mental Health Awareness week and there should be events going on around campus about stress and other mental health issues. Including sessions to help you relax and manage stress and anxieties around work load and exams - so make sure you go! I will post more links and events on the blog as they are publicized.  Remember is it normal to feel stress and there is nothing wrong with getting help.

In new this week, LinkedIn has become another social media company to under perform,  following in the footstep of Twitter and Yelp. Though in more positive news they have acquired Lynda.com which will make it easier for you to show you additional skills and commitment to ongoing learning and development to potential employers and recruiters. Apple Watches may be very exciting new gadgets - but some of their features don't work if you have tattooed arms... bit of a design oversight there. Another week and more Special Reports from the Financial Times, these on include a fascinating collection of video and articles on The Connected Business, taking in a range of topics including marketing and technology. Meanwhile the special report on Risk Management looks at Climate Change and terrorism. Finally an interesting look at the slowing of UK economic growth and the effect it may or may not have on the election. Finally don't forget to vote if you are eligible!

Activities at City Business Library

Doing Business in Brazil Tuesday 26 May (09:00 - 11:00) City Business Library This seminar is about getting your business started in Brazil. The opportunities and challenges will be discussed, as well as the business culture. To book a place, click here.    CBL electronic resource: Brad Intelligence Are you looking to advertise? Use the City Business Library’s access to 'Brad Intelligence' for free to find the costs of advertising, along with circulation figures and contacts. For a limited period you can download lists for free. Just ask a member of staff at the Enquiry Desk to find out how to access this specialist resource.   April – June events During April, May and June, we are running lots of new seminars and courses that will develop your skills and add new insights to your business or career. Click here to see the April - June events programme. Public speaking – day course Tuesday 28 April (10:30 - 16:30) City Business Library Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, an accomplished presenter or a one-to-one conversationalist, you’ll walk away from this practical, interactive and engaging course with skills that will help you to master the art of presenting in public.  The course will be run by Isabelle Parasram (Greycoat Law).  For more information and to book a place, click here.    London South Bank University’s Investment Escalator is offering a range of free business workshops to help small and medium-sized businesses grow. By bringing together LSBU’s academic experience and industry experts they can assist you in every aspect of your business. To find out more about the workshops, and to book your place click here. City Firms - Tell us your views on apprenticeships and win Barbican membership! Apprenticeships are a great way to train new talent for your business, however London has one of the lowest levels of employers which offer apprenticeships.  To understand why this is, the City of London Corporation is undertaking a short survey of attitudes and awareness of apprenticeships amongst City businesses. The survey contains only eight questions so should take only a few minutes to complete.  If you complete the survey you could win a one-year membership of the Barbican.

New Lynda Videos, Special Reports and Weekly Round-Up

Hello, I hope you are all enjoying the sun and not too worried about coursework deadlines. Remember if you are having trouble research you can come and see your librarians, either by appointment or at our help-desk on the first floor of the library between 9-5. (And if you need help with your writing LDU have a drop in 12-2 in the library where they will look at your essays). If you still have more skills you want to work on, check out the new business videos on Lynda.com and their huge range of training videos on a large number of topics.

I have another series of Special Reports from the Financial Times for you to have a look at. Firstly, a special report looking at Energy - focusing on climate change and renewable energy. Secondly an interesting Special Report on Cyber Security, looking at how we can or if we can make the web safer. Finally a Special Report on the Queen's Awards for Enterprise which is really inspiring. Hopefully some Middlesex student reading this blog will win one someday soon. Have a good read and get inspired and while you are thinking about your degree and your future, check out this argument for teaching politics to MBA students and looking and how much politics can impact your business career. Now you are feeling all political, check out this blog from the Harvard Business Review looking at why we are harder on Female CEOs like Marissa Mayer and what impact that has on getting more women business leaders.

Finally some fascinating news stories; the rogue trader operating out of Hounslow who caused a mini crash, a piece looking at the World Bank Stress Test and Uber is adding helicopters and boats to its taxi service in China. Finally a video looking at Tesco's losses and what has caused them.

LinkedIn, Lynda, 3D Printing and other news.

LinkedIn is buying Lynda.com, the website, which helps you developed a range of different skills from public speaking and photography to SPSS and advanced Excel. This will enable Job seekers to identify courses that will help them get ahead in their chosen field and then take the relevant Lynda.com course, making themselves more employable. The good news is you guys can be ahead of the curve! Middlesex already has a subscription to Lynda.com and you can follow this link to sign up and take courses now!
Will 3D printing undermine traditional manufacture? Possibly yes,  this article is an interesting read.

Women in boardroom, an ever vexed topic. Quotes or no quotas, what is the solution to gender inequality in business? This video looks at whether quotas work. Jay-Z's new music streaming service launch this week but can Tidal threaten Spotify and Apple? Jay-Z thinks so and sees it as the artists fighting back, but we shall see whether Tidal can make a mark on an increasing crowded market. Has a grad student disproved Piketty? The FT thinks so but then it's feud with Piketty is becoming legendary. What do you all think? Finally is failure good for you? These case studies from the Guardian Sustainable Business section and the world of Global Development may not be conclusive but make fascinating arguments about the importance for both individuals and businesses to learn from trial and error.

Business Start-up

The Business StartUp show is back at ExCeL, London on 13th - 14th May, and better than ever.

There's only a limited amount of free tickets up for grabs so be sure to secure yours before it's too late.

Register Here

Headlining the keynote theatre is Dragons’ Den star and technology entrepreneur Piers Linney and Pimlico Plumbers Founder Charlie Mullins OBE who left school with no qualifications and is now worth £60m. They will be joined by inspiring young entrepreneur Julien Callede, Founder of bespoke online furniture retailer Made.com, plus Facebook, Saatchi & Saatchi X and Hootsuite will all be there.

There’s a further 250 educational seminars by business experts, 350 exhibitors showcasing the latest and most innovative products and services, over 170 interactive masterclass sessions and plenty of networking opportunities. This is the go-to event for anyone looking to start, grow or improve their business so be sure to save the date in your diary. City Business Library will be at stand 562 – come and say hello to us there!

Register for your free ticket here.

Key facts on China

China's unique demographic structure is a major challenge to sustainable economic growth. Have you considered how it will affect your business strategy?

Additional Resources
› Cities in China: Economic and Consumer Dynamics for Successful Business Download our free white paper to gain a deeper understanding of China's macro-economic, demographic and consumer affluence (also available in Mandarin).
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