Dr Yun Chen talks about how your digital business can work with the University of Salford

Have you heard about digital business transformation? Here at Salford we have and we want to be part of the process that helps transform your digital businesses. Do you want to know how our students work with internal and external partners?

I am Dr Yun Chen and I run two modules working closely with industry bringing our undergraduate students within the digital business transformation process. My Mobile App Development module is a great example. This year our students developed real applications and more importantly, they worked with our established industry partners Apadmi and Sigma too benchmarking their skills against industry standards.

Could your business benefit from a number of fresh pairs of eyes looking at your app development project needs? Like you, I know that mobile devices are one of the most popular channels that help people engage people with digital businesses activities. This means it is really essential now to make sure that students understand not just the mobile technologies and theories of design but also its implementation in the real world. Let me tell you more about how Salford Business School does this.

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How 3D printing works

How does 3D printing work? Have you heard abut 3D printing technologies? There are lots of things you could print. We have already been printed a few things already, like a duck, a Salford ambition sign and a butterfly clip!

Recent improvements and falling prices of 3D printers meant that the technology is more accessible to everyone. . 3D printing works by a layer-by-layer creation of physical objects based on digital files that of their design. Nowadays, 3D printing technologies have become an affordable and viable tool for business and consumers. So, how can 3D printing transform online retailing?

Retailers can sell blueprint design plans that consumers can purchase on the web and print at home or at 3D print shops. 3d printing has become very popular and industry in its own right since the world’s first 3D print shop opened in Zurich in 2012.  Since then more pops up opened in Munich and Vienna in 2014. These shops have begun to offer bespoke final prints and designs can be adapted to improve and modify functionality. Also, electronically transmitting digital design printing have no tax costs. Nike has marketing its first athletic shoe with 3D-printed components to download and templates for shoes that can be printed out overnight. Besides industry and business, 3D scanning and printing can be used for educational purposes in schools and universities. Teachers and students can creatively combine engineering, maths, design process and history. 3D printing is also starting to revolutionise manufacturing in a wide range of industries.

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How do beacons work?

Have you heard about beacons? How do beacons work? Beacons are one of many technologies that Salford Business School’s PUPRU is working with. If you don’t know by now what #PUPRU is, you can read about it here. The #PUPRU team are a group from the Centre for Digital Business with a focus on researching the use of emerging and disruptive technologies in business. Disruptive technology is defined as:

… new digital goods and services that revolutionise, change and disrupt accepted methods of performing business activities and transactions …

We have all been exposed to disruptive technologies, but perhaps not been aware. All disruptive technologies have potential to be the next big thing, creating significant opportunity, as with past disrupters like the Internet, smart phones and Google. You may not see the relevance, but unforeseen digital disruption drastically impacts business revenues. For example, GAME group closed 277 stores in the UK and Ireland in 2012 when consumer habits changed and more people began downloading their games. EE’s 2015 third quarter results showed a 10.3% collapse in voice minute revenue as customers moved to VOIP communication apps like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and WeChat. Desktop PCs and laptop sales declined by 9.5% in 2015 with increased global demand for tablets and smart phones. It is no longer necessary for you to own desktop PC devices when there are cheaper mobile alternatives, offering mobility and additional functionality. A new service could disrupt an existing business and is a strong motivator to rethink IT strategy and align it with business strategy. This is where #PUPRU comes in and looks to engage with organisations investigating the use of emerging disruptive technologies in their strategies.

Now – to beacons – what are they?

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Professor David Spicer

Salford Business School Academics show innovation and insight in business thinking.

I am delighted to be able to introduce you to the second issue of the Salford Business School (#SalfordBSchool) magazine Ignited. Having recently joined the School I had done my research before I joined as Dean. I knew that Salford has a great reputation for innovation in applied, industry focused programmes and research. When I arrived, I was delighted to find out just how much great work was being done here at Salford that I wasn’t yet aware of. This magazine showcases some of the best in thinking and research here at Salford. I’ll highlight just some of the articles below.

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#IamSBSM

What is social enterprise? Starting a social enterprise business is a challenge for people who have a mission with a social purpose but also want to create a profit. Social enterprise describes how businesses achieve social, economic, community and cultural improvement through their existence.

These companies can be for-profit or non-profit organisations that create common activities to help human and environmental well-being. Most companies produce products or services that generate revenue and reinvest it into society through job creation, health care, cultural needs and the environment.

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Camp Digital 2015

Future Entrepreneurs Wanted: Calling all innovators!

What: Camp Digital is an inspirational conference that brings together the digital, design and user experience (UX) communities for a series of seminars and workshops exploring the latest thinking.

When: 23 April 2015.

Where: Museum of Science & Industry, (MOSI Manchester).

The Centre for Digital Business is setting students a business challenge.

We have recently acquired funding for a PopUp Research Unit (PUPru). Before you ask, PUPru will be a mobile space intended for installations in a range of public spaces. This installation will visit the high street and can be placed inside shopping malls, in the foyer of business premises, at sporting or music venues, at other education institutions or on the University of Salford campus. Your challenge is to help us to identify innovative uses of this space.

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Digital Marketing

Digital marketing is becoming a priority for businesses around the world because more people are using the internet. This Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) aims to explain the concept of digital marketing  and its relevance to business. We will look at the following issues:

• Digital marketing
• Differences between digital and physical marketing
• Content and customer experience
• Digital marketing and consumer platforms
• Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) technique

This course was developed by students on the Business Information Technology programme.

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Digital Business

A digital Business uses technology to gain advantage over competitors in all aspects of its operation. This free online course is developed by Business Information Technology students and will teach you :

• how a business can create a digital strategy,
• improve current digital presence or
• create a new one.

Building a digital business involves a range of analytical tools that are explored in this Massive Open Online Course (MOOC).

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Social Media Security (CC)

This Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) looks at the security issues connected with social media platforms such as  Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Google+.  This MOOC builds on content from the Information Security modules that is part of the BSc (Hons) Business Information Technology programme. This MOOC covers topics including…

• Controlling privacy settings
• Choosing and managing passwords
• Physical security precautions
• Location settings and social media

Improve your understanding of social media security and avoid becoming a victim of hackers and scammers. Read more…..

Digital marketing skills brainstorming session

Expanding your business online to international markets is one of the key growth areas for organisations. But how does this growth work? What skills should you and your business have in order to capitalise on this great international business opportunity?

Developing the latest skills and knowledge needed to grow a business online in international markets is the core focus for the creation of a new joint Master’s course in Digital and Social Media Marketing. This course is being developed by Salford Business School in collaboration with four European university partners, expert digital marketing recruitment agency The Candidate and international advertising agency Ilyan.com. The new course is an extension of the Salford based MSc Digital Marketing that focuses on international business.

So, what international digital marketing skills have we identified so far as important in developing your international sales growth online?

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