Unlock the insights of Dr. Garry Blair, a seasoned professional and academic powerhouse. With a rich background spanning Manchester Metropolitan University, Keele University, and INPD (a University of Chester partner), Dr. Blair delves into Technology, Project, and Business Management. As a trusted reviewer for the Journal of Productive Discourse and a key member of the Editorial Board for the New Perspective: Journal of Business and Economics, his research promises a journey into cutting-edge knowledge.
Delivering Agile Marketing Projects: A View from Practice
This paper highlights the importance of successful marketing projects for organisational survival and advocates for an 'agile approach' to creating effective marketing initiatives. It emphasises the need for clearly defined objectives, internal efficiency, and addressing power issues for optimal resource allocation. Key aspects include brand definition, customer profiling, and a differentiated, segmented approach. The study, which involved a literature review and semi-structured interviews with UK-based marketing professionals, proposes a framework for delivering agile marketing projects based on a project management learning model, providing valuable insights for organisations aiming to enhance their marketing efforts. View here.
Constructing a Risk Management Framework to Protect the Organisation
This paper provides an overview of the critical role of risk management in organisations, emphasising the need to integrate risk considerations across all operations. It discusses the formulation of a comprehensive risk management framework tailored to address the current volatile business environment. Key elements include identifying the organisation's 'Risk Universe' through horizon scanning, creating a risk map for effective coverage, and fostering a culture of risk awareness through appointed risk champions. The study incorporates a literature review, semi-structured interviews with industry experts, and proposes a structured approach to constructing such a framework based on empirical findings. View here.'Selling the Third Sector' - Critical Processes to Create Successful
Marketing Initiatives for Charities and Other Non-profit Organisations
The purpose of this research is to explore the marketing strategies and practices employed by charity and community organisations to engage with stakeholders, attract and retain funding, and raise their organisational profile. The study aims to provide an holistic view of marketing activities, identify unique selling points, define products or services, and target populations, compile customer profiles, and develop marketing initiatives tailored to individual requirements. View here.
A Strategy for Managing Global Projects: Critical Activities from Practice
This paper explores the effective management of global projects, emphasising the significance of good practices to achieve specified outcomes. It highlights the necessity of clear communication, proposing a system to ensure understanding among project personnel from diverse nationalities. The paper advocates for a flexible information translation and filtering system to facilitate collaboration, emphasising the pivotal role of a detailed plan as an integrating mechanism for coordinating activities across borders. Leadership challenges in managing virtual and in-person teams across different countries are discussed, with a focus on sustainable practices. The research includes reviews of key journals and practitioner interviews, culminating in a strategy template for successful global project management. View here.
Skills Development in a Volatile Environment: A Systems View of the Learning Process
Skills acquisition and development are vital activities for society, particularly when subjected to volatile operating conditions, making these endeavours more challenging. Ensuring an adequate supply of skilled personnel at an affordable rate is imperative to guarantee the delivery of services and products, maintaining both supply levels and quality standards for future enhancement. Failure in this domain can lead to stagnation in key sectors, contributing to societal decline. This paper investigates skills development in business and project management, employing a literature review and practitioner interviews to understand industry demands and education's role in employability. Results are summarised using soft systems techniques, emphasising potential learning in this crucial sphere. View here.
Strategies for Agile Leadership in a Challenging Environment
In the post-pandemic environment, organisations face significant challenges, emphasising the need for effective leadership. This research explores the characteristics of such leadership and its impact on organisational outcomes. Agility is proposed to navigate global and sector-specific challenges, with creativity to address prevailing issues. Recruitment and retention are crucial for organisational sustainability, requiring personnel with suitable qualifications and training, empowered to employ their leadership style. Economic challenges, hybrid work patterns, and the use of agency staff are noted as post-pandemic environmental factors affecting leadership. Proactive leader development is highlighted, supported by qualitative research through literature reviews and practitioner interviews. The outcome is a template for organisations to formulate an 'Agile Leadership' strategy. View here.
