Cass MBA London Symposium Talks Branding And Customers

At the City University London Cass School of Business, the London Symposium has become a flagship elective. Since its inaugural class back in 2014, each year it has brought together more than 150 students from all Cass MBA cohorts, as well as the MBA partner school in Europe and South Africa, to attend lectures and learn about leadership and business from some of London’s most prominent and respected business leaders.

On the second day of this year’s symposium, MBA students visited the Science Museum to discuss Brands and Customers with lectures from some of the leading figures in the creative industries and business. The day covered topics such as department store retailing, the challenges of Brexit, customer service and the future of film.

The Future of Department Store Retail

MBA students had the opportunity to attend a lecture by Frank Slevin, the Executive Chairman of House of Fraser and Hamley’s. He spoke on the subject of What Does the Future Hold for Department Store Retailing, talking about the challenges that department stores face in the current economic climate. He also outlined the many opportunities currently available for department stores and the importance of nimbleness and innovation.

Person-Centered Coffee

For this lecture, MBA students listened to Malcolm Finn, a Cass MBA alum and the Global Financial Controller of Costa Coffee. He gave a wide-ranging speech that talked about the history of Costa in London as well as their challenges after Brexit, and how they’ve used intelligent technology in their business.

Excellent Customer Service 

Matt Watkinson, the author of The Ten Principles Behind Create Customer Experiences—an award-winning book—gave a lecture on how to create better customer memories and how to always end things on a “high.”

The Future of Film

Sir William Sargent, CEO and Founder of Framestone and a Cass Honorary Visiting Professor of Leadership, gave the final lecture. This lecture was interactive and gave students a glimpse behind some of Framstone’s biggest films, which includes the JK Rowling Harry Potter universe spinoff Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

In total, the London Symposium was a four-day event that ended on May 25th at the Royal Institution with discussions about branding, technology, the London Stock Exchange and more. To learn more, visit the website.

regions: London

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