Eureka! Innovation Challenge Event 2013

 

The wait is nearly over!

We asked you to send in your ideas or vision for an innovative new concept or design which will enhance the customer experience within The University of Manchester Library.

You responded in your hundreds and now the shortlisting is complete, invitations have been sent to our eight finalists and we’re counting down to Eureka! The Final!

Ortis Deley, best known as a presenter of The Gadget Show, will present the finalists to an impressive panel of judges on Thursday, 2 May in the Kanaris Lecture Theatre. Following an afternoon of pitches and presentations, a winner will be selected.

“We’ve had so many great ideas and we’ve been absolutely delighted by the quality, range, and diversity of entries”, said Nick Campbell, Eureka! organiser.

“Shortlisting has been tough but it’s now up to the judges to decide which one’s the winner!”

Meanwhile, proving that good ideas can be as  simple as they are innovative, some non-winning suggestions will also be taken up by the Library and put in place soon.

As Nick says, “As a leading university we’re always seeking improvements. Thankfully, we have some of the world’s leading students with great ideas too!”

Come and see the presentations and judging for yourself.

Book your FREE ticket now:

http://eurekathefinal.eventbrite.com/

Manchester Business School theses

The thesis collection at the Eddie Davies Library has copies of the Manchester Business School PhD and DBA theses.

These are available for reference only (no borrowing)

Recent theses are available online through University of Manchester eScholar.

Recent addition:

Tasavori, M (2011) Corporate Social Entrepreneurship at the Bottom of the Economic Pyramid: Antecedents and Outcomes in India. (PhD) University of Manchester, Manchester Business School. Available at www.manchester.ac.uk/escholar/uk-ac-man-scw:155842  (Accessed 19 Jul 2012).

FAQ answer updated to mention University of Manchester eScholar access:

• Where can I find MBS theses?

Previous related posts:

• Theses and Sources of Information (Mar 2011)
• MBS theses (Jun 2010)

Freedonia : The Market Report Collection

The University of Manchester Library is pleased to announce that we’ve obtained access, via a new agreement, to the “Freedonia Market Report Collection”.  

The Freedonia Group is a leading international business research company, founded in 1985, that publishes more than 100 industry research studies annually. Their industry analysis provides an unbiased outlook and a reliable assessment of a range of sectors and includes product and market forecasts, industry trends, threats and opportunities, competitive strategies, market share determinations and company profiles.

 More than 90% of the industrial companies in the Fortune 500 use Freedonia research to help with their strategic planning. Each 18 – 25 page report provides insight to and analysis of over 700 business and industry topics. 

We asked you to complete our Freedonia survey and take a look at the database to let us know your view of this innovative and fresh Market Research tool.  Thanks again to all who took part.

Findings demonstrated that 70% of respondents stated that “Freedonia” provided them with the key material/additional data and functionality necessary to their studies/research or teaching.

Every month Freedonia updates or publishes twenty or more reports and makes them available through their database portal.  They can be viewed at any time by selecting “Recently Published” from the navigation menu. You can refine your search by industry, country or region or use the free text option to locate the Focus report you require.You can also select and view reports using a variety of selection criteria using the advanced search function which can be accessed from any page. Access to Freedonia requires no username for off-campus access, however you’ll need to install our VPN software.

We’ll be promoting this new addition to our database stable throughout the summer and would welcome your feedback and input.

Welcome to the world of Freedonia.

New Emerald app – Journal Articles on the Go!

As part of our commitment to supporting you with all your research needs, over the last few months we’ve been recommending some useful business apps for you to download to your tablet devices, some of which are for accessing our databases and some which are for useful external sources.

The launch of Emerald’s first app provides a feature-rich interface with which to find, read and save Emerald academic journal content if you’re on the go.

Showcasing a clean and easy to use design, the app makes searching and browsing for journal content an intuitive and time saving experience. As Emerald subscribers, our customers need simply download the app for their own device and use the search and browse options to start finding content immediately.

You can also tap the “My Profile” box and login to your free profile. If you don’t yet have a profile, you can quickly sign up on the Emerald web-site and unlock the extra functionality, the app allows you to:

• Find what you need, when you need it: Search and browse Emerald’s extensive online content library of almost 100,000 journal articles.
• Personalise your experience: Use your Emerald profile to manage your marked lists and saved searches.
• Spread the word: Email links to your friends/colleagues and share content via the built-in Facebook and Twitter functionality.
• Enhance your knowledge: Read full-text content through the integrated browser. Most content is available in easy to read PDF format too.
• The Emerald app is optimized for the iPad and compatible with iPhone and iPad touch. It requires iOS 3.0 or later and is available free of charge from your app provider.

Remember if you’re using an iPad make certain to add the MBS Library Service  page to your Home Screen for easy access to all the Resources we have to offer you for your research. Simply open our page then tap the arrow in a box symbol next to the top URL line and then select “Add to Home Screen”. You can even edit the name of the Web Icon, after you’ve done this – tap the “Add” button.

Essential Research Apps: GoodReader

Despite its modest name, GoodReader is a stunning execution of a simple idea — one app that can import and view any media in any format, from basic .txt files to entire books and even movies. But this robust and versatile app lets you do more than just read.

As an example let’s say someone posts a huge report on Google Docs for you to review. The app allows you to import it, then use GoodReader’s sterling annotation function to mark it up with all kinds of notes and comments.

When you’re done, save it, mark it as read, and send it right back to Google Docs, Dropbox, or an FTP server, or via any other file-sharing method. An autosync function lets you standardise the document in both locations so no one gets confused about which version to use.

Full-screen viewing on the iPad means no more squinting or zooming problems, and even spread layouts are easily navigated with an intuitive horizontal swipe. (If you want to zoom, though, you certainly can.) A tabbed view, with functions on the right-hand side, provides about the simplest navigation ever seen.

GoodReader isn’t free, but its incredible compatibility and flexibility means it can replace many other apps on your tablet. It’s quite simply one of the most useful services out there.

Give this app a try and watch how it transforms the way you are able to record data, whether you’re in a meeting, on the move or at home.

To access simply download the app from your App provider.

 

Remember if you’re using an iPad make certain to add the MBS Library Service  page to your Home Screen for easy access to all the Resources we have to offer you for your research. Simply open our page then tap the arrow in a box symbol next to the top URL line and then select “Add to Home Screen”. You can even edit the name of the Web Icon, after you’ve done this – tap the “Add” button.

John Adair’s 100 Greatest Business Ideas

New to our collection are “John Adair’s 100 Greatest Ideas”, a series of titles from the noted business expert. Focused on concise, practical, and straightforward business wisdom, this series offers the kind of real-world insight that business leaders thrive on.

Short, punchy, and packed with real solutions, these books provide 100 proven and effective ideas for business people in need of fresh ideas, whether they work for a small firm or an Industry giant.

Having original ideas in business has never been a greater challenge. Time is stretched, staff can be highly motivated but can be highly demanding too and business is competitive. John Adair’s 100 Greatest Ideas series will help you find the answers and inspiration you need. The books provide accessible advice and practical exercises from one of the worlds best-known and most sought after authorities on leadership and management – advice you can put into practice immediately.

Available via MBS Library Service these books are quick bites of business wisdom for everyday business success:

Smart Decision Making

John Adair’s 100 Greatest Ideas for Smart Decision Making is a one-stop shop of practical advice and tips on problem solving and productive thinking from one of the best-known and most sought after authorities on leadership and management. Inside you will find: “11 Greatest Ideas for Practical Wisdom” “8 Greatest Ideas for Problem Solving Strategies” “13 Greatest Ideas for How Your Mind Works” “8 Greatest Ideas for Clear Thinking” “13 Greatest Ideas for Productive Thinking” and 47 other fantastic ideas, tips and tricks that will give you the confidence, answers, and inspiration you need to succeed.

Brilliant Communication

Everything You Need to Communicate Effectively in an Instant. John Adair’s 100 Greatest Ideas for Brilliant Communication is all you need to master the skills of speaking, listening, writing and reading. Inside you will find: “10 Greatest Ideas for Giving Presentations” “12 Greatest Ideas for Leading Effective Meetings” “5 Greatest Ideas for Delighting Your Customers” “24 Greatest Ideas for Effective Speaking” and the “9 Greatest Ideas for Clear Writing”.

Being a Brilliant Manager

Effective business people have fine tuned leadership and management ability backed up by exceptional decision making, communication and creative skills and the know how to implement it all successfully. This book puts a spotlight on the key areas required to be a Brilliant Manager

Effective Leadership

John Adair has worked with directors and senior managers as a consultant to a wide range of international organizations, including Shell, Exxon Chemicals, Mercedes–Benz and Unilever. He is currently an international management consultant advising a range of organizations spanning business, government, and the voluntary, education and health sectors. The author puts all his experience to use in this original yet satisfying read.

Click on the titles above for quick links to our Catalogue entries for each book.

Get to Know TED in 2012.

As part of our commitment to supporting you with all your research needs, over the last few months we’ve been recommending some useful business research apps for you to download to your mobile devices, some of which are for accessing our databases and some which are for useful external sources.

We thought we’d start 2012 by introducing you to TED. This app is a real favourite for discerning tablet users throughout the world. It brings a diverse range of interesting lectures from people that are at the top of their game together in one place and the subject matter is truly diverse.

The app allows you to stream a whole host of TED talks in video or audio format. Features include browse and share which brings up the latest TED Talks videos as soon as they’re published; and all this can be browsed in the TED library by theme, tag or rating.

There is also a playlist function called “Inspire Me”, which can build a tailored TED Talk list for you to listen to, just tell the app what kind of lecture you’re after and it’ll pluck out some likely candidates. All the lectures can be shared on Facebook, Twitter and by email.

There are two new additions to the app as well: a bookmarks tab enables listeners to save talks for later, whilst the TED radio brings a station full to the brim with TED Talk audio 24/7. Even better is that it will work when the app is closed down.

In practice the app works extremely well, with a clear and intuitive user-face combined with some great content. This app is a must for anyone interested in the world around them, and it’s free to download!

To access simply download the free app from your App provider.

Remember if you’re using an iPad make certain to add the MBS Library Service  page to your Home Screen for easy access to all the Resources we have to offer you for your research. Simply open our page then tap the arrow in a box symbol next to the top URL line and then select “Add to Home Screen”. You can even edit the name of the Web Icon, after you’ve done this – tap the “Add” button.

Access library resources online (e-resources)

The physical libraries are closed over the festive period (re-open 3rd Jan 2012). However, you can still access the e-resources.

E-books are available via the library catalogue. Screencast of e-book access -  http://screencast.com/t/JetUianN (e-book access off-campus)

E-journal articles are available from the journals databases in the usual way.

Other help for accessing e-resources off-campus:

• How do I access e-resources using VPN?
• Other posts tagged off-campus
• Examples in the  demo video library
• Details of accessing e-journals, e-books and databases (UoM)

 From all at the MBS library service.

Whether or not you will be using the online resources during the holiday period.

Economic Observer: Essential Country Comparisons

Euromonitor International has recently launched two new and innovative database additions to complement the award winning Passport GMID database.

The two databases are called Passport Industrial and the Economic Observer.

The University now has access to these additions via Passport GMID.

In this second feature we will highlight the Economic Observer addition.

 The Economic Observer dashboard provides up-to-date monthly and quarterly economic data across 55 countries and 42 macro-indicators allowing users to monitor anything from changing consumer confidence, short-term economic performance, trends and developments as well as fluctuating consumer prices and exchange rates all in real time.

Use Economic Observer to:

• Track changes in the business cycle as soon as they happen
• Feed into PEST analysis
• Identify trends affecting consumer behaviour
• Create your own forecasts from economic data
• Understand trade patterns
• Monitor changing interest rates
• Track changes in prices and Fluctuations in exchange rates
• Benchmark a company’s performance against overall economic growth
• Spot potential production bases

To access the site select E-Resources on the MBS Library page:

www.mbs.ac.uk/library

Opt for Databases and next Countries and Regions. To access the Economic Observer dashboard please go to the ECONOMY, FINANCE AND TRADE homepage within the main drop menu of COUNTRIES AND CONSUMERS. On the homepage you will find the Economic Observer dashboard on the right hand side which can be activated by clicking on LAUNCH.

 Please note there is a “?” icon at the top of the page which covers FAQs on how to use the system, the definitions, methodology and much more.

Economic Observer works well on your Tablet device too. Using Passport GMID via the MBS Library Service page enables access when on the move or when information is needed quickly for that all important research.

Remember to add the MBS Library Icon to your Tablet Home Screen, simply select the “arrow” option at the top of the screen next to your URL and opt for the “Add to Home Screen” option, then give your “app” a name and your task is complete.

A Detailed Resource Guide examining the key Features and Benefits of Passport GMID is available via our How to Research Guides page.

Emerald: Helping you find the Right Journal article for your Research

Emerald provides access to over 1500 full-text peer reviewed academic and scholarly Journals. The database covers a wide range of subject areas including:       

• Finance
• Accounting
• Economics
• Marketing
• Product Development
• Enterprise and Innovation

How can Emerald help me?

Emerald contains academic/theoretical articles for a number of key business and management journals.

Use Emerald to:

• Keep up to date with management developments/techniques/strategies
• Analyse marketing techniques/strategies
• Explore Company case examples and developments
• Substantiate theoretical models or debate

How can I access Emerald?

Emerald can be accessed via the “E-Resources” section of the MBS Library web-site. http://www.mbs.ac.uk/library

Select “Databases” then “Management Literature”

How should I search Emerald?

• Use “Quick Search” to search across all journals for a phrase or keyword
• Use “Advanced Search” to build a more accurate search strategy
• Use “Browse” to view details of subscribed journals either using A-Z or subject categories

Emerald is one of our key Business and Management Journal Databases available for you to access via the MBS Library page.

Resource guides outlining how to use Emerald as well as guides to all our other online resources are available from our “How to Research Guides” web-page.