Black Achievers Awards

As part of its community engagement, the library was enthusiastic about setting two real-life business challenges, allowing two teams of MSc business students to work on research-led challenges of strategic importance to the organisation. Not only did the projects give these NBS students a chance to explore the way organisations strive to strengthen financial sustainability and expand service offerings, it also gave the students a chance to propose some fresh ideas to their project client.

Specifically, the Library’s management team challenged the students to consider ways it might increase room hire bookings, particularly among corporate clients, and explore new streams of revenue that could both support the library's operations and enhance its community offerings.

The second team of postgraduate students was tasked with exploring long-term strategies for financial sustainability. Their approach involved conducting a detailed SWOT analysis to understand the library’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, as well as benchmarking Nottingham Central Library against other innovative libraries across the UK and internationally. The aim was to identify creative ways to diversify the library's revenue streams while maintaining its public service ethos.

The students proposed several strategies aimed at increasing revenue without compromising the library’s mission. They recommended using the library’s existing spaces to host events, workshops, and exhibitions that could attract new visitors and generate additional income. They also highlighted the potential for forming strategic partnerships with local businesses and cultural institutions, creating collaborative projects that could bring mutual benefits to all parties involved.

While some of the recommendations were exploratory, the management team found the ideas insightful and relevant to the library’s broader strategic planning. The suggestion to form partnerships with local businesses and cultural institutions, in particular, sparked discussions about new possibilities for collaboration that had not been previously considered. Although not all suggestions were immediately actionable, the students’ work provided a valuable foundation for the library to build upon as it looked toward the future.

Mary Dansie noted the impact of the students’ strategic work, saying, “The students’ work gave us some interesting ideas to consider, especially around partnerships and collaboration. It’s given us new avenues to explore as we think about our long-term goals.”

Nottingham Central Library was impressed with the outcomes of both consultancy projects. Although the initiatives were student-led, the research and fresh perspectives provided by the teams offered significant value. The library acknowledged that while these were not professional consultancy projects, the students demonstrated a high level of professionalism and delivered thoughtful, innovative suggestions that complemented the library’s internal strategies.

In addition to benefiting from the students' contributions, the library management expressed interest in continuing such collaborations in the future, seeing the potential for future student consultancy projects to bring new energy and ideas into the organisation. The feedback from the library confirmed that the collaboration had been a win-win situation, providing the students with a real-world opportunity to apply their academic knowledge while delivering actionable insights to the library.

The academic supervisor for one of the teams, Senior Lecturer Anh Luong, praised the experience for both the students and the library, saying, “The consultancy project with Nottingham Central Library provided our students with an invaluable opportunity to apply various transferable skills in a professional setting. Despite having no prior experience in the public service sector, our students demonstrated their ability to conduct research and collaborate effectively within a diverse team throughout the project. This experience not only enhanced their practical knowledge in business and project management but also prepared them for future professional challenges.”

Student Reflections

One of the students involved in the strategic management project, Thu Trang Vu, reflected on the transformative nature of her experience working with Nottingham Central Library. She had chosen to carry out a Consultancy Experience Project as the final module of her master’s degree because of its unique focus on real-world consulting challenges. From the outset, she was drawn to the hands-on nature of the module, which allowed her to apply her theoretical knowledge in a practical setting.

Although the project brief initially seemed manageable, Thu Trang found that working within a diverse team presented unexpected challenges. With members from different academic backgrounds and nationalities, effective communication became a crucial skill. Despite the difficulties, she found the experience invaluable, not only in terms of gaining insights into how public service organisations operate but also in developing key teamwork and leadership skills.

The project also broadened her understanding of financial management and operational strategies in a sector she had not previously considered. Thu Trang emphasised that the knowledge she gained from this project would be highly relevant to her future career, particularly as she aspires to work in multinational corporations and take on executive management roles.

In reflecting on the value of the Consultancy Experience Project, she commented, “This module provided me with valuable hands-on experience collaborating with international teams and engaging with real clients. It has enhanced my CV and prepared me for future career challenges, particularly in the context of working with diverse, global organisations.”