Crystal Room
Making Enterprise Sparkle with the University of Essex
Crystal room brochure
Essex is on the cusp of change. Its entrepreneurial character now finds a
boost through major changes in its economy and in its social fabric. The Thames
Gateway economic regeneration programme and associated developments are
harbingers of a new way of life, new forms of thinking, and new links with the
world outside.
The presence of the University of Essex in Southend, with the Essex Business
School Entrepreneurship and Innovation branch, is at the forefront of this dynamic scenario of
change. In keeping with the spirit of interesting times, the University and
Essex Business School welcome you to its multi-faceted
'Crystal Room' to celebrate, share and work together to optimise the enormous
opportunities for creativity, enterprise, innovation, international links, and
learning.
Purpose
The 'Crystal Room' provides a platform for the establishment of various and
unique networks of key stakeholders who work with the School and who are
involved in the promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation in the region. The
primary focus is on ways in which the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group works with these stakeholders to
create a thriving and sustainable culture of entrepreneurship, creativity and
innovation, utilising its research, teaching, training, continuing professional
development and other resources. The Crystal Room adds value to the existing
range of networks and business platforms with its unique focus on stakeholders'
links with the University and Essex Business School.
Members of the 'Crystal Room' are specially invited people drawn from the wider business community institutional stakeholders (government
departments, agencies, private sector research and business support
organisations) university and partner institutions
Members interact with each other and the School and contribute to the
creation of a regional learning and entrepreneurial environment, making use of
University resources and its regional, national and international links.
The 'room' has several 'annexes' or 'corners' each addressing key and topical
features of enterprise, innovation and economic development. Typically, they
cover interests of corporate venturing, enterprising women,
internationalisation, social entrepreneurship, and student enterprise. This is
not an exhaustive list and other interest groups may be supported over time.
Members meet every two to three months to explore a subject of topical and
regional interest based on the interest groups. As appropriate, international
guests also attend these meetings, adding a global dimension to the proceedings
and the networking activities. The international network of people is drawn in
the main from the members of distinguished Enterprise Fellowship Scheme launched
by the School.
The 'Crystal Room' meetings
Since the main objective is to promote networking, each event has a social
dimension, and is organised around a dinner, which is hosted by Entrepreneurship
& Innovation Group. A keynote speaker addresses a suitable topic on matters
concerning the promotion of entrepreneurship and members discuss the issues
raised by the talk and consider action points for their own work or for
collective endeavour. They are also encouraged to work closely with the School
where it is appropriate to do so. Discussions cover ideas, thoughts and feelings
generated by both the spoken word and/or entertainment. In the following pages
we present details of our initial forays at adding some sparkle to enterprise in
Essex. For more information about the Crystal Room and its networks please
contact Sujun Fieldhouse by telephone on
+44 (0) 1702 32(8389) or by e-mail on: zhangs; non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk
to create a full email address.