Surrey business borrows University expertise

10/12/07

Surrey business borrows University expertise

A Surrey-based management development and training business has been tapping into the academic expertise of Kingston University’s Faculty of Business and Law. Cherith Simmons Management (CSM) in Addlestone turned to the University for support after deciding it needed to improve its staff scheduling and course management systems.
Under a government-sponsored Knowledge Transfer Partnership, the University’s Enterprise Exchange paired CSM with Dr Walter Skok, a specialist in IT consultancy, together with Brad Hong, a graduate in ecommerce, in a project to improve the company’s performance.

Hong was based at the company from the beginning of last year, setting up two software systems for staff and course management, and teaching company staff to use them.
CSM director Peter Waddell said the project has made a marked difference to the service they offer their clients.
“The new software systems have transformed our company,” he said.
“Our courses can now be scheduled faster, more easily and more accurately.”

Project supervisor Dr Walter Skok said the partnership helped develop the graduate associate’s skills at the same time as assisting the company.
“I’m pleased it allowed us to reach out to a local business and help improve their productivity,” he said.
The project is one of a number of such initiatives Dr Skok is working on, including some in the charity sector and others with local schools.