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An MBA is perhaps an obvious choice for those looking to establish their own company. But how can it benefit those who feel they’ve already succeeded? Can it break us free from those common stagnating comfort zones that we fall into easily? Perhaps it can assist in uncovering hidden restraints that are unknowingly hindering further success? Plymouth Marjon Unveristy spoke to David Williams


(pictured), Director of Devon Chamber and founder of Redrok, about his experiences in business and how an MBA, which he is currently studying for at the Plymouth Marjon Univeristy, has so far improved his already thriving business. He said: “Anybody who starts to run a business


without having had any previous educational background, certainly via university, which I didn’t have, has used trial and error. And while there are a lot of benefits to that, there is equally the potential to make some huge mistakes. “What I gained from studying Human


Resources Management has helped me redesign what we do in our business, and within the first two years we’ve reshaped the climate within the business.” Although David felt that there were no key


issues as such prior to this, he knew there were certain questions that needed uncovering, “When I attended initially, I couldn’t see the problems. I didn’t know what my competitive advantage was, I didn’t know it was my staff, and I had no idea how I was going to take my business to the next level. What the MBA has done is to highlight certain areas I’d not considered previously.” How quickly was David able


to implement the MBA into his own business? He said: “Every single module has had some relation to my business and the work I do around it, which


NEWS FOR & FROM MEMBERS OF DEVON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE


Taking the next steps towards personal growth in business


meant I’ve been able to make plenty of incremental changes as the course progressed.” Of course, the MBA has impacted more than just David. His


staff have also benefitted immensely. “I did a ‘Leaderships of a Leaders’ course,” he said, “and through a leadership trait questionnaire my staff highlighted certain areas. However, certain aspects about myself emerged, and although some of these were not easy to change, I was able


‘It’s really important that


you don’t try to do your own finances if that’s not your skill’


to implement some modifications, allowing me to gain more balance. This has had a massive impact not only on the business, but my staff also. They’re more empowered now, taking on more commitments and challenges themselves.” When it comes to family and friends, David knows first-hand how running your own business can affect those around you. He said: “One of the toughest things in business is having a family, and they’ve certainly suffered through my work commitments. Take holidays for example; having the luxury of being able to take time off unfortunately isn’t going to be realistic, particularly in the early days. When people think about going into business, they need to consider these things.” David’s final words show just


how much of a positive effect an MBA can have to even the most established of businesses. “I’ve learned how to empower


my staff. And by trusting them and giving them the space and authority


to run things, it’s made everything so much stronger. And now I’m also able


to take some time off knowing that the business is continuing to grow.” You can study for an MBA at the Plymouth


Marjon University from £8,500, over two years part time or one year full time. The price is kept low in order to support and develop our regional business community.”


Support for life-saving service in Devon


Exeter-based waste management company Devon Contract Waste has donated £3500 to Devon Freewheelers, a life-saving charity providing voluntary out of hours transport for blood and medical supplies across Devon. The donation could provide


enough fuel to cover 49,000 miles of life-saving journeys around Devon or 14 sets of replacement tyres to maintain the road safety of the motorcycle fleet; both essential contributions to the charity’s


running costs, which reach £150,000 per year. Simon Almond, Managing


Director at Devon Contract Waste, commented: “We are proud to support a number of local charities and help the Devon community. Devon Freewheelers provides an indispensable service to our local NHS that simply could not operate without donations and I’m delighted that our donation will help them to travel many crucial miles.”


Devon Freewheelers Trustee Dave Cook and Simon Almond, Managing Director at Devon Contract Waste


May/June 2017 Chamber Profile 5


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