LONDON, ON, May 22nd, 2014 – The Ivey Business School (Ivey) at Western University is honoured to be the recipient of a generous $1-million gift from London, Ontario based StarTech.com. The gift will be used to establish an exciting new partnership between Ivey and StarTech.com that will deliver education programs, consulting services, and customer insight tools for local business people.
“We are delighted to be working with StarTech.com President & CEO Paul Seed, who has proven to be a tremendous leader in London’s business community,” said Ivey’s Dean Bob Kennedy. “It is great to see a company so committed to improving the health of the overall economy and contributing resources to drive innovative business ideas for Southwestern Ontario.”
The donation has four integrated components:
1. A new executive education program for London and region business people called Understanding Your Customer designed to help participants gain deeper insight into their customers and how to use the knowledge to act strategically and tactically. The inaugural program will be held in the spring of 2015;
2. A Customer Insights and Economic Leadership Group facilitated by Ivey faculty will provide a platform for local businesses and associations to network, discuss, and share best practices;
3. The StarTech.com Professorship in Customer Insights, will oversee the Customer Insights and Economic Leadership Group; drive a customer-insights research agenda at Ivey; and, assist firms in accessing free consulting services through Ivey Consulting Projects; and
4. Lastly, the gift will also help local Not-for-Profits participate in bi-annual forums to develop business skills, gain organizational insights and provide networking opportunities.
“I’m committed to the London region and want many more businesses to thrive here, too. For me, the first step to success is getting to know your customers extremely well and understanding how to best fulfill their needs,” said Seed. “I have also been fortunate to participate in some of Ivey’s innovative executive education programs. I apply what I learned on a daily basis. I want all London area businesses to have the same advantage to grow, to succeed and be on the cutting-edge when it comes to meeting customer needs.”
Assistant Professor in Marketing Miranda Goode will serve as the inaugural holder of the StarTech.com Professorship in Customer Insights. Goode is currently the Faculty Director of Ivey’s Behavioural Research Lab. Unique to the region, it provides Ivey faculty with access to resources that support high-quality, high-impact consumer and behavioral research.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to dig deeper into how consumers behave and to give businesses the insight they need to create greater value for their customers,” said Goode. “Companies like StarTech.com, who thrive on customer knowledge and service, are superb leaders by example.”
Media Contact
Ivan Langrish
Senior Manager, Media Strategy
Ivey Business School
416-203-0664
ilangrish@ivey.ca
Andrew Stephen
Global Manager, Brand & Customer Insights
StarTech.com
519-455-9675 ext. 1248
andrew.stephen@startech.com
About the Ivey Business School, Western University
The Ivey Business School (www.ivey.ca) at Western University is Canada’s leading provider of relevant, innovative and comprehensive business education. Drawing on extensive research and business experience, Ivey faculty provide the best classroom experience, equipping graduates with the skills and capabilities they need to tackle the leadership challenges in today’s complex business world. Ivey offers world-renowned undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as Executive Development at campuses in London (Ontario), Toronto and Hong Kong.
About StarTech.com
StarTech.com is an ISO 9001:2000 registered manufacturer of hard-to find connectivity parts including audio-video connectivity, hard drive accessories, cables, add-on cards, server management and networking IO. Founded in 1985, StarTech.com has operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, The United Kingdom, Europe and Taiwan, servicing a worldwide market.
