Increasing capacity and growing networks

Some weeks, running a small business feels like spinning plates in a wind tunnel. This academic year? Well, there have been moments where we’ve had to apply some of our own advice and create space to consider what’s next, to move forward with greater clarity.

Because right now, higher education is being redefined.

Student expectations. Global markets. Portfolio strategy. Resourcing.

All moving parts of a complex, shifting puzzle. And with that puzzle comes a redefinition of how our clients want us to support them.

This week, I’m reminded exactly why I started Hardcastle & Associates: the partnerships behind the varied projects, the conversations that often start "Can you help with...?", the trust built over long relationships, and the shared experience to find creative solutions quickly.

This week, across multiple campuses, six of us are working alongside returning clients to deliver:

 • an international development workshop

 • a programme development & rankings workshop

 • negotiation skills training for MBA students

 • marketing & recruitment support for EMBA and MBA programmes

In parallel we’re working with a new client: who brings fresh perspectives and will benefit from that same collaborative, long-term approach. Desk research will be defined, interviews are being lined up and a new brand and reputation project is taking shape.

Additionally, we are researching new Sharing the Experience reports: exploring specialist topic and student advisory boards and with the Graduate Business Curriculum Roundtable, some innovation-focused case examples.

And regardless of institution or context, the same questions keep coming up, including:

 • How can leaders navigate complexity and still create space to innovate?

 • How do schools articulate their value more clearly?

 • What should effective international strategy look like?

 • How is it best to encourage programme innovation?

 • And how do we prepare students for roles that don’t yet fully exist?

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be exploring some of these themes through:

• Chairing a mock accreditation visit

• Coaching an MBA cohort for future careers

• Discussing collaborative leadership with Deans & Directors

• Attending a Learning & Teaching Conference

• Delivering a webinar on Graduate Programme Growth and International Development

Often there are no neat answers. What’s truly energising is working with leaders who are leaning into the changes, creating space to think these questions through: staying curious, testing, refining, and pushing innovation forward to shape responses that fit each school’s individual circumstances.

And importantly, we’ve added some more experienced team members as we continue to increase our capacity and grow our networks.

If you’d like to compare notes on where things are heading or talk through a challenge you’re facing, feel free to get in touch.