My guest lecture for Robogals SINE 2017 at the Imperial College London. The remit of the talk is to inform STEM volunteers on how to engage STEM businesses into their initiative and create win-win solution.

1. Partnerships -
brief
Kelvin Lam
President of Robogals Bristol
11th February 2017
EMEA SINE - Imperial College London

2. Components
• Aims & objectives
• Business Plan (purpose, structure)
• Meeting / networking
• Sponsorship package
• Review

3. Initiating a partnership – get talking

4. Sustainability -
How to engage
businesses to
STEM education?
Kelvin Lam
President of Robogals Bristol
11th February 2017
EMEA SINE - Imperial College London

5. [Background]
A brief motivation: what
happened?
[What has been done?]
How to mitigate
commercial hurdles?
[Future trend]
Projected difficulties for
Robogals

6. [Background]
A brief motivation: what
happened?
[What has been done?]
How to mitigate
commercial hurdles?
[Future trend]
Projected difficulties for
Robogals

8. ?

9. Traditional sponsorships
Robogals
chapter
Business
proposal sent
to firms
Money given
to Robogals
chapter
Package
negotiated

10. “Battle of e-mail”

11. Traditional sponsorships
Robogals
chapter
Business
proposal sent
to firms
Money given
to Robogals
chapter
Package
negotiated

12. Result of “Battle of e-mail”
Robogals
chapter
Business
proposal sent
to firms
Money (just
enough to cover
cost) given to
Robogals
chapter
Package
negotiated
Benefits &
effects to
the firm?
How do I
monitor the
progress?

13. [Background]
A brief motivation: what
happened?
[What has been done?]
How to mitigate
commercial hurdles?
[Future trend]
Projected difficulties for
Robogals

14. Collaborations (1)
“… to work jointly with others or together in a
common business purpose.”
Layman:
“Organise some events with a firm.”
a luring strategy that attracts firms to work
with you.
Gain their confidence with you = you know
them a bit more

15. Collaborations (2)
“… to work jointly with others or together in
a common business purpose.”
Who should I work with?

16. Collaborations (2)
“… to work jointly with others or together in
a common business purpose.”
Who should I work with?
Graduate Engineers
Visitor Centre / Brand
Ambassadors
“Talent Acquisition
Manager”

17. Collaborations (3)
Types of collaboration:
[1] – Joint STEM Workshop
(Increases their CSR)
[2] – Technical lectures / project
(Direct advertisement of their
graduate scheme)
[3] – Schools visit / public lecture
event
(Improves their brand image)
[4] - … any gaps you identified
(custom fit to the targeted business:
used in continued collaboration)

18. Q:
“What should we expect in a business
collaboration?”
Answer:
FAQ

19. Collaborations (4)
Measuring a collaboration (Preparation: 1/2)
Motivation – win their consensus
Awareness - identify their want and need,
deduce appropriately how to meet their
demand
Participation – striking a mutually beneficial
deal

20. Collaborations (4)
Measuring a collaboration (Execution 2/2)
Mediation – conflict of interest, different modes
of working
Reciprocity – as much they expect something
from you, you need to expect their input
equally
Engagement – enjoy and make the best out of
it!
Reflection - de-briefing, identify rooms of
improvement and plan your next collaboration

21. Q:
“How can we get the
most out of a
business
collaboration?”
FAQ

22. Q:
“How can we get the
most out of a business
collaboration?”
Answer:
Networking!
Be friendly and
approachable.
Commercial awareness.
FAQ

23. Collaborations (5)
What businesses want…
• [1] – know more about you! - the work you
do, and how you match their CSR values
• [2] – less workload! - you fill in their gap
with robotics programming prowess

24. Collaborations (6)
Business etiquette:
• Conversational skill
• Exercise professionalism
• Proactive
• PUNCTUALITY and be prompt with e-
mails!

25. [Background]
A brief motivation: what
happened?
[What has been done?]
How to mitigate
commercial hurdles?
[Future trend]
Projected difficulties for
Robogals

26. Future hurdles
Competition with other groups
Cost reduction: lean method, cost
effectiveness
Strapped cash flow

27. Summary
 Collaboration: working jointly to achieve
commercial goals.
 Identify the business’ need
 Commercial awareness: networking,
professionalism

28. [Thank you]
- Question & Answer -