Applied Enterprise: from Mission Impossible to Art of the Possible?

Enterprise in the academic environment has grown in significance: from an agenda pursued by ‘mavericks’, it is now recognised as core to student employability, research impact, alternative income and mutually beneficial community relationships. But ‘enterprise’ remains misunderstood, with acceptance let alone embedding in academic practice, hearts and minds continuing to see it regarded by some as ‘Mission Impossible’.

Drawing on a commercial career with companies such as Liberty of London and Virgin, and academic roles including MBA Director and Associate Dean, Professor Nicolette Michels reflects on the missions she ‘chose to accept’ and how these shed light on ‘The Art of the Possible’.

Possibly a sign of being a bit entrepreneurial, Nicolette’s love of being on the water has taken her to the canyons of the Spanish Pyrenees, on BT Global Challenge Yachts in the Norwegian Sea and Caribbean Islands, tall ships off the Swedish West Coast, and flotilla sailing around the UK and Mediterranean. Although she is a Qualified Yacht Master, nowadays she’s more likely to be found ‘Explore Rowing’, whether on the iconic waterways of the Thames from Lechlade to Kew, the beautiful Lakes of the Highlands or the wide and long stretches of the Norfolk Broads.