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Chris Schroeder (MBA 2006)
Winning the race with Blue Runner Solutions
After returning to the UK following a short stint living in the USA I was at a crossroads professionally, and urgently seeking inspiration for a change of career. Until then I had been working in education – first as an educator and later in business development and fund raising. So my experience up to that point had been heavily in the educational sector and a jump into the business world was a big change of direction.
At the same time, I have always tried to jump in with both feet, and, once I have set my mind to something that I’m passionate about, I proceed with my usual enthusiasm and commitment. However, I felt that I lacked the confidence and knowledge to handle myself competently and confidently within the business world. I recognized that I needed an edge— to further my education—and Cass Business School provided the answers. After meeting the people at Cass and getting a sense of the program, I promptly enrolled in their full time MBA program.
What a great decision it turned out to be! Cass supplied the environment which enabled me to pause and take the time I needed to analyse myself both personally and professionally within a supportive atmosphere of classmates, lecturers and staff—all of whom were very committed to helping each other reach their educational and professional goals. Even though the coursework was rigorous and demanding at times, it was equally rewarding.
My MBA program provided not only relevant knowledge and up-to-date information as well as international immersions; it supplied me with the confidence for which I was searching. This confidence and knowledge allowed me to start my own business, and after nearly seven years on I haven’t looked back (or had the time too!)
It was during my time at Cass that I began to formulate ideas regarding how to start my own business. And after graduation I successfully launched what was then my graduate thesis and project: BlueRunner Solutions; a technology-based company that provides its customers with business-improvement solutions by utilising state-of-the-art technology and providing cashless functionality.
I have since discovered that market forces have rapidly transformed our products into something new and improved, and will likely continue to do so. As is often the case, when one is passionate about a specific enterprise and ’in the game’, one finds that one’s original ideas and products are constantly changing, and that original elements of the business-focus become transformed and improved through the demands of customers and their constantly evolving business requirements. My seven years of experience with BlueRunner Solutions and my MBA from Cass have helped me meet the challenges that are presented by the demanding and ever-changing forces of the market.
After launching our cashless solution we subsequently commercialised it for the high-street customer where, as one of our offerings, we deliver an integrated, prepaid loyalty and gift card application. Indeed, as in a similar fashion to when I was at Cass, my initial ideas and competencies regarding BlueRunner Solutions have also evolved.
As mentioned, our customers are quite often the ones who are so helpful in driving the evolution of our products. It is their requests for new modules and add-ons, and their demands for software enhancements that have allowed us to create flexible, adaptable and relevant products that are suitable for specific sectors. Moreover, as loyalty and customer-relationship products have evolved online, BlueRunner Solutions has reacted to this evolution by providing solutions that are focused less on the ‘plastic in a customer’s wallet’ and more on the importance of the customers experience and interaction with the brand.
As a result of the dynamics of the market and customer requests, BlueRunner Solutions now offers not only customer loyalty solutions but a complete end-to-end point of sales suite including biometric time and attendance modules, stock/inventory control, and a fully integrated prepaid and loyalty voucher platform that is both card present and virtual (on-line).
In addition to the loyalty and point of sale space, we also provide a number of business process improvement modules such as a web based online ordering systems (hospitality and room-booking), intranet solutions and management-information dashboard software. Our products are live in high street coffee chains and restaurants, retail outlets, contract catering services, University’s and Independent Schools, estate agents as well as contract services companies supplying the TfL.
BlueRunner Solutions currently provides business solutions for companies in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. Much of our traction to date has been via existing customers and word of mouth and much of this is attributed to the skills and expertise I learned while I was at Cass.
Looking back, I am grateful to Cass for supplying the underlying knowledge and skills necessary to launch BlueRunner Solutions and providing the supportive environment to continue to grow and learn in the business world.
Chris Schroeder FT MBA 2006
BlueRunner Solutions
www.bluerunnersolutions.com
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