In today's world where uncertainty has become the new normal, many companies fall into the trap of "tactical diligence paired with strategic laziness." Top-level designs may appear grand and ambitious, yet their execution on the ground is fraught with obstacles. Operations is no longer a back-office support function, it is the core battleground where the future of the enterprise is won or lost. Strategy is about "doing the right things"; operations is about "doing things right." The gap that bridges—or rather, fails to bridge—the two often constitutes the single largest hidden cost for any organisation.

At this open lecture hosted at the UoM China Centre, we will cut through conceptual fog and help you reconstruct your operational logic from a top-tier perspective. You will gain a closed-loop methodology that translates strategic blueprints into tangible performance outcomes. We will help you clarify business priorities, optimise resource allocation, move beyond costly trial-and-error, and build your own high-performance operational moat.

This course combines theoretical depth with practical orientation, making it an ideal fit for:

• Managers and entrepreneurs seeking to sharpen their strategic decision-making capabilities;
• Professionals currently bearing team-level or business-unit decision-making responsibilities;
• Prospective MBA candidates or individuals looking to strengthen their management credentials;
• Professionals with a keen interest in corporate operations and strategy formulation,

Event Details

Date & Time:19:00–21:00, Thursday, 10 September

Venue: UoM China Centre, L'Avenue, Shanghai

Format: In-person

Seats are limited. A confirmation email will be sent upon successful registration. To register, please scan the QR code on the event poster.

RSVP

About the Professor

Prof. Paul Taaffe

Paul Taaffe is the founder and lead consultant at Taaffe & Associates, a company that primarily offers advice, expertise, and specialist skills in leading transformation programmes in both public and private organisations. With vast practical experience gained from more than 30 years of working in the telecommunications sector, he can bring particular skills and experience to the examination of production and service systems to determine the major design choices necessary to generate superior operating efficiencies. Taaffe is also a Visiting Fellow and Tutor on the Global MBA. He designs and delivers Operations and Project Management MBA courses for several colleges and universities in Ireland, the United Kingdom and other centres around the world.

Agenda

18:30 - 19:00 Registration & Networking

19:00 - 19:10 Welcome Remarks

19:10 - 20:00 Masterclass

20:00 - 20:10 Q&A

20:10 - 20:30 Global MBA Information Session

20:30 - 21:00 Consultation & Networking

Highlights

• Experience an Authentic Manchester Business School Classroom:
Learn directly from a globally recognised strategy scholar and experience the distinctive teaching style of Manchester Global MBA.
• Connect with Senior Professionals:
Network with managers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from a wide range of industries across the Yangtze River Delta.
• Discover the Manchester Global Part-time MBA:
Gain first-hand insight into the programme's innovative curriculum, flexible learning format, and truly international learning experience.