Dr Oksana Koryak, Course Director, introduces the Management and Entrepreneurship MSc at Cranfield

In elite sport, a carefully managed goals strategy is very effective in enhancing performance– far superior to vague aspirations or no goals at all. Veronica Burke looks at how, by paying attention to what works, we can translate much of what we understand from sport into a business context.

Drs David Butcher and Martin Clarke investigate why what the board spells out as good governance practice and what motivates managerial behaviour is not necessarily the same thing.

Dr John Glen discusses the tournament, the impact on the Brazilian economy, the sponsorship, and finally gives his prediction of the winners.

One of the central aims of the legacy from the 2012 Olympics is to encourage the whole UK population to become more physically active and engage with sport. Dr Veronica Burke discusses the challenge and whether it will be achieved.

Omobola Johnson is exploring what Nigerian CEOs do to be successful in Nigeria and comparing this with the practices of ex-patriot leaders running multi-national companies in Nigeria.

Steve Macaulay interviews Andrew Kakabadse about his book The Elephant Hunters

Vivian Vella looks at how the film The King’s Speech was particularly interesting for the work of Lionel Logue, the speech therapist, who could be considered the first executive coach to King George V1th. The quality of the relationship is key: the coach creates a safe environment in which leaders can experience a trusting relationship where the only agenda is to support the learning of the Leader.

At its best, coaching is effective in helping individuals to develop a more effective and impactful communication style; manage challenging relationships more successfully; challenge existing beliefs to increase self-confidence and self-esteem and lead and manage transitions. We may not be a king with a speech impediment, but coaching can help us find our voice.

Executive team working can be a very difficult matter for managers to tackle. Catherine Bailey discusses what actually it is that makes top team working so problematic. She examines the zone of uncomfortable debate (ZOUD) and how you should get into this zone. She lists top tips to bring issues out in the open and deal with them in a way which makes the team work more effectively.

The collapse of Polly Peck 20 years ago has recently been in the headlines again. Ruth Bender discusses the important lessons relevant today.