Inspiring professors Jamie MacAlister in Uganda

The latest installment of our Inspiring Professors Series focuses on Jamie MacAlister, Professor of Global Strategy on the Hult Undergraduate program and Executive Coach for the MBA, EMBA, and Executive Education programs. Jamie, who has an MA from Cambridge University, an MBA from Wharton, and extensive experience with major companies including PwC and PG, is passionate about facilitating economic growth in Uganda. His approach is two-fold: he is striving to improve both local commerce and education within the region. This year, Jamie will be taking time out from teaching at Hult, and travelling with his wife, Jenny, to help set up a radical new business school with a focus on practical education in Kampala, as well as continuing to strengthen ties for his various trade endeavors. Facilitating world-class education in Uganda Jamie first traveled to Uganda on a charitable mission over ten years ago, when he provided business coaching to local entrepreneurs. And his interest in the region has steadily evolved since then. His hometown church has helped to build and support a school in the Katwe slums of Kampala, made famous recently by the Disney film, Queen of Katwe. Jamie facilitating an Executive Leadership program for local managers in Kampala, Uganda Now, with a vision for establishing world-class business education opportunities in Kampala, Jamie has teamed up with The Clarke Group to improve the quality of business education available. The Clarke Group have already established the International Health Sciences University (IHSU) in the region, and are turning their attention to business education. By providing good quality, practical business education, Jamie hopes the local population will harness this expertise and bring an increase in profitable trade to the region.   In turn, his goal is that the school will eventually attract students from across the Sub-Saharan African region and ultimately the developed world. All this will contribute to transforming the Ugandan economy and making an impact internationally. Jamie is a firm believer in the power of business to bring about positive social change:   Ã¢â‚¬Å"Business is increasingly global in nature. In my view, some of the biggest issues in the world today—poverty, sickness, scarce resources—can be solved through business and an enterprising mind-set.† This is something he considers in detail in his recently published book Risky Strategy. [Tweet Is business destined to be part of the problem, or part of the solution?] Views of Central Kampala from the new school building in the Katwe slum Enabling self-sufficiency— the only viable long-term solution Jamie’s connections with Trade not Aid underline his belief that Uganda would benefit from less dependence on aid and more self-sufficiency in terms of trade and income. This highly fertile and oil-rich region has massive untapped potential, he says, but the skills and capabilities of leveraging it are currently lacking. Interestingly the region has demonstrated the ability to lead global innovation and leapfrog technology in Mobile Banking. East Africa is a world leader in Mobile Money because most people don’t have bank accounts but they do have cell phones. He says that this, combined with the significant health needs of the region, are leading to other opportunities for East Africa to leapfrog the developed world in areas like Mobile Health. [Tweet Mobile diagnosis apps are being developed to enable medical diagnosis based on breath composition.] â€Å"The need for low cost solutions is that much greater here. Big names like Microsoft are investing in the region with an interest in addressing global diseases such as  malaria.† By bringing world-class education to Uganda, Jamie hopes to help equip the local population with the ability to bring success to their own communities. Jamie with a cohort in the Health Technology Business class at IHSU, Kampala Leveraging endemic resources Most recently, another opportunity has landed on Jamie’s entrepreneurial radar: the rich resource of Sub-Saharan health-based agricultural products. Jamie’s interest was piqued when he heard about tree planting initiative Our trees, our future. This organization has already planted over 1 million seedlings in villages around Uganda to help local communities increase their income from fruit. After hearing about this, Jamie and a colleague turned their attention to an undiscovered local health product called Moringa. Jamie describes Moringa as the most nutritious plant on the planet, growing in a few (hot) countries around the world, with the biggest producer currently being India. It is reputed to have positive benefits for diabetes, asthma, and possibly even cancer, and is currently the subject of a number of clinical trials worldwide. Working the tree farm at Jinja, Uganda, on the Our Trees, Our Future project Jamie agreed to help find an overseas market for Moringa. This led him to form a partnership with Aduna—the leading marketer of Moringa in the UK and largest supplier to health food giant Holland Barrett. They also re-export their products to 18 other countries in  Europe, the Middle East, and Far East—remarkable given the relatively small size of the company. Aduna’s vision is to create demand for health plants from the African Sub-Saharan region. And this is the essence of the â€Å"Trade not Aid† idea, explains Jamie—any aid money should be spent on creating demand, rather than growing products that end up getting abandoned because nobody wants to buy them: â€Å"I see an opportunity to connect Aduna with Moringa suppliers in Uganda and create investment in local processing as well as growing.â€Å" Nick Salter—one of the founders of Aduna—was recently one of Jamie’s guest speakers at Hult in his Global Strategy class. He is also passionate in his belief in ‘fair trade not aid’ as the solution. He notes that a lot of aid to agricultural projects fails to deliver sustainable benefits to the targeted economies because it fails to generate demand for the produce. And because they are project-based (ie time-limited), when the money runs out,  the development unwinds – e.g., trees are felled or abandoned. Much better, he argues, for aid to be directed at creating demand in developed economies for these products. This is what Aduna spend significant amounts of their investors’ money on. And they are seeing significant social impact as a result. Hult Global Strategy Aduna Nick Salter, Founder of Aduna, presents to Jamies Global Strategy class So—Is business destined to be part of the problem, or part of the solution? Jamie explains that this question is at the heart of his research into modern slavery, undertaken as part of a team on behalf of Hult, in partnership with the Ethical Trading Initiative. Participating companies included Asda, BA, Coca Cola, Jown Lewis Partnership, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, The White Company, SABMiller, Co-Op, and many others. 77% of the companies surveyed believed that modern slavery could be happening somewhere in their supply chain, due to the chains being so complex. This is a global issue involving NGOs, businesses and Trade Unions. How can businesses go from being a cause of this problem to becoming the solution? Taking Moringa production as an example, Jamie believes that by being more creative at both ends of the supply chain, grave exploitation can be mitigated. For example, enabling the suppliers not just to pick the fruit but to process and package it too, creating more value, more jobs, and fairer rewards for the supplier. Jamie stops off at Bookworld, in the Dubai Mall, en route to Uganda for a book signing Realizing Uganda’s value Jamie sees Uganda as a central and extreme case of untapped potential in Sub-Saharan Africa.   He quotes Winston Churchill, who saw Uganda’s potential over 100 years ago, when he famously referred to the country as â€Å"The Pearl of Africa†Ã¢â‚¬â€a pearl of great price, which in the last hundred years has somehow managed to elude realizing that value. â€Å"Since I first started visiting Uganda over ten years ago,† Jamie says, â€Å"I have been mulling over the idea of an ‘exchange of riches.’ Rather than this western idea that Africa needs ‘rescuing’ mostly with aid I see countries like Uganda have something special to offer the rest of the world. We bring our riches in terms of expertise to help release that. Jenny and I draw from a phrase once spoken about a biblical princess called Esther: ‘For such a time as this’—we feel our skills and experience can be useful to release something powerful!† We wish Jamie and Jenny all the best and look forward to catching up with them later in the year. And, of course, to having Jamie back in the classroom next September to share his learnings and experiences! Find out more Learn more about Jamie’s recent book, Risky Strategy Take an online assessment and discover your risk taker profile at Blonay, Jamie’s company website Visit Jamie’s blog Find out more about Hult’s Research on Modern Slavery in partnership with the Ethical Trading Initiative Download a copy of the Research Report into Modern Slavery Mel Cloney is a staff blogger working in London, and is passionate about the Hult journey. Her writing focuses on faculty, academics, and student and alumni experiences. She’s a food, scuba, and running junkie with a penchant for all things French. Make the most of what your career has to offer with a Masters in International Business from Hult. To learn more, take a look at our blog Meet the Hult alum set to transform the service industry across South America, or give your employability a huge boost with an MBA in international business. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to explore everything about the business world, the future, and yourself. Mel Cloney Mel is a staff blogger working in London, and is passionate about the Hult journey. Her writing focuses on faculty, academics, and student and alumni experiences. She’s a food, scuba, and running junkie with a penchant for all things French. Related posts News Building success: Dual Degree students win at USASBE Community How going beyond business at Hult helped me launch my company Admissions Accepted Students Weekend: A weekend to remember Careers Career mapping: How to become an executive in the next 5 years 0 Thought leadership How to prepare for an uncertain future in a world of AI News Is mail a dying form for businesses and marketing? Instagram Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .