Bachelor of Commerce (Digital Marketing) - Postsecondary ...

A couple of Stakeholders have suggested that London could potentially be positioned as the business
school centre of Southwestern Ontario, with the addition of an alternate business degree offering at
Fanshawe College.
Being located in the same city as the University of Western Ontario’s Richard Ivey School of Business
was also noted as a possible benefit to Fanshawe College’s proposed business degree programs. With a
range of business degree options between Western and Fanshawe, London could conceivably be
marketed as the business school centre, similar to Waterloo’s reputation as a “technology city”. A few
commented that this strategic vision would help to offset the decline of London’s manufacturing
economy.
“In London, we have Ivey which focuses on the MBA and they don’t care about a common
degree. So we need something under it as a team for the community. London could become a
focal point for business. If Fanshawe has degree programs then the system is complete.
We work with government to set up an international student service centre. It’s not just for
students to live, but parents will come to visit them. Set up international week. Invite them and
talk to them about projects. In my mind when that centre is set up and we get Ivey School
involved, we do the basic things such as business plans and Ivey could do the strategic plans. So
there is a vision. We are different from Ivey. This is a strategic vision of seeing London as a
business centre.”
“Fanshawe in SW Ontario, it would make sense as a hub that we should have more degrees. We
can draw from other smaller colleges who can’t afford to do degrees that could feed into ours.”
Strengths of the Programs Themselves
Many Stakeholders stated that Lawrence Kinlin School of Business has an already established
reputation and strong relationship with the London business community which could be leveraged by
the new degree program offerings.
“With HR, there are already bridges built. Other programs have co‐op programs, so we have a
relationship with those employers. Business programs have a relationship with Small Business
Center and Canadian Institute of Management. Every program has connections with one or more
professional bodies.”
“We do have a relatively healthy employer market. Large companies like 3M, London life, etc
that could be a good employer market for grads. Fanshawe has a good relationship with these
companies, but a lot of big companies like 3M, RIM, Kellogg or McCormick’s look for university
degrees for entry level marketing management positions. Fanshawe grads often don’t get hired.
3M does have retention problems with some of their university grads because they want to enter
in middle management at high pay. This results in high turnover. They perceive that a college
grad may be more grounded in terms of expectations.”
“Play up strengths. We have a great track record with employers, certification agencies, with
skills based and training and education, but we can also offer you the things a degree will get
LKSB Degree Program Feasibility Study • 2011
64