Global entrepreneurs gave Lancaster students unique and valuable understanding of the connections between digital business and marketing at a special online industry panel.

Four members of Lancaster University Management School’s Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiR) network took part in the event, Exploring the Intersection of Digital Business and Digital Marketing, with students on the MSc Digitial Business, Innovation and Management programme.

Ciará Moriarty, a Lancaster graduate, and the founder and creative director of The Performance Studios, in Lancaster; Sanjay Rishi, an executive coach and experience chief executive officer, based in Dehli; and Maharani Hariga and Aditya Kadam, LUMS graduates from Indonesia and India respectively who are now based in Lancaster digital entrepreneurs and co-founders of Adirani Digital Solutions, all took part.

Professor Niki Panteli, who organised and facilitated the panel, said: “The event provided an excellent opportunity for our students to learn from Ciara, Sanjay, Rani and Aditya, and their inspirational journeys and achievements.

“All the panellists were amazing. They responded to students’ questions and provided a lot of practical advice on various issues linked to the programme and our Digital Business and Digital Marketing module. They were able to give insight on the authentication of a digital marketing brand, the need to be adaptive, the entrepreneurial mindset, and the importance of staying connected and building own networks.”

The quartet shared their entrepreneurial journeys and their views on the use and role of digital marketing in growing digital business with students. They were able to provide examples and draw on their own experience.

Panellist Sanjay Rishi said: “I was so invigorated by the discussion, that my head was buzzing with ideas and impressions long after the session.

“There was such a fascinating back and forth amongst us, allowing the topic to be interpreted and evolve around the interests of the audience and the panelists.”

Salma Atcha, the LUMS EiR Business Networks Office, added: “We must say a huge thank you to Sanjay, Ciara, Rani and Aditya, for the continuous support they offer to Lancaster University, it is much appreciated.”