He served as Associate Client consulting team member at McKinsey & Company, San Francisco, USA, and Munich, Germany (October 1991 to December 1993) and as Strategic Analyst, Competitor and Industry Analyses at Siemens AG, Munich, Germany (Summers 1986 through 1989). He was Lecturer, Evening MBA course on Management Science and undergraduate course in Operations Management at University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA (January to July 1987). Professor Loch has a PhD from Stanford Graduate School of Business, USA. His Research revolves around how organisations make innovation happen.
"Entrepreneurs and prospective start-up businesses have their work cut out in any economy, especially given the slow growth witnessed across global economies in recent years. But those enterprising firms that are looking for potential investors in a situation where the financial system is not conducive for start-up businesses must work extra hard," said Professor Christoph Loch, the Director of the Cambridge Judge Business School.
Responding to a question during an interview with BR Research, Professor Loch conceded that developing economies such as Pakistan often lack institutionalised frameworks that provide easy access to capital for new businesses. But he contended that perseverance and the ability to muster up investments are key qualities that all entrepreneurs must possess.
"You have to be able to shake many hands, pitch your idea to many potential investors, gather a list of potential partners and then make an informed choice keeping in mind that such partnerships must last a long time to ensure the sustainability and progress of your business," he said.
The Director of one of the world's most coveted business schools was in Karachi, to interact with students at the Karachi School of Business and Leadership (KSBL) which has forged a strategic partnership with Cambridge University. Loch expressed hope that the partnership will help enhance the level of education imparted at KSBL to parallel the best business schools in the region.
"Talent and drive are crucial for businesses to prosper; but these qualities will only take firms so far without the latest knowledge and skills," said Professor Loch. He highlighted that in the Information Age, sharing knowledge and experience have become critical factors for improving the international competitiveness of businesses and entire economic sector. The Director expressed hope that the arrival of KSBL will help drive the flow of management skills to businesses in Pakistan, contributing positively to the country's international competitiveness and the improvement of the domestic economy.
Highlighting the importance of small and medium enterprises, he said that "most countries, even the so-called developed economies rely on the SME sector to provide the backbone for the economy", pointing out that Pakistan is not unique in this context. "However it is very important for these businesses to expand and evolve into larger corporations over time so that they can attract investments, provide jobs and produce output that drives the economy," said Loch.
He pointed out that family owned businesses often encounter problems when their ownership transitions from the first generation to the second or third generation; while stressing the need to build a knowledge base that can help ease this transition which would in turn lead more SMEs and family-owned businesses gathering momentum and becoming large corporations.
Commenting on the nature of the partnership between KSBL and Cambridge University, he clarified that, "our intention is not to install an army of Cambridge faculty here so that they can regurgitate their philosophy here." Instead, he said, Cambridge University has helped design the curriculum and identify potential members of faculty for KSBL.
He pointed out that the Cambridge University had not followed suit with other business schools that had set up campuses in other countries. "We are present in other countries by virtue of short courses and research collaborations, but the Cambridge University campus is the only place where a degree from that institution can be earned."
Highlighting the efficacy of knowledge sharing with universities and educational institutions across the globe, Professor Loch said that "we are not interested in studying the same old theories re-hatched in localised business cases. Instead the challenge is to conduct research in those areas that are uniquely different and often fly in the face of Anglo-Saxon business management philosophy."
"The spread of cellular phones in Pakistan and the subsequent partnerships between banks and telcos to bring tens of thousands of un-banked people into the banking system is an example of a unique development here in Pakistan, which if analysed can make for a great case study for not just other developing economies but even developed economies where banking penetration is high," he said.
Using this example, Professor Loch stressed that the flow of knowledge would not be one-way from Cambridge University to KSBL. Rather it provided an avenue for academicians and businesses in Pakistan and abroad to share their knowledge and experiences for mutual gain. "People-to-people interaction is the key and I am confident that as faculty members from both institutions move back and forth we will form a strong and lasting relationship that will benefit the people of Pakistan and our institutions."