By Portia Yip, Marketing Services

"Operations makes a massive difference in an organization,” says Richard Rush, a management scientist and instructor with Continuing Studies at UVic. “It's where strategy becomes action.”

For professionals interested in how organizations run, operations management may be the ideal career choice. Public and private companies need employees who are skilled in efficient processes, creative thinking, strategic planning, analyzing data and developing systems.

But what is operations management? Richard describes the field as making tactical decisions where strategy gets put into action. “It's about efficiently transforming inputs into outputs of greater value, whether in a service-based or goods-based business.”

Richard Rush: experience and insight

With over 30 years of professional experience, Richard has a diverse background in mathematics, project management, operations management and business administration. His experience includes teaching in K-12 schools for nine years and designing online instruction with tools such as AOL Instant Messenger, ICQ and WebCT. Richard’s educational and professional pursuits has given him unique insights into how technology and data continue to impact organizations and businesses. Operations management is a topic he is particularly passionate about as he shares what curious learners should know about the industry.

Essential skills for modern operations

“Understanding operations management is essential for creating dependable, reliable and flexible processes, especially in times of change or crisis,” he says. “With recent disruptions in supply chains due to COVID, there's a focus on business continuity in operations management—it’s critical for businesses to have strategies in place to adapt to unexpected challenges.”

Ethics and sustainability also play a big part in this industry and Richard highlights how modern-day operations is more holistic with its values and processes. “We're in a world today where it's not just about what we can get done faster or better. It's about doing it in a way that’s responsible and thinking long-term.”

Preparing the next generation with innovative learning

For students wanting to enter the field of operations management, one of the challenges they face is gaining practical experience. To address these challenges, Richard’s approach is to provide students with a more immersive learning experience that prepares them for real-world situations. His teaching methods focus on the flipped classroom model, which shifts the focus from traditional content delivery to application and critical thinking.

“Many students come from work experiences where they see operational issues but don't have the opportunity to influence the changes because those decisions are often made by senior individuals,” Richard shares. "I want them to come out of the classes not just knowing a bunch of stuff, but understanding how it applies and how it changes the way they act, and the way businesses should act.”

Richard also sees the benefit of leveraging technology like virtual reality (VR) to enhance the learning experience and to provide students with a safer environment to practice decision-making. "We're on the cusp of VR giving us an opportunity to overcome the challenge of putting students in experiences of risk or danger, so they can learn without being exposed to the actual risk," he describes.

Bridging theory and practice

With Richard’s blended experience in teaching and consulting, he brings everyday examples into the classroom and continues to stay on top of what businesses need today. As he continues to support and prepare students with practical skills, Richard encourages them to see operations management as a field where they can make tangible improvements and play a crucial role in the success and continuity of a business.

“Everyone has great strategies, but the businesses that are successful know how to make those strategies happen.”

• Posted July 18, 2024