In 2020, DkIT students from the BA (Hons) in Global Marketing will work with New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) client ECOSTORE, exploring market possibilities in Ireland and the UK.This coincides with the module Global Work Integrated Learning (WIL), which is part of the very successful Global Programme, now in its 7th year. According to John Sisk, co-founder of the Global Programme, participating students benefit profoundly, facilitating as it does the development of a global mindset, a core requirement for future employment and personal development.

Ecostore is a family owned, fast-moving consumer goods company, established in Auckland, New Zealand. The company manufactures and sells home, as well as body and baby products made from naturally derived ingredients. After becoming aware of the harmful chemicals in the cleaning and body care products they were using, the Rands family enlisted expert help to develop a range of products that are safer for you, your family & our world.

25 years on, Ecostore proudly maintains the integrity, purpose and transparency its founders pioneered; now exporting products throughout the world including Australia and Asia. In New Zealand, the company is well established with distribution across all major retail channels, wholesale and a well-established “refill” platform in green stores.
In 2019, Ecostore was named most 'Authentic New Zealand Brand' and has been named most 'Sustainable Brand within New Zealand' for the past 5 years. Whilst these are excellent brand achievements within the New Zealand market, they do not transfer as easily to Australia or the rest of the export channels, as awareness of the brand still remains quite low. ECOSTORE is now exploring the UK and Ireland markets, and this is where we come in.

In 2020, DkIT students will work with students from our partner, RMIT University Melbourne, on a commercially focused research brief, agreed with ECOSTORE. The work culminates in May when Australian students will visit DkIT Campus to present the completed research in the presence of client representatives and members of the NZTE office based in London. These presentations will be streamed to the client based in New Zealand and recorded for later evaluation.

During the semester, teams engage in professional research activity, holding meetings and using all available contemporary technology to maintain contact. Their interim reports are evaluated by colleagues at DkIT and RMIT in preparation for the final presentation of work before the client representative in May. John Sisk would like to see more of our students having this global experience and encourages colleagues to consider the possibilities of partnering with overseas colleagues and business enterprises to make it happen.