Global marketplace requires STRONG SKILLS – expert
JACQUELINE COKE Lloyd, managing director of Make Your Mark Consultants, believes that in order for businesses to be competitive globally, middle managers will have to possess higher level skillsets that will take them from being professionals to leaders.
In discussing some critical issues which will be targeted at the company’s annual Middle Mangers Conference to be held later this month, Coke Lloyd said that much more can be done to equip middle managers to effectively deal with day to day management.
“Many middle managers are unprepared for their unique roles. In fact, recent research compares contemporary middle managers to general managers of the past. The global marketplace requires strong skills in execution and change management to accomplish work goals,” she said.
READY FOR A CHALLENGE
“In addition, much of today’s work is accomplished through teams and new skills such as influencing, networking, emotional intelligence and coaching are critical for success. A higher level skill set is required for today’s leaders in order for them to be effective in their roles. Many middle professionals have a wealth of experience at handling day to day management issues and are now ready for a bigger challenge.”
She noted that there is a need for business leaders to understand what drives a changing world- an issue that will be high on the agenda at the conference.
“At the end of the conference, participants will have learned to lead more effectively and, or make the transition from professional manager to leader by, ensuring that they have all the core skills of effective management and leadership, influencing and managing the performance and organisational culture and having a framework for implementing successful change programmes and making tough decisions.”
Presenters expected to address the conference include Jeff Boudro, executive director at Power & Systems Inc; Howard Mitchell, president of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica; and Christopher Zacca, president of Sagicor Group Jamaica.