Edexcel Level 7 at HRMI: The Strategy for grooming promising managers beyond The Peter Principle

Laurence J. Peter and Raymond Hull in their 1969 book The Peter Principle proclaimed that ‘in an organisation where promotion is based on achievement, success, and merit, staff will eventually be promoted beyond their level of ability’. The principle is commonly phrased, “Employees tend to rise to their level of incompetence.” In more formal parlance, the effect could be stated as: employees tend to be given increasing responsibility and authority until they cannot continue to work competently. Very often when functional mangers are confronted with strategic responsibilities they could face this situation unless they have had the insights and exposure to strategic management. Inevitably managers are required to contribute and actively engage themselves in the formulation of strategy and unless they have had the strategic management learning they may face a hapless situation of being mere passengers in that process. Edexcel Level 7 which is described as a Strategic Management Competency Development programme fulfills this specific need with 8 modules of study completely dedicated to strategic management learning.

Content and depth of Strategic Management covered in this course of studies makes it the only senior management competency development programme available in Sri Lanka specialising in Strategic Management. The primary focus of this programme is to enable senior managers to actively engage themselves in the process of strategic management and contribute effectively to the strategic decision process. This ability will permit managers to be involved and connected to the long term development of an enterprise without being passive observers in a strategic round-table. For senior professionals who have acquired their qualifications in the past, this programme will be a thoughtprovoking refresher and an exposure to the newest developments in strategic management.

The 8 modules consist of Strategic Planning, Strategic Change Manag e m e n t , Creative and Innovative Management, Strate gic Marketing Management, Strategic Human Resource Management, Corporate Communication Strategies, Strategic Management and Leadership and Professional Development for Strategic Managers. The Strategic Planning module provides a comprehensive understanding on the process of preparing a Strategic Plan, on how to review current organizational and management strat- egies and all the tools and techniques associated with development and analysis of strategy. Strategic Change Management module contributes to the understanding and skills to support active engagement in the process of strategic change management. Creative and Innovative Management module is on the strategic importance of creative and innovative management and how to nurture creativity and innovation in organisations. Strategic Marketing Management module equips a manager with the knowledge needed to be actively engaged in the process of strategic marketing management.

Corporate Communication Strategies module provides the understanding and skills to support active involvement in the process of developing corporate communication strategies. Strategic Human Resource Management module provides the understanding of how the effective strategic management of human resources supports the achievement of organizational purposes and provides the skills to apply this understanding in an organizational context. Developing Strategic Management and Leadership Skills module is based on providing an understanding of the links between strategic management, leadership and organisational direction, and the skills to be able to apply this understandi n g . Professional Development for Strategic Managers is an interesting piece of study on the methods and techniques to assess the development of skills senior managers need to support the achievement of strategic direction.

This qualification taught at HRMI has been defined by UK’s Qualifications and Credit Framework as equivalent to the first year of a two year Masters enabling the holders to pursue a MBA with exemptions in Sri Lanka or in UK, Singapore, Malaysia and in many other countries. HRMI is one of the biggest EDEXCEL centers in Colombo which offers several Post Graduat e Qualifications and HNDs leading to Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees. In addition, t h e p re s t i g i o u s University of London BSc Business Administration degree is exclusively offered by HRMI. Please visit: www. hrmi.lk for details.

A CSR initiative from WCMT Campus

WCMT Campus takes this opportunity announces “Youth Leadership Camp” to be held on 15th and 16th of October in our premises, for recent school leavers. WCMT Campus was established in Sri Lanka in year 2010 as a BOI Approved venture with a clear purpose of serving Human Development and Socioeconomic Advancement while uplifting the Quality of Life through education and research.

The Youth Leadership Camp to be held at WCMT campus is hosted with the intention of empowering young leaders, to take up emerging leadership challenges in the country.

WCMT expects a gathering of over 200 after A/ L students for the event from leading schools all over Sri Lanka. YLC is purely a CSR event, as such all students are to participate free of charge, upon prior registration with us through schools or direct.

Speaking to Sunday Times WCMT Campus C E O , M r. Eranga Weeramanthri mentioned, “WCMT Campus taking this initiative with the purpose of promoting leadership, creativity and innovation among young leaders, who have just finished A/ Ls”.

He explained “We, team at WCMT Campus extending our fullest potential to make these two days “Youth Leadership Camp” to be a real value creator to the yo u n g m i n d s ” . H e announced the tentative programme line up as below; Self-Leadership Lead with technology - Virtual Reality Personal Grooming Military Leadership and Sri Lanka Legal framework for leaders Project Management Outdoor adventure and team building Accounting for Life DJ with Kiss FM and Camp fire Martial Art Exhibitions Youth Entrepreneurship Essential first aid for leaders

Prizes and Certificates

He didn’t forget to mention some names backing him to organize the event with their resourceful contribution, “Prof. Kennedy Gunawardana - University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Prof. Sunanda Degamboda - University of Kalaniya, Dr. Prasad Wimalaratne - University of Colombo, Dr. Ranjika Halwat u r a - University of Moratuwa,Dr. Prathiba MahanamahewaS i r John Ko t h a l awa University, Dr. Praveen Weerathunge – National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Mr. Shanaka De Silva - Director IT, E & Y. Mr. Aruna Kooragama - President PMI Sri Lankan chapter.”

He expressed that, “We expect our children to take the path we defined without understanding the real skills, competencies and capabilities they possess. Recently I met a few students who studiedtheir A/ Ls in Bioscience stream. When I talk to them they are thinking they have no option in the world except Medicine and Bioscience. But our universities can absorb only less than 2000 students in to the Medical