GroupM Sri Lanka hosts South Asia workshop

Forty nine aspirers from GroupM Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka gathered at the agency's local premises recently to participate in a South Asia Training (SAT) programme. As a leading operator in a knowledge intensive market, the multinational has in place its own talent development network for the Asia Pacific region.

Aspire is a network driven by GroupM's own specialists todeliver best practice learning interventions for over 6,000 colleagues across its agencies Mindshare, Maxus, MEC, MediaCom and Motivator. While Aspire comprises four dedicated trainers, its value is compounded by over 500 past and present Training Leaders and trained Subject Matter Experts from within the GroupM ranks. In keeping with holding company WPP guidelines, GroupM's new premises includes a dedicated 100capacity training and recreation zone, where the SAT took place.

Three Aspire trainers arrived in Sri Lanka to conduct SAT 2013. Zubin Tatna, once voted Training Leader of the year and currently National Strategic Planning Director at GroupM Media Indiahas driven the company's training agenda for close to 7 years. Partner, Client Leadership at GroupM Media India, Brajesh Dwivedi has dedicated the last 5 years to the Aspire community. Together Zubin and Brajesh focused on the 'Building Client Relationships' and 'Media Strategy' segments of the programme. The delivery included identifying and practicing skills to improve client relationships as well as challenging and improving information in client briefs in order to develop robust strategies and achieve stronger results for the brand.

Sanjana Shirke,Senior Director Learning & Development, GroupM Media India provided guidance on Presenting with Confidence and Performance Management. Sanjana brings 13 years of advertisingexperience and is trained in Executive Coaching. She tackled the finer points in communication that allow media specialists to effectively convey their research, analysis and plans to clients from various industries. The programme also encompassed the development of soft skills in managing people issues and attitudes, providing appreciative feedback, situational leadership and performance standards.