More business men and women in the Isle of Man could benefit from courses on management that can ultimately lead to them becoming chartered directors.
This is according to the Isle of Man branch of the Institute of Directors which regularly organises courses as part of its company director programme.
Sally Bolton, director of Douglas-based law firm Corlett Bolton & Co and former chairman of the branch, speaks from experience having enlisted for a series of courses over a period of 18 months and in 2006 was awarded the IoD’s Diploma in Company Direction.
She said: ‘Law firms are now as competitive as other business sectors, no longer can they just bumble along.
‘It’s important to have business plans, even if they are not written down.’
She particularly believes more lawyers, particularly those in small practices, could benefit from the IoD courses.
A course on The Director’s Role in Strategy and Marketing’, which is part of the IoD Certificate in its company director programme, is being held in Douglas from September 30 to October 2.
The course leader for the IoD will be Murray Eldridge, a chartered director who has been a member of the IoD for over 12 years. His involvement with companies encompasses start-ups through to blue chip, global market leaders.
‘The programme is delivered by people who have real life, relevant and senior levels of experience of the subjects they are responsible for,” said Mr Eldridge. “Consequently, any academic theory addressed by the programme is tempered by and set in the context of real life examples by experienced practitioners.
‘While continuous personal and professional development is a benefit in its own right, the completion of a formally recognised programme like the IoD Certificate or Diploma and even that of Chartered Director, can open up wider opportunities and deliver unforeseen benefits.”
IoD programme director Alison Kennedy said: ‘The course on The Director’s Role in Strategy and Marketing is ideal for anyone looking to rise above the operational and then give strategic direction to their business or organisation. As with all IoD modules it works well as a ‘‘stand alone’’ but if anyone has or is considering the full IoD programme but been reluctant to commit then they are very welcome to come along to this course as a taster.’
She added: ‘The IoD Company Direction Programme is designed for directors who are busy people and this programme offers huge flexibility in study dates and timing.
‘Doing the courses and passing the Certificate and Diploma exams prove that a director knows the theory, the chartered director process validates a director’s actual experience and capability at a practical level.’
The Director’s Role in Strategy and Marketing course embraces:
· Strategy and the board
· Strategic analysis
· Formulating strategy
· Enable strategy implementation.
Further information can be obtained from Alison Kennedy, IoD programme director on 0161 295 5655/07748 147864 or by emailing j.a.kennedy@salford.ac.uk