Transformation: the compulsory choice focus of CIMA Technical Symposium on 24 Nov

CIMA annual Technical Symposium on the timely theme ‘Transformation: the compulsory choice’ Change is imperative. Perhaps, it is the only certainty in an uncertain world.

Though, change has always existed, the frequency and intensity of change has never been as strong as it is today. Technology and globalisation are rapidly changing the playing field of the global market but, many of the management practices we adopt to manage our resources have not evolved sufficiently with the changing times. The present management practices still focus on primarily productivity and control, which is important, but may not be sufficient in an environment which changes rapidly – where disequilibrium is more the norm than we would prefer; where intense global competition demands organisations to be constantly vigilant and agile; where issues of sustainability threatens our mere existence; and we are called to manage a team of knowledge workers.

This demands businesses to do a soul search within — on suitability of their management practices and structures to meet the change exerted from outside. The need for businesses to transform themselves to meet the external change is no longer a mere option but a compulsion for both survival and growth.

Therefore, ‘Transformation: the compulsory choice’ is the topical theme of this year’s CIMA Technical Symposium which will take place on 24 November at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel.

An eminent line of local and foreign academic leaders who have explored the breadth and depth of their specialised subjects, and business leaders who have successfully experimented the practicality of revolutionary and progressive management practices to generate greater value to stakeholders will deliberate at this thought provoking forum.

Professor Al Bhimani, Head of Department of Accounting at the London School of Economics and Political Science will deliver the keynote on ‘Informational, technological and global forces of change: the impact on management accounting’. The Symposium will further feature five intriguing technical papers titled, ‘Bringing ethics and sustainability to mainstream strategy’ delivered by Dr. Rohan Fernando, Head of Plantations and Business Development at Aitken Spence Holdings; ‘Innovative decision making: driving triple loop thinking’ delivered by Professor Boon-Siong Neo, Director of Asia Competitiveness Institute of Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy; ‘Agility in supply chain: the Dell way’ delivered by M. R. Sundaresan, General Manager - Operations of Dell India (Pvt) Ltd.; ‘Finance transformation: finance merging with the business’ delivered by Dr. Arul Sivagananathan, Senior Vice President of F&A Operations for WNS Global Services across India and Sri Lanka; and ‘Creating a knowledge workforce to ensure competitiveness and agility in the industry’ delivered by Rajendra Theagarajah, Managing Director of Hatton National Bank Plc.

Sutheash Balasubramaniam, Chairman of the CIMA Sri Lanka Board commenting about the up-coming Technical Symposium stated ‘CIMA has been at the forefront of facilitating effective change management keeping abreast with global trends. In this backdrop, the CIMA Professional is well equipped to play the role of catalyst for advocating change in an organisation. In understanding the focal points for change, the CIMA Technical Symposium has been designed to enlighten the business community of Sri Lanka on how to sustain and forge ahead in a dynamic environment.’

Bradley Emerson, CIMA Sri Lanka division’s CEO says ‘CIMA is about the future. We make every endeavour to deliver programmes in line with the future of business. The Technical Symposium 2010 aims to alert business community of the compulsions that lie ahead. The timing is perfect — as businesses are compiling plans to transform in 2011. We have no choice but to choose transformation.’

CIMA Sri Lanka Division organises this annual flagship event in the CIMA technical calendar to deliberate and discuss about cutting edge technical topics which are of immense relevance to businesses. This event is expected to bring together business and academic leaders in a diversity of fields. CIMA is partnered by LBO-LBR as the Digital and Electronic Media Partner and University of Gloucestershire’s Representative in Sri Lanka - VIEC as the Gold Sponsor in organising this prestigious event.