CPM International Management Conference 2021 on 23-24 Feb.

Prof. L.R. Watawala

Dr. Samantha Rathnayake

S. Renganathan

Prof. Amit Karna

Dr. Clare Rigg

Dr. Ravi Fernando

• Top experts to share key insights on ‘Current Disruptions and Implications for Business: Managing and Leading’

Prof. Dr. Ali Khatibi

Phillip Latka

CPM Sri Lanka has yet again unveiled its ambitious blueprint for a global conference with speakers and panellists lined up from several countries for its signature event, the International Management Conference. The conference is a much-awaited event in the Institute’s calendar and this year it will focus on ‘Current Disruptions and Implications for Business: Managing & Leading’.

The conference will be conducted virtually in line with health precautions by the authorities in the midst of the current pandemic. However, over 800 participants from Sri Lanka and overseas will connect to this conference consisting of two technical sessions on 23-24 February from 2 to 4 p.m. on both days via Zoom. Professionals can access the conference free-of-charge.

It is apparent that there is much attention on curtailing the spread of COVID-19 and raising oneself from the resultant economic downturn. We need to shed light on a wide array of cohesive human activities from households to the corporate sphere. 

Management professionals, thinkers and academics need to spearhead and address some of the key thematic areas that need to be pondered, since they offer useful considerations for both managers as well as leaders to realign their activities. We need more and more leaders who see the big picture through what appears to be inchoate notions. COVID -19 is a transitional, as well as a transformational, testing imperative for us to learn fast and lead appropriately. Locally and globally acclaimed speakers and panellists will discuss these matters at the two technical sessions planned.

As a premier professional management body in Sri Lanka, The Institute of Chartered Professional Managers of Sri Lanka (CPM Sri Lanka) assures the best value to participants.

The conference will therefore target management experts, scholars, practicing managers, business leaders, policy administrators and other academics from diverse countries, on a platform to discuss various connected issues and share their research findings. In addition to the members of the Institute, the conference will have participants from Universities, Management Institutes and Business Schools of SAARC Countries.

On the first day, the conference will begin with a welcome address by CPM Sri Lanka Founder and President Prof. Lakshman R. Watawala. A banking veteran and Commercial Bank PLC Managing Director/CEO S. Renganathan will deliver an inspiring keynote speech on ‘Current Disruptions and Implications for Business: Managing and Leading’ which will be followed by two panel speeches by University of Liverpool, UK Senior Lecturer and Director of Studies Dr. Clare Rigg on “Relearning of Fundamentals in ‘New Normal’ and Retrospection for Future,” and INSEAD Business School (Social Innovation Center) France Executive in Residence and Global Strategic Corporate Sustainability Ltd. CEO Dr. Ravi Fernando on “21st Century Board Leadership Model and the Health Emergency”.

The panel discussion on the first day will comprise five learned panellists and will be moderated by Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Chief Economist Shiran Fernando. Export Development Board Sri Lanka Chairman Suresh De Mel, IBA Bangladesh Director Dr. Syed Ferhat Anwar, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Pakistan Prof. Jawad Syed, John Keells Holdings PLC Executive Vice President/Group CIO Dr. Ramesh Shanmuganathan and Entrepreneur, Founder Fitness Fanatic, and award-winning marketing specialist Nayomi Handunnetti, will give an in-depth overview on the theme. 

Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) Professor of Strategy and Chairperson of Placements Prof. Amit Karna will steer the second day’s session, delivering a keynote speech on ‘Current Disruptions and Implications for Business: Managing and Leading’. 

Subsequently, MYbrainwave Pty Ltd. Australia Head of International Development Phillip Latka will then deliver his panel speech on ‘Strategic Leadership Agenda for Economic Revival and Thriving: Innovation Perspectives,’ and Post Graduate, Business and Social Science, Management and Science University, Malaysia Senior Vice President Prof. Dr. Ali Khatibi will speak on ‘Strategic Leadership Agenda for Economic Revival and Thriving: Leadership Priorities’.

Entrepreneur, Strategy Consultant, Associate Professor in Business and Board Director Dr. Nirmal De Silva will moderate the panel discussion, and DSI Samson Group Emeritus Chairman Dr. Kulathunga Rajapakse, Star Garments Group Executive Vice President Sharmalee De Alwis, REVA University, Bangalore, India Assistant Professor Prof. Bharti Ayer, Geo Explore Foundation Chairman Dr. Dinesh Watawana and IndSearch, India Director General Prof. Dr. Ashok Joshi will join as the panellists for the session.

Both days will conclude with summing-up speeches, a unique feature of the CPM conference which attempts to summarise the essence of all speeches and panel discussions, and will be delivered by Conference Head of Technical Sessions and Governing Council Member of CPM Sri Lanka, University of Sri Jayewardenepura Postgraduate Institute of Management Faculty Member/Management Consultant Dr. Samantha Rathnayake. 

CPM Sri Lanka invites all those who wish to participate in this valuable conference to register without delay. Any interested parties or corporates who wish for bulk nominations can reach CPM Sri Lanka secretariat via 0112590995 or email [email protected] for prior registration. Please also visit www.cpmsrilanka.org.