PIM develops Central Finance Managers

Thursday, 4 September 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

To provide dynamic and innovative financial solutions through a wide range of diversified services to help the company’s customers fulfill their diverse financial needs and aspirations, Central Finance Co. PLC has expanded its services to serve the regions through an extensive network of branches. It has thus become paramount to strengthen these branches by an effective and efficient team of branch managers. It is in this regard that the PIM intervened in training and developing its branch managers to make them true representatives of the company, who would be equipped to fulfil the diverse aspirations of its clientele, while meeting the objectives of the company. This brings meaning to the company’s vision of being the first choice for progressive customers in delivering innovative financial solutions.

The Management Development Program meticulously designed and formulated by the PIM in consultation with the company’s General Manager (HRD) and the Manager – Training is aimed at accomplishing the aforesaid aspirations for which an extensive branch network is established. The final program that was agreed upon for adoption and implementation was a product of the synthesis of the objectives of the company and the guidance provided by the Director, faculty and the training branch of the PIM. The PIM, in fact, has an extensive experience in designing such management development programs, taking cognisance of such factors as the (i) company’s objectives, (ii) levels of professionalism of the target group, and (iii) the major areas which need to be addressed to bring about productive results to the company. It was revealed in the discussions that the emphasis was to be more on soft skills of branch managers, as their success would depend mostly on their interpersonal skills, and the awareness of such aspects as organisational culture, public relations, leadership and leading teams, quality and productivity enhancement practices, achieving personal excellence and negotiations. Hence, the product was a fine blend of all these facets, and the final program consists of 11 modules, and a comprehensive examination to be conducted at the conclusion of the sessions to ascertain the effectiveness of the total program. It was revealed that the company would look after their technical skills in-house. The program was inaugurated on 18 August at the PIM. Dr. Ajantha S. Dharmasiri, Acting Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Management, delivered the welcome address, in which he traced the history and the current activities of the institute, and provided valid inputs to the participants as to how well the program could be followed to fulfil both their personal objectives and those of the company. The inaugural session was also addressed by Mithraka Fernando, General Manager (HRD), of Central Finance. He emphasised on the importance and relevance of such a program to effectively manage the company’s branches, and the deliberations he was involved in with the PIM to bring out the final program. Sohan Harsha Fernando , MPA Program Coordinator, spelt out the finer points of the program and emphasised the ‘dos’ and don’ts’ the participants had to follow to get the best out of the program. He also mentioned the objective of introducing the Learning Diary, and how it has to be completed and submitted. He further said the learning diary would ultimately be extremely handy in preparing for the final comprehensive test. The inaugural session was attended by the PIM faculty as well.