By Modupe Gbadeyanka
As part of efforts to help professionals close competency gaps that impede their performance, the renowned Lagos Business School (LBS) has announced starting two academies focused on Human Resources Management and Sales & Marketing.
The two academies were launched on Wednesday, November 22, 2017, and they will assist professionals in deliver immediate bottom-line impact for their organisations.
According to Prof Chris Ogbechie, a member of the LBS Management Board and Professor of Strategic Management, the launch of both academies was line with the institution’s intent of having a significant impact on the professional and ethical standards of business management in Africa.
“We develop responsible leaders who contribute to businesses that address direct concerns of citizens and the needs of the environment.
“We aim to develop well-rounded individuals with an ethical mindset of doing business and these two academies is another step on the path to achieving these objectives,” he said.
It was gathered that the Human Resources Academy (HRA) is an innovative and holistic approach to the development of HR professionals.
With three distinctive levels (Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced), the LBS HR Academy covers the range of knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to fully develop as a seasoned Human Resource professional.
A diagnostic process will be used for purposes of admitting participants into the programme to ensure that those enrolled in each of the three programme levels are of the right proficiency levels.
For the Sales and Marketing Academy (SMA), it will run separate tracks for sales professionals and marketing professionals respectively.
It is designed as a modular programme delivered over four months to enable participants combine learning with work.
The delivery will incorporate classroom and online sessions, in addition to activity based learning activities and a final capstone project. This practice-based Academy will provide hands-on training on the practical aspect of Sales and Marketing in Nigeria and beyond.
According to the Sales and Marketing Academy Director, Dr Ogechi Adeola, “We have identified challenges in the industry which include the gap between theory and practice and the urgent need to provide professionals with the right training, equipping them for every-day work.
“We will address these challenges by providing world-class practice-focused sales and marketing programs with experienced business experts, trainers, and innovators through teaching, mentoring and experiential learning.
“We want the academy to represent a holistic approach to Sales & Marketing training and development.”
On his part, the Director of Human Resources Academy at LBS, Dr Akin Oparison, “Business leaders carefully selected from various industries will deliver the program. It will include internship opportunity with world-class partner organisations, and off-line mentoring, to provide requisite experience critical for effective transfer of knowledge.
Mr Oparison concluded that with the flexible (modular) delivery method, participants could combine the Academy with their work obligations.