Monthly Archives

September 2019

Relevance of Master of International Business to the Guyana Market

By | Uncategorized | No Comments

 

       1. What is the relevance of the MIB programme to the Guyana market?             

Developments within the oil based sectors are redefining the Guyanese economy. As a result, an impending influx of multinational and international business opportunities is indisputable. Guyana’s economic integration and growth will deepen and it is imperative that the local workforce understand the complexity associated with maneuvering this complex and diverse global business landscape. If these skills are not developed, the country and its citizens are at risk for capturing only minimal benefits from its newfound natural resource wealth.

 

       2. What are the benefits of this programme?             

This programme will provide graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to function as key bridges for international business. As foreign businesses enter the local market, they require competent individuals that not only understand the local market, but are also knowledgeable the various facets of international business. Persons that are able to master both components will possess key competitive advantages over expatriate and regional labor.

                 

        3. Who should do this programme?    

This programme is suited for individuals interested in the global dimension of business and management. These persons should have a keen interest in working directly with (1) multinational enterprises, (2) local firms engaging or providing services to multinational enterprises (3) local firms interested in exploring foreign markets for growth or (4) local firms interested in leveraging global opportunities to drive local growth. Likewise, government officials charged with international trade and policy development will find this programme useful.

             

        4. What are the opportunities upon completion?

Persons completing this programme are well equipped to capitalize on opportunities within:

·        Subsidiaries of Multinational Enterprises interested in establishing local operations (Subsidiary liaisons, managers, brand and business development managers)

·         Local firms supporting foreign firms operation in Guyana (Supply chain executives)

·        Import and export associates/managers at local firms

·        Consultancy firms aiding foreign firms on market entry (Management analysts, International Business Consultants, Compliance officers)

·        Guyanese trade ministries and international policy units

 
To learn more about the Master of International Business, speak to an Academic Advisor at 868-645-6700 ext. 200 or email: admissions@lokjackgsb.edu.tt 

What Organisation Design language are you speaking?

By | Blog | No Comments

One of the findings from Andrew Campbell’s research was that managers lack a language for describing organisation designs. For example, the words used for describing different kinds of units are often ambiguous. The term “business unit” is used universally, but means different things in different companies.

Sometimes it refers to a highly autonomous, largely self-contained profit centre. In other situations, it is used for units that are much less autonomous, drawing on resources that are shared with other units and accepting the authority of upper levels of management on many key decisions. There is similar ambiguity in terms such as “product gap”, “division”, and “national operating company”. This lack of clear language leads to confusion and cross purposes when managers talk about their organisation designs. The problem is particularly acute when managers talk about “matrix” structures, which can mean very different things in different companies.

What is more, a key challenge in organisation design is to find a means of defining units in a way that clearly conveys the intentions behind the design. Managers need clarity about what they are supposed to be achieving, in order to provide a context for decentralized, self-managed decisions about specific issues. But manuals that spell out responsibilities in great detail lead to bureaucracy, rigidity, and lack of initiative. Organisation designers have faced a difficult choice between too little clarity and too much detail.

Solution: Create a taxonomy of unit roles that provide a means of describing design intentions.

OD Conference image

Join Andrew Campbell at the Organisation Design Conference on Tuesday 17th September 2019 at the Lok Jack GSB, Mt. Hope Campus as he evaluates the organisation design challenges in real organisations, using global benchmarks.

Book your spot for to be part of this onetime offering! Seats are going fast. See you there…

Visit our website at https://lokjackgsb.edu.tt/organisation-design-conference-2019/ call 645-6700 ext. 223 or email consult@lokjackgsb.edu.tt

Good Bones

By | Blog, Events | No Comments
Organisational Structure

What is “Good Organisation Design”?

What are “Good Organisation Design Principles and Tests”?

Are there specific OD rules and guidelines that your organisation should follow?

Most Organisation Design (OD) agents rely on a few homegrown rules of thumb, such as ‘a manager should have no more than six (6) direct reports’, or ‘staff shouldn’t have two (2) managers’. I myself have been guilty of same at one point in time or another.

Well according to Andrew Campbell, Organisation Design Expert, Author, Consultant and Trainer, in addition to the above there’s been a cacophony* (I like this word) of advice, much of it quite complicated, hard to apply and in some cases even self-contradictory in approach.

Case in point “How to Group Responsibilities into Units/ Departments”. The list below shows a sample of the advice procured from available literature on a singular OD issue:

  • Greater task diversity requires greater departmentalization (Aston Studies)
  • The greater the intensity of interaction between activities, the more closely they should be linked (Thompson)
  • Functional structures are best for Standardisation, scale and task specialization (Galbraith)
  • Product structures are best when product characteristics are diverse and rapid product development is important (Galbraith)

*an incongruous or chaotic mixture…

OD Conference image

Join us on September 17, 2019 at our Organisation Design Conference to explore best practices in Organisation Design principles and tests.

This is a relevant topic for all companies who are in the process of making themselves ‘fit for purpose’ given the region’s current economic landscape.

The time is now!!!  Book your spot for to be part of this onetime offering!

…Seats are going fast. See you there…

Visit our website at https://lokjackgsb.edu.tt/organisation-design-conference-2019/ call 645-6700 ext. 223 or email consult@lokjackgsb.edu.tt

From the desk of your OD Champion

Amir Hosein, current student of the Master of International Business

By | Master of International Business, student testimonial | No Comments

 

Meet Amir Hosein current student of the Master of International Business at Lok Jack GSB and Export Manager at S.M Jaleel and Company Limited. We’ve asked Amir for his feedback thus far on the master programme, see his responses below. 

Why did you choose to do the MIB program?

The MIB program is directly aligned with my current career path and currently not offered by any other institution. I saw it as an opportunity to expand my knowledge in the field of international business to more than just exporting. Upon completion, I aim to be a greater asset to my organization and a more versatile employee.

 

What is your experience thus far within the program?

The courses covered so far have been challenging but equally rewarding, matching practical experiences with sound business theories that I have already been able to apply in my current job. The semesters have been very intense but the work load is manageable and team work is a must to succeed.

 

Who should do this program?

This program will be rewarding to anyone who wants to expand a business overseas, or who works for a local business that operates outside of Trinidad and Tobago or someone who wants to attract new business from abroad. The MIB program will be beneficial to Managing Directors, Business Owners, Export Managers, Regional Managers, Commercial Managers and Marketing Managers.

 

How has this program impacted you professionally? 

It has made me more proficient in my current field as an Export Manager. I am able to make better decisions based on the knowledge acquired thus far.

 

For more information on the Master of International Business, call Ms. Kerry-Ann Jordan at 868-645-6700 ext. 200 or email: admissions@lokjackgsb.edu.tt 

 

 

Two Lok Jack GSB alumnae selected to participate in Florida International University and Georgetown University Programme

By | News, What's New | No Comments

The Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business has enjoyed a long-standing strategic partnership with both the Florida International University (FIU) and Georgetown University.  Collaboration with these respected institutions has resulted in advancements in our programme offerings and valuable international opportunities for our alumni. 

Two of our alumnae will be embarking on an exciting and edifying journey this September, whereby they will participate in a combined certificate programme on International Business and Public Policy.  This week-long programme includes classes in Florida and Washington D.C. and incorporates a range of topics such as Leadership, Innovation, Financial Investment Strategy and Digital and Social Media.

Denecia Jacobs, a former student in the Master of International Strategic Marketing programme (formerly called the Master of Marketing), Cohort 12, is one of 10 applicants in receipt of a scholarship to attend the International Business and Public Policy programme. 

“I feel extremely blessed, humbled and honoured to have been one of this year’s recipients of the highly coveted and competitive scholarship for the FIU-Georgetown programme on International Business and Public Policy. I’m also deeply appreciative to have such amazing support from my alma mater in my academic growth and success even long after I’ve graduated, as they continue to share opportunities such as this scholarship with their alumni. 

This cycle of the FIU-Georgetown programme focuses on the growing impact of U.S. government policy on the financial services sector in emerging markets, and given my role within the financial sector in the Caribbean, I’m hoping that I can return armed with the tools we need as a country and as a region to navigate the influence of U.S. governmental policies/regulations and work in tandem with government agencies on policies that positively impact our economic and business environment.” – Denecia Jacobs, alumna, Master of International Strategic Marketing, Cohort 12.

Denesia Jacobs - pic - B
Janelle Ome

Our second alumna who will participate in the International Business and Public Policy certificate programme at FIU is Janelle Ome, former student of the Master of Human Resource Management programme, Cohort 25. Janelle recently attended the Society for Human Resource Management’s annual convention in Las Vegas as part of the UWI-ALJGSB student delegation. 

During a lecture in Portland, Oregon, Nobel Prize Laureate Toni Morrison said “If you can’t imagine it, you can’t have it.”

This quote reminded me of one of the reasons why I choose the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business to pursue the Masters in Human Resource Management.  At the time, the school’s website informed of the benefit to attending a joint programme at their partner university, Florida International University, the idea of this opportunity encouraged and inspired me. I am very excited and proud to attend the Certificate in International Business and Public Policy Program, a joint certificate programme at Florida International University and Georgetown University. These two institutions have demonstrated their commitment to building highly skilled, knowledgeable and future ready executives for the dynamics of today’s business.

As a final year student of the Masters in Human Resource Management, my chosen electives of International Economics and Business Strategy along with HRIS and HR Decision Making were very relevant for my current role as Human Resource Manager – Technology & Functions. This program at FIU and Georgetown will build my capabilities in business acumen, strategic thinking, leadership, digital enablement and innovation.  I look forward to stretching my capabilities on a larger, more impactful scale to prepare me for future leadership roles.” – Janelle Ome, alumna, Master of Human Resource Management, Cohort 25.

Dr. Wynette Harewood, Programme Director, Master of Human Resource Management, says “This experience highlights opportunities for MHRM students to deepen and expand their understanding of the relationship between government policy, business and human capital development. I hope  Janelle’s success  will inspire more of  our  MHRM  students  to embrace this  or  other similar opportunities  provided  by the School.” 

Global Student

The UWI-ALJGSB remains committed to providing our students with an authentic learning experience on a global scale.  This includes opportunities to be a part of international study trips, conventions and events, immersion programmes and cultural exchanges. 

We congratulate Denecia and Janelle and applaud them for their continued commitment towards personal and professional growth! 

X