MMA Women Managers Convention 2013

Mary Brooks, the Executive Director of MK Ltd is the Guest of Honour and key note speaker for the inaugural session at the MMA Women managers Convention 2013 to be held at the Hotel Taj Coromandel, Chennai, India.

MMA is the largest affiliate association of the All India Management Association (AIMA) and has been adjudged as the Best Local Management Association in India by AIMA for the year 2009-10, 2010-11 & 2011-12.

MMA has been a pioneer in promoting women in management. The MMA annual Women Managers’ Convention has become a unique and a flagship event attended by more than 800 Women Managers and entrepreneurs from across the country.  Over the years the Convention has gained a reputation for quality and excellence and has had eminent speakers and outstanding professionals being speakers at the Convention. 

This year’s Women Managers Convention on the theme “Beyond Equality … Looking back and beyond” is scheduled to be held on Saturday, 9th March 2013 at Hotel Taj Coromandel, Chennai.  

The structure of the Convention is to have an inaugural, a valedictory, Business Sessions Corporate Quiz and a Panel Discussion. Eminent speakers, predominantly women, from all areas of business and society, who are making a difference to their organizations have been invited to give their views and their experiences on how to take women to a next level of thinking and discuss the very real dilemmas and choices she is faced with, day in and day out.

The last decade has witnessed a changing world and much was achieved to promote equality for women. Governments and countries, the world over, acknowledged that they cannot continue to develop and prosper without fully engaging one half of their population. The corporate world was seen stepping up to protect female jobs during maternity leave, and several offered mothers a right to cut back their hours. Human Resources and Diversity teams were seen lobbying for flexible work time, organising female mentoring programs, so on and so forth.

However, while much appears to have changed for a privileged lot of women, much remains to be done for many and overall; a lot has remained the same.

All of the above begs the question that if women want to successfully navigate this new world, what’s it going to take? What will next wave of change mean for the woman of today? If the external restrictions on women have gone down considerably, are the restrictions self-imposed? What next? What awaits? – Beyond Equality?

The MMA Women Managers’ Convention, this year, seeks to explore these difficult questions. The aim is to take women to a next level of thinking and discuss the very real dilemmas and choices she is faced with, day in and day out.

Mary will post the reflections after the convention complete with photos and a transcript of her speech. Mary is in partnership with EduquestIndia where they are introducing and delivering the UKs ILM Level 7 qualifications in Management and Leadership.

 

MK Ltd are in partnership with EduquestIndia in a pilot scheme for ILM level 7 qualifications in Chennai

An opportunity for India to access level 7 qualifications starts in Chennai in December 2012.

MK Ltd and EduquestIndia have put together the first of the ILM products to be delivered in India. India has a growing economy and a rising education level expectation in organisations; this pilot scheme offers employers the chance to develop their senior managers and leaders to the highest level of VRQs outside of university and transform their cultures and success factors in a world class market.

The ILM level 7 programme pilots 1 unit in December then rolls out to a larger participation in January 2013.

Mary Brooks says "this is a very exciting time for us to be part of this unique partnership and to be able to introduce ILM to the Indian education market place and we are looking forward to the challenges that brings and to the inevitable success it will realise. Our own senior consultant Rachel will be heading up the first training session and other MK ltd trainers will be following in her footsteps in the coming months"

EduquestIndia is led by two directors of the Singapore based education provider, Idris and Rafiq have successfully grown their Singapore business into a quality driven provider delivering marketing and other disciplines of management based progression. They have built a new centre in Chennai which has state of the Art facilities and drives home their core values of:-
Integrity, quality, responsible and accountability

Their aspiration of bringing the first work based qualifications to India is based on the economic growth factors that are driving India into becoming one of the world's biggest and successful economies with experts all over the world. See the Indian marketing brochure that has just been launched in Chennai.

 

Success in Kazakhstan! September 2012

Over the last 18 months our latest group of KPO (Karachaganak Petroleum Organisation) management candidates have been studying hard towards their ILM IQUAL Advanced Diploma in Management. Good news is…..they have all passed with flying colours. These are Kazaks' gold winners in industry.

It is no mean feat working, studying and keeping to deadlines and running family life as well. But all of these guys have done just that. We deliver this programme with & through the help of Ambition IBQ, our partners in RoK and together we run a slick operation of delivery in dual language which is second to none.

The graduation ceremony is in RoK soon and we will be able to show you the pictures then of this wonderful occasion; watch this space!!

 

The Charity Rounder's match!

Debbie Bliss from the Mark Group, and one of MK Ltd`s candidates, whose headquarters are in Leicester, UK, has helped lots of charitable causes over the years and this Spring she mustered as many of the Mark Group employees as she could to support the Bliss Babies charity. Debbie organised a rounder’s match with 4 teams of around 10 competing against each other for the prestigious prizes she had accumulated from contributors. The matches were held at St Margaret’s Pastures sports complex in Leicester City centre on May 6th.

Debbie roped in our own Mary to act as an Umpire! Having leant the rules of rounder’s before the day, Mary went on to invent her own on the day - as I am sure you suspected! Leicester WorkWear Ltd kindly printed and supplied the top Mary wore which read on the back “Her Majesty the Umpire – gets the Ump easily!” as you can see Mary ate all the cakes in between matches.


There were some heated exchanges between some rival players, the same line was often heard “it’s all for charity!” So the teams went on to a knock out competition and 4 places were rewarded from 1st to 4th! Debbie awarded the prizes as well as putting up with interference from Mary!

Mk Ltd was pleased to support this charity and apologise to any player who didn’t agree with her deliberations! The monies raised totalled over £700.00 from supporters and sponsors. Well done Debbie! Debbie is off to Peru soon on her next charitable mission. We wish her well and will lend our support too.

 

 

New - the ILM Level 7 mandatory units of study on-line! - May 2012

MK Ltd are the first ILM UK training provider to truly embrace a blended learning solution for senior leaders and managers offering candidates the option of accessing the level 7 mandatory units of the Strategic Leadership Diploma as an on-line alternative for study.

This allows the learners to blend on-line and the more traditional training days together to enhance their preferred learning styles. There is still the personal touch, as you would expect from MK Ltd…the learner still has 1-2-1- coaching and tutoring from their trainer via telephone, Skype, or face to face as they prefer, but the guided learning hours (GLH) of the mandatory units can now be covered by the on-line experience.

The on-line system gives ILM registered candidates’ greater empowerment of their own learning so a chance to balance work, life and learning…. enabling a true blended learning solution.

MK Ltd teamed up with HRD On-line systems to produce the platforms and they are now accessible to the MK Ltd ILM registered learners. 6 mandatory units are offered and are accessed by a special license granted by MK Ltd/ HRD as part of their guided learning experience.

The ILM approved centre Coordinator at MK Ltd, Denise Proctor-Kent said “It has been difficult for some candidates to maintain the discipline of attending training sessions twice a month to cover the GLH of the ILM units, particularly if they travel into Rutland some distance, or their workload and family commitments are hard to juggle; so this new on-line unit access is a boost to their lives, career growth and learning”
The 6 mandatory units that are now accessible on-line are:-

• M601- Developing the Executive Manager
• M701- Making Informed Decisions
• M702- Leadership in Practice
• M703- Developing the Reflective Leader
• M704- The leadership Journey
• M705- Leading Change in Organisations

It is hoped that the new on-line units will enhance the learning access of MK Ltd`s ILM level 7 candidates, giving them more choice but still a rewarding experience that helps them to be successful in their aspirational career gains and of course ultimately achieve this higher education route they want to pursue.

For more details please contact Denise on 0845 4509 4076 or mail her at dpk@mapknowledgelimited.com

 

Announcing the new MK Ltd 2012 CPD training days for experienced Assessors and Verifiers

(CMS) Competence Management Systems are big news again. They are being embraced all over the world as recognition in keeping employees at an all time high with their up to date knowledge and competence in executing their jobs, whether technical or softer skills, it all counts for excellence!

Making sure workers, supervisors and managers have and maintain appropriate skills and competences are important. It helps them carry out their work safely, reducing risks to themselves and other people. An effective competence management system (CMS) is how an organisation ensures that their staffs have the necessary skills and can apply them.

The aim is to ensure that individuals (the human factors!) are clear about the performance that is expected of them, that they have received appropriate training, development and assessment, and that they maintain or improve their skills over time.

What does legislation cover with competence?

Section 2(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) requires employers to provide such information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of employee.

Regulation 13(2) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires employers to ensure that his employees are provided with adequate health and safety training.

So what do you need to maintain a CMS?

To regularly monitor the competence levels of any CMS it needs to be assessed…and like all other people within the assessment process of a CMS the assessors and verifiers need to keep up their own competences too; both occupationally and with regards to assessing and verifying.

MK Ltd is opening their City and Guilds training to experienced professionals who already have gained D32/33/34/36 or A1/V1. The new TAQA qualifications are different to previous qualifications as they are unitised, this brings them into line with other qualifications’ and are now able to be mapped over to other qualifications at the same level.

The training half days are priced at £50.00 per person; and include the venue, the trainer, the tea and coffee (and biscuits!) as well as an entertaining half day that delivers a CPD attendance certificate as well!

A discount price is available per person for block bookings or delivery is on customer premise.

Call Denise for more information on 0845 459 4076 or mail us at dpk@mapknowledgelimited.com

 

Singapore

September saw Mary in Singapore talking with new business partners for MAP Knowledge Limited. Hopefully we will be importing ILM products there and complementing someone's corporate customers' outcomes in 2012!

Mary had an exciting visit though meeting a famous LA Lakers Player, Kobe Bryant who was on the top of The Skypark ship in Marina Bay;

He was training with some underprivileged kids who played on local baseball teams. Then she watched as Kate Blanchet opened the new Louis Vuitton store in the Marina Bay but the "piece de la résistance" was the following video clip!

On the Singapore Flyer at the top; How special was this moment! The couple concerned Kate and Mike were unaware that their very special proposal moment was being observed and recorded. Mary did tell them and is now in communiqué with them and has been promised a wedding invitation in the Philippines' next year!

ILM Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Executive Management with an MBA "Top-Up"

As an Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) approved centre of good standing and great reputation of delivering the higher end of vocationally related qualifications (VRQ) MK Ltd are about to launch the ILM L7 Dip in SL and EM (110 credits required as opposed to the usual ILM published 90 credits- a UoG requirement) to achieve a full diploma. This delivery of the units required GLH (guided learning hours) will run at Loddington, Rutland (or a venue very close) over the next 18 months/ 2 years; approximately 1 day every two weeks.

The Units we are delivering over the first quarter period is available on request. Once you have studied and achieved the 110 credits required and successfully got the Diploma under your belt, you will get the opportunity to apply to the University of Gloucestershire (UoG) for a "top up" to an MBA.
If you are accepted by the university as eligible (reaching their criterion), then UoG will use the acquired ILM Diploma 110 credits as APEL (Accredited Prior Experience and Learning) towards the remaining 70 credits you need for your Dissertation (research unit) and Accounting unit, which come to 180! (Like a darts match!!) Then of course the mortar board and pomp for the graduation follows! As well as Fellowship of ILM (once achieved the L7 Diploma status)

 

NHS Doctors as leaders! - 18th April 2011

7th and 8th April saw the SAS doctors team at Pilgrim Hospital Boston engage in a two day leadership training event. The event run by Rutland based MAP Knowledge Limited was not the normal run of the mill lectures that doctors are used to, but a range of interactive bite sized sessions that were as funny as they were informative and attitude changing!

The sessions were based around some traditional leadership values like managing others, understanding others and getting the best from others using three different trainers. So from classroom based interactivity with Colin and Rachel to outside with Sally (in the glorious Lincolnshire sunshine on Friday) throwing tennis balls, the event helped to energise these professionals with other leadership aspects of their complicated medical roles within today’s NHS.


There was a competition too, loosely based on I’m a celebrity but called “I’m a Leader…get me out of here!” Over the two days all the individuals’ doctors were in a head to head contest with each other so that a supreme champion could be named! There was a clear winner that outshone all others with creativity, engagement, innovation and ingenuity. Tarek Maani was the winner (photo) and he proudly accepted his engraved trophy from Cllr Raymond Singleton- Maguire, the elected Fishtoft county councillor.

Where there is a winner, there is also a loser! And a Lincolnshire potato with “Loser” written on was presented to the doctor with the lowest scores! D. G. Digry was the dubious recipient of this!

Mary Brooks, the director of MAP Knowledge Limited said “The event went very well and it was so nice to see medical professionals, who have lives placed in their care every day, able to laugh together and enjoy their learning and I hope they will be able to use the tools we gave them practically to compliment their technical medical leadership knowledge”

Dr Anthea Mowat, who organised the event on behalf of the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said “it was an excellent event which all enjoyed very much”


Councillor Raymond Singleton-Maguire said "Having previously been a student myself of MAP Knowledge on an ILM management course, I was delighted to be given the opportunity to perform the winner and loser presentation of the “I’m a Leader…Get me out of here” competition on behalf of the NHS at the Pilgrim Hospital in my capacity as County Councillor for the Fishtoft area. I know the SAS doctors will rise to any occasion with their acquired skills in leadership"

Watch the video of the event...

East Midlands Women in Business - 8th March 2011

MAP Knowledge was at the conference on 8th March and Mary manned an exhibition stand on the day; Around 150 delegates attended and were treated to some interesting and inspiring speeches by Ann Widdecombe, in her vast political career she has been: Member of Parliament for Maidstone, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department of Social Security and Employment, Minister of State at the Department of Employment, Minister of State at the Home Office, Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Shadow Home Secretary.

Most recently Ann appeared in BBC1's ‘Strictly Come Dancing', to huge acclaim, dancing through to the last round before the semi-finals!

Also Emma Jones is a business expert, author, and founder of small business support company Enterprise Nation. Her books include 'Spare Room Start Up: How to start a business from home', 'Working 5 to 9: How to start a successful business in your spare time' and 'Go Global: How to take your business to the world'.

And Penny Mallory is one of the country's top rally drivers, she started winning regional rallies and then set her sights on the world stage and after only four years of racing Penny became National Ladies Champion. She also drove the stunt cars for Nicole and Papa in the Renault Clio commercials. Mary helped her find her lost car keys on the day!!!
As ever we did our prize draw but Mary forgot to take a prize! So she bought a lovely pink handbag from another exhibitor there on the day and donated that!!
It was a great success and Ann Widdecombe kindly draw the lucky card from the box and one lucky delegate was very pleased to receive the said prize!!

 

ILM LEARNER OF THE YEAR 2011

MAP Knowledge Limited are delighted that we are once again honoured by ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management, part of the City & Guilds group)  for one of our candidates in achieving recognition for their inspiring work outcomes; we are based in the smallest county in the UK, Rutland, but win the biggest accolades in the UK

ILM LEARNER OF THE YEAR 2011
Bart Murphy - Highly Commended - England.

Bart Murphy has been Highly Commended in the Learner of the Year awards 2011 for the England region. This is the only award ILM has chosen in the England region and they have to design his Certificate as this is the first time they have done this!
When Bart came to MAP Knowledge Limited for development he had not undertaken any formal educational qualifications before; he had been promoted in his own company, MP Moran and Sons, due to the sheer tenacity and hard work that he extolled.

Due to the nature of the role he had been promoted into the choice of joining a level 5 programme to match it was quite daunting to him; as the operations manager at his organisation his role was overarching many staffs and different stores as well as closely working with the director to keep the organisation on track for success in growth and financial robustness

Bart joined the ILM Level 5 group that was being delivered in London as an open programme in 2008. He was introduced to the concepts of formal management training and development and embraced the whole programme with an open mind. He made astonishing progress with interacting in the training room with others, his contribution to the groups debates was awesome, writing WBA`s and reflective reviews, neither of which he had attempted before and his WBA`s made a difference in his organisation! Every one of them solved a problem or introduced new working practices

The organisation had made tremendous success in their occupational sector but now Bart was moving them into being a learning organisation. He had truly taken on board the development he had learnt and was now applying those skills and techniques into reality every day of every week.
MP Moran and Son had a return on their investment!

He made so much progress on the Level 5 in honing his skills to the benefit of the staffs who worked for him, that he was encouraged by his director to stretch himself even further and look into taking his skills to another level with strategic Management and Leadership development.

So, he made the leap and joined the MK Ltd ILM Level 7 Executive Management programme;

Again he showed his steel in the training room and the growth that he has made is remarkable; He has balanced a high level job, his personal life and writing at master’s levels now to achieve the level 7 award. He has completed the course and achieved the ILM Level 7 criterion but the most remarkable thing here is the difference he has made for his organisation.

His ILM work has paid off in the motivated staffs he leads, the projects that he has brought to fruition over the last 18 months, the close relationship, loyalty and trust he has forged with the hierarchal directors of the company and the continued growth & success of the organisation despite the economic downturns they have continued to grow & gain reputation due to their investment in Bart

He has epitomised the essence of ILM qualifications by showing that learned management behaviour and progression using management qualifications as a vehicle for personal and business growth is undeniably the root of good business sense and best practice.

The most remarkable thing is from both the level 5 and level 7 programmes is that every one of the WBA`s have been used as a tool for progression of the sponsoring organisation. Moran & Sons have benefited from every piece of work submitted

An example is the writing and implementation of a CSR (corporate social responsibility) policy that would be the envy of bigger businesses. The policy has been researched using the ILM guidelines/ membership opportunities and resources available.