SLIM tailor-made program to upskill SLIC branch managers

Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC) recently signed an MOU with Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) for the tailor-made program, ‘Certificate in Sales Management’ with a view to upskilling Branch Managers.

This practical oriented sales program is expected to make SLIC branch managers (Life and General insurance) more vibrant and provide them with the ability to lead their sales teams to have an edge in the marketplace. 

SLIC CEO Chandana L. Aluthgama said at the occasion of signing the MOU, the insurance industry currently having stiff competition demands services of professionals who can face challenges hence grooming professionals with leadership qualities within organisations has become vital. 

SLIC’s slogan, “Like a father-Like a mother” speaks for itself. We constantly innovate and are conscious of ever changing consumer dynamics. Yet, currently there is intense competition between insurance companies operating in the domestic market with an ever shrinking disposable income of consumers against inflation. 

“To face this challenge, we have to groom our sales teams to grasp the ever changing dynamics of the marketplace and for that purpose we decided to partner with SLIM for this special training program,” Aluthgama added.

 “Even at lull periods when business doesn’t perform well SLIC does not compromise investing in training and development needs of employees since employees are our most important asset. Also training employees is vital in these challenging times and ‘Certificate in Sales Management’ program of SLIM will provide SLIC branch managers the resilience to face the market condition,” he said.

DGM Head of Marketing & Distribution (Life) Namalee A. Silva said: “Modern consumer segments seek convenience and value for money. Global best practices entering into the market bringing customer insights in to the local market too is challenging and companies should become proactive to face it. Tailor-made and personalised programs of SLIM over the years have added value to corporate sector companies thus are endorsed by the sector. These programs are benchmarked with global standards hence SLIC selected SLIM for this need.”

Senior Manager, Learning and Development (Life and General) Vibushan Bulathsinghala said: “SLIM Certificate in Sales Management’ program will identify the potentials of SLIC branch managers and sharpen them effectively to add value to the company. This program will endow the knowledge in modern sales dynamics within our salesforce and skill up them to become true team players. Hence at the end of the SLIM program we will have a more dynamic sales force who could weather the storms in the marketplace.” 

SLIM President Nuwan Gamage’s speech was focused on the value addition brought by sales and marketing professionals to the country’s economy and the GDP. He said marketing oriented companies will always bring benefits to the customers, staffs and to the society as a whole. He also stressed the importance of a company and its workers being socially responsible, ethical and customer friendly in all activities. 

SLIM CEO/ED Sanath Senanayake said SLIM tailor-made programs are made by mapping SLIM resources and creating a cutting edge curriculum to suit respective companies.

“We appreciate the continuing investment made by SLIC towards training and development needs of its employees which is a must for a market leader. Many companies when they start making profits tend to ignore this aspect in the long term. 

Tailor-made programs done by SLIM over the years have paid dividends. The SLIM ‘Certificate in Sales Management’ program personalised for SLIC sales managers and sales teams is initialised to live up to the expectations of the SLIC management. Not only that, after completing this program SLIC sales and marketing staffs can join hands with SLIM to continue with their studies towards achieving MBAs and Post Graduate Diplomas which will secure their career paths,” said Senanayake.