SLIM joins forces with SLII under auspices of IASL

Officials exchanging the MOU

Participants at the event

Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) has partnered Sri Lanka Insurance Institute (SLII) under the auspices of the Insurance Association of Sri Lanka’s (IASL), Marketing and Sales Forum (MSF) to strengthen the insurance marketing in Sri Lanka. 

Signing of the MOU to formalise this partnership between SLIM, SLII and IASL was graced by SLII President Sanjiv Keerthiratne, Vice President Thusitha Nandasiri, CEO Udeni Kiridena and Council Members with IASL represented by IASL – Marketing and Sales Forum (MSF) Chairman Adel Hashim and forum members. SLIM was represented by Secretary Pradeep Edward, CEO/Executive Director Sanath Senanayake, Head of Business Development Mihirinie Fonseka and Manger Education Gayan Maldeniya.

The core objective of this brand-new program which was designed by SLIM and SLII with the blessings of IASL and its MSF membership is to instil a higher level of professionalism in the insurance profession in Sri Lanka by grooming insurance marketers. Participants of this ground breaking program will be imparted with finer-points in marketing and basic technical knowledge in insurance that they would put into practice when promoting their insurance products and services to the general public. At the completion of this certificate course the participants will be eligible to pursue the Diploma in Insurance Marketing which will also be launched under this joint initiative.

The first batch of apprentices for this newest program will comprise of over 50 employees from insurance companies. Through a very practical oriented training schedule, they will be endowed with the knowledge and skills of forecasting customer expectations and catering to that with a very marketing oriented approach. Developing marketers who will contribute effectively towards an insurance company’s sustainable growth and provide insurance solutions in a socially responsible manner would be the end objective of this initiative.

A co-branded certificate by SLIM and SLII will be awarded to each and every participant at the end of the program.

Expressing views, SLIM President Kalana Rathnayaka said, Sri Lankan organisations in the present context pay great emphasis on skills development of their employees and SLIM caters to this need effectively. 

“SLII took a bold decision to join hands with SLIM to introduce this newest insurance marketing program and marketers in the insurance industry could immensely benefit by this program. I must offer my sincere gratitude to IASL and its MSF members for identifying the need that has arisen in the sector and giving the green light to launch the program,” he added.

SLII President Sanjiv Keerthiratne observed SLII could be recognised as the premier education body committed to fortifying professionalism in insurance industry in the country. 

“SLII has offered a range of programs including Diplomas in the past years for aspiring insurance marketers. In the process we identified the vast number of marketing professionals involved in the insurance fraternity and the need to introduce a qualification to such professionals. The insurance marketing professional qualification jointly offered by SLII and SLIM is a result of that thinking. We are confident; this would be the ideal professional qualification for marketing professionals in the insurance industry. I am certain that SLII-SLIM insurance Marketing Program would thus gain recognition and become a huge success,” said Keerthiratne.

IASL-MSF Chairman Adel Hashim expressing his views said, “Marketing plays a pivotal role in today’s corporate and business arena and insurance or any product or service for that matter cannot survive without marketing.”

“Insurance being an intangible product, needs strong persuasion for prospective customers to embrace it. Furthermore, there is stiff competition in the insurance sector with over 30 insurance companies. Hence, this joint initiative, where SLIM and SLII has come forward to join hands with the insurance companies to launch this program is to enhance skills of insurance marketers should be commended,” he added.

Hashim further stated, “A timely and important decision was made by IASL and its MSF membership to give their blessings to SLII and SLIM to commission the Insurance Marketing program. He trusts that all insurance companies will take advantage of this program and nominate their field staff/agents as determined by the respective companies to enrol in this inaugural batch scheduled to commence shortly.

SLIM, the national body for Marketing in Sri Lanka aside from mentoring school leavers, aspiring marketers, and marketing personnel with its world-class educational products on marketing and sales; ventures into specific corporate projects to add value to companies in Sri Lanka. With its Diploma in Professional Selling (DPS) program, SLIM in the past four years has enhanced skills of sales forces in diverse spheres such as insurance, pharmaceutical, FMCG, mobile telecommunications and banking. This adaptation strategy and affordable prices of SLIM has made the marketing fraternity and the corporate sector in Sri Lanka to perceive SLIM as an indispensable mentoring entity.

Since 1970 SLIM has been adding immense value towards eminence of marketing in Sri Lanka. SLIM is a member of the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL). Internationally the entity is affiliated with ESOMAR, the Federation of Marketing Research Industries. SLIM is also a member of the Asia Marketing Federation, which is affiliated to the World Marketing Association.