SLIM PCM: Stepping stone to a successful career for youth executives

At the head table from left: Gayan Maldeniya, G.S. Sylvester, Pradeep Edward and Sanath Senanayake

The Preliminary Certificate in Marketing (PCM), the most popular entry level qualification for marketing in Sri Lanka among career-minded youth executives, has been opened for registrations by Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM).

PCM enjoys wide recognition within the corporate sector and has been credited by accomplished marketers for having given them their first taste of marketing as young executives. Executives who are PCM holders have been known to receive many opportunities for career growth, including promotions and attractive packages, both in the marketing field and other fields due to the demand for marketing knowledge in a variety of non-marketing fields.

An inauguration ceremony with the participation of over 100 registrants was held recently at SLIM Business School, Colombo to mark the commencement of the new intake. The registrants included many young executives and junior marketers, along with post O/Level students awaiting results and post A/Level students who had received results.

The participants were briefed on PCM and the factors which have positioned it as one of the most sought after short courses in marketing. Moreover, with many renowned marketers having initially entered the field of marketing as PCM holders, the programme has been endorsed by the cream of the Sri Lankan corporate sector.

PCM is an entry qualification for the SLIM Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing (PgDip), which in turn is a stepping stone towards an MBA and thereafter a PhD. PCM holders are also eligible to pursue a Certified Professional Marketer (Asia), an internationally recognized professional status in Marketing conferred by the Asia Marketing Federation (AMF).

The Inauguration Ceremony was attended by SLIM Secretary Pradeep Edward as the Guest Speaker, SLIM CEO/ED Sanath Senanayake, Chairman of the Board of Study/Senior Lecturer at SLIM G. S. Sylvester, Manager – Education Gayan Maldeniya, Head of BDD Mihirinie Fonseka and SLIM staff.

In his message, SLIM President Ruwan Liyanagamage commented: “Even people in non-marketing careers choose PCM as they understand that marketing is an essential component of many other fields. Employers view PCM holders favourably, because the programme imparts practical knowledge while providing an international perspective on marketing and sales.”

Students can commence PCM soon after completing their A/L examinations, including students of Science and Mathematics streams. O/L students can also apply for PCM with pending results and get a head start in their professional studies.

In his address, SLIM Secretary Pradeep Edward stated: “Regular reviews and modifications to the course content are carried out in the PCM course in order to maintain its relevance and practical applicability in the dynamic world of modern marketing. Therefore it enjoys wider acceptance and recognition among employers and the corporate sector as a whole.”

SLIM CEO/ED Sanath Senanayake stated: “PCM provides basic theoretical knowledge through classroom based teaching over a period of three months. Thereafter, students get the opportunity to apply this knowledge to real world problems through a practical assignment. Hence it is the perfect blend of the practical and the theoretical knowledge.”

The modules in the course cover a wide range of marketing related topics such as Marketing Concept, Marketing Environment, Consumer Behaviour, Marketing Research, Segmentation, Targeting & Positioning, The Marketing Mix, Product Planning & Development, Pricing, Distribution, Marketing Communications/ Promotions, Developing the Marketing Plan and Information Technology for Marketing.

Log on to www.slim.lk for further details on the programme and the new intake, and begin your marketing studies with this internationally recognised short course.