SLIM signs MOU with C.W. Mackie PLC/Scan Products

From left: Geeth Wickramathunga, Jerome Jayasinghe, Mangala Perera, Sanath Senanayake, Gayan Maldeniya, Mihirinie Fonseka, and Pradeep Kumara

Marketing in the present global scenario has become the building block that adds value to corporate sectors to have an edge in the marketplace. Organisations which are marketing oriented simply become winners in the global business arena.

Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), the National Body for Marketing is in the process of grooming aspiring marketers in organisations to become fully fledged marketing practitioners. 

With this view in mind, SLIM from time to time conducts corporate educational programs on sales and marketing to employees in organisations.

SLIM signed an MOU with C.W. Mackie PLC/Scanned Products, to professionally qualify the sales staff of C.W. Mackie, via the Diploma in Sales Management of SLIM. Sales personnel of C.W. Mackie will acquire a thorough knowledge and professional qualification in selling. Signing of the MOU took place at the C.W. Mackie head office in September 2015.

The Human Resources Department of C.W. Mackie/Scan Products initiated this program with the professional guidance of SLIM. A cross section of sales and marketing personnel of C.W. Mackie will participate in this program.

Qualifying in Diploma in Sales Management will open new vistas in the education path of C.W. Mackie marketing and sales staff. This qualification will enable and empower them to progress to the National Diploma in Sales Management (NDSM) with exemptions. It will also enable them to acquire the Postgraduate Diploma qualification of SLIM.

The occasion was graced by C.W. Mackie Executive Director Mangala Perera, Group HR Manager Geeth Wickramathunga and General Manager Sales Jerome Jayasinghe. Representatives from SLIM were; CEO/Executive Director Sanath Senanayake, Head of Business Development Mihirinie Fonseka, Manager Education Gayan Maldeniya and the Coordinator Pradeep Kumara. SLIM President Ruwan Liyanagamage commenting on this affiliation said that sales and marketing are evolving subjects in the world and corporate sector managers and employees have to be up-to-date with current scenarios of marketing and sales, to have an edge in their respective spheres. 

“Corporate sector in Sri Lanka has kept confidence in SLIM corporate programs since these programs effectively contribute towards enhancing performance of their employees. The education pathway created by SLIM programs could take any employee in the corporate sector to the helm of their careers,” said the SLIM President. 

SLIM CEO/Executive Director Sanath Senanayake said employees in the corporate sector who followed SLIM corporate programs have shown visible improvements in their skills in marketing and sales. 

“These individuals have contributed towards enhancing revenue of their respective organisations while maintaining better relationships with customers. Those who have undergone these educational programs have demonstrated exceptional skill levels which has been a boon to personal as well as professional development,” he said.

C.W. Mackie PLC Executive Director Mangala Perera expressed his views saying, “Due to various social, economic factors and global influence, Sri Lankan consumer behaviour patterns are undergoing significant changes, especially expansion in the middle income market segment in the country directs the market in to new dimensions by creating high demand for branded products. Higher per capita income, life style changes, expansion in modern trade sector and food service sector creates new business opportunities in the FMCG market category.”

“C.W. Mackie PLC corporate management decided to enhance the knowledge of its FMCG field sales force on new market trends by mixing related theoretical applications together with their practical experience. That’s why C W Mackie PLC decided to develop a customised Sales Management Diploma for its field sales force through SLIM,” said Mangala Perera.

Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing has been promoting marketing excellence in Sri Lanka since 1970. It is a member of the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) and the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL). Internationally it is affiliated with ESOMAR, the Federation of Marketing Research Industries and is a member of the Asia Marketing Federation (AMF), which is affiliated to the World Marketing Association (WMA).