2006-2007

News Release

REF NO.: 236

SUBJECT: Growing success: Memorial University outreach centre expands

DATE: August 15, 2007

Increasing enrolments and new program offerings are the result of the most successful year in the 27-year history of the Centre for Management Development (CMD).
The CMD, an outreach centre of the Faculty of Business Administration at Memorial University of Newfoundland, offers professional development programs for all levels of management, from new supervisors looking to build their management skills to senior level executives participating in the executive development program. In addition to the open enrolment seminars, the centre also creates client specific programs to suit organizational needs.
This year has seen an increase in all seminars and programs. Bill Morrissey, director of the CMD, attributes this growth to a focus on relationship building. “What we’ve done is place a stronger emphasis on communicating with our clients,” he explained. “We know our clients better, and so we have a better understanding of their needs.”
With repeat clients on the increase, staff at the CMD has been following the successes of their students. As Jackie Collins, client relations co-ordinator, explained, “people come in for the supervisory skills program, then leadership training, and some come back a few years down the road for the executive development program. Our clients have gone on to great success in their professional lives and they continue to upgrade their skills with our programs. It’s so rewarding to watch the progression of our participants’ careers and know that we helped them to achieve these goals.”
One of the most popular CMD programs, the Masters Certificate in Project Management, is the result of a partnership with Schulich Executive Education Centre at York University. To build on this partnership, the CMD is offering two more of Schulich’s programs this fall in the areas of sales management and critical thinking.
The newest partnership for the CMD is with the Purchasing Management Association of Canada. This organization is responsible for the certified professional purchaser designation, the most sought-after achievement in the supply chain management profession.
“We know partnerships have played a significant role in our success in meeting our clients’ needs,” said Mr. Morrissey. “Mostly recently we have worked with our colleagues at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, the Labrador Institute, MUN HR and the Division of Lifelong Learning to meet the training needs of clients within the university community, as well as other regions in our province. We will build on these partnerships to continue to support the professional development of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.
“We have a formula that works. We continually work on communications and relationship building, and we believe in evaluation and improving our programs,” Mr. Morrissey explained. “Our staff and facilitators are passionate and dedicated, and everyone is committed to client success.”

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