CABM/CBM Credentials in Corporate Training
Would you trust your family’s health to a doctor who does not know the fundamentals of medicine?
Would you trust your personal finances to an accountant who is not a CPA?
Would you trust your legal fate to a lawyer who has not passed the bar exam?
Then why do we often trust the stewardship of our corporations to managers who have not mastered the basics of business management?
An organization’s success is unquestionably about employees making informed decisions. In fact, when quantifiable knowledge is properly balanced with integrity and self regulation, it offers the greatest guarantee for reaching organizational objectives.
Consider the following…
In a recent survey of business leaders conducted by the Association of Professionals in Business Management (APBM) and Pearson Education, 67% of respondents indicated that employees lacked the business acumen and requisite knowledge to effectively operate outside of their area of expertise.
This lack of cross-functional knowledge belies the true meaning of the war for talent.
The Association of Professionals in Business Management believes that
• There is a comprehensive body of knowledge that defines what it means to be a business manager;
• Individuals who have mastered the knowledge standards for management and apply context to that knowledge make more informed business decisions;
• Strategy and leadership are the byproducts of strong management knowledge, not the other way around.
The CABM/CBM Credentials represent the first comprehensive programs for verifying the body of knowledge needed to function as a professional business manager. Similar to the bar exam for lawyers and medical board exam for doctors, a business management certification exam eases doubt over competency and enhances confidence in the organizations’ business managers.
Here’s how the CABM/CBM Credentials can work for your organization…
The CABM/CBM Credentials provide managers and leaders with the ability to enhance the performance of high potential employees, teams, divisions or entire organizations by providing the fundamentals of business management.
Engage and Empower Your Workforce
In the current economic environment, the investment in skills development for a high potential employee can be more meaningful to the individual than compensation. Using the CABM/CBM Credentials to skill individuals demonstrates the organization’s commitment to the employee and equips managers to take on additional responsibilities, thereby creating a more engaged and empowered employee.
Retain Talent
The aforementioned survey of Fortune 500 companies indicates that 67% of employees lack the business acumen and requisite knowledge to effectively operate outside their area of expertise. The market study, conducted by the APBM and Pearson Education, further shows that employee development needs are inadequately served — and, in 81% of organizations, are not even measured.
The CABM/CBM Credentials offer a solution to hiring outside talent by bridging the gap between business specialists and business generalists. Usually, business specialists focus on their area of expertise whereas business generalists focus on multiple functions at a time.
Maximize Performance and Productivity
Not surprisingly, the top strategic objective in a cost-sensitive climate is to restructure the organization to be more integrated, flexible, and responsive. The CABM/CBM Credentials help steer this direction and expand the value of your workforce. High performing teams are those that communicate most effectively. The CABM/CBM Credentials provide common business literacy that allows teams to speak the language of their various stakeholders. In support of this, 93% of current program participants have indicated that they have a better understanding of the language of business as a result of completing the CABM/CBM.
Improve the Hiring Process
Level the playing field when it comes to evaluating and training new hires. A common body of knowledge ensures a consistent approach to filling in the knowledge gaps for a new employee, freeing hiring managers to determine if potential employees are a cultural fit.
CABM/CBM Certificants give recruiters an objective view of new hires and the confidence that they will have the capability to manage resources more effectively, make better judgment calls, use financial information more rationally, and increase the company’s profitability. They also understand more about why decisions are made and are better poised to support changes in strategy.
Lay the Ground Work for Continued Success
Organizations that institutionalize the CABM/CBM Credentials demonstrate their commitment to ethical management — where business leaders uphold the standards and bylaws of a recognized profession. The CABM/CBM Credentials represent the commitment to the continual acquisition of knowledge by their managers and the ethical application of that knowledge. In this regard, all CABM/CBM Certificants are required to physically sign the APBM’s Code of Professional Ethics each year as part of their recertification.
How do you measure the impacts?
The CABM/CBM Credentials provide individuals and organizations with the ability to measure the impact of their educational programs. The online self-study materials provide individuals with the ability to take a comprehensive pre- and post-assessment in order to focus their study to prepare for the exam. Similar to other professionals such as lawyers, accountants, and doctors, all CABM/CBM Certificants are required to complete continuing professional education each year..
Organizationally, the CABM/CBM Credentials provide an independent measure of your learners mastery of the skills and knowledge of the program and provide a comprehensive score report for each learner, that will allow the organization to better plan for on-going career development of their managers.
How do you get started?
Individual
1. Inform your manager or mentor of the CABM/CBM Credentials
2. Check your tuition reimbursement policy or educational expense policy
3. Check if the content qualifies to be a part of your annual performance developmental plan
4. Ask your manager or mentor to review and sponsor you to earn the CABM/CBM Credentials
5. Have a discussion with manager regarding identifying developmental areas
Team Leader/Manager
1. Assess departmental training and development budget
2. Identify potential participants
3. Collaborate with other team leaders to identify potential participants to form a cross functional pilot, consisting of three to five participants
4. Schedule a group pilot
Division/Group Leader
1. Assess divisions/group business needs
2. Assess division/group training and development budget
3. Identify cross functional pilot group, consisting of 15-20 participants
4. Schedule group pilot
Organizational Leaders
1. Assess organizational needs
2. Review the CABM/CBM Learning Objective Statements provided by APBM
3. Assemble small-group pilot, consisting of 25-50 participants.
4. Use the CABM/CBM Credentials as input to your internal high-potential or management development programs
5. Promote the CABM/CBM Credentials as open-enrollment options for your employees
