Successful change gained by executive development
THE INSTITUTE FOR Enterprise (IFE) also promotes Polytechnic University's professional services in management and executive development.
This is undertaken by the IFE's Management and Executive Development Centre (MEDC) which provides one-stop solution services in professional training and management consultancy.
The centre maintains close ties with more than 70 trade associations and professional bodies in Hong Kong representing individual enterprises and executives. It offers a wide range of training programmes in Hong Kong and the mainland to enhance the professional knowledge, management skills and innovation capabilities of executives. It is also the designated organisation providing training leading to qualifications for many professional bodies.
The centre also provides customised corporate training and consultancy services. Sidney Wong Sik-yiu, the centre's associate director, said a major source of demand for such services came from companies seeking to improve by streamlining or revamping their systems of operation.
'This is good for corporate competitiveness and sustainability but it often generates management problems and training needs they can't handle by themselves,' said Mr Wong.
'Some of the common problems they encounter are how to handle staff resistance to change, how to change their mindset and help them acquire the requisite new skills. What the MEDC does is co-ordinate the university's professional expertise to help them resolve these problems, while our other colleagues at IFE help them meet their needs for technological upgrade and innovation.'
The centre's clientele spans from small- and medium-sized enterprises to local and international corporations with executive training programmes particularly popular with SMEs.
Forums for executives and professionals are also promoted through talks, company visits and other activities. Trade associations are also assisted in acquiring government funding to implement benchmarking.
'We always stay ahead of new developments that affect industry and business, and try to help them understand how they will be affected. One example is the product quality standards and codes of practice required by the US and Europe,' Mr Wong said.
