The Executive Management Programme

Accounting & Finance

Better known as "Accounting for Non-Accountants", this part of the BEMP course leads you through the intricacies of this subject from the very basics upwards. What better way to enhance your understanding of the inner workings of business than by learning how the scoring system works. Accounting is seen as a black art by many, but our instructors bring the subject to life by relating it to real examples of their own experience. You will join them in a learning experience which is both rewarding and entertaining. The content of this course covers:- the Recording and Reporting of Financial Information; the Income Statement and Balance Sheet; Cash Flow Forecasting and the Control of Cash; the Analysis and Interpretation of Company Accounts; Business Ratios/Indicators of Performance and Financial Position; Accounting & Budgetting: the Use of Accounting Information in Decision-making; the Control of Costs; Cost Accounting; Pricing.

Operations

This stage of the BEMP is the perfect introduction to the world of business for experienced managers coming from a non-business environment. It covers all the most important aspects of operational and human resource management, including those thorny legal implications which flow from employing people. The course is designed to build upon the knowledge and experience you have already gained as an Officer in the Armed Forces. Topics covered include: Business Operations & the Link to Strategic Management; Performance Management & Benchmarking; Setting Objectives & Targets; Managing Information; Achieving Quality Standards in Business Operations; Defining Quality; Working towards Continuous Improvement; New Developments in Management Techniques; Overviews of Lean, Six-Sigma and the Theory of Constraints; The Role of Leadership; Developing the Executive Manager; The UK & EU Legislative framework and its impact; Employment Law and its pitfalls; Organisational Structure & Management Roles; Management Cultures; Management & Influencing Skills; Managing Change; Performance Management; Improving Performance; Negotiating Objectives; Achieving Results.

Organisational Strategy & Marketing

The principles underlying the formulation and implementation of strategy are similar in many ways to those used in the military, so the focus here is on the differences. After a brief introduction to Strategy generally, we cover the following: Missions, Visions and Goals; Analysing the Environment; Focussing on Sector Structures; Linking with the Outside World; Analysing the Organisation's Capabilities; Tools for getting a sense of direction (SWOT, PESTLE; Porter's 5-Forces); Leading Management Thinkers; Focussing on the Strategic Options; Looking Upwards, Downwards & Outwards.

Marketing, like Accounting, is an activity of which most military people have little experience, but delegates are very quickly engaged by this subject. The foundations are laid during the general discussion about the Marketing Concept, quickly followed by: The Marketing Mix; Market Research; Putting Customers first; Brand Management; Segmentation & Targeting; Public Relations.

We round the week (and the Programme) off with the Business Game. This demanding and complex business simulation allows delegates to practise, as close to reality as is possible, the cut and thrust of running a business. Working in teams of 3 or 4, they progressively make decisions over the whole range of business areas; learning and consolidating at each stage. Instructors work interactively with all the teams throughout the game.

Specialist Electives

An Elective is your opportunity to acquire specialist knowledge by way of an intensive one-week briefing on your choice of topic of UK Government-recognised Best Practice. Although there is an additional charge for the Elective, the cost is highly preferential which is why you are restricted to only one. All Electives are ELC eligible and the cost includes the corresponding Level 7 assignment, where applicable. OGC examinations are not included but can be taken for a modest additional cost; this also entails an extra half-day attendance. Choose any one of the following:-

E01 – Project Management

Learn about the globally recognised PRINCE2® project management methodology and how your future subordinates will be using it. You will follow the actual course syllabus which prospective PRINCE2® Practitioners are required to absorb in preparation for their examinations.

E02 – Programme Management

Programme Management has a much more strategic dimension than Project Management. Whether you intend to directly manage programmes yourself or manage subordinates doing so, you will find this MSP®-based Specialist Elective a highly useful, though intensive, briefing. During your four-day attendance you will learn alll about the wide range of MSP® techniques and tools in the MSP® Practitioner's armoury.

E03 – Managing Risk

In a world of rapidly changing environmental and market conditions the ability to make informed decisions with regard to risk in those environments is essential. Managing risk in any organisation requires processes and procedures to drive a culture of measured risk- taking in support of the business's objectives, to allow the development of opportunities and the management of threats. This Specialist Elective follows the Best Practice MoR® (Management of Risk) programme and will allow you to appreciate how practitioners in this field apply the tools and techniques of this internationally recognised qualification.

E04 – Managing Change

The UK Best Practice models for managing projects, programmes and risk are PRINCE2®, MSP® and MoR® but these are not designed to cover the people perspectives of change. Managing change and its impact is one of the highest priorities for any organisation. Add to this the current accelerating rate of change and it is easy to see how failure to deliver successful change can be devastating for the organisation. Delegates attending this Specialist Elective will see how future subordinates or colleagues can act as valuable members of a Change Management team and apply Best Practice change management principles, approaches and techniques.