q3 2009 Abma Global

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Student Magazine | Q3 | 2009

Global ABMA

All the latest ABMA news

INSIDE THIS ISSUE...

ABMA Career Centre

ABMA Course Profile

ABMA Study Skills -Resources and Referencing

And much more inside...

www.abma.uk.com

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ABMA Courses

Become who you want to bewith an internationally

recognised qualification

Be inspired

INTERNATIONALLY

RECOGNISED DIPLOMAS

ABMA is established in over 18countries and the list is growing. An ABMA qualification holds valuein the UK, America and in your

home country.

PROGRESSION ONTO

UNIVERSITIES

We are affiliated with manyuniversities throughout the UKand America as listed as wellas Universities all over Africa.

www.abma.uk.com

PROGRESSION INTO

EMPLOYMENT

ABMA Diplomas are recognisedthroughout many industries and ABMA will support your application for employment.

Please see your ABMA Co

Copyright© 2009 ABMA

-ordinator

or visit www.abma.uk.com for more information

Business Administration and Management Studies

Human Resource and Business Management

Sales and Marketing Management

Professional Journalism

Public Relations and Personnel Administration

Travel Tourism and Hotel Recreation Management

Community Development

Computer Science and Information Processing

Available courses:

Computer Systems Engineering and Hardware Maintenance

Professional Computing and Information Technology

Clearing Forwarding and Shipping Management

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Contents

Turn to page 16 to find out how taking an ABMA course cankick start your career

F E A T U R E S

ABMA Industry News........................P4SEACOM’S undersea cabling, speeding up connections in Africa

ABMA Career Centre........................P7Ensure you know the rights and wrongs of applying for a job and

how to successfully negotiate an assessment day

ABMA Course Study.........................P16 An in-depth look at Public Relations and Personnel Administration

ABMA Country Profile.......................P15Kenya’s development from the early nomadic and indigenoustribes to becoming a leading African economy

R E G U L A R S

ABMA Notices................P5 All your latest ABMAinformation

ABMA Study Skills........P10Effective resource use and how to reference your work

Life After ABMA............P18 An example of what can beachieved with an ABMAqualification

Plus a look at a number of ABMA courses and aSudoku puzzle to dobetween classes

Views and opinions expressed by contributorsto ABMA Global do not necessarily reflect the

thoughts of the ABMA nor reflect ABMA policy.

All rights reserved. No part of ABMA Globalmay be reproduced, in any form, without theexpress permission of the ABMA.

The Association of Business Managers &

AdministratorsWembley Point1 Harrow RoadLondonHA9 6DE, UK.

Tel: +44 (0)208 733 7000

Fax: +44 (0)208 733 7033

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.abma.uk.com

ABMA Global 3

www.abma.uk.com Copyright© 2009 ABMA

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NEWS

Association of Business Managersand Administrators

ABMA Global4

Africa's telecom industry is primed for a revolution withthe completion of the SEACOM Electronics' submarinecable. The submarine cable will provide internationalfibre optic bandwidth internet access to millions of peopleacross East Africa. Together with a number of other projects, in the next two years Africa's telecom landscapewill be immeasurably changed. As part of this work,seven cables are scheduled to go live and fiercecompetition amongst broadband providers is expected todramatically lower the cost of Internet usage, whilstimproving the speed of provision significantly.

Fibre optic submarine cables have evolved from earlytelegraph cabling which began intercontinentalcommunication in the nineteenth century. The adventand spread of the Internet in the twenty-first century hasencouraged greater use of submarine cabling and thenumber of intercontinental cables laid across the sea hasincreased significantly to carry ever increasing amountsof telephone and Internet traffic. Global connectivitythrough business and cultural exchange has beenencouraged by the rapid spread of the Internet andcommunications technology.

Kenya's president, Mwai Kibaki, meanwhile proudly

announced the beginning of the East African MarineSystem, a US$130 million project which will improvecommunication across East Africa linking Kenya directlyto the United Arab Emirates. Mr. Kibaki hailed the projectas bringing 'Digital Citizenship' to his countrymen andcompeting private and public projects will only benefit theconsumer with cheaper prices and easier access to theInternet.

The SEACOM submarine cable has linked South Africa,Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya andEthiopia to India and Europe.

Improved Internet speeds and greater access to the

Internet is expected to have as dramatic an effect uponpeople's lives as mobile telephones have had in the lastten years and will increase the use of and access to

technology such as laptops, computers and PDA's(Personal Digital Assistants). As well as an expectedrise in the use of consumer technologies, increasingInternet speeds will have potentially limitless benefitsfor business, particularly in fast moving digitalindustries such as information technology andtelecommunications.

ABMA courses in computing such as ProfessionalComputing and Information Technology, Computer Science and Information Processing and Computer

Systems Engineering and Hardware Maintenanceprepare students for management careers incomputing.

Improving computing skills allows professionals towork more independently and, for IT professionals,

ABMA training allows them to become an integral partof business. This consequently helps in improvingcommunication within the business and serviceprovision to the customer through efficient networking.

An increasingly important feature of modern businessis the ability to network and communicate quickly, bothdomestically, and internationally, whilst increasing anorganisations efficiency.

Source: www.ft.comwww.allafrica.com

Association of Business Managers& Administrators

Africa Communications Update


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Registration Fees:Examination Spreadsheet:Examination Fees:Dissertation Submission:

1st October 20091st October 20095th November 20097th December 2009

N.B. Make sure your fees are despatched so that they are received at least one week prior to thedeadlines to avoid the disappointment of failing to sit examinations during the December series.

ABMA Global 5

Important AnnouncementsDecember 2009 Deadlines

ABMA Outstanding Achievement Award

Now Available From the ABMA Website...

As you will have noticed, the ABMA has recently updated its website to enable students to acquireall the necessary forms and have access to important examination information. In addition tohaving all your essential information and course details at the click of a button, there is also ahandy study skills section and publications, such as previous editions of , available to

be downloaded by students and colleges.

You can now download the following documents from theStudent Forms section of the website:

?ABMA Student Registration Form

?ABMA Examination Forms

?ABMA Dissertation Cover Page

Should you wish to suggest any other resources that would be useful on the ABMA website,please let us know via the contact us page at www.abma.uk.com.

ABMA Global

The ABMA Advisory Board has selected students whose achievements reflectexcellently upon both themselves and their institution to receive an ABMAOutstanding Achievement Award in recognition of their efforts.

An official certificate will be included along with the medal which will be highlyvalued in the workplace and be an endorsement of the student’s achievement. A photo may also be included in .

This award is not limited to students however and should you wish to nominatea particular member of your college staff, be it an ABMA Co-ordinator or a

College Registrar, then let us know who they are and why they should be nominated and theymay also be featured in .

ABMA

ABMA

Global

Global


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INTERNATIONALLY

RECOGNISED DIPLOMAS

ABMA is established in over 18

countries and the list is growing.

An ABMA qualification holds value

in the UK, America and in your

home country.

PROGRESSION ONTO

UNIVERSITIES

We are affiliated with many

universities throughout the UK

and America as well as universities

all over Africa.

PROGRESSION INTO

EMPLOYMENT

ABMA Diplomas are recognised

throughout many industries and

ABMA will support your

application for employment.

See your ABMA Co-ordinator


‘I am currently studying for my Diploma 1 qualification in Computer Systems Engineering and Hardware

Maintenance and I am pleased tostudy a course which my local

University does not offer. I find it reassuring to know that when I havecompleted my ABMA Advanced

Diploma I will have a recognised qualification that is sought after.’

Tshiamo Matseka, Botswana

COMPUTER SYSTEMSENGINEERING AND HARDWARE

MAINTENANCE••

••••

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

DIPLOMA 2

Computer Repair andHardware Maintenance II

DIPLOMA 1

Computer Repair and Hardware Maintenance I

Introduction to Programming

Computer Architecture

Computer Fundamentals

Dissertation

Management of InformationSystems

Troubleshooting of ComputerSoftware

Networking Essentials andData Processing

ADVANCED DIPLOMA

Computer Repair andHardware Maintenance III

Software Methodologyand Installations

Engineering Aspects of

Microprocessors andIT Applications

Network Engineering andObject Orientated Programming

Dissertation

Dissertation

with an internationally recognised

ABMA qualification

what you want to beBecome


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ABMA Global 7

ABMA Career Centre

Attending an Assessment Centre An assessment day is an important part of the

recruitment process, particularly for large organisations

recruiting for managerial positions. Assessment days

are comprised of a number of specific tasks which will

demonstrate a candidate's skills and knowledge related

to those of the job’s requirements.

It is vital to any organisation that the right people for the

job are recruited and an assessment centre is one of

the best ways to fairly assess and select candidates.

By getting candidates to complete various tasks

associated with the role, the employer can develop a

better understanding of how effective the candidate will

be in a work situation.

An assessment centre provides employers with the

opportunity to view candidates over a longer period of

time. In contrast, an interview gives a limited perspective

based on what a candidate suggests they can do, rather

than demonstrating what they can actually do.

In this edition's ABMA Career Centre we take a look at

what an assessment day is comprised of and how you

can best prepare yourself for the pressures of trying to

show you are suited to the career you have chosen.

There is also a short feature on completing an application

form as well as writing a good covering letter.

See overleaf for advice on attending assessment

centres and how to impress...


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ABMA Global8

An assessment day might seem a nerve-wracking process. However, understanding some of the tasks you are likely to face will help you cope with your nerves. A bit of preparation for your assessment day will help you keep calm and enable you to do the best you can. In mostroles it is important to be a team player and this means you should interact with the other candidates on the assessment day, as well as generally being enthusiastic and co-operative.Below are some of the common features of an assessment day:

Personality Test

Personality tests are used in order for an employer to understand a candidate's typicalreaction to various situations. These tests will focus on determining your ability to formrelationships with other people and how you cope with different situations, for example, whenyou are under pressure. It is important in a personality test to be genuine and reflect your true character, otherwise the test will highlight inconsistencies in your responses.

Aptitude Test Some jobs require a large amount of technical skill, such as computer systems engineeringor information technology. Employers will often get candidates to demonstrate their technical

skills by giving them an aptitude test. Aptitude might mean an applied knowledge of a subjector demonstration of particular skills such as programming in computing, or an ability to writein a technical way, for example in roles related to journalism. Most roles in management willrequire several technical skills as managers will have to be able to lead and develop their team. Aptitude tests give an indication of the candidate's ability to respond to challenges thatthey would face on a day-to-day basis within the role.

Case Studies Using a case study as a live example, candidates can demonstrate their skills and personalqualities in a working scenario. A case study will sometimes require a candidate to take on adifferent role in a staged simulation in order for the employer to see how they might cope withdifferent situations or to see how they would resolve problems.

Group Exercises

The primary reason for conducting group exercises is to gauge an individual's ability to workwith others. Group exercises also show employers how individuals interact within a team andwhich role within a team they naturally adopt in leading a group or following others authority.

Interview

An interview is a very common feature of any assessment day. The interview, much like theday itself is focused on the suitability of the candidate for the role and sometimes is knownas a 'competency based interview.' Candidates are asked to demonstrate their suitability tothe role according to the skills they have and they should try to demonstrate the key skillsnecessary to excel within the role.

TOP TIPS

Being prepared andfollowing some basicadvice will give you thebest chance of success.

Be yourself

Being genuine will showyour personality. It isunderstandable to benervous and to someextent all of thecandidates will be, butyou should focus onbeing yourself.

Research the role

Knowing what skills the

role demands will give

you an idea of what the

company expects.

Talk to someone who has

been to an assessment

day before and listen to

what they recommend.


Assessment Day

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ABMA Global 9

IN SUMMARY

Ensure you practicewriting your answers tomake sure you avoid

making mistakes on your application form.

Use relevant examplesfrom your professionaland personal life.

On your covering letter check and re-check thatyou haven’t made anyspelling or grammaticalerrors.

Ask someone you knowto read over your covering letter to makesure you haven’t madeany mistakes.

DON'T FORGET

Should you require areference, the ABMA willbe happy to provide onefor you. Simply ask thepotential employer or university to contact usdirectly.

Application Form:

An application form allows the employer to ask the questions about the candidate,rather than leaving it to the individual to explain themselves on their Curriculum Vitae(CV) or covering letter. This allows the employer to find out the information they wantfrom the candidate and understand their skills and abilities better than a CV, whichmight not always be related to the job in question.

Application forms sometimes require detailed answers. Write the answer on aseperate piece of paper before you write it down on the application form to avoidmaking obvious mistakes.

?Make sure you list your work experience in order, starting with your most recent job

or piece of work experience and finishing with the oldest.

?Before you start, write down the important experiences in your professional,

academic and personal life. Your greatest achievements, professional successes or

projects you have completed, such as your ABMA Dissertation.

?Write clearly and neatly in your best handwriting.

?

Covering Letter:

The covering letter is the first thing an employer will see when you submit your application. It is important that it is well composed, addressed correctly and describeswhich position you intend to apply for. Below are some tips on how to write a goodcovering letter and how to give yourself the best possible chance to get the job youapply for:

The letter should be composed with a beginning, middle and concluding paragraph.

The opening paragraph should address your reader using their surname andappropriate title. You should clearly state your intention to apply for the role inquestion. Include any reference numbers at this point to make it easy for theemployer to sort your application.

The middle paragraph should focus on how you meet the employer’s needsincluding specific skills that relate directly to the role for which you are applying.

The final paragraph should include your contact details in order to ensure that theemployer can contact you. A good way to conclude your letter would be to provide asummary of the reasons why you want the role and how you can be a valuableasset to the company.

Source:www.wikijobs.co.ukwww.monster.co.uk

?

?

?


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ABMA Global10


Study SkillsOn the following pages we will be taking a look at how you can improve your research skills inorder to produce a dissertation or assignment of the highest possible standard. In this edition of

, we will also show you how to correctly reference your work to avoidproblems with plagiarism and to achieve the best possible grade for your project. ABMA Global - Study Skills

Plan Your Research

Sources of Information - The Internet

The importance of effective research cannot be over-emphasised. Strategic and thoroughresearch is the backbone to any successful project, whether it is an ABMA Dissertation or acompany research assignment.

Before beginning the piece of work, you should know what it is you will be discussing and how youwill be approaching the subject. By doing this preparatory work, you will be able to structure andplan your research, meaning time will be saved overall.

Consider the task you have been set or the arguments you wish to discuss within the piece of work. Ensure that you have a thorough understanding of all the topics to be discussed. Thinkabout how you expect the piece of work to look upon completion and work towards that. Alsoconsider how the piece of work will be marked and ensure you spend enough time researchingthe key areas of the assignment.

The Internet is becoming increasingly popular as a research tool with a large amount of information available to students. The Internet provides valuable online resources such as e-books

(electronic books), e-journals (electronic journals), news websites,company websites, government information, financial data,places to buy books and much more. With this vast amountof information available it is crucial to ensure that theinformation you are using is both reputable and reliable.

The Internet has very little censorship or editing restraints, thismeans that almost anyone can post their thoughts or opinionson various websites. It is important that when viewing any materialthat is related to your subject, that you remain objective. Question thesource of the material; is the language used of a high standard? Does

the source state their qualifications and position in employment? Consider the date when the piece was written as online material can become out-of-datevery quickly.

Your Guide to Researching Skills

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ABMA Global 11


The general rule when using the Internet as a research tool is to ensure youstick to reputable websites. Ensure the information you are using is up-to-datewhere possible and most importantly reference your work. If you use the workof somebody else without crediting them as the source, you are risking beingaccused of plagiarism. Plagiarism is taken very seriously by both collegeofficials and the ABMA and could result in you being banned from takingany ABMA examinations in the future. Referencing is a straightforward

process and a helpful guide can be found on page 12.

Ensure you are aware of what library resources you can use toproduce your assignment before beginning any piece of work. Visityour nearest library and speak to a member of staff to see whatresources are available to you. The types of resources on offer mayinclude:

Computers

Books Academic/Electronic JournalsNewspapers Audio resourcesVideo resources

Familiarise yourself with your library. Learn where different resources arekept and how readily available they are. Acquaint yourself with theopening hours and the limit on the amount of resources you canborrow at any one time.

Usually, subject specific books will be kept together. Makesure that you know where the relevant textbooks for your ABMA course are kept. Remember books will usually bearranged in alphabetical order according to the author’ssurname and initials. Journals and periodicals will be organised inmuch the same way. If you are in any doubt, speak to a member of staff.

Use the ABMA Reading List to guide you towards the resources

needed for your particular subject. If you do not have this, please speakto your lecturer who will be able to provide this for you.

Use the most recent, reputable information available in the work thatyou produce. Some textbooks, for example, will have new editionsreleased each year. This is particularly important when quoting dataandstatistics, as these can change dramatically from year to year.

Consider the amount of work you have to produce as an ABMADissertation will carry a specific word limit. Decide on how muchmaterial on any given subject area you will need to research. Above all, be selective about what you read. Do not read every resourcefrom cover to cover. You simply will not have time for this. Make sure you readonly the information that is relevant to your piece of work and take notes accordingly.

Sources of Information - The Library

Identifying Relevant Information

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ABMA Study Tips Your Guide to Referencing

ABMA Global12


As part of the ABMA Dissertation, you are expected to use and reference reputable sources and

case studies. If you use a source but fail to acknowledge it in the references section of your work,it could lead to you being accused of plagiarism resulting in probable disqualification. Referencingis a vital skill that will help you not only in your life as an ABMA student but also during the rest of your career.

Citations that occur within the text

Other examples

If the author’s name occurs naturally within the text then it should read:

As Herbert (2000, p.3) said, “Databases are like old-fashioned card files.”

It is important to notice how both the date of publication and the particular page are quoted. The

page number only needs to be included if the citation is from a particular section of the source asopposed to the source as a whole. This is precisely the case if the author’s name does not occur naturally within the text:

A more recent article (Herbert 2000) explained that in the digital age, journalists need to be able tolook at sources on the Internet and adapt it into news.

1) In the case of two authors, both surnames should be provided:

Guida and Dolleston (2009) argued that…

2) In the case of more than two authors, the surname of the firstauthor should be given followed by et al . For example:

More people than ever are switching to mobile broadband (Taylor et al . 2004)

All the names should then be supplied in the references section.

3) Some sources will not always provide the name of the author. In this case the author should be

given as 'Anon'. For example:

Being kind, considerate and hardworking are the qualities of a good boss (Anon. 2003)

4) In the case of newspapers, where frequently the authors name is not given, 'Anon' can bereplaced by the name of the paper. For example:

The number of applicants to UK universities has leapt by almost 10 per cent (Financial Times2009)

5) If someone has been quoted within another source, you should first quote the original sourcefollowed by the new source. Only the source you have read should go in the references. For example:

A debate by Quartner (1998 cited Murphy 2005) argued that…

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ABMA Global 13


Correct referencing including examples

The references section should include all sources that you have cited within the text. This shouldbe done in the form of a list and should appear in alphabetical order by the author’s surname.

Referencing a book:

Author's Surname, INITIALS., Year of publication. Title. Edition (if not the first). Place of publication: Publisher.

the.g. Jefkins, F. and Yadin, D., 1998. Public Relations. 5 ed. Harlow: Prentice Hall.

Referencing a quotation in a book:

Contributing author's surname, INITIALS., Year of publication. Title of contribution. Followed by In:Surname, INITIALS., of author. Title of book. Place of publication: Publisher, Page number(s) or

publication.rd

e.g. Locke, J., 1690. Oxford English Dictionary. In: Little, P., Communication in Business. 3 ed.Harlow: Pearson Education, p.5.

Referencing a newspaper article:

Author's Surname, INITIALS., (or Newspaper Title,) Year of publication. Title of article. Title of newspaper, Day and month, Page number(s).

e.g. Daily News, 2008. Botswana Beacon of Hope. Daily News, 26 March, p.1.

Referencing a video or a film:

Title, Year. (When referencing films, the preferred date is the year of release in the country of production.) Material designation. Subsidiary originator. (Optional but director is preferred)Production details – place: organisation.

e.g. Othello, 1996. Film. Directed by Oliver Parker. USA: Castle Rock Entertainment.

Referencing a website and an electronic book:

Author's / Editor's Surname, INITIALS., Year. Title. (Edition). Place of publication: Publisher (if available). Available from: URL [Accessed Date].

e.g. Directgov, The benefits of higher education. London: Directgov. Available from:http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/WhyGoToUniversityOrCollege/DG_4016998 [Accessed 13 July 2009].

Referencing an electronic journal:

Author's Surname, INITIALS., Year. Title. Journal Title, volume (issue), page numbers (if available). Available from: URL [Accessed Date].

e.g. Zhang, Y., 2009. A Study on Risk Cost Management. International Journal of Business and Management, 4 (5). Available from:http://ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/ijbm/article/viewFile/1766/1677 [Accessed 13 July 2009].

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INTERNATIONALLY

RECOGNISED DIPLOMAS


ABMA is established in over 18countries and the list is growing. An ABMA qualification holds valuein the UK, America and in your

home country.

PROGRESSION ONTO

UNIVERSITIES

We are affiliated with manyuniversities throughout the UKand America as well as universitiesall over Africa.

PROGRESSION INTO

EMPLOYMENT

ABMA Diplomas are recognisedthroughout many industries and ABMA will support your application for employment.

See your ABMA Co-ordinator


PUBLIC RELATIONS ANDPERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION

DIPLOMA 2• Principles and Practice of

Personnel Management II• Administrative Law

• Corporate and Strategic Planning

• Customer Service

ADVANCED DIPLOMA• Management Information Systems

• Marketing

• Organisational Development

• Public Relations II

DIPLOMA 1• Principles and Practice of

Personnel Management I• Public Relations I

• Business Administration

• Communication in Business

• Dissertation • Dissertation

• Dissertation

‘The knowledge I got fromdoing my ABMA Diplomahas helped me to have agood understanding of theaspects of Public Relations and Personnel Administration. I believe I can make an effectivecontribution to theorganisation which I work for as I learnt a lot fromthis course.’

Sefela Gopadileng,Botswana

with an internationally recognised

ABMA qualification

Becomewhat you want to be

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ABMA Global 15


Kenya is one of the world’s most popular touristdestinations and also boasts a thriving business sector.The country has seen many changes in its geography,politics and economy and it is the Kenyan people'sability to stay connected with their ancestral history andthe land in which they lived that ensures Kenya remainsa top tourist destination and one of Africa's mostinteresting countries.

One of Kenya's most popular destinations is the MasaiMara National Reserve. The reserve is known for itsgame and rich wildlife throughout the world and theMasai people, some of whom still reside in the park, firstarrived in the region known today as Kenya in the mid18th Century. Despite their comparatively small size, theMasai Warriors were ferocious

and quickly gained power andland but the real changes toKenya’s history occurred throughcolonisation.

Kenya's colonial history can be linked closely to that of Zanzibar following Imperial Germany's protection of theKenyan coastline and the subsequent arrival of theBritish East Africa Company in 1888, following a royalcharter and concessionary rights to the coastline fromthe Sultan of Zanzibar. After a great deal of unrestthroughout the following years, particularly during the1950's when Kenya was in a state of emergency duringa rebellion against British rule, Jomo Kenyatta, an iconof the struggle against foreign rule formed the Kenya

African National Union and ruled from Kenya'sindependence in 1963 until his death in 1978.

Today, Kenya has cemented itself as an exclusiveholiday destination with rich cultural diversity, developing

Kenya has cementeditself as an exclusiveholiday destination witha culturally diversehistory, developingcities and picturesque coastlines.

cities and picturesque coastlines. Kenya borders fivecountries in East Africa and has a population of just over

39 million. Kenya's capital city, Nairobi, is home to thenation’s government as well as being a thrivingcommercial centre.

Kenya's educational system begins with three years of pre-school, which is an integral component of the overalleducation structure. Eight years of primary educationfollows, concluding with the pupils sitting the KenyaCertificate of Primary Education (KCPE) whichdetermines which students can continue on to secondaryschool or vocational training. Those students whoachieve the necessary entry requirements can further enhance their employment prospects by undertaking an

internationally recognised

qualification with the ABMA.

ABMA courses have been thriving inKenya since the establishment of the organisation many years agoand continues to offers students adiverse and internationallyrecognised portfolio of courses. Sowell received are ABMA courses inthe region, that the internationalpress has seen fit to feature the

ABMA on two occasions recentlyand the success of ABMA's Kenyan students is well

documented throughout Africa with some establishingtheir own companies and others going on to work for governmental departments and international companies.

Kenyan students can consider themselves in goodcompany as students from all over Africa earn places atuniversity and undertake successful careers in manydifferent sectors following completion of their ABMAstudies. We wish all ABMA students continued successin their endeavours and should you wish to tell us your thoughts on the ABMA or if you simply want to let usknow where your studies have taken you, please contactus via email at [email protected] and you could beappearing in the next edition of .

Source: www.cia.govwww.information.go.ke

ABMA Global

ABMA Country Profile

KENYA

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A role in public relations is not a simplecareer but one that is evolving, asorganisations continually seek to reinventthemselves through new, exciting andinnovative forms of service provision. Of course it is entirely possible that your career will take you to a company handlingpublic relations for a range of clients asopposed to working for a specific companyor organisation. You may find yourself

talking to newspaper journalists or directlyto the public through articles in localmagazines or governmental publications,all of which will need to appeal to the publicwhile at the same time being able to identifythreats to your organisation’s reputation.

So what characteristics make a successfulPublic Relations Manager? Certainly anawareness of the surrounding businessworld and the impact their words have onthe public. It is important to be able tonetwork, create and maintain relationships,

build business and use your creativity tostrengthen a company’s image making adifference to their sales figures and overallreputation. Multi-tasking and timemanagement skills are essential for anysuccessful employee as is an ability to planeffectively.

WHAT DO ABMA

STUDENTS THINK

OF PRPA?

Sefela Gopadileng,

Gaborone Academy of

Education, Botswana

“The knowledge I gainedfrom doing my ABMADiploma has helped meto have a goodunderstanding of theaspects of PublicRelations and Personnel

Administration. I believe Ican make an effectivecontribution to theorganisation which I workfor as I learnt a lot fromthis course.

I hope to be undertakinga degree programme inthe foreseeable future onthe strength of mysuccess with the ABMA.” One of the most popular career paths for

graduates in business today, the publicrelations sector is not simply about making acompany look good. The competitive natureof business today means that someoneworking in a role in public relations must beaware of the risks to reputation, be able tohandle the press and maintain anorganisation’s image at the forefront of thepublic's mind.

As competition between companies growsand the media's perception of industrycarries more weight with the consumer,individuals whose role is to maintain andenhance an organisation’s reputation hasmoved from being a luxury of the world'slargest brands to a necessity of everybusiness, be it an international or localbusiness. Indeed, effective public relationsis essential for organisations of any sizefrom companies like Coca-Cola or Googlethrough to associations such as charities

and trusts.

Of course, maintaining a reputation is not aneasy task. Every company is desperate tostand out from the crowd and appear asinteresting and attractive as possible in theeyes of the consumer.

Public Relations and PersonnelAdministration (PRPA)

ABMA Global16

CURRENT

TEXT BOOKS

Public Relations

Jefkins,

Financial Times

Prentice Hall

ISBN: 9780273634324


Interested in attending university?

An internationally recognised ABMA qualification opens doors to further education and career progression. The ABMA has links with many universities,domestically and abroad, and on completion of the ABMA Advanced Diploma,students can apply for a place, in some cases, with exemptions.

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ABMA Global 17


INDUSTRY NEWS

The CharteredInstitute of PersonnelDevelopment (CIPD)

has announced thatfollowing a study of 3,000 industryprofessionals, onethird would consider switching jobs oncethe economicdownturn has ended:

“Once jobopportunitiesincrease, dissatisfiedemployees will votewith their feet andleave making itimportant for employers not to takethe loyalty of their people for granted.”

Claire McCartney,CIPD’s Talent andResourcing Adviser.


Excellent communication skills arefundamental to success not only to portrayorganisations in a positive light throughvarious forms of media, but also whenrelaying results from research and projectsto those people you represent. Reuben

Phiri, Head of the Public RelationsDepartment at Zambia Institute of BusinessStudies and Industrial Practice (ZIBSIP)states that an intimate knowledge of customer service, business andcommunications can provide a soundfooting in the world of public relations:

“Students, including those already working,have taken a keen interest in PRPAbecause the programme accommodates thestudents needs and is tailored in such a waythat there is smooth progression all the way

to university. Students who have completedthe programme have spoken highly of PRPAbecause employers find their diploma fittingto the industry. The content of the syllabusis so rich that it has given the students allthe confidence to execute their duties withease.”

Taking an internationally recognisedqualification with the ABMA will mean thatyou are well positioned to undertake asuccessful career not simply because youhave learnt the fundamentals andnecessary skills but because the personnel

administration aspects of the qualificationwill enable you to build a foundation onwhich to apply these skills and know-how toyour everyday work.

From demonstrating the ability to prioritisethrough to understanding the importance of reacting to research and efficient datarecording, this qualification will help youlearn about the workings of business whilethe dissertation unit helps to buildconfidence and provide proof that youpossess all the skills necessary, such as

time management and project planning, tobe a success in public relations Wherever your career takes you, it's certainto be very pressurised, very competitive andvery exciting.

Programme Structure

Diploma 1 Diploma 2 Adv. Diploma

Principles and Practice of Personnel Management I

Public Relations I

Business Administration

Communications inBusiness

Dissertation

Principles and Practice of Personnel Management II

Administrative Law

Corporate and StrategicPlanning

Customer Service

Dissertation

Management InformationSystems

Marketing

OrganisationDevelopment

Public Relations II

Dissertation

We would like to wish all ABMA students good luck intheir forthcoming examinations


BusinessFoundationCertificate

Diploma 1 Diploma 2 AdvancedDiploma

University(With exemptionsfrom first year where applicable)

Student meetsentry requirements

Student does notmeet entryrequirements

Student can enter employment having learntthe fundamentals of their chosen subject area.

ABMA Diploma 2 can becompleted at a later datewhilst employed.

Student can enter employment with a broader understanding of their chosen subject area.

ABMA Advanced Diplomacan be completed at a later date whilst employed.

Student can enter employment with a wideunderstanding of complexconcepts chosen subjectarea demonstrated withpractical experiencemaking the student veryappealing to employers.

ABMA Progression

Personnel andHuman ResourceManagement

Gerald Cole

CURRENT

TEXT BOOKS

Personnel and Human

Resource Management

Cole,

Thomson Learning

ISBN: 0826458637

7/27/2019 q3 2009 Abma Global


ABMA Global18

Life A fter ABMA

Meet , a former ABMA student fromZambia who studied Professional Computing andInformation Technology at Golden Gates TrainingInstitute in Lusaka.

Since completing his ABMA Diploma he has goneon to secure a position with EasySave ZambiaLtd as Sales Manager.

Here he tells us of his experiences as an ABMAstudent:

Boston Leji

How did your new employer respond to your

international qualification from the ABMA?

Would you recommend ABMA Diplomas to other students?

My employer responded very well to my ABMAqualification. I was given first priority among other people who applied for the same job. Completing an

ABMA Diploma gave me the choice of where tocontinue my career and with which company asorganisations were able to see my hard workingnature. Due to the internationally recognisedqualifications ABMA provide, I have become muchmore appealing to potential employers with manyinternational organisations seeking equally qualifiedindividuals.

To what extent do you feel the skills you haveobtained from your ABMA qualification arerelevant for your position at EasySave ZambiaLtd.

Boston Leji Sales Manager

EasySave Zambia Ltd.

I feel ABMA courses are wonderful as they have mademe who I am today. I am a good communicator and acomputer specialist. ABMA has added massively to mywell being in life and I am able to work well in thebusiness world.

EasySave Zambia Ltd. looked at my skills andconsequently contacted me for an interview. ABMAtaught me how to prepare for the interview. I waspleased when I got the job.

What advantages, do you think, an ABMAqualification gave you in the job market?

How do you feel that the ABMA provided for your needs as a student, and in what way was anABMA qualification of benefit to you?

To read about other successful

ABMA students, please visit our website at www.abma.uk.com

Undertaking my ABMA Diploma did not simply provideme with the necessary grades but also ensured that Ideveloped good organisational skills whilst the flexibleand well produced syllabus ensured that I studiedmaterial that is applicable to many different industries.My ABMA Diploma in Professional Computing andInformation Technology covered many areas of

business including those related to finance.

My ABMA Diploma in Professional Computing andInformation Technology has benefited my career byopening the door to many opportunities that wereotherwise closed. For example, when it comes to getting

jobs worldwide, I am well placed to be considered for awide range of managerial roles, not simply because of therelevant information I have studied but also because of the practical dissertation I have produced. I can work as aData Manager, ICT Manager, Software Programmer andcan even secure a role in Marketing, Sales or HumanResources. I also feel confident of establishing my ownbusiness.

100 per cent. These are quality diplomas that will makeother students happy. ABMA qualifications make you moreappealing to companies looking to employ qualifiedindividuals. I would recommend ABMA courses to anypotential student due to their international recognition andcarefully constructed content that will ensure that youstand out from the crowd, particularly due to thedissertation. A career in management is easily attainable.


7/27/2019 q3 2009 Abma Global


ABMA Global 19

Part of the Southern Cross group of companies, EasySaveZambia Ltd is a consulting firm that offers international financialadvice to both individuals and companies. The organisationspecialises in advice on investments, individual or familyassurance and travel and business insurance policies. Thecompany also helps people open offshore bank accounts withStandard Bank Isle of Man Ltd.

Prior to securing this position, Boston spent two years workingfor Barclays Bank Plc in Zambia. Barclays Bank has many branches throughout Zambia and Boston wasbased in the capital city branch in Lusaka.

As many previous ABMA students have found, the skills and knowledge Boston acquired during his time asan ABMA student have helped him to develop his career. These attributes have given him full confidence inhis ability to perform at the highest level. Due to the nature of the way ABMA courses are compiled, Boston

has been able to use transferable skills from the ABMA course in Professional Computing and InformationTechnology in a sales role for EasySave Zambia Ltd. Boston also intends to continue his ABMA learning inthe future in order to further develop his career prospects.

ABMA Sudoku Challenge

The objective of the ABMA SudokuChallenge is to complete the gridby ensuring that each 3x3 box, rowand column contains the numbers1-9 just once.

Difficulty Rating: Moderate

Good Luck!

If you would like to feature in ‘Life After ABMA’ then please forward usyour details, including a photo and your employment information, to theaddress: [email protected] and you might be in the next edition of

.

ABMA Global

EasySave Zambia Ltd.


5 8 1 9 2

1 3 6

7 8 5 4

3 9 2

4 1 6 3

2 9 3 7

5 3 8

2 7 8 3 6

3 5 2 6 4

7/27/2019 q3 2009 Abma Global


www.abma.uk.com Association of Business Managers and Administrators

Wembley Point,

1 Harrow Road, Fax: +44 (0)208 733 7033London, HA9 6DE, UK. Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 (0)208 733 7000

q3 2009 Abma Global

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