e-XECUTIVE Self Training CD

I do take this opportunity to introduce to you this Executive Self Training CD. This CD contains 39 Executive Program Courses and case studies that are geared towards enhancing the business skills of corporate heads, managers,  entrepreneurs,  students and individuals keen on gaining competitive advantage in the Business world.

The courses herein have been put together by experts in the industry. The courses are available in Ms Word, Ms Excel, Ms Powerpoint and PDF formats

The e-Xecutive Self Training CD contains the following courses:-

• Building Capacity in Non Profit Organizations
• Case Study - Balanced Scorecard
• Case Study - Effective Capacity Building. By McKinsey & Co.
• Competitive Intelligence (Part 1)
• Leadership
• Logic Model Development Guide
• Managing Projects
• Process Improvement
• Project Management Primer
• Scorecard White paper
• Social Entrepreneurship
• The Basics of Competitive Intelligence
• Balanced Scorecard Project - Template
• Case Study - Capital Budgeting Analysis
• Financial Analysis and Forecasting
• Malcolm Baldrige Model
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Performance Management Plan
• Project Management Toolkit
• Project - Templates
• Scorecard - Spreadsheet
• Analytical Thinking Training
• Fundamentals of Competitive Intelligence
• Strategic Planning Model
• Building The Balanced Scorecard
• Capital Budgeting Analysis
• Creating Value in Non profit Sector
• Creating Value Through Financial Management
• Evaluating Financial Performance
• Financial Planning & Forecasting
• Managing Cash Flow
• Mergers & Acquisitions - A Beginners Guide
• Mergers & Acquisitions (Part 1)
• Mergers & Acquisitions ( Part 2)
• Strategic Planning
• Strategic Planning Manual
• The Balanced Scorecard 
• The Management of Capital

Business Intelligence Tools - BI Tools For The ipad.

Business Intelligence Tools are distinct in terms of price, use and functions. There are various manufacturers and vendors of Business Intelligence tools who are in good position to advice you on the best tools to meet your organization’s needs. A good advice from the vendor will be able to bring to your knowledge the strengths, weaknesses, differences, cost and functions of the various Business Intelligence tools. It is good however to ensure that the vendor is giving you accurate information through consultations with credible Business Intelligence experts.

Business Intelligence tools are instrumental when it comes to reporting, dash boarding and analysis. There are various Business Intelligence tools to look at including:

           Business Intelligence Tool                                   Version          Vendor

1.	Oracle Enterprise BI Server	11g1	Oracle
2.	Business Objects Enterprise XI	r4	SAP
3.	Microsoft BI tools (integrated BI offering*)	2008/2010	Microsoft
4.	SAS Enterprise BI Server	9.2	SAS Institute
5.	Microstrategy	9	Microstrategy
6.	IBM Cognos Series 10	10.1	IBM
7.	QlikView	10	QlikTech
8.	Board Management IntelligenceToolkit	7.1	Board International
9.	BizzScore Suite	7.3	EFM Software
10.	WebFocus	8	Information Builders
11.	Oracle Hyperion System	9	Oracle
12.	SAP NetWeaver BI	7.3	SAP
13.	Actuate	9.1	Actuate
14.	Style Intelligence	11	InetSoft
15.	Pentaho BI suite (open source)	4	Pentaho
16.	Tableau Software	6.1	Tableau Software

It is worth noting that the role of mobile devices in the Business Intelligence field is growing in terms of functionality. Of these devices the tablets are said to be on the forefront in swallowing up Business Intelligence functionality.

For those of us who are interested in carrying out Business Intelligence functions using the ipad, there are several good Business Intelligence tools available for this sleek device. Some of these Business Intelligence applications that can be used by the ipad include:-

·         MicroStrategy

·         Qlikview

·         Roambi

·         Tibco Spotfire

·         Yellowfin 

At the end of the day it is upon the organization to do due diligence and an audit in order to establish what Business Intelligence tools will work to the organization’s advantage.

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Research & Development

Research and Development are at the core of any product development. Leading companies are known to invest billions of dollars in product development by leveraging their R and D departments. Investment is R and D is highly capital intensive but the returns are worth every dime. It is worth noting that R and D can also take a very long time before the actual product can find its way in the market.

Pharmaceutical companies invest a lot of time in research. It can take even decades for a drug to go through research, testing, licensing and finally being released into the market. This basically means that the funds and the time invested in R and D is massive. This therefore calls for prudence and meticulous planning in order to ensure that every second and every dime is put into proper use. It would be a pity for all the investments put into the research and development of a product to go up in smoke.

It is worth noting that R and D departments need foresight as part of their strategy. The world has witnessed expensive ventures fail because of lack of foresight in the part of the planners. The introduction of the concord is a good example of an expensive strategy gone wrong. Any organization worth its salt should minimize losses by engaging only in viable ventures after thorough research. Any discrepancies that come at the R and D stage should be taken care of immediately and nothing should be left to chance. This is important in helping organizations gain as much as possible from their R and D strategy.

Research and Development is an expensive venture and as such due diligence needs to be carried out with the sole aim of maximizing the returns from the end product.

Should Your University Matter To Your Potential Employer?

A look at the employee profiles of the leading global institutions will reveal an interesting trend as far as the recruitment process is concerned. It is apparent that many global companies have a preference for graduates from certain universities. This means that for such organizations if your certificate is not reading something like Wharton, Insead, Kellog, Havard, MIT or any other institution along such lines, then employment for you in such organizations will be a tall order.

The question that many people are asking is “isn’t a degree just a degree regardless of the school one went to?” The appropriate answer to this question is ‘yes’ and ‘no’. “Yes” because an MBA from an Ivy League university carries more weight in terms of student preparation, industrial exposure and experience. “No” because the basics of a certain MBA program are the same across all the institutions of higher learning. A Strategic Management program has some basics that are homogeneous across the board and as such a graduate from any reliable and recognized business school can do the job.

Employers should therefore approach the recruitment process with caution in order to tap talents extensively from the various schools across the globe. This is a great way of creating diversity because recruiting only from Ivy School universities at the expense of other universities might subject the organization to only “Ivy league ideas.”

The burden of the employee is however to be the best they can be regardless of their undergraduate or graduate schools. Not everyone can make it to an elite Ivy League university and so employers should be prudent enough not to deny graduates opportunities to grow just because they do not fit in the elite class of universities. At the end of the day it’s the results and productivity of the employee in question that matters.