KENNESAW, Ga., Sept. 13, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University has created a unique executive education program for employees of the local office of IBM.com. The new Masters Certificate for Experienced Professionals Program is being taught at IBM.com's Smyrna offices, and the curriculum will include five graduate level business courses.
"We expect that the advanced skills our sales representatives will acquire through this 20-month program will help them both in their day-to-day interaction with C-level executives and with their long-term career advancement," said Tanya Morris, IBM Senior Talent Manager.
IBM.com pays the tuition and fees for 30 IBM.com employees who work in sales, service and support for IBM customers worldwide. Participants who complete the program will receive a Masters certificate. Students who enroll at KSU may choose to continue their education to earn a full MBA degree. The Coles College's top faculty members teach the classes at IBM.com's Smyrna offices.
"Since all the participants work full time, the on-site night classes will make the program extremely convenient for them," Morris added.
Larry Bell, Managing Director of Executive Education Programs at the Coles College says it is truly a pleasure to help address the IBM.com's marketplace challenges.
"The courses are designed to give the sales representatives a better understanding of business processes, which will help them in marketing higher-level product and service solutions to clients who hold top positions at their companies," Bell said. "At the same time, the chance for advancement these skills can deliver may encourage top performers to stay with the firm and realize their long-term potential."
The program's goals include helping participants stretch beyond their comfort zone to acquire advanced skills; help them "think outside the box" and search for new alternatives; increase their corporate, industry and business knowledge; and help them develop "executive-suite perspective."
"Graduate curriculum can be expanded and customized to provide executive education opportunities to many kinds of businesses," said Mike Salvador, Ph.D., who chairs KSU's Department of Leadership and Professional Development. "Programs such as this combine proven courseware with the competencies of the Executive Education team."
The Coles College specializes in developing in-house programs that involve teaching at the customer's home base, solving business problems and appealing to mature, mid-career students.
For more information about the Coles College, visit www.colesMBA.com or call 770.420.4MBA.
Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive, residential institution with a growing student population approaching 20,000 from 132 countries. The third largest state university out of 35 institutions in the University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State offers more than 60 graduate and undergraduate degrees, including a brand new Doctorate of Education in Leadership.