The manager’s world is changing rapidly. That means, among host of other things, that effective managers must be equipped with new and often very different competencies from those that served them well enough in the past.
The challenge for the New Zealand Institute of Management, therefore, has been to recognise talent in individuals and equip them with the right skill sets to manage and lead their ever-changing enterprises and organisations. To do this and maintain its credibility, NZIM needs to constantly demonstrate that it has an ongoing understanding of both the dynamics and the demands of modern management practice.
NZIM philosophically and firmly believes that it makes an important contribution to New Zealand’s economic prosperity by helping to build the nation’s individual and collective management capability. And as part of that process, NZIM’s professional qualifications recognise effective management in practice.
The qualifications are based on clear set of criteria that provide managers with development path which is independent of their employing organisations. They encourage personal development by recognising that the individual has taken the opportunity to keep up to date at time when it is essential to balance contemporary business dynamics with integrity and good management practice.
Many individuals in specialist careers consider NZIM professional management qualifications complement their technical qualifications. Engineers, doctors and managers engaged in construction and manufacturing frequently seek NZIM qualifications to round out their organisational management and leadership skills.
NZIM’s professional qualifications reflect the need for management learning and knowledge to be translated into practical action that delivers results. The criteria at each level – Member, Associate Fellow and Fellow – measure an ability to make transition in competency by reviewing achievement and currency.
An NZIM professional qualification also provides managers with an independent benchmark by which employers, prospective employers and employment agencies can evaluate both achievement and experience. This same benchmarking also provides credentialing on the world business stage through alignment with similar qualifications in Australia, the United Kingdom and many Asian countries. NZIM has reciprocal qualification recognition agreements with sister management institutes in these countries and the facility is available to NZIM members.
NZIM recently announced details of an NZIM management model that is designed to add value to its professional qualifications process. The model is based on research and information on global management trends and learnings. The model is being used to help managers identify their key learnings and personal development targets and as support for assessing NZIM professional qualifications.
An NZIM Self Assessment Guide has been developed and is available online at www.nzim.co.nz. The guide allows managers to prepare personal development plan that can lead to further learning and professional advancement.
There are currently four levels of qualification: Associate ANZIM, Member MNZIM, Associate Fellow AFNZIM and Fellow FNZIM. Life Fellow status is granted to an individual in recognition of outstanding services to the Institute. Emeritus Fellows are individuals who have retired from full-time active employment and are recognised for their contribution to NZIM through mentoring and willingness to offer their experience and wisdom back to young NZIM members. Life Fellow is the pre-eminent NZIM qualification.
The criteria for the four levels of qualification are:
Associate (ANZIM) – awarded to members in some form of supervisory role.
Member (MNZIM) – must have an educational qualification equivalent to an NZIM Certificate in Management or relevant education attainment plus at least five years’ management experience and in which time they have exhibited significant managerial achievement.
Associate Fellow (AFNZIM) – at least 10 years’ experience of business or similar experience including three years as either chief executive in medium-sized enterprise or senior executive in larger enterprise, or six years as an owner/manager. Must also have contributed to the profession of management either through writing, practice or achievement; hold an educational qualification equivalent to Diploma in Management and had some involvement in community affairs.
Fellow (FNZIM) – at least 10 years in senior management position, or three years as the chief executive of medium to large organisation, or 10 years as an owner/manager of medium-sized enterprise. Must have several outstanding career achievements, hold an educational qualification equivalent to an NZIM Advanced Diploma in Management or record of previous performance at the required level of management responsibility and had an involvement in NZIM or community affairs at executive management level.
NZIM professional qualifications focus on management achievement, ability and the content of the position rather than technical knowledge and expertise. All qualifications holders must demonstrate personal integrity and good business ethic.
NZIM recognises that the wellbeing of New Zealand society is dependent on the economic success of private and public enterprise and an acceptance of their community and environmental responsibilities. NZIM membership and qualifications depend on each member’s acceptance of Code of Ethics that captures these requirements.
For more information about NZIM’s qualifications go to www.nzim.co.nz
David Chapman is national chief executive of the New Zealand Institute of Management.
