EXECUTIVE EDUCATION>Extended courses

General
Management
Programme
Fast-track and smoothen your
transition into a strategic general
management role.

Travel to Russia on
A global learning immersion.

St Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow, Russia

OVERVIEW

Master cross- General managers are the cornerstone of any

successful business and therefore need to be
functional sufficiently equipped to not only direct and
leadership skills. coordinate activities of various departments and
business units, but also lead organisations to higher
levels of performance. Increasingly, executives
who are promoted to general management
Create and roles are often experts from specialised areas of
inspire high- business and therefore lack the integrative skills to
design, apply and cascade the company strategy
performing across all departments and management levels,
teams. whilst motivating personnel to ensure success.
Characteristics of an exceptional general manager
include the ability to think more strategically and
innovatively and respond more timeously to a
Think more volatile economic environment, while still planning
strategically. for future success.
Whether they succeed will depend on their ability to
think strategically and apply their leadership skills to
Gain a richer create high-performing teams and organisations.
understanding The General Management Programme (GMP)
is a seven-month, personalised and invigorating
of global journey of self-discovery and growth that is
business. designed to equip senior managers with the tools
and confidence to succeed.

Is this the right

The GMP has certainly The course allowed me to engage with people
augmented my who experience the everyday challenges
leadership skills and has further
enabled me to have a far better
of being a general manager or those in a senior / executive
role. I better understand how they deal with difficult programme
understanding of the multi-facets
of being a general manager
decisions and what to consider before making important
strategic conclusions.
for you?
in today’s fast-changing and
complex world. I look forward to What stood out for me was the people management The programme is designed for senior
implementing the learnings and element, how to motivate and encourage staff and the skills managers with functional expertise who
insights acquired during the GMP a leader must refine in order to build a long-lasting trusted are moving from leading a business unit
and to further translate them into relationship with staff. or function to a general management role
tangible and satisfactory business My biggest learning was the emphasis that five pillars where they are managing a more complex
results, as I continue further in my must be evident in any business to be successful: business entity across its entirety. It is also
leadership journey. People, systems, processes, products and customers. aimed at general managers who have
already made the transition over the past
Agnaldo Laice, General Adolf van Niekerk, Head: Virtual Engagement one to two years and would like to improve
Manager – Kenya, DHL and Direct Delivery Service – Advice, Barclays their performance. Applications are subject
Global Forwarding Wealth Investment Management and Insurance to approval by the admissions committee.

Why
GIBS?
Best reputation First choice Ranked #1 Top MBA Internationally
among employers of graduates in Africa for in Africa Accredited
Financial Mail 2019 Financial Mail 2019 Executive Education UK Financial Times 2018 AMBA (UK)
UK Financial Times 2019 and AACSB (USA)
 GMP Programme Architecture
BLOCK 1 BLOCK 2 BLOCK 3 BLOCK 4
Coach Intake Form | Online 360-degree Leadership Assessment | Insights Personality Assessment

Leading Leading a Leading Leading

Self Business in a Global Self
(part 1) Unit Economy (part 2)

Incorporate lessons Use strategic Implement local to Understand how

from seasoned foresight to make global strategy the context in
general managers better decisions which you operate
on the role of the in a complex Understand success affects your role as
general manager environment in dynamic markets a general manager
and pitfalls of the
transition Learn how new Consider global Incorporate the
technologies are companies’ lessons learnt
Learn how to adopt
the key attributes of disrupting the perspectives on throughout the
a successful general business international programme to
manager environment strategy become a more
effective general
Draft a personal Leadership lessons manager
development plan for general managers

1st group 2nd group 3rd group

coaching session coaching session Trip to Russia coaching session
Business Simulation

individual individual individual individual individual

coaching coaching coaching coaching coaching
INPUTS

CHOICE OUTPUTS • Personal Development Plan;

Company mentor conversations throughout the programme • Business and Workplace Integration
Assignment; and
• TED Talk.

KEY BENEFITS of the GMP

Exposure
Exposure
Participation Travel to to the local
to world- Group & Apply your
in leading Russia business
class faculty Individual learnings in
online during the environment
during three Executive two written
business international during
on-campus Coaching assignments
simulation immersion township
modules
immersion
 Critical learning components
of the GMP
Classroom sessions facilitated by leading faculty
Senior GIBS faculty and leading industry practitioners and experts will share best practice in the critical functions of
business. Using a variety of learning methods for delivery, the faculty will help you improve your critical thinking and
decision-making skills and assist you to seamlessly integrate multiple facets of business into a coherent
cross-functioning operation.

Intensive group & individual executive coaching

Changing and adapting leadership behaviours can be difficult. Experienced executive coaches on the GMP will work
with you throughout the course to help you build on your strengths, and assist you with techniques to let go of the
behaviours that inhibit your performance. Coaching is often cited as one of the highlights of this course, with
participants commenting on the profound effect of this intervention in both their personal and business lives.

International travel to Russia

Why Russia? South Africans will always remember Russia’s support during apartheid – the Soviet Union provided
military training and arms to the African National Congress. Recently, Southern Russia and South Africa have sought
to renew these cold-war-era ties. The two countries have scrapped visa requirements from March 2017, allowing up
to 90 days of trouble-free travel. The countries have grown closer within the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and
South Africa) grouping, an economic club that has developed into a broader, more political alliance. A visit to Russia
will allow participants to explore Russian history, business and possible future alliances with South Africa.

Participation in a leading business simulation

You will participate in an online simulation designed to test your knowledge of the critical components of business,
and the integration of the functional areas which can either lead to the success or failure of a business. The
simulation also promotes teamwork, and teaches you how to influence others for the success of your business.

Course info
FACULTY > Lead faculty who will be social change in the contemporary era and FEE > R157 500. The fee includes tuition,
directly involved with the programme active citizenship. He runs many of the executive coaching sessions, instruction
include*: experiential learning programmes at GIBS, material, the business simulation, lunches
Professor Nick Binedell especially those focused on the broader and refreshments, travel to Russia and is
socio-economic and political environment VAT exempt. The fee excludes Russian visa
Nick is the founding director of GIBS. His of the country.
area of expertise is in the field of business and associated costs, and travel insurance
strategy across the globe. Celynn Erasmus for non-South Africans..
Professor Karl Hofmeyr Celynn is a guest faculty on the GMP. She DURATION > Seven months, including
is a registered dietitian and works as a full- nine contact days at GIBS and another
Karl is a full-time professor at GIBS. He time professional speaker and writer. As
has been a visiting Professor at the eight days of travel.
a professional speaker, Celynn energises
HEC business school in Paris and at the local as well as international audiences and DATES >
University of British Columbia in Canada. presents regularly in the UK and Europe. Block 1: leading Self (Part 1)
Karl’s interests lie in organisational Celynn has co-authored two books and
behaviour, leadership and transformation. developed a variety of online video Block 2: leading a Business Unit
Anthony Wilson-Prangley programmes.
Anthony is a faculty member at GIBS. His *Faculty subject to change Block 3: leading in a Global economy
professional interests include the study
of democracy in countries in transition, Block 4: leading Self (Part 2)

Cancellation policy: Notification of cancellation must be sent in writing via

e-mail to the programme manager. Delegates who cancel four weeks or less prior
For enquiries call Mathabo Khoadi on to programme commencement, will be liable for the full fee. Delegates who do
+27 (0)11 771 4159 or email [email protected] not arrive for the programme or who cancel attendance once the programme has
commenced, will be liable for the fees in full.

For more information and an online application form,

GIBS, close to business. please visit www.gibs.co.za/gmp
19329