Young corporate leaders should have business sense - Director PGIM

by Ramani Kangaraarachchi

Holcim Lanka awarded certificates to the first batch of its graduates who successfully completed their Leader Development Programme (LDP) at Hotel Hilton, Colombo on Monday.

Director of Post Graduate Institute of Management Prof. Gunapala Nanayakkara delivering the key note address on how leaders could contribute to increase performance of companies said that young leaders must change their way of thinking and they must be able to read business minds of their leaders to reach success'.

He pointed out that profit maximising is the sole responsibility of business. Leaders should identify this, they must have business sense.

This is not sufficiently taught and unfortunately the books also lack business thinking, he said.

Prof. Nanayakkara stated that business leaders should not be complacent about the past and present success as it is the worst enemy but should prepare for a new generation. When the employer is going to generate new income he must study what sacrifices he has to make. It is not possible to lead a company unless everyone has business sense.

Today human capital has replaced all other forms of capitals .We don't have to be rich we must think innovative.

He pointed out that the country is lacking leaders at all levels.

The LDP programme conducted by t&b solution in cooperation with t&b solutions Australia. The programme has taken one and half years which covered six modules in 11 areas. "It is an enterprise specific organisational and personal development strategy achieved through linking competencies with business goals, assessing on the job, and workplace based learning "Managing Director of t&b Solutions Peter Bull said.

A Holcim Brand Manager Indika Jayaweera who followed the course said that it contained lot of practical work and found it very useful to improve their leadership skills.

Managing Director Holcim Lanka Peter Spirig also spoke.