By ATTHOS YANNICK STEPHANE DESIRE,PGC

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

CORE TALENTS

SOFT SKILLS

DARING SPIRITREAL BUSINESS

PRACTICE

EXECUTIVE EDUCATION

TO THE LORD ALMIGHTY JESUS CHRIST WHO WILL

STILL BE OPENNING THE RED SEA FOR ME…

Special thanks to my great mentor Dr Jeff Bassey Executive Director of Graduate Training Institute, Legon (Ghana) may the Lord continue to bless Him for the great work he has been doing….

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

conduct this professional study with the support and active cooperation of First of allI have been able to

Dr Jeff Bassey Executive Director of Graduate Training Institute, Ghana) who energized me and helped me

identify my core talents and passion for EXECUTIVE and PROFESSIONALEDUCATION TRAINING.

Once again I am profoundly indebted to my mother Diaye Yvette Clarisse epse Atthos for her faith in my

potential with uncountable sacrifices to help me fulfill my mission.

Great thanks to: Jean Paul Kone; Aime Zola from Gabon ; Emeline Kone ; Innocent Rosito Koko PGC,CIB ; Kra

Yao PGC; Auntie Marie Chantal Diaye; Evangelist Doukoure Armel ; Sister Grace Koru ; Sister Angela ; Sister Selina

Ndegwa and Father Angelo from Don Orione Community.

Irene Booker ; Richard Bayili ; Yannick Yobouet Djinzou (DOOHAHOO) ; Madeleine Melliou Oble odah -

Cabinet Sinus International Cotonou Benin); Etran Roland Kouassi ; Judis Richard Bada ; Marthe Insa; Astan

Coulibaly; Rahama Diallo ; Arthur D.Koffi (Dakar Senegal). MD George Koko ‘’rest in peace’’.

Auntie Elise Atthos epse Sehi; Uncle Parfait Diaye; Professor Marc Arthur Diaye ; Mamadou Diop ( Rector U.R.L

Guinea Conakry). CEDEFOP ( European Center for Professional and vocational Training)… Marcia Matthos ; Mentor

Germaine Moody; Prophet Adom (Mipres); Raphael Beugre and the fabulous book that change my life ‘’Before you

quit your Job’’ from Robert Kiosaky….

CONTENTS

P-7

P-8

P-11

P-17

INTRODUCTION.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION.

IMPORTANCE OF THE REAL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS.

HELP STUDENTS TO MARKET THEMSELVES DURING INTERVIEW.

P-23

P-25

P-27

GRADUATE OPTIMIZATION PROGRAM

UNPAID VOLUTEERING

PROJECT INCUBATOR PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITH

MINDSET.

REDEFINE LEARNING AND THE ROLE OF LECTURERS.

ENTREPREUNARIAL

P-30

P-32

P-33

INVOLVE INDUSTRIES AND EMPLOYERS IN DESIGNING CURRICULA .

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS/ CHARTERED BODIES OR ASSOCIATION TO

ADVANCE ONE’S CAREER

.

P-35

.

CONSULTANCY AND PROFESSIONAL CAREERS FOR DBAPHD/ EMBA / PGC- PGD/EXECUTIVE CERTIFICATE HOLDERS.

INTRODUCTION

Academic Education given at universities is excellent for the mind, but not sufficient to become proactive in the real business

life. ‘’At universities, students study concept and theories, to tell the truth they are storing information to reproduce it during

final exam. . There is no place for them to have and develop critical problem solving skills and strong analysis. A student is

judged smart just because he is having an ‘‘A’’, however this first class student is not sure to become an ''A manager’’ or an

‘’A leader’’ as Dr Jeff Bassey , Executive Director of Graduate Training Institute (GTI, Ghana) used to point out.’’

However it belongs to all related stakeholders to redefine the process and help create:

new Programs or business like environment that give priority to practicality for students to have

hands on practice for them to better impact the employment market...

Parts of the solutions are internship and volunteering activities. Students must be allowed :

A percentage of hours in a firm to learn from the business world. Through supervision, students should enter into unpaid or

Enterprise volunteer training programs, starting from first Year University to Master degree (even PHD) in order to learn and

acquired experience while still at school…

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

We have Vocational Education / Professional Education (training), Corporate Education and Executive Education. In

this system, not only universities but enterprises or companies, training Institutes, even Non for profit Organizations

organize Professional development training programs….

Here the emphasis is not on having a PhD, DBA, MBA etc… but the most important thing is to develop:

Critical skills. Problem solving skills. Team leadership skills. Collaboration spirit. New business competencies. Core competencies. Talent Management. Strategic thinking….

Those skills are prerequisite for ‘’every want to be manager‘’ or employee even future entrepreneurs due to the

uncertainties of today’s business environment full of challenges.

Executive Education or professional education aims at enabling participants to become practitioners and put them in

business like case studies while grouping people from various backgrounds. In so doing, students can really learn a

lot from their neighbors who are already in a field of practice. This is a great opportunity to see how practitioners

adjust business or management theories to solve routinized challenges.

As opposed to traditional education whose focus is on having certificate or grades, Professional Education Training

or Executive Education rather tries to develop soft skills and build a high business profile that would help the new

graduate or students in his / her business career. Clearly speaking, the job market and industry specializations cannot be

fully understood on an academic perspective only and I am not saying that Universities courses are a waste of time.

On the contrary, I suggest that Academics and Professional Education should work jointly to better tackle youth

unemployment. Student must not be fed out of the professional context.

I personally learned a lot from seminars and executive training. Through these, I discovered my core competencies;

passion and the need to acquire adjacent skills to my profile.

IMPORTANCE OF THE REAL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTFOR STUDENTS

Prior to any statement, companies; enterprises are not created upon a philanthropic aim rather with the strong feeling

of making profit through their business activities. So, it is not their primary concern to train people or students and

then place them in a very high position as many students or graduates use to believe.

Once again, having a certificate or grades does not mean that you are going to be employed at the completion of your

studies. It may happen, but this depends on many aspects, that I will develop in another book…

Organizations are not degree focus. Degree is not what matter most, but what you can add to their business in terms of

performances, values and results. Terms such as experience; soft skills; right attitude; business culture etc… are of

greatest impact in the path that leads to the job employment context.

• Even though you are already working in a company ,you should not stop learning and acquire new

competencies, simply because it is ok ,”you have done it’’ on the contrary employees in this new era full of

uncertainties ,unremitting competition is always on .

To better understand I was studying Marketing Management but looking for practical lectures that empower

students to innovate and apply their knowledge to real business cases. Consequently, my teachers and friends

who really know me suggest that I had to specialize in Project Management and Executive Education research

because, my profile of an enterprising and consulting nature was much more interesting for this field due to its

Openness and links to every business field .

Furthermore the soft skills it required to be were noticeable in my business thinking and strategy formulations.

So, I needed a business like environment where, I could be coached and learn from the experts in my field to better

grasp the career I wanted to embrace.

After the different training, I volunteered for more than four organizations ranking from Ngos to Business consulting

firm to learn again …and acquire the soft skills ; contacts ; attitude that would help me become a Project Manager of

a high caliber.

I discovered through painful experiences, how to market myself. I faced difficulties in terms of funds; acquiring

human resources who will be dedicated to the mission…I started promising business partnership and business

opportunities which eventually did not have the return on investment I expected. I experienced the loneliness that

every leader and decision maker encountered … those are countless lessons we could only learn from the

pitch. However this was just the beginning of the process…

In the school of experience, lessons are learnt from risk taking, under pressure. It is not storing management

theories and principles; marketing concepts that are going to attract customers, bring revenues etc… We

do not acquire business knowledge out of practice.

Not everybody is meant to work for companies. They are people who must create their own job.

If you ignore your profile, you may be looking for a job that will never come. The practical world taught me that

studying History does not mean that the job you are expecting will surely be in this field, you can easily work

outside this context depending on the adjacent training and soft skills you have been developing.

There is nothing more frustrating than working in a field you dislike, it produces frustration. It is as if you are

wasting your time and your capabilities. In this real business environment, I was in direct contact with

practitioners, consultants, C.E.Os., etc… so this was the perfect fit to know or ask for:

Business trends and opportunities.

Potential risks

Psychological resources needed to embrace my career.

Finance and return on investment

Attachments

Business cards and contacts

Mentors and coaches

HELP STUDENT TO MARKET THEMSELVESDURING INTERVIEW

In many French Africa countries, students struggle to find an attachment. Most of them do not know how to

market their CV and they are not trained to do that too.

Furthermore, it is only after obtaining their Higher National Diploma (BTS) that they will get

confronted to the real business life without in many circumstances any support or help from their Institutes

,schools ‘’Grande ecoles’’. Even at this point, few would succeed in joining the business world.

Some characteristics may include:

Unable to highlight clearly their talents

Bookish knowledge

Unable to identify future career opportunities that fit their profiles.

No supervision from Educators and all related stakeholders.

Frankly speaking, The French African system does not put the stress on professional development and the

need to acquire adjacent skills to better train and market their students and population. However we have to

recognize that Governments and ministries are doing their best to improve education systems but they are still

using generalized methods instead of a proactive approach. Business / Vocational / professional education has to

do with practical experience. Conversely it encompasses these three important notions:

• Risk management

• Failure

• Innovation

These key points should not be taken for granted. Let me tell you , somebody who never initiates a project or

a business venture cannot understand why failing and innovation are necessary roads to become a very good

Business leader.

Innovation is a risky matter, but it is another way to efficiently improve what we already have.

In a society where risk taking is low and innovation not welcomed, professional educational treated as a

fashion trend, no economic growth can really happens.

Courses must have a specialized focus that can open ways to Entrepreneurship and employment.

Funds are important; however developing the right mindset and accompanying the process are urgently

needed.

Real experience case

Two years after my postgraduate training in project Management, I met a Spanish Businessman working in theConstruction field; he needed a woman translator for his meetings with the Ivorian government. I immediately thought about an old friend of mine learning Spanish Civilization at a master level. At the interview she was not able to market herself, though she was excellent in Spanish. The businessman asked her:

• Can you translate very well with accuracy?

• I need specialized Spanish not literature.

She started trembling, and lost her confidence ….

If we want to see a better workforce, I would suggest all of us to carefully study these following key points:

• Graduate training Optimization programs

• Apprenticeship

• Internship

• Unpaid Volunteering

• Project Incubator program for students with entrepreneurial mindset.

• Why those point you may be tempted to ask?

GRADUATE OPTIMIZATION PROGRAM

Provide regular external workshop where students are allowed a percentage of time within companies under

supervision. I strongly believe this activity will have the greatest impact, simply because students or learners

will have a clear understanding of business management; challenges, systems etc…while still at school.

Create a transition business class and focus on activities that will strengthen and build right attitudes that

students will acquire in order to be better prepared when facing employment challenges.

This program should be extended to every field. For example, students who are studying Spanish literature could

be involved in short courses which help them acquire skills and practical notion and knowledge in:

Marketing

Management

Economics

Project Management

Computer science….

This program should not be organized as common lecturing systems with massive books and notes.

Entrepreneurs and others related practitioners should be engaged into that process. The idea here is to acquire

practical skills to help students diversify their skills and become more marketable in the job market.

UNPAID VOLUNTEERING/INTERNSHIP/APPRENTICESHIP

If you are studying Law may be for private specialization, the best advice is to start volunteering in a law

firm no matter your level. By being immersed early into Business consulting firm, you will learn a lot

about your future career. How cases are handled? What strategies are put in in place to face competition?

What certifications and training are needed to climb the corporate ladder…?

With unpaid volunteering, you have the possibility to be trained for free and why not being taken as an

assistant or a future employee in case there is a need to recruit a new talent. When this company will be

looking for new talent, you are probably the most suitable candidate for the post.Add to this point, you

already have the experience to apply also to other opportunities…

I strongly advise all volunteers to ask for a certificate of volunteer and a letter of recommendation at the

completion of their volunteering activity to support their CV. Remember, you are the one who is looking for

experience, so stay focus on your training and career path do not ask for any wage. It may happen that some

enterprises offer a wage for apprentices if so good! If not, do not ask.

According to Jason Holt a British Entrepreneur, 90% of apprentices remained with their employer post-

apprenticeship in United Kingdom. Furthermore, He emphasized the benefit of getting a qualification and

career through apprenticeship.

PROJECT INCUBATOR PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS WITHENTREPREUNARIAL MINDSET.

Schools and universities such as Harvard, MIT, and Stanford initiated project incubator programs. These are

very good fit for students with entrepreneurial mindset. Students learn a lot through incubator programs. Let us

underline some benefits:

• Effective Business presentation.

• Social Media Marketing.

• Effective Branding.

• Leadership development..

• Efficient Marketing plan.

• Stakeholders Management.

• Corporate social responsibility.

• Stress and Team management.

• Crisis and Conflict management.

• Finding funds.

• Competitive Mindset

In some countries, companies organized this kind of event to recruit new talents who generate new ideas

or new product or project development…

As I said earlier, some students or trainees may never become employees or never find a job after their

certificate or degree. Most of them may ignore ‘’their venturesome spirit’’ that of being entrepreneur, so

programs like’’Project incubator’’ are major opportunity to deeply learn from others; business

competition; their own competency as capable future executives; C.E.Os. etc…who will help create new

thriving business which will build new wealth and employ other young people.

REDEFINE LEARNING AND THE ROLE OF LECTURERS

In this new era, teachers and lecturers are expected to play several roles which are:

• Instructor

• Talent Manager

• Leader

• Coach

• Mentor

• He/she must be engaged in:

• Recycling

• Research

• Peer to peers collaboration

Learning is becoming more and more of a collaborative nature. It looks like a dancing flow which must put

together students and teachers. With internet and the abundance of sources of learning (MOOCs) teachers are

required to help learners towards the bulk of information they have and how to better develop they critical spirit.

That is why I strongly recommend not opposing andragogy and pedagogy. Both are useful depending on the

context. Instructor must encourage students to share what they know and how they would like the course to be

organized so as to create a better learning environment.

INVOLVE INDUSTRIES AND EMPLOYERS IN DESIGNINGCURRICULA

I strongly believed that professional courses curricula should be made upon consensus.

Enterprises; schools; Universities and Ministries must work toward a common agreement that will help :

• Identify what skills, core competencies that the business environment really wants. By doing so, it is pretty sure that students or learners will be operational and better concentrated due to the practicality of the course.

It is easy to believe that a PhD lecturer would better explain and handle Entrepreneurship issue.

However experience plays a great part in this area. Academics should not be are not the sole actor to play the

role of key people. Here, employers and industries are invited to provide their expectation and how they

understand the problem of unemployment; skill gaps; training; curricula.

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS/ CHARTERED BODIES ORASSOCIATION TO ADVANCE ONE’S CAREER

Being identified as a chartered or certified in a field has a range of benefits:

• Access to a professional world

• Code of ethics and professional conduct

• Professional seminars

• Peer to peer collaboration

• Professional Advancement

• Better salary

• Do not worry if you are student or a junior practitioner you can still be member of a chartered body or

professional association. You have the possibility to be just a member and received a bulk of

professional :

Newsweek

Network

Junior certification

Advance certification

Professional advancement

Better know how

Job specializations

CONSULTANCY AND PROFESSIONAL CAREERS FOR DBAPHD/ EMBA / PGC- PGD/ EXECUTIVE CERTIFICATE

HOLDERS.

Doctors (PHD-DBA-EDBA etc…) and holders of Executive Master ; MBA ;Postgraduate Cert/Dip ;

are professionals. Apart from finding career at an academic level there are many opportunities for them. A

tenure track position as a lecturer in public university is not the only one opportunity. We could explore

more and experience so many fields:

Setting up a consulting business company base upon one’s expertise.

Create strategic pole of research.

Training Institutes.

Establish a company.

Career management agencies to help new graduates.

Ngos or Humanitarian works

I am a passionate of Professional Development-Corporate training feel free to contact me on any issue concerning: PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROJECT-LIFELONG LEARNING-CAREER FAIR…

WHATSAPP: 00225 01 24 62 65PHONE: 00225 77 96 53 73MAIL: yannickatthos@gmail.comLINKEDIN:YANNICK S.D ATTHOS,PGC

AUTHOR YANNICK S.D ATTHOS,PGC