Executive MBA Programs

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The UCLA – NUS Executive MBA program, developed jointly by UCLA Anderson School of Management and NUS Business School (Singapore), is a part-time intensive program that will prepare you for top executive positions in organizations around the world. As one of the top MBA degrees worldwide, you can be ensured of a quality education that enhances your global perspective and trains you to be in line with the current times.

This international Executive MBA program is taught via six residential sessions, each of two weeks duration held every three months for a 15-month period. Participants can fly in for the sessions from anywhere in the world be it from the US, UK, India, China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and even Singapore, commit to this global MBA course full-timefor two weeks and return to their jobs with richer perspectives and immediately apply what they have learned

Such concentrated MBA program schedules minimize travel and interruptions, allow the EMBA program participants to maintain corporate responsibilities and accommodate demanding travel schedules. Also, this global MBA does not impact job relocations or position transfers. Hence, UCLA-NUS Executive MBA participants are able to focus on the academic work with minimal worries and hassle. Participants for this international MBA program come from various countries and regions like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and the Asia-Pacific region. One can expect a diverse classroom that allows for rich cultural and professional exchanges.

This dual-degree MBA, is different from the other MBA programs due to its value-added learning context that cannot be duplicated in many of the local programs. This global MBA course is accomplished by using various methods, including visiting regional companies, hosting talks and discussions with established company representatives to supplement case discussion and simply by providing a rich and diverse experience outside the typical classrooms. And as such, UCLA-NUS Executive MBA program participants can ‘test drive’ their managerial skills and apply the framework and tools provided to a more advanced and global levels.

The faculty of the UCLA-NUS Executive MBA degree is specially selected from both universities’ full-time Business Executive MBA, based on their expertise, experience and passion. The international faculty work together to create a holistic and first-class program for professionals from all over the world.

Established in 1935, the UCLA Anderson School of Management provides management courses to students under the full-time, part-time and executive MBA programs, which are ranked among the top MBA programs worldwide. Its faculties and students share a common drive to be a global leader in management education, research and service.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School ranks among the top Asia-Pacific schools in business and MBA programs. The NUS Business School shares the University’s global reputation for academic excellence in education, research and service.

Therefore the partnership of these two well-established schools provides the credibility and assuarance of a quality education to business professionals all over the world. The UCLA-NUS Executive MBA program is a platform for global MBA participants to grow professionally as well as individually.

Achieving success in professional field has narrowed down to two yardsticks -positions and pay packages. The market is growing competitive as more and more job seekers are pushing each other to come into the notice of the employers. So is there any undivided opinion on measuring the potentialities of the job hunters? Well, the employers focus on the educational qualifications and work experiences of the candidates to decide if they are worth being absorbed into the organization.

Over the last decade there has been a craze for earning management degrees. Now there are several streams of management education and one should take up the pick of one’s liking. Some students at times make haste while choosing a management specialization and give up studies on the midway when they find their choice unsuitable to their needs, later. For example, take the case of human resource MBA. Many opt for this specialized program just because they either hate Mathematics and finance or are not fond of marketing jobs. May be, they simply think that this can give them ample opportunities to bag a satisfactory pay package. But have you ever asked your inner self why you do like to choose human resource MBA as the ground of professional career? You must be sure of having some qualities before setting your mind on making fortune along this way.

Surprisingly, women are dominating the arena of human resource MBA. It is not a mere coincidence. May be, unwillingness to take up marketing profession or willingness to interact with different working executives, influences their decision in opting for human resource MBA program. Some others whose attempts to be established in other professional fields have met failure, may have chosen this field as the forlorn hope.

A person with a degree in human resource MBA has to don many a domino for the sake of the profession. Sorting out the most suitable candidates for varied posts is one of the vital tasks. So such professionals must have strong inner judgment to smoke out the talented applicants. Human resource MBA professionals should be great motivators to encourage the employees to extract their unutilized potentialities to keep the organization rolling on the path of success. They must possess strong verbal skills to convince the workers while it is time to strike the best deal in case of deciding their salary package. Programs on human resource MBA range from degrees to diplomas to hone up the management accomplishments of career aspirants. 1 year bachelor course is also conducted by some of the institutes to supplement the demand in this field.

There are also some other makings that human resource MBA qualified managers should possess. They should think logically but understand the others’ problem compassionately. They should be expert in artful cajolery in order to make their words convince to others. If you possess all these qualities, a human resource MBA is certainly your designation.

You want to enrich your academic qualification for further professional development at workplace. But your job that demands a considerable time from the space of your daily life does not allow you to join a full time course. Distance learning is the only option for you and other such individuals to go for higher education. Synonymous with leaning from home, it is all the rage with working personnel including everyone from executives to professionals.

What a Distance Learning Program Requires

A distinct departure from the confined world of brick and mortar classrooms, distance learning has gone online with the application of the internet technology. An online study program requires less time, less force, less effort and less dedication from its pursuers. So flexibility and freedom is the key to the popularity of online learning. Working individuals can make the most of it only if they choose a study program in keeping with their needs.

What to Consider before Joining Distance Learning

There are multitudes of distance learning courses in different disciplines. Many courses are available in three levels-certificate, diploma and degree. So make sure to put your requirements and what a particular course offers side by side before you make up your mind to join it. Making a wrong choice means only the wastage of money and time, the most valuables in a person’s life. Be sure, if a particular course that claims to put accent on your professional career can benefit you.

What has Sent MBA Soaring High in Terms of Popularity

Among the professional career setting courses, MBA has witnessed a tremendous leap in its popularity in the world of distance learning too. What has sent this prestigious study program rocketing high is growing demand for industry ready professionals in different sectors of arena. Master in business administration is considered the most practical for executives aspiring for managerial position at workplace. This qualification makes you eligible to designate a managerial post for assistant manager, senior manager, or regional manager depending on your experience in the field. An MBA program can entertain you with a responsible job profile to maintain and a better role to play at workplace.

Distance Learning Education has created a strong place in providing education solution to fit individual’s need. The endless options and degree types ranging from diplomas & certificates to associate, bachelors, masters, doctorate degree programs offered by distance education providers give a much needed break to anyone who is willing to pursue education. We created a list some of the best International Universities offering distance learning degrees. Choose your online college wisely after checking programs, courses offered & accreditation of these institutes. Feel free to share other online college that you think are missing from this list.

Atlantic International University (AIU)

Atlantic International University online distance learning degree programs are for adult learners at the bachelor’s, masters and doctoral level. You will find a wide range of majors and areas of study that are affordable and allow you to finish college, earn a degree and advance in your career.

Bircham International University (BIU)

Offers distance learning degree programs at professional, undergraduate and graduate levels. At Bircham International University distance learning degree programs, they are committed to fulfilling the needs of the adult professional by offering a variety of distance learning degrees at the bachelor’s (B.B.A., B.S., B.A), Masters (M.B.A., M.S., M.A), Doctorate (Ph.D.) and professional diplomas through a full distance learning program.

Florida International University (FIU) – School of Hospitality and Tourism Management

At Florida International University distance learning, has one of the highest rated hospitality and tourism programs in the United States. Producing over 1400 graduate students each year, from the United States and around the world; Florida International University offers Bachelor’s of Science in Hospitality Management, Master of Science in Hospitality Management and Executive Master of Science in Hospitality Management degree programs as well as certificates programs in various hospitality, hotel, restaurant, travel and tourism specializations.

Jones International University (JIU) – Online MBA Program

Jones International University distance learning Master of Business Administration degree programs are specifically designed for working professionals who want to meet their academy and professional goals by offering MBA degree specializationsin: Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Global Enterprise Management, Health Care Management, Information Security Management, Information Technology Management, Negotiation and Conflict Management and Project Management.

University of Liverpool

The University of Liverpool is internationally recognized for excellence in teaching, research and innovation. It is one of the most highly respected higher education institutions in the UK and its graduates occupy senior positions in industry, commerce and culture around the world.

Phoenix International University (PIU)

Online degree programs offered by Phoenix International University are giving working adults the opportunity to obtain a higher education and training on an international basis through qualifications and programs with a focus on both academic and professional needs.

Virtual Global University (VIU)

Pursue an International Master of Business Informatics (MBI) degree online at Virtual Global University. The MBI program is accredited by the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA)

How do I know if the International University is Credible and Legitimate?

It is important to seek out a distance learning international university that has its’ accreditation from a reputable organization. Look for institutions that have been accredited and that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

How do I Find the Right Online School for Me?

There are some attributes you should look for when choosing a distance learning international university, such as academic programs, school’s accreditation status, financial aid benefits and other international benefits offered. It is best to do an extensive research so that you can make a well informed decision that will be best for you.

Mba In Abroad
Management is an organized art of organisation.MBA Finance is the most popular choice among students of MBA colleges. With the recent economic downturn, many business schools students’ are now opting for other areas of specializations like MBA Marketing or HR. A specialization in HR will help you manage the organization’s biggest asset. While MBA Marketing will enable you to develop strategies to sell your product, retain your existing customers and find new ones. Management has not merely built new careers but also improved already successful ones through executive and part time management courses offered by reputed MBA colleges. With a BA degree can join a part-time MBA programme. Students can also option for Distance Learning programmes through various business schools and complete their degree from home. Understanding the globalization of business practices is an important area of learning for students studying in master of business administration (MBA) programs today and many graduate business programs offer study tour programs for experiential learning. INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE is critical for MBA faculty and students, but providing such experience as part of the curriculum is often difficult for relatively small programs.MBA programs are most often divided into years. The curriculum of year 1 is the same for all students, and includes introductory and generic courses in a large variety of areas, which include :Accounting 2. Marketing 3. Human Resources 4. International Business and Finance.The second year of studies will generally allow students to pick a concentration or specialization

Mba Distance Education and Programs in India
Management Education in India has been getting tremendous attention in recent years. An MBA is regarded as the most popular business qualification today. Those who cannot pursue an MBA in a regular Management institute can option for a part-time or distance MBA. There are many institutes offering MBA through distance education in india. Distance MBA from a reputed institute holds significant value. The distance education institute provides good study materials, regular assignments and practice tests. A student must make sure that the institute offering MBA is recognized by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Correspondence education has opened a new way for professionals. Major institutes offering Distance MBA in India are: ICFAI University 2. NMIMS (Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies) 3. XLRI, Jamshedpur 4. IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University) 5. TASMAC 6. Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL) 7. Tamil Nadu Open University 8. Annamalai University, Directorate of Distance Education 9. Pondicherry University, Directorate of Distance Education
There are many other institutions offering management degree and diploma programs like Karnataka State Open University, Anna University, Indian Institute of Finance, Madhya Pradesh, Kurukshetra University, Maharshi Dayanand University, IMT Distance and Open Learning Institute. Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning is one of the most popular autonomous distance learning institutes of India with main campus in Pune and new campuses in Bangalore and Nasik.
Duration of Distance Learning MBA ranges from 1 to 8 years, depending upon the rules and regulations of the particular University, though the average duration is 3-4 years.

Mba Distance Education and Programs in Abroad
Distance learning abroad has become an excellent alternative to formal education for those who want to pursue higher education from a foreign University. Advantage of International Distance Education is that it has made available quality education to all at much lower cost. The availability of the distance learning courses from abroad has helped a lot of people in the developing countries to fulfill their educational ambitions. MBA programs are most preferred courses which students option for doing from abroad. Some of the preferred destinations for MBA programs abroad are United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and Singapore.gmat preparations. Eligibility: Min. 4 yrs education after 10+2 GMAT Essential Work experience Recommended Toefl essential Cost: 20 lac to 40 lac INR per annum Duration: 2 years Intakes: September and Jan/Feb Australia/NZ Eligibility: 3-year graduation accepted GMAT not required for most B-schools Work experience essential IELTS essential Cost: 10 lac to 25 lac INR per annum Duration: 12-18 months Intakes: Feb / July very few intakes in September UK/Ireland Eligibility: 3-year graduation accepted GMAT recommended Work experience essential IELTS Essential Cost: 15 lac to 35 lac INR per annum Duration: 12 months. Most of the countries allow students to work part time 20 hours per week except countries like Singapore where students are not allowed to work while studying. Students can take up jobs in stores, restaurants, call centers, libraries etc.

Achieving success in professional field has narrowed down to two yardsticks -positions and pay packages. The market is growing competitive as more and more job seekers are pushing each other to come into the notice of the employers. So is there any undivided opinion on measuring the potentialities of the job hunters? Well, the employers focus on the educational qualifications and work experiences of the candidates to decide if they are worth being absorbed into the organization.

Over the last decade there has been a craze for earning management degrees. Now there are several streams of management education and one should take up the pick of one’s liking. Some students at times make haste while choosing a management specialization and give up studies on the midway when they find their choice unsuitable to their needs, later. For example, take the case of human resource MBA. Many opt for this specialized program just because they either hate Mathematics and finance or are not fond of marketing jobs. May be, they simply think that this can give them ample opportunities to bag a satisfactory pay package. But have you ever asked your inner self why you do like to choose human resource MBA as the ground of professional career? You must be sure of having some qualities before setting your mind on making fortune along this way.

Surprisingly, women are dominating the arena of human resource MBA. It is not a mere coincidence. May be, unwillingness to take up marketing profession or willingness to interact with different working executives, influences their decision in opting for human resource MBA program. Some others whose attempts to be established in other professional fields have met failure, may have chosen this field as the forlorn hope.

A person with a degree in human resource MBA has to don many a domino for the sake of the profession. Sorting out the most suitable candidates for varied posts is one of the vital tasks. So such professionals must have strong inner judgment to smoke out the talented applicants. Human resource MBA professionals should be great motivators to encourage the employees to extract their unutilized potentialities to keep the organization rolling on the path of success. They must possess strong verbal skills to convince the workers while it is time to strike the best deal in case of deciding their salary package. Programs on human resource MBA range from degrees to diplomas to hone up the management accomplishments of career aspirants. 1 year bachelor course is also conducted by some of the institutes to supplement the demand in this field.

There are also some other makings that human resource MBA qualified managers should possess. They should think logically but understand the others’ problem compassionately. They should be expert in artful cajolery in order to make their words convince to others. If you possess all these qualities, a human resource MBA is certainly your designation.

Are you looking for ways to overcome the practical obstacles that stop your organization from realizing the true benefits of Hoshin Planning? Then join leading Business Execution software vendor, i-nexus, on their next webinar on 15th July and hear CEO, Paul Docherty, talk about Hoshin Planning and identify how to make the most of this game-changing approach.

The concept of Hoshin Planning (alternatively known as policy deployment or goal deployment) is extremely attractive. In theory, it has the power to dramatically increase the probability of executing your business plan by aligning every employee in pursuit of business goals. In practice, however, few organizations are able to realize this potential and most that try to implement the concept find it quickly degenerates into a form of spreadsheet madness.

If this sounds familiar to your organization, then join Paul – a leading expert in the emerging discipline of business execution – as he outlines why the vast majority of organizations that implement Hoshin Planning fail to make it work. Find out how you can make sure that your organization is one of the few that sees the step change in results that better execution can deliver, and take part in the Q&A session where participants’ questions are put to Paul for clarification and expansion.

To register for the webinar, visit www.i-nexus.com/news/hoshin.html and scroll to the bottom of the page. The hour-long webinar will take place on Thursday 15th July at 10:00 until 11:00am (EDT) and from 3:00 until 4:00pm (UK time/GMT+1:00).

1.    Paul Docherty, Chief Executive Officer, i-nexus. Paul was a co-founder of i-nexus in 2001, and has spearheaded its rapid expansion into the preferred global deployment partner for Lean Six Sigma and Strategy Execution programs. His understanding of the challenges of embedding Six Sigma and other performance improvement methodologies into the fabric of organizations comes from his experience coaching senior management teams in many Global 500 companies and from leading the deployment of Six Sigma at Marconi. Paul holds a Master of Engineering in Computer Systems and Software Engineering from the University of York and an MBA from the University of Warwick.

2.    i-nexus is a leading provider of on-demand software that helps organizations to drive consistent execution of their business goals. Used extensively by industry heavyweights such as Pfizer, Nestle and Alstom, i-nexus Business Execution software is helping global organizations in both the public and private sectors to translate business goals into actions, plan and drive implementation of those actions and subsequently track the achievement of goals. The first web-based application to truly ‘close-the-loop’, i-nexus is helping executives in leading global organizations to align, mobilize and focus the efforts of many thousands of employees every day in pursuit of their goals.

3.    Further details about i-nexus can be seen at www.i-nexus.com

4.    Editorial is also suitable for American Press.

5.    Photo of Paul Docherty, i-nexus logo, other supporting images and additional information can be requested from Jenny Brown at Blue Chilli Marketing.
Tel: +44 (0)121 428 4200
E: jenny ( @ ) bluechillimarketing dot co.uk

Source:
http://www.1888pressrelease.com/sign-up-for-the-i-nexus-webinar-and-make-hoshin-planning-wor-pr-222143.html

Considering the growing demand of proficient professionals and experts for Islamic Finance Industry, Academy for International Modern Studies or AIMS launched an internationally accredited Online MBA Degree in Islamic Banking and Finance. The objective of this MBA program is to produce highly competent executives, who are well qualified and practiced, not only with the Islamic Banking and Finance subjects; but also other professional areas, required for the successful business administration and management. The MBA program comprise of 12 graduate courses and a Thesis in Islamic Finance. There are total 36 credit hours are awarded on the completion of this MBA program. This degree program is ideal for (i) Professionals seeking career enhancement, (ii) Bankers seeking career growth, and (iii) Students looking for a bright future in fastest growing financial sector.

This Online MBA in Islamic Banking and Finance Degree is affiliated with Pebble Hills University, which is fully accredited by the International Commission for Higher Education. This institution provides professional quality control mechanism for Colleges and Universities’ standards. Their Accreditation gives a public record of your learning that will be widely accepted by employers, professional associations, by other colleges and universities, and recognized internationally. AIMS and Pebble Hills University has International Offices in many countries, including: United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, China, Singapore, Egypt, Pakistan, Argentina, Iran, Jordan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Jamaica, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco and Nigeria.

Muslims worldwide are directed to avoid certain types of banking products and investments due to the involvement of Riba/Interest and they are more interested in dealing with Islamic Banks for Riba-free banking products. The demands of Islamic banking and Islamic insurance products have been increased in past few years and these products and services are being introduced by well-known financial institutions. In addition to that, large numbers of new Islamic financial institutions are being introduced internationally, who requires qualified human resources for the proper execution of Islamic Financial system, within their organizations.

Academy for International Modern Studies (AIMS) is an Islamic Banking and Finance institution, based in Chatham, United Kingdom. AIMS’ main objective is to facilitate individuals to become expert Islamic finance professionals and companies to establish better Islamic financial system. AIMS has made a significant contribution in Islamic Finance Industry. Over the years it has maintained a purposeful mission of promoting industry professionalism and best practices in Islamic Banking and Finance industry through research, consultancy, product development, corporate trainings, seminars, workshops and publications. AIMS also offers several online certifications in Islamic Finance, Islamic Banking and Islamic Insurance.

Educational programs at AIMS are designed and facilitated by renowned Islamic Banking and Insurance Sharia Advisors and Product Development Managers. These scholars are working in renowned Islamic Financial Institutions. Study material is updated on regular basis to make sure that the graduates are well trained in implementing and managing Islamic Financial products and services. The updated study material prepares graduates to work with the most upto date products and services in Islamic Banking and Finance sector. AIMS’ Degree and Certification is globally acceptable, which makes it possible for our graduates to easily find better job opportunities internationally.

Despite massive successive capital injections, big banks on government life support continue to be battered from pillar to post confirming what a blind man could have told you a long time ago: the self proclaimed Masters of the Universe have been walking zombies for years and the reality continues to be that insolvent banks cannot be helped with an injection of public funds any more than a dead body can be resuscitated with a massive blood transfusion. While government had prayed and hoped its rickety bailout plan would nurture the sick banks back to health and “presto” they would start to contribute to economic growth, the undeniable fact is that banks have been unable and/or unwilling to use the massive trillion dollar capital injections from tax payers for anything other than temporarily papering over the cracks of their own terminal condition, whilst continuing to use their millions of clients as a most potent bargaining chip with government.

It is fantasy to think that the international financial crisis (which has been brewing for more than 15 years) could be fixed in a mere matter of months with a simple remedy: THROW MONEY AT IT!  The wealth, which was created for years by the acceptance of housing prices far in excess of fair market value, was neither real nor earned.  It was created fictitiously with fraudulent bond issuances, corrupt debt ratings agencies, dodgy accounting practices, and the packaged sale of convoluted financial products that no one will probably ever be able to properly value because, at a basic level, they were simply commission generating machines for greedy bankers with extremely long fingernails. The financial system has thus been overwhelmed by downward pressure on asset prices, as the very visible hand of the markets takes back a huge swathe of unearned value.  And the effect is being felt and even amplified throughout the world economy.  Given the magnitude of the damage inflicted, it’s simply a matter of time before all major insolvent banks are taken over by government and put out of their misery and fully nationalised. Some say this should have happened a long, long time ago as it would, at a stroke, have dispelled doubt and brought certainty, and then stability, to the world’s financial system, thereby immediately unclogging the veins of these frail walking zombies. Some Western governments recognized this reality earlier than others. In Q1 2009, Germany became the latest country to authorize the nationalisation of its banks.  This followed similar intervention taken in Iceland, Ireland and the UK, which have all been forced to admit that full nationalisation may be the only way to prevent the collapse of entire financial systems. However, rather than seizing banks and actively suing bank executives for what, in many instances, was patently fraudulent conduct, glass house politicians instead tried to gently cajole top bankers into line. In this respect, the disproportionate influence of Goldman Sachs & JPMorgan Chase on the Federal Reserve Bank in the U.S. (“too big to fail”?) and the Knighting of various Zombie directors in the UK for “Services to the Banking Industry” is telling. This limp-wristed attempt at getting bankers to come clean has resulted in major banks progressively and gradually being outed in a sequence directly proportional to their Senior Executives’ skills at duping financial markets about the true state of their loan books. Today, even those half zombie banks that actually acquired companies during the worst days of the crisis to “prove” they were not in crisis are finally, if sheepishly, coming to the altar of government forced feeding and sheepishly tucking into tax payers’ money.…

A nationalisation program effectively forces zombie banks out of denial and into government control, whether this is assumed by the latter or not.  The banks are then cleaned of their so-called toxic assets (B-A-D D-E-B-T-S to you and me), recapitalised with public funds, to be “eventually” sold off to private investors, eventually leaving existing shareholders out in the cold with virtually nothing. As the dust begins to settle, so the commercial vacuum left by the zombies has revealed huge new opportunities for well positioned independent institutions (of which more below), but also terrible conflicts of interest that governments would rather not have to deal with: 1.)What do they do with thousands of financial subsidiaries they now own (as an example, U.S. bank Citi has 427 ofshore subsidiaries) whose only aim appears to be to connive at depriving them (and other governments) of taxes? 2.) How do they objectively justify continuing ownership of these subsidiaries to voters, tax payers, Unions, far left socialists? Governments talk of “arms length” as if it were some type of political prophylactic to isolate them from all ills including the “O” word, but the truth is that they have already been sitting between a Rock and a politically very hard place for some time now.

An interesting case in point was that of a Luxembourg offshore stockbroker which in late 2008 studiously began avoiding the “O” word immediately after it was taken over by government. After having invested many hundreds of thousands of Euros over a period of years promoting itself with the catch phrase ‘your Offshore stockbroker in L…’ it replaced these adverts with ones depicting a bunch of Cowboys stalking the range drawling of ‘cash cows’ and ‘invesdmend oppurtoonities’. Although hardly in line with what one would expect in terms of advertising fare from a European institution, the inescapable conclusion is that these cowboys must surely have served their intended purpose by proving to the broker’s new masters that this broker would not utter the O word.  This particular institution’s pre-emptive strike therefore speaks volumes for the concept (and yes, it is a concept) that government can keep “arm’s length” because the reality is very different, especially, if it can come back to bite you as this certainly can. Another interesting conundrum involves the UK government which is the proud owner of thousands of offshore financial institutions but is most reluctant to kick the tyres of these “offshore departments”, probably for fear it might catch political gangrene and we know what happens to gangrenous limbs.  The reason is that governments already know that zombie banks may take up to a decade to return to their former healthy selves and, the longer they take to repay their debts, the more pressing -and the more politically insidious- this conflict will be to manage. The mix is so pungent, the incompatibility so obvious that it is difficult to draw any other conclusion other than that governments will end up being forced to lop off of these politically toxic appendages as soon as public opinion starts to ratchet up the pressure, most probably in the second half of 2009. The nearer the General Elections, the more toxic they will become.  But offloading them will be very difficult; it will be no cake walk and will be fraught with mine fields if only because the majority of these institutions are legitimately profitable and governments will need to sit “on their tongues” and resist a strong political temptation of throwing them -or their jurisdiction- to the dogs before they go on the block. For the IRS, it will be an unwritten pact with the devil himself but with precious little room, if any, for manoeuvre. If government decides to take a pot shot at these easy targets, it would be throwing away millions of Pounds of potential tax payers’ money by driving billions more away, making it go from “arm’s length” to “out of reach” in opaque jurisdictions farther away.  And then there are the databases… Whilst you can bet your bottom dollar the zombies will take their time feeding at the Tax Payers Fest, you can be equally sure that they will take their time building up their Balance Sheets by pursuing strategies focused on bread and butter commercial and retail banking so that they are really fat and juicy when the bell finally rings for reprivatisation to begin. The near certainty of long delays in any reprivatisation program is more than enough to chill the bones of any politician worth his salt because the longer it takes, the proportionately stronger will the political urge be to access offshore client databases legally owned and technically controlled by the State. But then just a whiff, even a small whiff of access to the forbidden ofshore fruit would be enough to convert politically toxic assets into commercially toxic assets, at a stroke: a Lose-Lose if there ever was one, even for a politician. Meanwhile, on the positive side of this political quagmire, major commercial opportunities have arisen in the void vacated by the zombies for independent and well positioned institutions to exploit if they are not compromised with government or government-owned zombies.

The gigantic commercial vacuum vacated by the zombies has already been filled by independent institutions, financial specialists in specific areas who know how to control risk and they are digging in.  These independents range from deep discount brokers to pure execution brokers to prime brokers to independent asset managers and retail banks operating in very specific market areas. These specialists vary in terms of size. Some have $20 billion Balance Sheets. The largest and most active emanate from the US, the UK and Northern Europe and are taking market share. Despite the earthquake in the financial markets, big banks and government continue to dominate financial markets on mainland Europe with a specific focus on the so-called P.I.G.S. (Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain). This is primarily because P.I.G.S. legal infrastructure when allied with a lack of competition favours big business and tends towards institutionalised oligopolies. The latent fragility of their big banks and savings institutions (Spain is a good example) have made them doubly vulnerable to attack from US, UK and Nordic Banks which have moved in and are aggressively advertising their technology and independence on TV and on the Net. These institutions are staking out their ground in the hope of stopping the zombies from ever reclaiming this area again in the future. In the case of the UK, if the recent messages from the FSA are to be believed then, we should not expect the zombies to get access to accelerated leverage for a long time as its new regime is likely to cause banks “to pursue strategies which are primarily focused on classic commercial and retail banking activity.” with “fewer resources — in terms of people or total balance sheet – - devoted to the complex and risky trading activities.”  Delving deeper into the more specialist stock broking sector, serious tectonic shifts in client behaviour since 2008 have seen HNWI investors, professional traders, portfolio managers and funds leave major zombie asset managers and brokers which had been supervised by regulators whose salaries seem to be more impressive than their ability to regulate. These clients headed for the comparative safety of specialist financial intermediaries with no conflicts and no skeletons and their exodus was actively cranked up by the plethora of scandals crawling out of zombie woodwork with clients literally waking up one morning to find out that,”… the bank where I have my Offshore Trading Account is now owned by my government…”. In tandem with these scandals, frauds, abject regulatory failings and bankruptcies, the hijacking of terrorist laws by government for use ‘against bankers’ has only served to further diminish the latter’s standing in the public eye. These “bankers as terrorists” have even appeared on magazines with hand cuffs on and have helped to bang the final nail into the coffin of “My Word is My Bond”.  It has also made the least sophisticated investor less willing to trust any financial institution and not afraid to ask pertinent questions when opening trading accounts:  

Does your company have any links to banks or institutions that have failed in 2008/9? Does any government have a piece of your action? Do you have or have you had any links with or invested in asset managers such as Madoff or Stanford? Do you have any links with Madoff feeder funds? Do you take positions and/ or manage other client assets alongside my trading executions? What protection do you offer in addition to the usual measly investor protection scheme? Where do you hold client monies and client assets? Are client accounts individually segregated? What happens if you go down, will my monies be protected? “Take me to your Regulator”…

Although it would appear, on balance, that an era of financial specialisation is in the offing as another has ended in the rupture of the world’s biggest banks, the supreme irony is that the specialists who have successfully toed the line and managed the risk time-and-time again have now inherited and will have to pay for the additional distortions, regulatory overreach, costs and knee jerk bureaucracies put into place (directly as shown below or indirectly via expensive new catch-all sawn off shotgun regulation). This will most certainly make recovery more painful and longer lasting. Rather than encouraging and developing best practice within existing financial systems, governments have thrown money into a big black hole of bad and sometimes illegal practices that seems to get hungrier by the day. In Europe, what the ruptured banks have left behind are largely examples of the very distortions that helped to make them what they (were) are.  Two totally different but glaring examples are EURONEXT and MiFID. Whether by design or not, EURONEXT was a market set up and totally dominated by big banks in Europe from the onset to the detriment of smaller financial institutions, and for a reason. Steep entry costs and high maintenance barriers meant only zombies with their effects of scale and turbo-charged leveraging could afford to be profitable members. Specialist and smaller institutions had no choice but to pay high execution costs or go out of business.

Now that the zombies are in no shape to pay for any their EURONEXT costs, tax payers are paying it for them and helping to maintain their zombie monopoly for many years to come, till they pay their debts and receive their ’Get out of Jail’ card from government.  Another steep barrier to entry for smaller independents is a new bureaucratic self-feeding machine called MiFID, which has spawned hundreds of bureaucrat companies which are willing to teach financial institutions to talk, walk and write procedures just like minded bureaucrats should – for a price.

This well meaning piece of bureaucratic architecture was invented at a time when big banks were respected and bank managers were generally held in much higher esteem than mad dog estate agents (how ironic) and clients really did need better general protection.  No one realised what the clients needed protection from were the BANKS, although a reasonable person would have expected, given the huge costs in time and human endeavour spent on this venerable exercise, that these expensive but intelligent bureaucrats would at least have got an inkling of the inherent over-leveraging disease in European banks that they should have been protecting clients FROM. In any event and again whether by design or not, since its implementation MiFID has only served to reinforce and protect big bank domination by pushing up costs and driving out smaller independents who could not afford it.  Time was when Small and Medium companies were encouraged as they diversified the economy and sometimes became big companies and big banks. The first reason MiFID is so rigid with small companies (and we can only surmise this) is that incumbent big banks with Master of the Universe status and equivalent influence on government and Regulator sold the idea that bigger = better = Less Risk. The jurisdictions that have followed this flawed policy of least risk, to the detriment of the zombie’s smaller but healthier competitors are now waking up to smell the coffee as the likes of Stanford, Madoff et al have cut a swathe through their ranks to destroy well chiselled but extremely brittle regulatory careers. The second reason may well hav involved some sort of, as yet, unproven collusion between the architects of MiFID and the Zombies whereby if the former did not include Spot Forex as a regulated activity, the latter would go along with MiFID.

But now we are being told we can all sleep safely in our beds because the zombies are under the control of US and European governments and won’t be selling leverage any more and the dispersion of their power has probably ushered in a new era of specialisation where independents will take over their mantle. Zombies should take their cue from that most famous of Transylvanian Counts and avoid leverage as much as he avoids garlic and stick to their core business: sucking blood slowly and deliberately over a long period of time from clients within “classic commercial and retail banking activity”, as the FSA is suggesting should happen.

Pierre Bertrand Boulle, MBA, (twitter: offshorebroker) is the Managing Director and founder of www.investorseurope.com, a regulated stockbroker based on the Rock of Gibraltar with the largest selection of online trading platforms in the world.

Honing up one’s skill and keeping oneself updated is the mantra to go on prospering in the professional arena. The brilliant minds brainstorm the ideas not to keep pace with time but to move ahead of time. Having a vision and being focused on the goal is the must-have requirement to accomplish something. This is equally true in the educational field. Knowledge is the driving force of the human being. They imbibe the knowledge and apply it to keep the organization on the moving wheels.

In the sprawling canvas of higher studies, several new courses are popping up for the students. But the management program has still been able to retain its prestigious position.  It is perceived as a leap to the pinnacle of a successful career. It is such a popular course that the young executives seeking professional development are also willing to resume studies. But sacrificing regular jobs does not seem to be a sensible idea for the most of them. So they prefer to join a distance learning MBA program.

The regular management program is still a priority for many students. But the increasing demand has surpassed the availability of seats in limited number. Therefore, while the professionals join distance learning courses due to paucity of time, the students are registering into distance learning MBA only after failing in the entrance examinations of the regular institutes.

The last decade has witnessed to the mushrooming of a myriad of regular MBA schools. But baring the top-notch institutes, the others are not capable of imparting quality education. So joining the second-tier institutions simply means earning degrees without acquiring profound knowledge. So it is better to shake off the idea of acquiring a degree from the second or third rated business schools and join a distance learning MBA program. The elite schools of management have also incorporated distance learning program to encompass a greater number of students into its fold. A few lucky chaps can cross the hurdles to enter into these premier schools. So the students can benefit a lot by availing the distance learning courses offered by these renowned management institutes.

The off-campus study program has undergone an amazing process of evolution with the pervasion of the internet through the length and breadth of the globe. The innovative ways of conducting the online programs has revolutionized the whole gamut of the distance learning mode. This continuously evolving facet is fuelling the popularity of distance learning program by many times.