The program Business Skills for Managers that I attended at the Schulich Executive Education Learning Centre in York University in Toronto was a five-day unique mix of academic rigor and real-world expertise. This program was all about focused, practical and immediately applicable learning.

The course was given by both experienced practitioners and leading academics, each an acknowledged leader and innovator in their field. The lecturers’ combination of academic and practical experience gave this course an even greater additional value. Everyone had their own teaching style and objectives, which I found to be a refreshing approach that made the lectures very appealing. I will mention a few from among the many:

Diana Kawarsky-who teaches regularly at the Scullich Business School taught about Business Management strategies. The topics and objectives that she interlinked during the course were:

1.Develop and practice clear communication in speaking and presenting information.
2. Improve problem solving and use a variety of decision-making tools.
3. Learn and apply relationship-fostering and building skills for improved on-the-job
interactions

Lee-Anne McAlear who is Program Director at SEEC and a partner in the Centre for Excellence in Innovation Management, explained the challenges of Critical Thinking and Innovation and Problem Solving skils. Some of the objectives she set forth were:

1. Determining the level of the issue, problem or challenge as the first step in effective problem-
solving.
2. Selecting the right approach given the identified level.
3. Leading the process of innovation for complex challenges.

Dr. Gail Levitt was focusing on Management Communication Skills and Controlling of Stress. Her objectives were:

1. To acquire essential management communications tools, tips, and techniques to give your
messages more impact with diverse audiences.
2. To gain insights about how to enhance work productivity for increased personal and
professional effectiveness.
3. To learn how to identify and manager your stressors with increased resiliency.

Dom Cianflone- experienced financial expert was teaching about Fundamentals of Financial Management Skills with the following objectives:

1. Interpreting financial reports to support decision-making.
2. How to read and interpret financial statements.
3. Using financial ratios to assess a company’s financial health.
4. Understanding internal financial analysis such as profit planning and break-even analysis.

Sandra Martyn – President of The Martyn Group-private consulting and training company specialized in project management has been focusing on Key Elements for Successful Project Management with the following objectives:

1. Hi-lite the 8 key factors that provide substantial contribution to project success.
2. Provide copies of the 5 critical templates that will benefit the project from start to finish.
3. Provide an opportunity to apply 2 of the most critical factors.

Michael Twohey who is instructor at York University English language Institute, was teaching about Effective Business Writing skills with 4 objectives as follows:

1. To build a solid foundation for better writing.
2. To set clear objectives for all business writing.
3. To excel across business writing genres.

Stephen Friedman emphasized the importance of a Leadership & Team Building in action. Leadership VS Management, Balancing between Task and Relationship, Situational Leadership etc.

After the first educational part of my Canadian experience, followed the second part – one week of job shadowing at a company called Summer Fresh. They are a specialty food production company making salads, humus and dips. During this week I had a chance to see how things are done the Canadian way. This is a small to medium company owned by Mrs. Suzan Nitzowski, who is of Macedonian heritage.

My job shadowing started with a visit to the production factory, than a trade visit of key accounts in Toronto Area (off center), than a trade visit of the markets in downtown Toronto. I attended meetings with clients and internal meetings where the attendees discussed various approaches in the business. I also met the sales personnel and became familiar with their products and sales procedures. All of this gave me a real feel of the market movement and general overview of the business in this sector.

Over the course of these studies and the job shadowing role I gained new insights that will contribute my organization’s success and also help progress in my career.