Marketers are an innovative breed of people who endeavor in anticipating, forecasting and fulfilling peoples’ needs and wants profitably. Therefore, Marketing helps enhance the standards of living in society. Youngsters who yearn to enter the fascinating world of Marketing encounter the challenge of finding the right mentors to guide them towards their goal. The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), the national body for Marketing in Sri Lanka caters to them as a true mentor on their quest towards becoming fully fledged marketers in future. 

The Preliminary Certificate in Marketing (PCM), a three-month course introduced by the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) in 1988 was aimed at imparting basic knowledge in Marketing, which has been sought by many in the field as the first step towards learning in the field. The PCM course is ideally suitable for those who are interested in gaining a fundamental knowledge of Marketing, and is not restricted to those who are already in the field of Marketing or pursuing a future in Marketing. It is also open to individuals in other professions who desire to obtain knowledge in the subject, which is a definite added value to their profession.

Marketing as a lifestyle, not simply a career, and it will assist all professionals in raising their professional standards. Educating budding marketers on the basic and fundamental theories of Marketing with business world examples is the core object of SLIM PCM. Modules such as Marketing Mix, Products, Pricing, Distribution, Marketing Communication, Promotions, Marketing Concepts, The Marketing Environment, Consumer Behavior, Marketing Research, Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning (STP), Product Planning & Development and Marketing vs. Sales are included in the three-month long certificate program.

The second intake for the year has just started and the inauguration was held in the Colombo, Kandy and Matara business schools recently. For more details of the programme, you may contact Colombo via 0703 189 646, Kandy via 0703 336 188 and Matara via 0703 227 949. 

Mr. Charaka Perera, the CEO of Laugfs Salt & Chemicals / Laugfs Holdings Ltd graced the occasion as the guest speaker and stated that after commencing his Marketing studies at SLIM with PCM, he realized the importance of Marketing for one’s career and life as a whole. PCM motivated him to qualify in Marketing and it was the stepping stone towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing. SLIM has taken him to the helm of his career life, making his eligible to function as a corporate leader. He welcomed all young marketers to come and experience the world of Marketing at SLIM.  

Mr. Suranjith Swaris, the President of SLIM stated that SLIM’s area of expertise is to groom marketers to suit both the Sri Lankan and global arenas. “The competitive environments in workplaces urge more and more students to enroll in Marketing studies. Some of the top marketers in the corporate sector, will be among the most experienced lecturers to mentor you on the practical aspects of Marketing and how best to secure your career path in the discipline. Further PCM lays the foundation to obtain a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing (PGDIP). Thus PCM derives wider acceptance and recognition from employers as the course blends both theory and practical applications. You can also pursue Branding, Digital Marketing, Entrepreneurial Marketing, Services, Sales and CIM studies at SLIM. So instead of curtailing your Marketing studies to PCM, move forward to higher realms in marketing education,” he said.

Speaking about the program, Mr. Roshan Fernando, the Vice President of SLIM, mentioned that it is designed to suit the current requirements of the corporate world, “Even people from non-Marketing disciplines follow PCM, as they understand that Marketing is essential to professional growth. Marketing stimulates innovation and helps organizations to stay one step ahead of their competitors. So regardless of the industry, Marketing helps create an impact on the corporate world. Many corporates employ SLIM PCM students and recognize their capabilities during recruitment.  

The CEO/ED of SLIM, Mr. Sanath Senanayake stated that Marketing is within us and it’s a valuable thing from which we identify that innate talent and refine it. Being the National body for Marketing, SLIM bears the responsibility to educate Sri Lankans to progress in their Marketing careers. Further SLIM has received the ISO 9001:2015 certification in recognition of its superior quality management system and the ISO 2990:2010 for Learning Service Provider (LSP), approving non-formal education and training services, which enables SLIM to retain and ensure the high standard of quality education to all our students.