Class time for SME bosses

What Spring's programme is about

WHAT is the Management Development Programme (MDP)?

The MDP is an initiative of Spring Singapore to upgrade the business management expertise of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to meet the challenges of today's globalised economy.

Through a partnership with local-based institutes of higher learning, the programme provides a range of postgraduate (Executive MBA) and executive development courses that are customised for SMEs.

How it caters to SME leaders

How different are the MDP courses from what is already available in the market today? How can the MDP courses benefit me?

While there is no lack of management courses in the market, these courses focus on general management areas with little or no focus on SMEs.

Recognising the pivotal role that SME leaders and management play in growing tomorrow's global businesses, the MDP programme is the first to focus on upgrading the management and leadership skills of SMEs.

For a start, Spring has partnered the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University to develop customised Executive MBA and Executive Development courses.

These customised courses will contain modules that are more relevant to SMEs. These include financing and valuation of SMEs, strategic financial management and creating strategic advantage through technology and innovation.

Other customised modules will deal with issues that are typically inherent in SMEs. These include management and growth dynamics of a family business, exit and harvesting strategies for SMEs and competitive strategy for start-ups and SMEs.

Duration and costs involved

What is the average duration and what are the costs of these courses?

The duration of the courses is flexible, ranging from one to two weeks every few months to longer-term studies. This is to ensure that the courses suit the busy schedules of the SME management.

Estimated course fees will range between $8,000 and $15,000 per participant for executive development courses and $30,000 and $35,000 per participant for post-graduate courses.

For a list of upcoming programme briefings, please visit www.spring.gov.sg

For more information, please refer to www.business.gov.sg

Answers provided by Spring Singapore.