Achieve an

internationally
recognised management
qualification while working in
your business

Advanced Diploma in Management Practice

Contents

Introduction .1

Structure, Numbers and Locations .1

Entry Conditions .1

Programme Structure and Features .2

Fees .4

Profile: University of Ulster .5

Profile: Optimum Results Ltd .6

ADMP Programme Director .7

Optimum Results and the University of Ulster have combined their experience, knowledge and skills to bring a best practice
programme in SME management and development to overseas middle managers, aspiring managers, owners, and next
generation owner / managers of SMEs.

The Advanced Diploma in Management Practice (ADMP) provides participants with an

in a very ‘cost & time effective’ format and which can progress to a ‘BSc in Business Studies’ and
Masters level programmes such as the ‘MSc in Executive Leadership’.

The ADMP is specifically designed for overseas candidates who may not have an academic background in management or
who do not wish to incur the very substantial time and fees involved in undertaking one of the degree or masters programmes
offered by many of the Irish / UK or International Universities and Business Schools.

The ADMP can be delivered for groups of individual participants (usually 15 - 17) or for a group of middle managers /
supervisors of an organisation in which case the content is adjusted to meet the specific needs and traits of the business.

The overall ADMP Programme is approximately six Applicants must normally:

months in duration: (a) have gained a Certificate of Higher Education or an
Part A Weeks 1 to 4, Work / Home Based equivalent standard in an approved professional or
Part B 3 Weeks in Ireland other qualification; and
Part C 18 weeks, Work / Home Based
(b) be working in, or aspiring to work in, supervisory
(Part A may need to be extended in some circumstances to facilitate the management roles in their work organisation.
procurement of relevant visas.)

(c) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken

Provision can be made for Part C to be extended in
English
certain circumstances. Each programme is restricted to a
maximum of 17 participants to ensure individual atten-
(d) have a computer, email, Internet and ideally broad
tion and optimising of the opportunity for participation
band facilities
and networking.

Alternative to (a):
The main centre for the delivery of Part B of the ADMP
(e) provide evidence of their ability to undertake the
Programme will be at the Optimum Results training
programme through the accreditation of prior
facilities in Dundalk, Ireland, half way between Dublin
experiential learning.
and Belfast with excellent public transport facilities to
both.
www.optimumresults.ie
www.dundalk.ie/area-profile.php

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Part A:

Following approval, participants will be provided with a comprehensive ADMP information pack which includes their personal
username and password for the ADMP programme website. (This service continues to provide valuable information,
management supports and networking facilities long after the training programme finishes).

Once set up on-line, each participant is then requested to undertake some simple pre-programme work which allows the
ADMP Director to gain a good understanding of their experience, current levels of SME management skills & knowledge and
their particular needs and expectations of the programme.

Part B:

This intensive part of the ADMP study & skills building programme combine class room tutor led workshops covering the
programme’s 10 modules and also provides for case histories and relevant visits to industry / business. Although these weeks
represent a very busy schedule, visits to places of interest are also organised together with some social & cultural activities.

There are 10 Tutor Led Modules:

Familiarisation, Introductions and programme overview

Understanding the nature of SME growth & development

Leadership and team building,

Managing and developing people,

Finance and financial management,

Marketing for SMEs

Exporting for SMEs

Website management & optimisation and elements of e-marketing

Business excellence

Strategic planning.

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Approximately 18 weeks

Following the study & skills building programme in Ireland, participants will return home and undertake the
of the programme.

The ADMP does not have exams, instead the participants complete six work based assignments, one each in: leadership and
team building, managing people, finance, marketing, business excellence, and strategic planning. Each will be approximately
1500 – 2000 words in length and usually completed in three weeks. Successful completion of the programme leads to the
award of the “Advanced Diploma in Management Practice” from the University of Ulster and either attends the graduation
ceremony at the University or have their awards sent to them by post.

To assist and motivate participants through this third phase of the programme each will receive up to ten, ‘One-to-One, On-Line
Audio-Visual Coaching and Mentoring Sessions’ together with email and website supports to assist with the completion of the
their six assignments. Equally, a strong emphasis is placed on the from the programme in their
own businesses and the conversion of learning into business actions. To assist in recording achievements and results,
participants are encouraged to maintain a personal learning & development log and a personal development plan from the
outset of the programme.

For those who successfully complete this programme, we can subsequently facilitate progression to a ‘BSc in Business
Studies’ and Masters level programmes such as the ‘MSc in Executive Leadership’.

3
The fee for the ADMP programme is

The ADMP programme fees will include:

· Pre-programme information packs & questionnaires,
· ADMP website access
· Airport transfers in Ireland
· The initial ADMP Reception
· High quality accommodation (ensuite room for each participant)
· All meals and daily refreshments
· Bus trips and tickets to places of historic & cultural interest
· Visits to relevant businesses and industry
· Visiting guest speakers
· All tutorials and training materials with ADMP Programme Folders
(plus on line / programme and support materials)
· Related videos
· One-to-one coaching during Part B in Ireland and subsequently
· Up to 10 on-line A/V Coaching & Mentoring sessions over the following 18 weeks the programme (Part C).
· Access to the University of Ulster’s online library facilities

Fees also include the assessment of the six work based assignments and the presentation of The Advanced Diploma in
Management Practice to each of the successful participants.

Applicants are requested to complete the on-line booking form and no payment is required until the booking is approved.
Once your application has been approved, the ADMP Course Fee of €6,450 is payable in full directly to Optimum Results Ltd

Payments are not to be made to any other party and it is important to note that the course fee must be paid in full prior to
the commencement of the ADMP Programme. Payment details appear on the booking form:

www.optimumresults.ie/admpbooking.php

4
The University of Ulster is one of the leading Universities in Britain and Ireland whose Vision is to be a university with a national
and international reputation for excellence, innovation and regional engagement. The University’s Business School is:

· One of the leading providers of university accredited management education and training programmes in Ireland for
over thirty years.

· 85% of staff submitted to the 2008 RAE are “internationally” recognised in terms of the “originality, significance and
rigour” of their work and over 35% were “internationally excellent”.

· Rated 'excellent' in teaching and learning on an objective and externally assessed basis.

· Engaged with businesses through student work placement, teaching, research, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
(KTPs) and Fusion projects.

· A Business School in partnership with many of the professional bodies in management education, including Optimum
Results Ltd.

· A member of the UK's Association of Business Schools (ABS) and the European Foundation for Management
Development (EFMD).

· The University of Ulster’s business institute provides a comprehensive range of undergraduate, postgraduate and
post-experience courses, on a full-time and part-time basis.

www.ulster.ac.uk

5
Regarded as Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Specialists, Optimum Results has worked with more than 8,000 clients over
the past 16 years delivering a wide variety of high quality services to assist SME business managers and their staff to enhance
business performance in both domestic & export markets.

Working to our mission statement “Dedicated to Improving the Business Performance of our Clients”, we work with all of
Ireland’s business support agencies and we have undertaken numerous EU funded (and other) projects in such places as
Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, The Czech Republic, Romania, Malta and Jordan. This year (2011) will see the commencement of
a substantial ‘SME Best Practice’ skills development programme in the Middle East.

More recently the Optimum Results team have developed an advanced ‘On-Line & Blended Learning’ division of our business
under the brand name “Skillsboost.” www.skillsboost.com. This is a highly innovative and ‘time & cost effective’ addition to
services for all our clients but particularly those overseas.

Our fulltime team of 20 and our 22 Quality Approved Associates (QAAs) operate from purpose designed offices and support
facilities in Ireland, mid point on the Dublin / Belfast economic corridor and within 45 minutes of three airports. We operate
to the highest international quality standards which include: ISO9001:2008 (initially achieved in 1996), ‘Excellence Through
People’ (1998 and upgraded to ‘Gold Standard’ in 2007), and BS 8555 ‘Environmental & CSR’ best practices standard
(2005). We believe that we are the only business in this industry to conform to these stringent standards and, in addition, the
company is also an accredited centre for FETAC (Further Education & Training Awards Council), The Institute of Leadership &
Management (ILM / City & Guilds), The Marketing Institute of Ireland (MII), [all subject to external Quality Assurance Audits]
and has a close working relationship with The University of Ulster and other professional bodies and Institutes

www.optimumresults.ie
www.thesmedevelopmentinstitute.com

6
 MSc, FMII, FCIM, FIMCA, FInstLM

Owner and managing director of Optimum Results Ltd and Customer Perceptions Ltd, Aidan has 35 years of wide ranging SME
management and development experience.

Prior to commencing his own businesses in 1995, he spent over 5 years as marketing director of a substantial exporting
manufacturer and his earlier career saw front line sales & marketing management in several other business sectors such as
telecoms, soft drinks, pharmaceutical, motor trade and hospitality.

Aidan holds a masters degree in Executive Leadership from the University of Ulster and Boston College (USA), has two
‘business counseling’ qualifications from Durham University (UK) and is a formally qualified trainer (National University of
Ireland). He is a graduate and fellow of both the Marketing Institute and The Chartered Institute of Marketing and he is also a
fellow of The Institute of Management Consultants & Business Advisers, a fellow of The Institute of Leadership & Management
and is prominent in a number of other business organisations in Ireland and overseas.

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Optimum Results Ltd The Business Institute
The Business Centre University of Ulster
Blackthorn Business Park Shore Road
Coe’s Road, Dundalk Newtonabbey
Co. Louth BT37 OQB
Ireland Northern Ireland

00353 42 93 33033 +44 2890 366417

Aidan.harte@optimumresults.ie j.mccoy@ulster.ac.uk
www.optimumresults.ie