1.1 Purpose of Doing This Assignment
The purpose of doing this assignment is to define Management Trainee Program and study its benefits for both companies and Management Trainees. Another purpose of doing this assignment is to study the Management Trainee Programs of two different companies, compare and analyze the information collected.
1.2 Define Management Trainee Program
There is a need for managerial staff from first line supervisors to top executives in each industry. The purpose of firms holding management trainee program is to prepare and qualify individuals for management functions within the organization1. Firms hire fresh graduates with or without any working experience by giving them the positions as Management Trainees.
Besides that, Management Trainee Programs vary in durations ranging from 6 months to 5 years2. The specific duties of a Management Trainee vary widely according to the nature of the industry and the individual firm employing the trainees.
To develop familiarity with the whole organization and its functions, a trainee’s jobs are rotated among the various departments. Trainees may get instructions such as attending lectures, workshops or seminars, giving presentations, doing projects and sitting for tests. Trainees are evaluated periodically by the firms for their performance.
1.3 Benefits of Management Trainee Program
Benefits of Management Trainee Program for both companies and individuals are as following: To provide a good succession planning and improve morale.
To improve individuals’ ability to manage conflicting demands on their time. To develop teamwork, improve team performance and enable individuals to gain satisfaction from their work. To expose individuals to every aspect of the business and role. To allow individuals to choose the best-fit job that they like.
2.0 MANAGEMENT TRAINEE PROGRAM OF TWO ORGANIZATIONS
2.1 MANIACORP
2.1.1 Background
Mania Corporation is the Malaysian leading sales and marketing company, partners with a group of companies with more than 800 office located in 26 countries on five continents.
Every year, they speak to millions of people and deliver hundreds of thousands of new customers for their blue chip client base. They deal with a wide range of products and services in more than 10 industries including telecommunications, pay TV, broadband, insurance, fundraising, energy, home efficiency, home security, financial services, training and education courses, sports marketing, magazine and newspaper subscriptions, and their own range of consumer products.
Incorporated in year 2006, they have invested significantly over the last 7 years in developing professional-class and industry-leading sales coaching systems, territory management, campaign management, product development, quality assurance programs and state-of-the-art post-sales processing center. They continue to expand on a global basis with an unprecedented demand from their client for their services.
2.1.2 Management Trainee Program
MANIACORP Sdn. Bhd. has progressed very far from becoming a leader in the outsourced marketing industry for their top brand customers by proving high quality service with professional business ethics. Driven by the passion and motivation, they are eager to hire candidates who are passionate and hunger for success, enabling a growing and rewarding organization and individuals.
The Management Trainee Program of MANIACORP is under sales and marketing department. MANIACORP holds Management Trainee Program to develop the skills and knowledge of an individual in the marketing industry.
Candidates who want to apply for MANIACORP’s management trainee program must meet the specific requirements such as one must have Communication Skill, Management, Public Relations, Presentations and Demonstrations and he or she must possess at least a higher secondary/STPM or Advanced Diploma or University Degree in any field. Besides that, a candidate must be able to speak English, Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil. He or she must also have willing to learn and able to travel. Furthermore, fresh graduates or entry-level applicants are highly encouraged to apply for the position and full-time and part-time position are also available.
To gain expose in operations, all candidates will be undergoing intensive training, continuous and comprehensive development in these areas: Sales and Marketing – To learn and master the company’s systems. Team & People Development – To learn to recruit, train and manage their own team. Office Management – To learn every aspect of management such as financing, Human Resource, administrative and operations.
2.2 AEON
2.2.1 Background
AEON CO. (M) BHD. is a leading retailer in Malaysia which was incorporated on 15 September 1984 and set up in response to the Malaysian Government’s invitation to AEON Japan to help modernise the retailing industries in Malaysia. The ‘JUSCO’ and now ‘AEON’ name is today well established among Malaysians as well as foreigners, especially due to its association with the international AEON group of companies.
AEON has established itself as a leading chain of General Merchandise Stores (GMS). AEON’s constant interior refurbishment of stores to project an image designed to satisfy the ever changing needs and desires of consumers is clear evidence of this. The Company’s performance has been further enhanced by the management’s acute understanding of target market needs and the provision of an optimal product-mix. AEON’s stores are mostly situated in suburban residential areas, catering to Malaysia’s vast middle income group.
At all times, in every market, AEON’s activities are guided by its unchanging ‘Customer First’ philosophy. Its aim is to surpass expectations by combining excellent products with unique personal services that enhance the shopping experience to make customers smile every time they shop.
2.2.2 Management Trainee Program
The Management Trainee Program of AEON which consists of on-job training and off-job training lasts for 10 months. AEON holds Management Trainee Program to develop an individual’s skills and knowledge in the retail industry.
Candidates who want to apply for AEON’s management trainee program must meet the specific requirements such as one must be a Malaysian citizen who should be between 21 years to 28 years of age and he or she must possess an Advanced Diploma or University Degree in any discipline. Besides that, a candidate must be able to speak fluent English and Bahasa Malaysia. He or she must also have excellent interpersonal and analytical skills. Furthermore, a candidate should be ready for challenges, be geographically mobile and be comfortable working in shifts.
During the first three months of the management trainee program, a trainee will undergo an intensive introduction programme covering the principles of operation and management; this include management workshops in leadership, teamwork and managing change, familiarization visits to all areas of AEON’s operation, experience sharing with managers and staff and briefing from senior management on business strategy.
To gain expose in retail operations, a trainee will be posted to various departments within AEON such as merchandising department, store operation and supporting department. This is an excellent opportunity for the trainee to broaden his or her understanding of AEON’s business. A trainee will be exposed to customer care cashier training, off-job training and team building. Moreover, a selected management trainee will have the chance to be exposed to Japan Training Programme. After completing the 10 months training, a trainee might have a chance to be promoted as a section leader.
3.0 ANALYSIS/ COMPARISON OF THE MANAGEMENT TRAINEE PROGRAM
Education:
Candidate must possess at least a Higher Secondary/STPM/”A” Level/Pre-U, Diploma, Advanced/Higher/Graduate Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree, Post Graduate Diploma, Professional Degree, any field.
Required skills/knowledge:
- Communication skill
- Management
- Public Relations
- Presentations
- Demonstrations
- Fluent in Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese, English and Tamil.
Personal attributes:
- Willing to learn
- Willing to travel
Education:
Candidate must possess at least a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline with minimum CGPA 2.70.
Required skills/knowledge:
- Proficient in verbal and written English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese.
- Excellent interpersonal and analytical skills.
Personal attributes:
- Possess customer service attributes.
- Enjoy meeting people.
- Comfortable working in shifts, weekends and public holidays.
Responsibilities
All trainees will undergo intensive, continuous and comprehensive training and development in these areas: Sales and Marketing – Learn and master the company’s systems. Team & People Development – Learn to recruit, train and manage your own team. Office Management – Learn every aspect of management such as financing, HR, administrative and operations.
During the first three months, all trainees will undergo an intensive introduction programme covering the principles of operation and management. This includes: Management workshops in leadership, teamwork and managing change. Familiarization visits to all areas of our operation.
- Experience sharing with managers and staff.
- Briefing from senior management on business strategy.
- Group projects
To gain expose in retail operations, trainees will be posted to various departments within AEON such as: Customer care cashier training
- Off job training
- Team building
- Japan Training Programme for selected Management Trainee
On-job training covers:
6 months intensive training covering the principles of operation and management – to develop skills & knowledge in retail industry. To learn about selling floor and backroom management, inventory control and ordering, manpower management and customer service. To learn about business strategy – product displays and merchandise management. To ensure smoothness of day to day operation.
3.2 Analysis
First of all, the duration of MANIACORP’s Management Trainee Program (MTP) is not stated whereas AEON clearly states that its MTP’s duration is 10 months. In terms of job context, the salary given by MANIACORP to a Management Trainee ranges from RM2000 to RM4000 along with commission, bonus and rewards; whereas AEON does not state the salary for Management Trainee in the job advertisement.
In terms of human requirements, both MANIACORP and AEON have clearly listed down the education requirement, required skills or knowledge and personal attributes that a candidate must possess to apply for becoming a Management trainee. The education requirement of a Management Trainee for both companies is quite similar. Both companies prefer fresh graduates who possess a Bachelor’s Degree. However, AEON states that the candidates must have a minimum CGPA 2.7. Working experience of a candidate is most probably not required by both companies as they do not state this requirement in the job advertisement or on their official websites.
Both companies have a different type of business, so the required skills of a candidate that they are looking for are different. Since MANIACORP is a sales and marketing company, candidates who apply for MTP is required to have good communication, presentation and demonstration skills provided that they are fluent in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil; they also must possess good management and public relations skills. On the contrary, AEON which is a retailer with a chain of General Merchandise Stores requires candidates to be proficient in verbal and written English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese and excellent in interpersonal and analytical skills.
In terms of personal attributes, candidates who apply for MANIACORP’s MTP must be willing in travelling and willing in learning as they might be sent by the company to work in other branches in other countries. On the contrary, the personal attributes of candidates who apply for AEON’s MTP is different form MANIACORP. AEON wants the candidate to possess customer service attributes and enjoy meeting people, so they are able to leave a good impression for customers, attracts more customers and improves the profits of the company. AEON’s candidates must be comfortable working in shifts, weekends and public holidays since a merchandise store is opened from morning until night throughout a year.
Furthermore, the responsibilities of Management Trainees in both companies are similar. Trainees of both companies undergo intensive, continuous and comprehensive trainings including on-job and off-job training and development in different areas of the company’s business such as sales and marketing, office management and team and people development. Trainees are exposed to different departments in their companies through job rotation to understand every operation in their companies’ businesses. After completing training, the trainees who pass the evaluation will be assigned to the suitable department by their companies.
3.3 Preferred Management Trainee Program and Reasons of the Choice Made
By referring to the analysis of both companies’ Management Trainee Program (MTP), we think that the Management Trainee Program of MANIACORP is a more preferable choice for a fresh graduate who is interested in applying to become a Management Trainee when compared to the MTP of AEON. This is due to several reasons.
First of all, MANIACORP is a leading sales and marketing company which has 26 offices on 5 continents in the world. Selected candidate who become Management Trainees in this company may have the chance to work in other branches in other countries once they complete their training. If they have the chance to work in overseas branches, they are able to expand their knowledge in the business as they will get the chance to understand the different ways of operating business by people in different countries.
Besides that, the salary given by MANIACORP to a Management Trainee is considered attractive because the salary ranges from RM2000 to RM4000. Moreover, commission, bonus and rewards will be given to Management Trainees when they manage to achieve the quota set by the company or have good performance in the company.
Furthermore, MANIACORP is a large sales and marketing which is famous in the outsourced marketing industry. Although Management Trainees have to undergo training in different department ranging from 1 to 2 years, they are able to specialize in the area which they are good at in the company once they complete their training. When they become experienced specialists in different departments, they will have the chance to be recruited by other famous sales and marketing companies in the same industry with a higher salary.
In conclusion, the Management Trainee Program of MANIACORP is preferred as a better choice when compared to that of AEON because it brings more benefits to a person who wants to become a Management Trainee. 4.0 CONCLUSION
By doing this assignment, we have learned the ways to do online research by using online databases such as EBSCOHost and Google Scholar. We have also learned that teamwork is essential for us to complete this assignment on time.
Besides that, we are able to have an in depth understanding of the background and Management Trainee Program of two companies, MANIACORP and AEON that we chose to study through their official websites and online job advertisements. We are able to learn the definition of Management Trainee Program and study the benefits of Management Trainee Program to individuals and companies. Moreover, we have learned the ways to write a report analysis by analysing the information that we got through online research.
Furthermore, this assignment is related to the chapter about training and developing employees in the subject, Human Resource Management. Trainings in Management Trainee Program are related to the five training techniques used by Human Resource Department in many companies such as on-the-job training, pprenticeship training, informal training, job instruction training and lectures. Management Trainees have to undergo job rotation and they are exposed to different department and operations in their companies. All kinds of training help trainees to learn the objectives, goals and operations of their companies thoroughly.
As a conclusion, we have a better understanding towards Management Trainee Program throughout the process of doing this assignment.
5.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY
AEON Co. (M) Bhd. (2012). Corporate profile. Retrieved from http://aeonretail.com.my/contact.html AEON Co. (M) Bhd. (2012). Management trainee program. Retrieved from http://aeonretail.com.my/trainee.html California Employment Development Department. (1998). Management trainees. Sacramento, CA: Author. Retrieved from http://www.calmis.ca.gov/file/occguide/managtrn.htm MANIACORP Sdn. Bhd. (2013). Background. Retrieved from http://www.maniacorp.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87&Itemid=294 MANIACORP Sdn. Bhd. (2013). Business development/ Management Trainee Programme. Retrieved from http://www.maniacorp.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=86&Itemid=439
