Soon to be launched - CIM Diploma in Marketing Communications!

We are pleased that the CIM Diploma in Marketing Communications will soon be available from our London Centre. Complementing our existing range of CIM qualifications it is ideal for those who want to learn more about what the marketing communications mix entails and how to manage it.

The qualification is ideal for those who have previous marketing knowledge and experience and would like to develop or pursue a marketing communications role. On completion you will have an in-depth understanding of the elements of the marketing communications mix and how to implement and integrate them alongside other marketing activities to contribute towards the overall business objectives and success.

The course consist of five modules, Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, Public Relations, Direct Marketing & Sales Promotion, Advertising and Integrated Media and all delegates will be supported throughout the whole course which also includes everything you will need including in addition to the workshops, tutor written study guides, course text books, access to online resources and a support tutor who will guide you through the preparation of your assessments.

The first module is scheduled to start with the Marketing and Consumer Behaviour workshop which is scheduled to start in June at our London Centre.

For more information about the CIM Diploma in Marketing Communications visit our website www.professionalacademy.com or call Paul Owens on 0844 80085256.

Introductory Certificate in Marketing, new evening workshops launched!

We have had a fantastic response to our CIM Introductory Certificate in Marketing with many people interested in studying the qualification but preferring the option of attending after work in the evenings. So, due to this high demand we have now scheduled evening workshops at our London Centre, but also launched the course at our Eastern Centre based in central Cambridge.

Ideal for anyone working in a customer facing role, even those involved in finance, operations and HR, or for anyone who is considering starting a marketing career and wants to dip their toe in the water, the qualification gives a comprehensive introduction to marketing, how it works and most importantly how it will benefit your business and help you improve your relationships with your customers.

We support you through the whole course which also includes providing everything you will need including in addition to the workshops, tutor written study guides, course text books, access to online resources and a support tutor who will guide you through the preparation of your assessments.

With our next intake for the Eastern Centre being in late March, there is no better time to start. For more information about the qualification and what we offer why not call Paul Owens on 0844 800 5256 or visit our website www.professionalacademy.com

Prove to them that you deserve the job

At Cambridge Professional Academy we are hearing more and more frequently from people who are concerned about their career progression and their attractiveness to potential employers, particularly those who have recently been made redundant or have moved to the UK from abroad. Many are struggling to get even an interview for jobs that only a few years would not have been a problem. This is because despite the fact that they have years of relevant marketing experience and have been involved in a particular or even many aspects of marketing they don’t have the all important qualification, whether it is an academic one such as a degree or the more practical type such as the CIM and ISMM professional qualifications.

Not surprisingly, since the economic downturn we have seen an increase in the number of people contacting us who are in this unfortunate situation. As you would expect, as the number of people being made redundant increases, the level of competition for jobs rises and employers take the opportunity to cherry pick the best candidates for their vacancies. I am sure many would agree that it is essential to market yourself properly, and part of this is to be able to assess yourself and identify the areas of weakness and address them appropriately.

I know from personal experience as I have progressed my career and applied for more senior roles that the job description in addition to preferring a related degree and experience often requests an additional professional qualifications. This shows that not only does it give you an opportunity to stand out from the crowd; employers recognise them as a symbol of your dedication to ongoing development and improvement.

I know that it is a big commitment both financially and time wise – but I for one, am certainly convinced that it is well worth the effort.

ISMM Seminar in London, 12th November

Cambridge Professional Academy will be attending the ISMM Seminar being held in London this coming Thursday. Due to be an informative and interesting yet entertaining evening the event will provide you with tools and tips on how to improve your sales performance and the opportunity to network with fellow ISMM members.

There will be presentations from:

Grant Leboff
Sales Therapy® - Debunking the Myths of Traditional Selling
www.intelliegentsalesclub.com




Richard Newman
Body Talk for Business - Can You Walk the Talk?
www.ukbodytalk.com



The seminar is being held at MWB London, 60 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6NP and begins at 6.15pm.

For more information about the ISMM and to book your tickets visit the ISMM website.

These seminars compliment the various ISMM qualifications and short courses that we offer in London, Cambridge, Exeter, Leeds and Jersey. More information about these qualifications and our prospectus is available at the Cambridge Professional Academy website.

Business North West Exhibition

We have just returned from two days exhibiting at the Business North West Exhibition in Manchester. It proved to be a very successful trip with lots of people and companies interested in our qualifications and courses. It also proved very useful for meeting organisatiosn who will be able help us further with offering our qualifications to a wider audience.

As a general exhibition there were a range of companies both exhibiting and visiting ranging from website hosting and optimisation, graphic designers and professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). It would have been good to see the Institute of Sales and Marketing (ISMM) there but maybe next year.

The new CIM Diploma in Digital Marketing and Diploma in Managing Digital Media qualifications we a real success with many people interested in enroling on the courses, and with the first lot of workshops already booked it is expected to be a great success. Management also seems to be an area which is in great demand, particulalry in the public sector according to sources so we will be keenly pursuing this opportunity further. Overall, the exhbition shows that despite economic circumstances there is still a real desire to be trained and gain qualifications in marketing, management and sales which is positive for us, although we must make sure we stay ahead of the game.

We hope to see you at our next event, CIM Live in London being held this Wednesday 4th November at BMA House, Tavistock House, London. For more information click here.

Visit our website www.professionalacademy.com for more information about our qualifications in marketing, management and sales and, prospectus.

CPA attending ISMM Seminar, Reading

Cambridge Professional Academy will be attending the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management (ISMM) Seminar in Reading today. These free to attend seminars start from 6pm and allow you to develop your potential and improve your performance in an ideal and convenient way whilst providing expert insight into the Sales world. The Reading seminar includes inspirational presentations from:

• Andy Preston - Selling in a Slowdown
• Matt Crabtree - Sales Momentum - 5 No Nonsense Ways to Win More Business in any Market

The seminars are packed full of thought-provoking ideas and practical insights for maximising sales and winning new business.

For more information about the ISMM seminars and to book your tickets visit the ISMM website.

These seminars compliment the various ISMM qualifications and, short courses that we offer in London, Cambridge, Exeter, Leeds and Jersey. For more information about these and for our prospectus visit our website www.professionalacademy.com

NEW – CAM Digital Marketing qualifications – starting September

Cambridge Professional Academy is now offering the two newly developed CAM digital marketing qualifications:

• Diploma in Digital Marketing


• Diploma in Managing Digital Marketing

Cambridge Professional Academy is just one of five selected training providers to offer this course during the pilot year. Replacing the CIM EMarketing Award these qulaifications have been designed to reflect the fast paced and changing digital world in which marketing is increasingly an essential aspect for all companies.

Designed for anyone currently or interested in becoming involved in digital marketing they provide a natural progression depending on your level of knowledge and experience both qualifications include the equivelent of four modules.

Diploma in Digital Marketing

• Digital Marketing Essentials
• Digital Marketing Planning
• Marketing & Consumer Behaviour (double module)

The Diploma in Managing Digital Marketing

• Intergrating Digital Media and Branding
• Implementing Digital Campaigns
• Advertising
• Public Relations

To find out more about these exciting new qualifications visit www.professionalacademy.com or contact us by email – enquiries@professionalacademy.com or telephone 0844 8005256.

CIM course qualification automation

Over the past few years we have been very effective in the online teaching methods that we offer for our CIM courses (Chartered Institute of Marketing), and we have tried to keep on top of technology to continue to provide a service that ensures that our students pass their exams.

We are currently looking for an experienced IT person to take on the roll of day to day maintenance of our IT systems and growing database of clients.

We are still developing our online teaching technologies and systems with a core team, but need somebody to come on board permanently to learn the ropes and take over some of the day to day running of the systems.

Our core technologies include ASP, VB, ASP.NET C#, and SQL Server technologies. We run our online systems from an inhouse Windows driven cluster.

The role is based in the centre of Cambridge and if you feel you may be suitable then feel free to contact us.

Managed Learning System

What can Cambridge Professional Academy do for you?
We can manage your learning system
We will host a fully integrated learning and development management system for you as an application service provider with:
Easy workshop configuration
Distance Learning
On-line course resources
Delegate interface
Revenue integration
Customer relationship management systems
Marketing campaign management
Web content management
Trainer process integration
Full management information and reports (bespoke)


We deliver standard accredited training courses
We will host a fully integrated learning and development management system for you as an application service provider with:
Face-to-face, tailored in-house or scheduled courses
All learning materials including text books
Additional electronic resources
Unlimited personal support
Choice of exam or work-based project assessment
Pass guarantee


We accredit bespoke and in-house training programmes
Working in partnership with you, we will accredit your own management training courses to ensure participants acquire a Chartered Institute of Management qualification.



Develop your company development and training programme
We will create a bespoke blended learning programme for the whole company or department to include:
Fully hosted, computer-based learning
All content written and produced
Full management information feedback
Face-to-face workshop delivery
Web-based asynchronous discussion
Virtual classrooms

CIM Results

Friday 23rd February saw the long-awaited release of the CIM’s December assessment results. As usual, Cambridge Professional Academy excelled, with both Professional Certificate and Professional Diploma students achieving over 90% pass rates! The national average for these levels was only around 55%.

The CIM Professional Certificate reached a 100% pass rate in three of the four modules, and the Professional Diploma pass rate was above 92% in two of the four modules.

Cambridge Professional Academy prides itself on the unlimited support that it offers every delegate, wherever they are in the world. Tutors are dedicated marketing specialists, who are passionate about their students and subjects. Whether students opt for the exam route, or the popular assignment route, their personal tutor will answer questions, and mark draft assignments and mock exams, which ensures that every individual has the very best chance of passing their assessments.

Alongside this personal tutor support, students are also encouraged to attend two-day study workshops at one of four locations, or evening classes (in London). The tutor-led sessions cover the main syllabus, plus have interactive discussions about each of the questions in the current assignment. Workshops also give students the chance to meet others and network amongst their peers.

On top of this, if any student does fail an assessment for any reason, the 100% guarantee promises that they will continue to be supported and tutored until they do pass, for no extra cost.

ISMM to increase fees - register NOW!

The ISMM have recently declared that their membership prices for the Diploma in Strategic Sales will be increasing from 10th May 2007. The price will jump from £195 to £225. To take advantage of the current price you will need to be registered by the ISMM before 10th May - so don't leave it too late!!

ISMM to increase fees - register NOW! Press release

Press release, bulletins index

New e-commerce system

2007 has seen the launch of an exciting and long-awaited e-commerce system for Cambridge Professional Academy. The up-to-date technology enables students to register and pay for any of the courses that the company offers, in a secure and hassle-free environment.

The vast array of professional qualifications include the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Professional Certificate, Professional Diploma, and Professional Postgraduate Diploma. These can all be paid for in a variety of ways – tailored to the individual’s needs. Whether studying via distance learning, intensive two-day workshops, or weekly evening classes, a suitable study pack can be purchased at the mere click of a button. Other benefits include: prices for each separate component can be clearly viewed, and additional resources can be purchased at a later date, if required.

The user-friendly system means that students no longer have to worry about filling in application forms and posting or faxing them back, as this can now all be completed online. The quick and easy solution to registering for a professional course is now being used by a number of new students, and this is expected to gradually increase. However, paper copies are still being accepted from those who wish to use the more traditional method of application!

New e-commerce system press release

Press release index.

Cambridge Professional Academy student wins prestigious sales award

Andy Proctor triumphed as the ISMM Student of the Year at this year's BESMA Awards Ceremony, held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. He fought off five stiff competitors and was awarded the prestigious title by a panel of three judges.

Andy works for Spirent Communications, based in Devon, and studied with Cambridge Professional Academy from April 2005 to July 2006, when he achieved the ISMM Diploma in Strategic Sales and Key Account Management with a distinction.

Since gaining the highly-recognised professional qualification, Andy had undertaken a specially-created new role within his company. Utilising the analysis and strategic planning tools learned on the course, he has been given an increased level of responsibility for direct sales.

As a direct result of his role and recently-acquired knowledge, Andy has managed to increase revenue in a variety of countries, which to mid-September 2006 exceeded £100,000!

Having recognised the benefits of such a qualification, Andy is now hoping to progress further by looking towards an MA in Sales Management.

Well done Andy!


Prestigious sales award story: