22 June 2016
As part of its efforts to educate and raise awareness on best business practices, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) hosted a CIMA Professional Development (CPD) session in Oman and the UAE last week.

The events which were a full house, attended by senior business and finance professionals, looked at the impact of poor decision-making in today's economy and how senior executives could skilfully address and reverse this trend through insight and available resources.

Contrary to popular belief, availability of Big Data actually makes it harder for those charged with decision making in many organisations. As the volume and velocity of unstructured data increases, organisations struggle to keep pace. 

According to the 'Joining the Dots: Decision making for a new era' report, not only do executives admit to poor decision making but also more than three quarters (80%) say flawed information has been used to make strategic decisions, with 42% admitting their organisation lost a competitive advantage because they were slow to make decisions. 

Hosted by CIMA's Past President, Malcolm Furber, the CPD looked at how senior executives could successfully lead in a new era supported by their ability to join the dots while connecting the most relevant information and people from across the organisation when making decisions.  He also demonstrated how the Global Management Accounting Principles (GMAPs) and the diagnostics tool could provide businesses with the relevant resources so they could confidently ensure difficult decisions could be taken to drive sustainable value in the long-term. 

Geetu Ahuja, Head of Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan, CIMA said, "As the world's leading and largest professional body of management accountants, CIMA is shaping the future of business by helping the public and private sector make better decisions and be able to respond effectively to the risks and opportunities they are presented with. The GMAP is an effective tool box that professionals and organisations are widely incorporating to capitalise on innovative business processes and effective decision making.  With the CPD's we aim to equip business professionals to raise their game with varied value added learning and take on more of a leadership role and drive positive change within their organisation."

Founded in 1919, CIMA has over 229,000 members and students operating in 176 countries. The CIMA professional development (CPD) is a continuing professional development scheme for CIMA members, to support their career by helping them identify their future learning needs and to remain up to date and relevant in the current business environment. 

For more information on upcoming CPD sessions, please visit www.cimaglobal.com/Our-locations/Middle_East/Events/

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For press enquiries please contact:
Priscilla Stanley
Ketchum Raad Middle East
T: + 971 (0)4 425 8888                                                          
E. priscilla.stanley@ketchum-raad.com

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), founded in 1919, is the world's leading and largest professional body of management accountants, with over 227,000 members and students operating in 179 countries, working at the heart of business. CIMA members and students work in industry, commerce, the public sector and not-for-profit organisations. CIMA works closely with employers and sponsors leading-edge research, constantly updating its qualification, professional experience requirements and continuing professional development to ensure it remains the employers' choice when recruiting financially-trained business leaders.

Professionalism and ethics are at the core of CIMA's activities with every member and student bound by robust standards so that integrity, expertise and vision are brought together.

CIMA has formed a joint venture with the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) to establish the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation. CGMA is the global quality standard that further elevates the profession of management accounting. The designation recognises the most talented and committed management accountants with the discipline and skill to drive strong business performance.

CIMA is proud to be the first professional accounting body to offer a truly global product in the fast-moving area of Islamic Finance. CIMA also offers a Global Business Services qualification, in conjunction with The Hackett Group, the first and only global professional qualification in the shared services and outsourcing arena.

© Press Release 2016