Get Certified in Business Services and Solutions Marketing—Now!

So it’s finally here—we’ve been talking about it for a while and our article in the Strategist drove a fantastic number of you to ask for more information and to begin the enrollment process.

What am I talking about?

Where have you been?

It’s the joint ITSMA/Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Professional Diploma in Marketing for Business Services and Solutions, of course.

After almost 12 months of discussions and development meetings with key industry figures and education specialists, this new professional qualification specifically targeted at B2B services and solutions marketers is ready to welcome its first eager students. While the e-learning nature of the course might not provide a direct path to the cheap beer and raucous parties normally associated with higher learning, the content should certainly afford you a generous dose of recognition with employers in the industry.

Developed in Cooperation with Some B2B Industry Heavyweights

Among the first students will be individuals from Fujitsu, Steria, and Tata Consultancy Services, the three foundation members who have committed some of their most senior marketing resources to work alongside ITSMA and CIM on the development of this global program.

All of these companies already train their marketers, but they recognize the need across the industry for a formalization of standards for marketers. “I firmly believe that the introduction of this course will benefit the IT industry as a whole and gives us a real opportunity to professionalize B2B marketing,” says Philip Oliver, Executive Vice President Marketing, Fujitsu.

What the Course Covers

The new diploma program uses the core content from the four modules of the established CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing. This content is put in a B2B services and solutions context through industry-specific templates, case studies, and articles. The four modules that we have adapted are:

• The Marketing Planning Process
• Delivering Customer Value through Marketing
• Managing Marketing
• Project Management in Marketing

Also a Services and Solutions Standalone Course

In addition, we have an entirely new fifth module focused exclusively on the unique considerations of services and solutions marketing. It will be available as a standalone course for those individuals who already hold the CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing or can demonstrate the required level of industry experience and knowledge.

To address the global nature of many of your organizations, the program is being delivered using a combination of interactive online tutorials and either face-to-face workshop days or a set of live, virtual classroom sessions, enabling geographically dispersed members of your team to attend the same course and achieve this recognized standard together.

Course Begins in December

And the best thing is that it isn’t too late to enroll in the December course! All we need is a completed application form (PDF) and a copy of each applicant’s CV for validation.

So with the positive vibe that is coming from everyone involved in this course, either as contributor or student, I encourage you to read more about the ITSMA/CIM professional diploma course and let us know where you would like to see the face-to-face days held. We have a growing list of people interested in attending courses in various places , including Bangalore and Boston, so if you or your team has a specific location in mind, please let us know.

We look forward to seeing you online or in person!

Apply now to enroll in the course by clicking here: ITSMA/Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Professional Diploma in Marketing for Business Services and Solutions program.

2 Responses to “Get Certified in Business Services and Solutions Marketing—Now!”

1. Sue Lawrence-Longo Says:
   September 8th, 2010 at 12:27 PM

   Hi! Is the ITSMA/CIM certification program open to those who are independent consultants/self-employed?

   Cheers!
   Sue

2. Chris Koch Says:
   October 8th, 2010 at 11:26 AM

   Absolutely, the program is open to independents. Thanks for asking!

ITSMA specializes in helping companies market and sell services and solutions more effectively. We work with the world's leading technology, communications, and professional services providers to generate increased demand, strengthen customer relationships, and improve brand differentiation. ITSMA annual program clients include business leaders such as AT&T, Cisco, Deloitte, EMC, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Microsoft, SAP, and Tata Consultancy Services, among others. Our comprehensive research, consulting, and training on topics including ITSMA Account-Based Marketing℠, Brand Positioning, and Solutions Development provide the insight and experience companies need to improve business results. ITSMA is based near Boston, and has offices in London and Tokyo. Learn more at www.itsma.com.