Business Management Training Overview

BMT targets qualified high-potential employees of NIB and NIB associated agencies who are blind, motivated to succeed and have demonstrated leadership potential.  Throughout the five, one-week BMT sessions, participants build business acumen and acquire critical leadership and business management skills necessary for greater career growth and leadership opportunities within the network of NIB associated agencies and the greater business community. 

The first BMT class was a booming success!  In October 2005, twenty-eight NIB and NIB- associated agency employees graduated and received the prestigious University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School Certificate of Management. 

The Class of 2007 begins August 27, 2006, after six weeks of preparation including reading case studies and coming up with solutions, analyzing NIB-associated agency profiles, and working in Special Project Teams. This second group of BMT participants will graduate in October 2007, and the next application period is anticipated to be Spring 2008.

To read media articles regarding BMT, please click below...

Work Zone: Training programs build business skills among the blind

Washington Business Journal

Assistive Technology

What Is Business Management Training?

Business Management Training (BMT) is a challenging, participant-centered program facilitated by University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business Administration. The program will provide the opportunity and support for participants to gain skills, knowledge and ability in NIB’s Ten Business Leader Competencies.

The curriculum consists of five intensive one-week educational sessions spread across approximately 18 months beginning in August 2006 and will cover a number of business topics under the following headings:

Session #1 – Topics in General Management

Session #2 – Finance and Accounting for the Non-CFO Manager

Session #3 – Marketing and Communications

Session #4 – Operations and Production Management

Session #5 – Human Resources Management and Information Technology

BMT is more than just “hitting the books.”  The curriculum follows a model – learn it, apply it, show you’ve learned it – that reinforces knowledge, builds confidence and encourages interaction among participants and faculty, as well as with agency management.

Why Participate In Business Management Training?   

If you are an employee of an NIB-associated agency or NIB, there are many reasons to participate in this intensive program:

·     Gain business knowledge and skills with motivated and talented peers.

·     Improve on-the-job performance – contribute new skills to your organization.

·     Learn the whole-picture perspective of business operations and how to be solutions- oriented.

·     Enhance your eligibility to expand your present position, grow into leadership positions and advance your career. 

·     Help to build the capacity of your agency, and the NIB network of associated agencies as a whole.

·     Earn a Darden Certificate of Management, an NIB Certificate of Completion and continuing education credits (CEUs). 

 Am I Eligible For Business Management Training?

 Eligibility requirements include:

 ·    Having career goals aligned with business and leadership;

·     Demonstrating business, management and leadership skills;

·     Already performing jobs that are getting you in line for leadership positions at NIB or   within the network of NIB associated agencies;

·     Recommendation by your organization’s CEO, or if an employee of NIB, the member of the Leadership Team heading your department;

·     Academic background that will serve as a foundation for developing business acumen.

·     Mastery of computer technology that supports business operations, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Internet research as well as any necessary adaptive software and equipment;

·     Ability to fully participate in all five weeklong sessions of BMT, successfully handle the pre-session reading and studying and carry-out the project work with assigned teams between sessions. 

BMT is designed to prepare people who are blind for ever-increasing levels of responsibility and positions in management as per the mission of NIB; therefore, preference will be given to those individuals meeting this criterion. Should seats be available, high-potential members of agency and NIB management teams who are not blind will be considered on a tuition basis.

Where Is The Training Located?

BMT takes place at a facility in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.  Participants attend classroom sessions at the facility all day, Monday through Friday and must be available to travel to Washington, D.C., for each session throughout the 18-month program.  Participation in all five sessions is required to complete the business curriculum and receive certification. 

If you have questions about BMT or the application process, please contact Karen Pal, Business Leaders Program Director, National Industries for the Blind, via phone at (703) 310-0515 or e-mail at kpal@nib.org.

National Industries for the Blind is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.