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have more hands-on knowledge in many fields to effectively lead and manage a diverse organization.(2) That is the value of a generalist business education. Unfortunately, general business management is not covered in the curriculum of a human resources degree.

     The more diverse an employee is-especially in HR-the more valuable he or she is to a company for the ability to be flexible, to assume a wide variety of projects, to manage groups of people, and eventually, become a strong company leader and contributor.

     So, we have shown that an HR practitioner who is also a generalist can be a more powerful and dynamic leader and manager. But how does one become a generalist? There are many answers and many routes that allow HR practitioners worldwide to expand their business knowledge.

     The first and most well known is the MBA. But this route can be an expensive and time-consuming process for working practitioners who already have many of the skills they need to succeed in a diverse environment. For those who do not have the time or money for an MBA, or anyone looking for business knowledge that focuses on the practical application of solid principles, there are many options that are growing in popularity and extremely valuable-not only to employees, but the companies who employ them.

     Masters-level business certification programs such as the Certified Business Manager (CBM), sponsored by the Association of Professionals in Business Management (APBM), can provide HR practitioners practical tools that help turn them into generalists and dynamic leaders who are required in the marketplace. CBMs also learn the skills to become successful decision-makers, prudent and forward-thinking strategists, and cross-functional, hands-on managers. CBMs are required to adhere to a code of ethics and meet continuing education requirements similar to any other true professional.

     "I find that as a Human Resources professional, it is imperative that I comprehend the different facets in business," said Lisa Fitzgerald, CBM, SPHR, who is a Human Resources Manager at Household International. "The CBM allows me to make more informed decisions when placing job candidates, aiding in budget matters and designing programs for internal use. Furthermore, the CBM certifies my knowledge which gives me leverage in the decision making process."

     No matter the route a manager takes in his or her career, no one can argue the fact that a diversified curriculum of professional development makes a strong education. As the global marketplace becomes more unpredictable, strong managers who can make solid decisions based on the wide range of business principles will succeed. The first step is making the commitment to learn.

About the Author
Professor S. Rao Vallabhaneni (www.cbmexam.com) is an educator, author, publisher, and practitioner in the business field with more than 25 years of management experience in manufacturing, finance, auditing, accounting, and information technology. Most recently he taught at National-Louis University, Chicago, in the College of Management and Business. Professor Vallabhaneni currently holds 23 professional business certifications, including PHR from SHRM.

(1)Christopher Barlett, THE MYTH OF THE GENERIC MANAGER, Harvard Business Review, October 2001

(2) Henry Mintzberg, CONVERT LEADERSHIP: NOTES ON MANAGING PROFESSIONALS, Harvard Business Review, November 2000