Purdue, ag retailers, ASU to host live, online management academy

[December 15, 2020]     Purdue University’s Center for Food and Agricultural Business, the Agricultural Retailers Association and Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business will again partner to present the 2021 ARA Management Academy on January 26-28. The program will be held online.

The ARA Management Academy provides valuable take-home tools for management practices to agribusiness professionals through interactive exercises, faculty-led presentations and group collaboration. Through a combination of live sessions, small group exercises and pre-recorded learning videos to view at their convenience, participants will develop their management capabilities while networking with industry peers. The program enhances the skill set of managers and leaders within agronomic organizations, as well as those who expect to have more management responsibilities in the future.

"Over the last year, we've developed tools to bring world-class experiences into the online education environment,” said Scott Downey, director of the Center for Food and Agricultural Business, professor of agricultural economics and a session facilitator. “Although we wish we were able to see academy participants in person, we've made networking and engagement opportunities a top priority after seeing an overwhelmingly positive response to this approach in other virtual programs we’ve recently held. At the ARA Management Academy, we'll help participants explore management challenges across primary business functions, strengthen communication and lay the groundwork for a strategic mindset."

Purdue’s Allan Gray, center executive director and professor, also will be a session facilitator. ASU faculty presenters include Joan Brett, associate professor of management and entrepreneurship; Douglas Olsen, associate professor of marketing; and Mark Manfredo, professor and director of the Morrison School of Agribusiness.

Program topics include examining profitability, creating value for customers, organizational leadership strategies, marketplace trends and competitive positioning, thinking strategically and service blueprinting. Sessions will strengthen participants’ ability to evaluate profitability and performance, differentiate their organizations and thrive in environments with constant change.

This program is targeted to those who hold positions in areas such as sales, agronomy or operations, or those who are branch and general managers. The early-bird rate for ARA members is $2,595 through Dec. 18 and $2,795 thereafter. Nonmembers can register for $2,795 through Dec. 18 and $2,995 thereafter. Learn more and register at http://agribusiness.purdue.edu/ARA.

[Writer/Media contact: Torrie Sheridan
Source: Scott Downey]