The University of Innovative Distribution (UID) has opened registration for its March 2017 program. IRCG’s Mike Marks is a permanent faculty member at UID, and will be presenting four courses including:
Big Data Analytics for Wholesaler-Distributors
This course is focused on practical examples and useful models to improve decision-making with big data for today’s distributor. It is about how to start, not theory, and it does not require a new software package to play. Part one starts with a list of challenges and how to mine and analyze data to gain insight. There will be a focus on generating organic growth. Part two is to help discern what customers have been telling you by their actions and transaction history. Gaining insight provides opportunities to improve the customer experience.
Managing in Turbulent Times
This course is intended for managers who must make decisions with limited resources in highly uncertain and changing environments. The distribution industry, in many sectors, in is a race to the bottom on price with new nontraditional competitors like broad-line box-movers and Amazon.
Crossing the Chasm from Lifestyle Management to Professional Management
The vast majority of distribution businesses are run by a senior executive who is also the majority shareholder. These owner-operator businesses vary in size from small entrepreneurial firms to those with over $1 billion in revenue. Many lifestyle-managed firms attempt to adopt professional management practices, often with limited success. This course is focused on helping the senior executive to make a distinction between the two approaches and to make an informed choice as to which approach is best in a given situation.
Mergers & Acquisitions: How They Affect the Competitive Landscape (with Jim Miller)
This half-day morning course is designed for distributor and manufacturer executives who are competing in industries that are undergoing industry consolidations. The course is designed to help executives understand how these activities change the competitive landscape. Bigger is often not better, but it is always different. The course starts will a dive into changes driven by distributor M&A activity.
Learn more about this year’s program and register on the University of Innovative Distribution website.
