LAS VEGAS — It goes without saying that our industry continues to change before our very eyes. Distribution channels and methods continue to change. What worked as recently as a year ago might not be working now.
The University of the Aftermarket’s annual University Forum can help you stay competitive, and keep pace with our ever-changing market. The event takes place on Sunday, Oct. 31 prior to the kickoff of AAPEX 2004.
Whether you are a headquarters principal, WD, company-owned store manager, retailer or independent jobber — the health of your business will depend on how you are meeting and exceeding customers’ needs and adapting to cross-channel challenges and new technologies. Attendees to the 2004 University Forum, which is sponsored by Babcox Publications and Motormite/Dorman, will walk away with valuable tips and strategies to help meet those needs.
This year at University Forum, Chuck Udell, AAP, will moderate “Best of Leadership 2010 — Hot Issues for the 21st Century.” This session will feature two issues to be selected by Leadership 2010 participants and the University of the Aftermarket leadership as the most relevant issues from this year’s 2010 class. Selection will occur during Session II of Leadership 2010 in September.
Issues this year’s 2010 teams will be reporting on are:
* How the aftermarket service dealer competes against the OE dealer for technicians
* The effect of the brand relationship on 18-35 year olds and their service professional choices
* The evolving competencies needed for the successful service technical/shop owner of the future: a competency model
* Understanding the buying decision behind the independent aftermarket technician’s decision to install economy, private label or national brands
* What are the leading impediments that prevent the dealer from participating in E-catalog system integration
This session will feature a discussion of the two issues selected by peers, followed by a question-and-answer session. Participation from attendees is encouraged.
Chuck Udell, AAP, is a senior partner with the Essential Action Design Group. He is the former president of University of the Aftermarket — an operating unit of Northwood University. As U of A president, he was responsible for working with a team of key industry leaders to develop Leadership 2010, the University of the Aftermarket’s Executive Development Program. Before the formation of the University of the Aftermarket, he served as president of AWDA University, the education division of the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA).
Udell received his MBA from the University of Rochester in finance and marketing and received his BS at the University of Virginia. He received the Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) designation from AWDA University in 1994.
He served as a consumer products analyst with Marion Merill Dow pharmaceuticals for 10 years and five years with Mobil Chemicals’ Hefty Trash Bags division. Udell began his management career in operations as plant engineer with Union Camp. He continues to be an active participant in the automotive aftermarket — serving on the AAIA Education Committee, the AWDA Store Operations & Sales Committee and the Global Symposium Planning and Scholarship Committees.
Who Should Attend this presentation: All executives and managers interested in gaining a better understanding of issues impacting the aftermarket today and tomorrow.
Areas of concentration: All
CEUs: 0.3
For more information and to register for University Forum, go to: www.univaftmkt.org/courses/G533.htm.
_______________________________________
Click here to view the rest of today’s headlines.