MIDLAND, Mich. – The CARQUEST School of Business, a collaboration between CARQUEST, the University of the Aftermarket and Northwood University’s Richard DeVos Graduate School of Management, conducted its second session for CARQUEST independent store owners in late February.
Launched in December, the CARQUEST School of Business is a four-and-a-half-day business management experience focusing on relevant, timely strategies for increasing sales, operational efficiency and profitability of CARQUEST independent stores and customer businesses. The two sessions held to date have attracted nearly full classes and received high marks from participants.
The next CARQUEST School of Business will take place April 26-May 1 at the Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies on the campus of Northwood University in Midland, Mich., and for the first time will include owners and managers of TECH-NET Professional Auto Service centers.
“Our goal in creating the CARQUEST School of Business was to help our independent store owners and their customers identify and apply the very latest and best strategies for continuing their growth in today’s highly competitive business environment,” said Mike DeSorbo, MAAP, vice president for General Parts Inc. and CARQUEST. “Participating in this four-and-a-half-day program is, above all, an investment in the business owner’s long-term success.”
University of the Aftermarket Director Brian Cruickshank, AAP, noted that participants immediately become engaged in the curriculum and emerge with a new set of strategic tools and capabilities. “It’s exciting to watch the group respond to topics and challenges they are clearly facing on the job each day,” he said. “This is truly a real-world learning model that provides practical solutions for today’s parts store and shop professionals.”
Topics covered in the CARQUEST School of Business include Processes Development, Strategy and Vision, Brand Management, Financial Management, Sales Management, Employee Management, and Customer Retention. Content is customized to address the specific interests and concerns of participants. The daily schedule features lectures, group assignments, roundtable discussions and networking sessions.
