By Mark Phillips
MIDLAND, Mich. — Twenty-five people, representing a diverse cross-section of the automotive aftermarket, are gathering this week at Northwood University to do something many haven’t had the time or opportunity to do lately — unplug from the daily grind and think about the future of the industry.
The 25 attendees of the University of the Aftermarket’s Leadership 2.0 program have put aside the usual interruptions of a daily work schedule — except for some occasional BlackBerry intrusions — to ponder how to best position and develop their leadership skills to help the industry grow.
Northwood President Keith Pretty delivered the convocation Sunday night at the University’s new Sloan Building, after attendees enjoyed dinner and conversation and became acquainted. “You’re the ones who will motivate personnel, drive projects forward, deal with crises, manage change, develop a vision and execute a plan,” Pretty said. “That’s the tough work that leadership is all about.”
Leadership 2.0 is aimed at developing the leadership skills of mid-level aftermarket professionals in an industry that’s experiencing consolidations, price pressures and the impact of fuel prices. The size of the aftermarket is large by any measure: At $300 billion in annual revenues, if it were a country, its gross domestic product would be larger than countries such as Iran, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Argentina and Hong Kong.
At left: Dr. Tim Nash explains the concept of "creative destruction" as it relates to the automotive aftermarket during this week’s Leadership 2.0 program in Midland, Mich.
Featured speakers throughout the first week will include Dr. Tim Nash, dean of the Northwood University Devos Graduate School of Management; Mike DeSorbo, director of traditional markets, CARQUEST; and industry veteran John Washbish.
Key presentations scheduled for the first week include:
• “Intrapreneurship/Entrepreneurship & Global Competition”
• “The Leadership Challenge”
• “Competitive Strategy: Analysis and Case Studies”
• “Developing Your Organization’s Unique Strategy”
• “Communication Skills for Leaders”
• “Presentation Skills for Leaders”
• “Aftermarket Marketing/Branding Strategy”
• “Decision Making and Leadership”
• “Survival in the Aftermarket”
• “Gaining Commitment from Employees”
• “The Purpose & Passion for Leadership”
Each day’s session begins with a discussion of key trends and other “hot topics” impacting the aftermarket. 
At right: Dr. Russ Griffin engages Leadership 2.0 students in a discussion about bringing out their leadership skills.
“Our curriculum is both intensely challenging and rewarding,” said University of the Aftermarket Director Brian Cruickshank. “There has never been a greater need for executive-level education in this industry, and I am very pleased that leading organizations at every level of the aftermarket have sent their next-generation leaders to this year’s program.”
Upon graduating from the Leadership 2.0 program, attendees will receive 6.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) toward completion of their Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) or Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) certifications.
The 2008/09 class of Leadership 2.0 officially sold out in mid-August and is taking place at the recently opened Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies at Northwood’s campus in Midland, Mich. The two-week executive development program continues April 12-17, 2009, at the university’s West Palm Beach, Fla., campus.
The second session of the 2008/09 Leadership 2.0 experience will take place on the Northwood University campus in West Palm Beach, Fla., April 13-18, 2009.
For additional information regarding the University of the Aftermarket, visit: www.northwood.edu/aftermarket.
