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AVDA together with the Association Education Alliance (AEA) presented a wide variety of educational sessions in 2007 including five webinars and four multiple day conferences. AEA is an alliance of over 40 professional and trade associations whose purpose is to identify, evaluate and develop affordable educational programs for use by member associations.

Through our partnership with AEA, AVDA members can participate in exclusive training and networking sessions. Training participation overall increased significantly in the past year. “Companies understand the importance of investing in their employees for improved profitability as well as employee retention,” commented AEA staff.

The year began with the enormously popular University of Industrial Distribution (UID) selling out for the fourth year running. UID is a four day concentrated educational program focused on the unique needs of wholesale distributors. Offered each March at the Indiana University / Purdue University (IUPUI) in Indianapolis, IN. UID maintains an impressive faculty of industry professionals delivering exclusive content. AVDA member companies sent a total of 37 attendees to UID last year. UID has also established a certification in Industrial Distribution, for more information click here.

New this year, the Young Distribution Professionals Conference (YDP) was held in August just outside of Chicago, IL. Developed for the next generation of managers the three day course sold out in less than three weeks. YDP was built around unique networking opportunities and individualized faculty interaction. YDP received rave reviews from attendees as well as facilitators. The program is set to return again in the summer of 2008.

The Habit of Selling presented by Don Buttrey has been a mainstay of sales training featured twice annually. Courses were offered this past year in mid March and early October. The Habit of Selling is a two and a half day seminar in Dayton, Ohio that focuses on sales skills for professionals at every level. Course size is limited to 40 participants each session to ensure individualized training. "I loved the seminar, I learned how to sell value and the importance of it. I also learned how to set-up my process and organize my points,” from a recent Habit of Selling student.

The webinar schedule for 2007 offered a variety of sessions, each speaking to the needs of AVDA members. The following is an overview of the programs that were offered.

Distributor/Manufacturer Relations: Demonstrating Total Cost Savings led by Tim Underhill was offered in late March. Tim Underhill is president of Strategic Business Solutions – a consulting firm whose mission is to improve its clients' profitability through increased revenues, improved supply chain management and reduced operating costs. He currently sits on the NAPM’s (National Association of Purchasing Management) national steering committee for their MRO Buyers Group and provides Supply Chain Management seminars for this association and has authored several related books.

Underhill’s presentation focused on why customers need suppliers that can reduce their total operating costs, and why companies need to show their value. Tim then shows how companies can document their value quickly and easily.

Developing an Equitable Pay System for Your Company facilitated by Nancye Combs was offered in May. Nancy Combs is a highly skilled professional who has created compensation systems for companies of all types. She is a recognized authority in Human Resources.

Combs explained how to take the mystery out of setting up an equitable pay system. She coached participants through the basic elements needed in a wage and salary plan, elements that should be included in a Wage and Salary Policy, how to determine the market price of each job and how to keep your Wage and Salary Plan current.

Marketing Strategies for the Entire Sales Channel delivered by Scott Deming was offered in July. Deming owned a multi-million dollar national advertising agency for over 20 years and is now an in demand speaker.

Deming’s session was an open dialogue with participants highlighting how to create effective promotional materials with compelling, one of a kind product and service offerings. As a professional, Deming has been committed to deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience via collaboration between marketing, sales and service personnel together to creating a cohesive and consistent selling effort.

Professional Telephone Etiquette led by John Gray was offered in early October. Participants were reminded that despite the high-tech innovations that have revolutionized the workplace, the most important business tool in the office is the telephone. Gray highlighted tips to provide excellent service through the telephone to both the external and the internal customer. Participants learned that both verbal and nonverbal expertise establish a positive foundation for good service no matter if the caller is a client or a colleague.

The full training schedule for 2008 will be announced soon. Check the AVDA website for announcements and updates..

© 2007 American Veterinary Distributors Association

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