Develop your management skill set while sharing ideas with peers at the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) Management Academy. Over the course of this three-day program, you will sharpen your management, leadership and decision-making capabilities by engaging in faculty-led presentations, interactive exercises and small-group discussion. Program curriculum includes a broad-based selection of managerial courses chosen specifically to meet the needs of managers in the agricultural retail industry. 

Key Benefits

The ARA Management Academy allows you to:

• Build on your understanding of core business functions and the linkages between them
• Explore management challenges and discover retail business opportunities
• Strengthen your ability to lead people and work more effectively with upper management
• Network with peers from across different markets
• Debate and discuss industry issues with top agribusiness faculty

Program Content

You will cover the following topics through a mix of discussion, small group exercises, case study application, and debate and dialogue with experienced agribusiness faculty. 

Thinking Strategically

A strategic mind-set is important in the daily operation of your business and in meeting long-term business goals. Learn how to use decision analysis tools in your operation. 

Marketplace Trends and Competitive Positioning

This session will view the industry from 20,000 feet—laying the groundwork for the class to discuss implications to their businesses throughout the entire program. 

Financial Management: Examining Profitability

Financial statements provide valuable data for decision-making purposes. A profitability linkage model evaluates your company's position and performance within the industry. 

Creating Sales and Marketing Value 

At the core of this session is an examination of what it takes to create value in the marketplace and differentiate your organization from the competition. 

Implementing Organizational Leadership Strategies

Your leadership skills impact your ability to motivate and influence team members and managers up the line. Learn how to thrive in environments with constant change. 

Who Should Attend

This program further develops managers and leaders within the agronomic organizations. It is especially valuable for salespeople, agronomists and middle managers who expect to have more management responsibilities in the future. Previous participants have held positions such as sales representative, location manager, sales manager, operations manager and occasionally, general manager. 

Program Partner

The center offers this program in partnership with the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA).