ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT IN THE DISTRIBUTION INDUSTRY THROUGH INDUSTRY FOCUSED AND APPLIED GRADUATE PROGRAM

摘要

Wholesale Distribution in the United States is more than a $6 trillion dollar industry with more than 370,000 businesses that employ 6 million people. With evolving distribution business models, margin pressure, and an aging workforce, distributors are faced with talent management crisis, especially with hiring, developing and retaining managers and developing a leadership pipeline. Traditionally, distributors promoted for managerial and leadership positions based on tenure and prior job performance. With an increase in the need for business competitiveness, customer experience, value added services and innovative new solutions, distributors need to develop competency based mid-managers who can effectively drive change and impact profitability. This paper outlines a distribution focused graduate program design, development, and continuous improvement to develop distribution industry mid-managers and leaders. The program is a web-based, part-time graduate degree focused on professionals in the industrial distribution, industrial sales, supply chain and logistics areas. The cohort program is designed for working professionals with at least 5 years of experience. The paper outlines the three immersive learning experiences of the program - residency week, global distribution course & trip and capstone project. Continuously improved over the past 15 years focus on four areas: (1) applied content development include industry focused live case studies, videos, interviews and podcasts. (2) teaching enhancement include quality matters certification and the use of industry executives to co-teach classes (3) learning experience enhancement include reflective discussion boards, group projects and peer-group learning (4) content delivery through mobile learning experience with iPad, eBooks and apps.