Certification in retail operations

Opening Conference - January 18, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Module 1 - January 18

The dynamics of strategy, innovation and agility
Concepts, trends and best practices

Instructors: JoAnne Labrecque, Associate Professor, HEC Montréal and Laurent Simon, Professor, HEC Montréal

Speaker: Gino Plevano, Vice President Senior, Digital Strategy, Groupe CH

With change being a constant in our economy, you need to update your business model if you want to improve your company’s performance and hone your competitive edge. This module will help you acquire the necessary knowledge to review your business model in order to increase your agility and empower your ability to innovate. More specifically, this module aims to:

• Provide an introduction to the business model canvas and the innovation canvas.
• Identify the main pros and cons of your particular business model.
• Determine the roles and responsibilities of the various people involved in implementing innovative projects.
• Orchestrate ways to put innovation into action, taking into consideration the limitations of your business.
• Earn employees’ buy-in for innovative projects (encourage them to be open to different perspectives).
• Manage the various stages of innovation: process, context, organizational culture.
• Buy-in.
• Reconcile strategy and eco-responsibility.

Module 2 - February 1

Change management and leadership
Engaging your team members to achieve results

Instructor: Hubert Mposo Makwanda, Founding-President, Concilium Capital Humain

Speaker: Thierry Lopez

In today’s uncertain and ever-changing environment, the ability to help employees embrace organizational change is essential for any manager. The true key to successful change management is earning the buy-in of the various parties involved. In this module, you will:

• Become acquainted with what employees expect from their leaders.
• Learn the sources of legitimacy leaders can utilize to communicate better with their teams.
• Identify the key touchpoints between leaders and their team members.
• Find out how to effectively address employees’ needs in order to help them embrace change.
• Become familiar with and learn to apply influence strategies and tactics for successful organizational change.

Module 3 - February 15

Management strategy and team mobilization
Strategy, team mobilization and best practices

Instructor: Bruno Lussier, Associate professor, HEC Montréal

Speaker: Alain Ménard, Senior Vice President, Retail Operations, Sobeys

Managing a business means guiding teams to collaborate effectively and go the extra mile in order to better serve the business’s purpose and objectives. In this module, you will:

• Gain a better understanding of yourself and the members of your team to become more adaptable and interact more effectively with one another.
• Tap into the strengths of face-to-face interaction and make them work for you in online communication.
• Rethink your team management strategies and best practices to boost your ability to win more clients.
• Improve your management skills in a dynamic virtual context.
• Reduce social anxiety and engage your teams using a combined online/in-person approach.

Module 4 - March 8

Key decisions in supply chain management
Best practices and performance indicators

Instructor: Julie Paquette, Associate Professor, HEC Montréal

Speaker: Sylvie Tardif, Vice President, Operations and Logistics, Groupe BMR

Proper supply chain management is a strategic component of organizational performance. This module will show you how to:

• Address key issues associated with the omnichannel supply chain: curbside pickup or home delivery, in-store or in-warehouse order preparation, DIY vs. outsourced solutions, etc.
• Manage your supply chain in a changing world: before, during and after a crisis.
• Recognize the importance of responsiveness, accuracy and standardized information in streamlining your supply chain.
• Determine whether centralized or decentralized inventory management is for you.
• Identify and prioritize product classification criteria.
• Manage supply chain risks: Develop close ties with suppliers; plan and prioritize safety stock.
• Strike a balance between supply chain and sustainability requirements.

Module 5 - Mars 22

Business strategies in the digital age

Instructor: Gabriel Tassé, Lecturer, HEC Montréal and Co-Founder Click & Mortar

Speakers: Ariane de Warren, Brand & Marketing Director (customer experience), SAQ
Jean-François Renaud Co-Founder and Partner, Adviso.

The digital revolution continues to affect consumer behaviours. Companies’ sales and communications platforms are instrumental in interacting with consumers, and the data that comes through these channels is critical in shaping subsequent retail strategies. More and more, business performance depends on the ability to strategically utilize this data to attract, convert and retain customers. This module will show you how to:

• Develop a customer-centric approach in an omnichannel context.
• Gain insight into shopping and consumer behaviours in the digital age.
• Determine the best strategies and tactics to attract, convert and retain customers using the various channels at your disposal.
• Acknowledge challenges and opportunities related to digital technology and big data.
• Tap into the vast potential of artificial intelligence to boost your productivity.

Module 6 - April 5

Rethinking customer service and the customer experience
Designing a memorable customer experience

Instructor: Laurence Ashworth, Associate Professor, Queen’s University

Speaker: Jean Bédard, President and CEO, Sportscene Group

Develop a big-picture vision of how to manage customer service and the customer experience against a backdrop of ongoing change and disruption. Understand the factors that influence customer satisfaction and loyalty. Learn how to handle crises and difficult situations. This module will help you:

• Develop an understanding of the psychological factors of the customer experience and identify KPIs.
• Avoid common pitfalls and identify moments of truth throughout the customer journey.
• Manage customer satisfaction in a disruptive environment.
• Adopt an agile approach to the customer experience.
• Reinvent the customer experience in a post-COVID world.

TRAINING APPROACH

• Dynamic, interactive, user-friendly and hands-on.
• Sharing of participants’ thoughts and experiences.

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