Outdoor Industry Association® (OIA) has announced a diverse Outdoor University® lineup for May, with live sessions that explore online strategies and sustainability initiatives, as well as six newly released recordings, on topics that include e-commerce, brand development and other key business insights.
Outdoor University is OIA’s education platform, which delivers a robust curriculum of professional development seminars each month. Outdoor University® workshops and online sessions break down complex challenges and issues specific to outdoor industry businesses. Led by industry experts and business influencers, they offer outstanding opportunities to learn about current business trends and tips for how to be more profitable.
The following live sessions are being presented in May.
May 15 – 10 am (MDT): How Retailers Can Win Online: Nine Core Elements of a Successful Strategy
Bill Leake, ApogeeResults.com
Caught between Amazon on one hand and Google on the other, and laced with ample helpings of mobile and social confusion, the world of e-tail is more complex than ever. Bill Leake, former McKinsey & Co. consultant and frequently cited Internet retail expert, will provide you with the tools to formulate and execute a successful action plan for your online store.
May 16 – 10 am (MDT): New Equipment Higg Index: Benchmark the Sustainability of Your Gear Product
Members of the Equipment Index Working Group
Join us for the launch of the Higg Index for Equipment web tool and pilot program. The Higg Index for Equipment will provide indicators tailored specifically to gear products while using the same format as the other Higg Index modules.
May 30 – 10 am (MDT): Introduction to the OIA Sustainability Working Group – Spring 2013
Beth Jensen, OIA
This webinar is designed to educate brands, retailers, suppliers and other outdoor industry stakeholders on the benefits of participating in the OIA SWG and integrating smarter business practices into their supply chains.
In addition, the following recently recorded sessions are now available online:
Getting Unstuck: Overcoming Key Strategic Barriers for Retailers and Manufacturers
Jim Jelak & Curt Hanke, Shine United
More competition. More price sensitivity. Less loyalty. Less time. The experts at Shine United surveyed retailers and manufacturers from across the country to identify where they are “stuck” — and to gain insights into key business and brand barriers. Learn what others are facing and new strategies to get “unstuck.”
Dopamine and Adrenaline – How to Create, Evolve and Grow a Great Brand
Leif Steiner, Kelly Gray, Kate Young & Evan Farber, Mozie Sozo
Open your eyes to unconventional branding philosophies and strategies that can inject your brand with a shot of adrenaline. This webinar explains how to engage new customers, re-energize your core, and possibly even change the future of your company.
Effective E-Commerce: How to Intelligently Improve Your Online Sales
Shaun Tinney, The Good
Learn the most effective techniques to increase online sales without overhauling your website or frustrating your distributors. With a focus on understanding customer motivations and making sense of analytics, this research-driven talk provides a comprehensive path to stronger e-commerce.
Keeping Your Brand Promise: Insight Into Three Powerful Brands
Jeff Welch, Mercury CSC; Steve Bendzak, ExOfficio; Steve Hemkens, Orvis Rod & Tackle; & Bruce Palmer, NOLS
Learn how three veteran and successful brands — ExOfficio, Orvis and NOLS — approach defining the customer experience to ensure each delivers on expectations of the brand promise.
Avoiding Patent Pitfalls – Protecting Your Business’s Crown Jewels
Kassim M. Ferris and John (Jay) A. Rafter, Jr., Stoel Rives, LLP
Many issues, if overlooked, can have drastic consequences on patent rights. This webinar explores a common product development scenario, illustrating potential perils of joint development, vendor relationships, field testing, secret commercial activity, provisional patent applications and more. It also examines potential pitfalls resulting from recent changes in U.S. patent law.
Establish a Proactive Chemicals Management Strategy with the CM Framework
Chemicals Management Working Group Steering Committee Members
If you think you can turn a blind eye to more proactive chemicals management in your supply chain and final products, think again. The good news is, we have a tool for you: the “Chemicals Management Framework.” This webinar explains why you should engage with the CM Framework, how it functions, and what benefits you and your company can achieve by engaging in the CM Framework pilot program.
Outdoor University recordings are free to all employees of OIA member companies. For non-OIA members, some sessions are free and others require payment of a nominal per-session fee.
Learn more at outdoorindustry.org/ou.
About Outdoor Industry Association
Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry and the title sponsor of Outdoor Retailer. OIA supports the growth and success of more than 4,000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers of outdoor recreation apparel, footwear, equipment and services. For more information, go to outdoorindustry.org or call 303.444.3353.
