Value Chain - Education/Training

Education/Training

Target
The agriculture and food industry, and companies considering value chain approaches and those evolving their current strategy.

Purpose

• Deliver information on the relevance and importance of value chains as a strategy for Alberta’s agri-food system
• Demonstrate new knowledge and best practices to advance value chain development
• Provide training addressing industry opportunities, issues, and challenges on forming, developing and managing value chains.

Action-Based Learning

Purpose
To “grow” the value chain strategy through student-based expertise and resources. Students enrolled in an MBA, Master’s in Agriculture, or appropriate undergraduate program are selected to work on a specific business analysis area for the value chain, and be supervised by a faculty member.

Qualified students will apply value chain-related business skills to provide case specific business analyses for businesses that could include developing business plans, market research, demand forecasting, activity cost accounting, inventory control, scanning data analysis, etc.

At the project's conclusion, students will prepare a report that protects proprietary data, but also enables the student to gain experience and course credit. The business will benefit from obtaining the resources to help them identify specific business opportunities within their value chain.

Partners
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Rural Economy, University of Alberta.

Eligibility
Alberta companies involved in value chain development are eligible to submit a project application to the Action-Based Learning program. The company must support the project with a company contact, screen student applications, and provide support in the form of workspace and other resources to support the work of the student.

Criteria:

• Submit completed project template with identified outcome and scope of work
• Show stage of value chain, the partners involved, and the resources required to address the problem/challenge or opportunities identified
• Demonstrate how project fits with University scheduling and the Action-Based Learning goals
• Identify resources the company will contribute to the project

This program is designed to deliver knowledge that will move businesses forward. A combination of faculty and senior food industry advisors will provide academically strong and industry relevant material in a unique training environment. The modules integrate the functional areas of business with practical application to provide understanding of how your organization fits into the industrial landscape.

Participants are able to apply what they learn in the program to their business immediately, utilizing the academic and industry experts available to guide them. Business that will benefit the most from this program are those that are growing and are ready to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the Program. The curriculum is designed to be practical and directly applicable to the unique needs of each participant. Only 24 of the highest potential businesses and individuals will be accepted into the program.

Module 1 - Comprehensive Business Management
Module 2 - Strategic Cost Management and the Value chain strategy
Module 3 - Strategic Retail Marketing
Module 4 - Strategic Food Service Development

Cost of the program is $1,500 per participant. Upon acceptance to the program participants will be contacted regarding payment options.

The Brochure with Application Form is available in PDF format (728KB). New Course Dates TBA

The Canadian Value Chain Network has a series of six workshops available April 2009 to March 2010.

The Canadian Value Chain Network Modules are a program of experiential learning, skills and capabilities development and resources committed to supporting innovation, excellence and commercial success for new, emerging and established market participants in the retail and food service industry.

1. An Introduction to the Value Chain Concept
2. Value Chain Development Planning
3. Market Intelligence: Gathering & Planning For New Product Introductions
4. Partnering & Collaboration: How to Approach Retailers
5. Understanding Category Management
6. Product Development: Are you ready?

If your organization is interested in hosting one of these modules, contact a Value Chain representative in your area. Contacts are listed in the brochure below.

The Brochure is available as a PDF file (749KB)

Top of Document

Customer Focused Collaboration – Mastering Value Chain Implementation
Rising commoditization and fierce competition from a widening field of global players makes finding, retaining and growing your customer and supplier bases a daunting challenge.

Given today’s volatile market climate, success is reflected in innovative potential that fully leverages a company’s ability to align around their customer. This includes not only external customers, but the internal stakeholders and channel partners, along with your business processes, structure and systems. A well-developed customer focused value chain can assist agriculture and food companies to achieve product and service differentiation.

What you can expect
Acquire a fresh perspective on global business. Our program provides applicable lessons that can be implemented within your company. Through our facilitated process using interactive “real” case studies and small group work, you will gain an understanding of business models that provide competitive advantages. Each participant will have an opportunity to see how these techniques and tools can be applied to address their own unique challenges.

Network with a dynamic group of suppliers, producers, processors and marketers in a highly interactive environment designed to advance the application and management of value chain capabilities.

Your course of study:
Our program has been specifically designed to address three critical and interrelated areas:

1. Why customer-focused collaboration is vital to building a foundation for growth and profitability.
2. What it takes to identify opportunities to develop your value chain and manage growth.
3. How to manage your process to deliver on the promise of customer solutions and satisfaction.

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