Note: You must be registered for the Agri-Marketing Conference to be able to attend the workshops.

Wednesday, April 15 ~ 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Pre-Conference Workshop: Charting Your Course in Uncharted Waters – Strategic Decision Making in Uncertain Times
Kevin Ochsner, Partner, Adayana Agri Business Group

If you’re coming in early for the Agri-Marketing Conference and are looking for something to do, take part in the Pre-Conference Workshop with Kevin Ochsner, Partner at Adayana Agri Business Group.

Volatile commodity markets, bank failures, government bailouts. These are only a few of the events that have caused turmoil and created a sense of uncertainty and anxiety about the future. Regardless of the storms that may be brewing around us, business leaders can’t simply postpone decisions until calmer seas prevail. Turbulent times create incredible opportunities. Navigating through these waters demands answers to questions like:

1. What are the fundamental drivers of change that are reshaping our business/industry?
2. What assumptions am I making about the future and what if I’m wrong?
3. What are the biggest uncertainties that could impact our business/industry?

If you have found yourself asking any of these questions, this session is for you! This preconference workshop is designed for anyone who has responsibility for developing internal business plans or helping clients anticipate, respond and react to the volatility and change impacting their business. Participants will gain insight into the key principles of scenario-planning and will be introduced to some tools that can be helpful in making both business and personal decisions.

Thursday, April 16 ~ 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Senior Management Workshop: What Customers Really Want
Scott McKain, Vice Chairman of Obsidian Enterprises and co-founder of the Value Added Institute

The Senior Management Workshop occurs simultaneously with the first round of Breakout Sessions.

In today’s marketplace, a quality product/service is no longer enough to grab the customer’s attention or guarantee repeat business. Customers expect to be amazed and astounded or they do business elsewhere! Join this session – designed exclusively for senior management – to learn a three-step plan for success:

1. Create a high concept to sharpen focus on your unique strengths.
2. Use the power of story to create an emotional connection between your organization and customers/employees.
3. Design the ultimate customer experience that thrills clients and employees.

Plus, discover how to get your team to execute this new, innovative vision. Scott McKain is author of The Collapse of Distinction and What Customers Really Want, as well as Vice Chairman of Obsidian Enterprises.

To register for the Agri-Marketing Conference and these workshops visit http://nama.org/amc/2009amc/Default.aspx.

If you are already registered for the conference, but did not sign up for the workshops yet, please visit the links below to register for just the workshops.

Pre-Conference Workshop: http://www.nama.org/amc/reserveworkshop.htm
Senior Management Workshop: http://www.nama.org/amc/seniorworkshop.html