COHORTS: Cohorts will meet three times during the conference and will be facilitated by GII Team Members. The purpose of the cohort discussion groups is to identify problems/issues/solutions pertaining to a particular area or topic of interest. During cohort meetings attendees will have the opportunity to shape the conversation, dig deeper to synthesize information learned during other conference sessions and enhance relationships with a smaller network of colleagues. Once you select a cohort it is the expectation that you will remain with your cohort for all three meeting times.
Content Strategy
We’ve all heard it before: keeping Goodwill first in stakeholders’ minds online requires feeding the content beast. But before you start churning out all those website, blog and social media updates, make sure your Goodwill is starting from a strategic place by participating in this workshop-centered cohort. Participants will develop a core strategy statement, determine how to prioritize audiences and their needs, and create a channel-driven map for future content creation. Integration with broader Goodwill initiatives, such as the Ad Council PSA, will also be addressed. Note: Participation in this cohort entails a pre-event webinar as well as brainstorming assignments conducted in advance of the conference. Facilitated by GII Online Content Program Manager Jenni B. Baker and GII Marketing Projects Specialist Dara Kahn Peskin.
Contracts and Business Development
The Contracts and Business Development cohort will explore how to plan for future growth and opportunities in your Goodwill. The discussions will build off cohort member questions; lessons learned; and best practices from across the Goodwill enterprise. It will give cohort participants time to participate in some “deeper dive” discussions on contracts and business development issues such as the future of government contracting opportunities, partnering across the membership, government e-waste opportunities, creating a quality work environment, TFM commercial and government opportunities and other issues selected by the cohort members in advance and voiced during the cohort meetings. The cohort meetings will provide cohort participants the opportunity to discuss how they will use the information gleaned from the conference sessions and the discussions to develop a growth strategy for the contracts division of their Goodwill. This cohort is intended for Chief Operating Officers, VP of Contracts or Business Services and others with contracts or business development responsibilities within their Goodwills. Facilitated by Margaret O’Brien, Sr. Director, Organizational Strengthening and Accreditation, GII.
Data as a Catalyst
As an enterprise, we come into contact with a great deal of shopper, donor and program participant data. However, our systems to capture these data in a uniform format and analyze them may not be developed to the extent necessary to be leveraged for effective business decisions. As a result of this cohort, you will have the opportunity to see and discuss common data collection points, including loyalty cards, donor lists, websites and social media channels, and how the data collected about supporters can be aggregated and analyzed to support your business and mission operations with direct implications on your marketing and communications programs. Facilitated by Adam Stiska, Director of Mobile and Digital Strategies, GII.
Donated Goods Retail Aftermarket
The aftermarket side of our Goodwill donated goods retail business continues to be a strong driver of revenues, a key component of maximizing donation value, and an engine for job creation and waste reduction. Across all Goodwills in 2012, aftermarket accounted for over $418 million of revenue, representing 12.7% of total DGR revenue. This cohort presents a great opportunity to share information and network with like-minded Goodwill colleagues who have a stake in the aftermarket arena—which includes salvage, recycling, outlets, auctions, and other waste reduction activities. This cohort will explore topics and challenges that are relevant to members’ businesses today including topics such as: outlets, salvage pricing/budgeting, vendor management/selection, recycling and “hard-to-recycle” items, auctions, and innovative waste reduction strategies. We hope your cohort experience will inspire you to develop an action plan to improve aftermarket operations and revenues at your Goodwill. Facilitated by Mark Gustafson, Donated Goods Retail Consultant, GII.
Purchased Goods
The incorporation of Purchased goods into our mix is becoming more common within Goodwill and as our programs expand so does the need to implement and practice those operational aspects more commonly seen in traditional retail.
This cohort is intended for those people planning on adding new goods to their mix, or for those who currently have a new goods program and wish to discuss topics specifically related to the operational aspect of a new goods program such as; Shrink Tracking, replenishment, the future of the Target program, new goods categories.
We hope your cohort experience will inspire you to develop your purchased goods program to the next level whether or not your agency currently buys goods for resale.
As a result of this cohort engagement, participants will:
• Gain a greater understanding of best practices of operating a new goods program within a thrift environment.
• Share best practices with fellow cohort members on strategies to maximize revenue with a new goods program.
• Gain a better understanding of the Target program and its future within the membership.
Facilitated by Robert Walker, DGR Business Services Merchandising Consulting, GII.
Facilitated by Robert Walker, DGR Business Services Merchandising Consulting, GII.
Donated Goods Retail Operations
As Goodwill® continues its focus on growth, the internal operations of a Goodwill DGR program must be solid in order to sustain momentum and further evolve with the times. Acquiring more donations is only helpful if you have the capacity and systems in place to effectively process and maximize the value of each and every donation. This cohort will be member driven, and will explore various topics that relate to operating our DGR business. The scope of this cohort could include topics such as; efficient processing, inventory rotation, logistics/fleet management, safety and loss prevention, mission integration, and metrics to manage the business. Network with your peers from other Goodwill agencies as we jointly work together to solve operational challenges. We hope your cohort experience will inspire you to develop an action plan to improve DGR operations at your Goodwill. Facilitated by Kevin Meier, Donated Goods Retail Consultant and Megan Witty, Donated Goods Retail Consultant, GII.
Donations Strategies
The Goodwill® enterprise faces continued fierce competition for donations due to the convergence of an increasing number of thrift, salvage, and recycling operations by record high prices; a stagnating supply of donations; and a high consumer demand for thrift value goods. This cohort will focus on strategies to substantially increase donations and extract maximum value in order to sustain retail growth goals. Discussions will be focused on current hot-topics such as enterprise donations trends, third-party textile recycling, results of various ongoing pilots such as Give Back Box™, the In Home Donation Bin, Pounds-per-Donation and Credential Sale among others. Facilitated by Wandia Gachari, Donations Strategies Consultant, GII.
Finance
Facilitated by Hana Redd, GII Director of Financial Services, GII.
Direction of IT
During this Cohort we will cover where the industry is headed and what is driving these changes. We are all faced with budget constraints that require us to maximize efficiency and make solid decisions based on proven technology, but understanding what’s on the horizon has to be a part of your planning. Topics include supporting the mobile workforce with a presentation on a successful implementation of office hoteling, outsourcing pros and cons, hosting and cloud considerations, IT security’s growing role and resource planning associated with all of the above. Facilitated by Joe Shaw, Director, Information Technology and Sarah Newhard, IT Software Specialist, GII.
During this Cohort we will cover where the industry is headed and what is driving these changes. We are all faced with budget constraints that require us to maximize efficiency and make solid decisions based on proven technology, but understanding what’s on the horizon has to be a part of your planning. Topics include supporting the mobile workforce with a presentation on a successful implementation of office hoteling, outsourcing pros and cons, hosting and cloud considerations, IT security’s growing role and resource planning associated with all of the above. Facilitated by Joe Shaw, Director, Information Technology and Sarah Newhard, IT Software Specialist, GII.
Learn and Lead Track
This cohort will explore the effect of the ever changing environment on leadership effectiveness. We will discuss the leadership skills that have been identified by experts as being critical for success in leading in the 2020 workplace. We will take a closer look at the critical areas of agility, sustainability, integrity, diversity and innovation and how these competencies contribute to building an effective team. Facilitated by Jacquie Hamp, Senior Director, Leadership Development & Susan Gabriel, Director, Senior Leader and Management Development Programs, GII.
Partnerships
Corporate Partnerships – Growing Brand and Business! Cohort – This cohort will explore how we create, manage and grow corporate partnerships that make business sense – for the enterprise and for the partner. Topics include development strategies and tactics, such as creating shared value and evaluating ROI, as well as relationship management, including stewardship, internal roles and organizational approach. Participants will share and learn best practices to handle the unique challenges and dynamics of corporate relationships. Facilitated by Sara Huber, Manager, Cause Partnerships, GII and Dana Conte, Director of Donation Services, Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina.
Resource Development
Goodwill's powerful impact and how we deliver it provides special opportunities and challenges as we work to grow financial resources alongside Donated Goods Retail. This cohort will focus on how we can build our fund development success in ways that integrate well with mission and enterprise. Topics will include communicating our case for support, donor cultivation strategy and setting long term objectives. There will also be time set aside for members to share their success stories in resource development and exchange ideas. Facilitated by Doug McKenney, Director of Philanthropy, GII.
Sustainability across the Goodwill Enterprise
Why did Goodwill decide to call out sustainability as a separate program? Isn’t Goodwill already the ‘original recycler’? Come find out where we have been, and help us direct where we are going with the Goodwill Sustainability Program!
The Goodwill Sustainability Program began its journey in late 2007. The objective was to support the Goodwill mission by helping Goodwill agencies “Use Less, Serve More” - to serve more people while having a smaller environmental footprint. For the last 7 years, the program has been ‘blazing trails’ and planning for the ‘future’ throughout the Goodwill enterprise.
Join us on this adventure! Help us continue to ‘blaze the trail’ we have started and to craft our ‘sustainable future’ through strategic Triple Bottom Line practices that supports the environment, revenue generation and those we serve!
Together, through interactive, fun activities, we will see where we have been, learn from Goodwill colleagues what it takes to incorporate sustainability into our organizations, find out the benefits they have reaped from doing this, and brainstorm ways this Cohort can steer the enterprise to a more sustainable future.
We hope you will join us as we continue to embark on this exciting journey!!
As a result of this session, participants will:
- Take a journey on the sustainability trail.
- Understand how sustainability can be a driver for cost savings, additional revenue, and job creation in every size Goodwill or geographic location.
- Help craft a more sustainable future.
Territory Maximization
The Goodwill® enterprise faces continued fierce competition for donors due to the convergence of an increasing number of thrift, salvage, and recycling operators attracted by record high prices; a stagnating supply of donations; and a high consumer demand for thrift value goods. In order to increase future donor and revenue market share within their territories, Goodwill organizations must take two crucial steps: 1) understanding current performance and 2) analyzing existing donor base and customer base data.
This cohort will focus on the crucial steps needed to maximize market potential for both donors and revenue. Presentations, demonstrations, and group discussions will include: the importance of key performance metrics; the importance of market research as well as site analytical tools to identify and maximize donor and customer rich areas within a territory; and strategies using these tools to blunt competitors’ efforts. Facilitated by Bill Parrish, Donated Goods Retail Consultant and Kyle Stewart, Senior, Market Analyst Specialist, GII.
