Foundations of Retail
NHPA offers Foundations of Retail Program courses to help managers and key employees understand the fundamental concepts of leadership, personal development, merchandising and more. These online courses are built with flexibility for busy schedules and feature industry-specific training created with the help of industry-leading retailers.
Developed With Retailers in Mind
Flexible Learning Schedule
Each module is structured to provide students with flexibility while maintaining a positive work/life balance.
Top Instructors
Core instructional videos within the curriculum are presented by top Ball State University instructors who specialize in leadership development and entrepreneurship along with industry experts in financial and merchandising management. NHPA instructors will also engage students throughout the course and make sure they understand and stay up with the curriculum.
Focused Curriculum
This program was developed with input and guidance from leading independent home improvement retailers, including Aubuchon Hardware, Buchheit, Friedman’s Home Improvement, Foxworth-Galbraith, Jerry’s Home Improvement, Sunshine Ace and Wilco Stores. It is designed to meet the specific needs of leadership development within the industry.
Applied-Learning Focus
Each student will be assigned a mentor within their company to guide them through the learning process. Mentors are provided with discussion points, learning objectives and full access to the curriculum to help engage students in how to apply what they have learned.
Business-Focused Final Project
At the conclusion of each course, students will be ready to perform a subjective assessment of their business unit and apply their new skills to address some of the core issues in the business and recommendations for improvement in key areas.
Click here to watch a final project video from a recent graduate.
Tuition Reimbursement Program
When students complete Foundations courses they are eligible to receive a scholarship for the amount of tuition paid (minus course fees) to attend a future class of the NHPA Retail Management Certification Program.
Contact Cody Goeppner at NHPA for more details at cgoeppner@yournhpa.org.
Online Course Options
NHPA offers six online courses for new and seasoned leaders and managers. Courses start every month and offer flexibility for busy schedules.
Leadership Essentials
In this introductory course, students will learn about their unique leadership style and strengths that will provide a framework for their ongoing leadership growth and career development needs.
Target Duration
9 Weeks (Self-Paced)
Curriculum Snapshot
Understanding Your Strengths, Leadership and You, Entrepreneurial Leadership, Constructive Conflict Resolution, Effective Communication Skills, Talent Development Strategies, Leading High-Performance Teams
Price
$999 (Includes course materials and full access for student and mentor.)
BOGO 50% Off (Enroll a student in any Foundations of Leadership course, and you’ll get 50% off either a second enrollment for another student OR a second course for the same student!)
Leading Your Team
This course teaches students the critical components of building and leading a team, including communication skills, conflict management, talent development and performance management.
Target Duration
9 Weeks (Self-Paced)
Curriculum Snapshot
Advanced Conflict Management & Resolution Techniques, Communication Strategies, Talent Development Methods and Strategies for Building and Sustaining High-Performance Teams
Price
$999 (Includes course materials and full access for student and mentor.)
BOGO 50% Off (Enroll a student in any Foundations of Leadership course, and you’ll get 50% off either a second enrollment for another student OR a second course for the same student!)
Financial Management
Students will focus on the key financial management skills that developing leaders need to manage the financial side of business, including the basics of expense control, budgeting and benchmarking.
Target Duration
9 Weeks (Self-Paced)
Curriculum Snapshot
Understanding the Financial Framework of a Retail Operation, Key Drivers for Top Line Sales Growth—Understanding the Basic Sales/Revenue Equation, The Keys to Retail Productivity—Leveraging Key Assets Through Financial Ratios
Price
$999 (Includes course materials and full access for student and mentor.)
BOGO 50% Off (Enroll a student in any Foundations of Leadership course, and you’ll get 50% off either a second enrollment for another student OR a second course for the same student!)
Merchandising Management Tactics for Store Operations
This course is designed for owners, managers and retail employees who want to understand how effective merchandising strategies can boost sales. Learn the philosophy and best practices behind successful retail merchandising, including how visual merchandising enhances sales, the purpose and use of promotional spaces and strategies for store resets and remodels.
Target Duration
12 Weeks (Self-Paced)
Curriculum Snapshot
Philosophy of Merchandising, Visual Merchandising Strategies, Promotional Space Management, Merchandising Maintenance, Assortment Planning and Category Management, Vendor Relations and additional Foundations of Mentoring course curriculum
Price
$999 (Includes course materials and full access for student and mentor.)
BOGO 50% Off (Enroll a student in any Foundations of Leadership course, and you’ll get 50% off either a second enrollment for another student OR a second course for the same student!)
Merchandising Management Strategies for Buyers
This course offers an in-depth look at strategic merchandising and category management. Learn to build vendor relationships, negotiate effectively, plan assortments and choose the right pricing strategies tailored to your business. The course also covers how to align merchandising and advertising with your brand and explores key design elements to consider when designing or remodeling a store.
Target Duration
12 Weeks (Self-Paced)
Curriculum Snapshot
Strategic Vendor Relations and Negotiations, Advanced Merchandising and Marketing Strategies, Pricing Strategies and Sales Analysis, Inventory Management and Buying, Promotions and Advertising and additional Foundations of Mentoring course curriculum
Price
$999 (Includes course materials and full access for student and mentor.)
BOGO 50% Off (Enroll a student in any Foundations of Leadership course, and you’ll get 50% off either a second enrollment for another student OR a second course for the same student!)
Mentoring
Mentoring is a key component to developing great leaders at any company. This online course from NHPA offers a uniform way to train future mentors on how to serve in a mentoring role to the best of their abilities in a consistent and structured manner. Future mentors will learn all aspects of the mentor/mentee relationship in a professional, easy-to-understand and easy-to-apply manner.
Target Duration
4 Weeks (Self-Paced)
Curriculum Snapshot
Introduction to Mentoring Best Practices, Who Should I Mentor? How to Select the Right Mentee, Before the Process Begins: Preparing to Mentor, Setting Expectations, Asking Probing Questions, Common Mentoring Challenges, Do’s and Don’ts of Mentoring, Concluding the Mentorship
Price
Add-on for other Foundations courses – $249
À La Carte – $499 (Includes course materials and full access for student and mentor.)