Originally in the May BPD and Merchant Magazines.

The forest products industry learned a lot in 2020. We learned how agile we could be, how to seize the opportunities in front of us, and how to adjust our operations in a pandemic. Most importantly, we learned that the one thing we’ve been saying for years remains true to this day: Our industry is constantly evolving.  

Fortunately, NAWLA has a course designed specifically for senior leaders in the forest products industry to master and integrate tools and frameworks for leading their organizations in this ever-evolving business environment – the Executive Management Institute, or EMI.

Read on to learn the basics of the program, and why 2021 is the perfect year to take advantage of this top-notch, immersive education.

The Basics

Held in conjunction with one of the world's top-ranked business schools, EMI is a rigorous educational program designed for new and current senior leaders in the forest products industry. It will be held October 24-29, 2021, at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

This small, intimate course is designed for attendees to have a personalized, immersive learning experience. Over the course of five days, participants will explore case vignettes, participate in interactive lectures, share their personal stories and experiences, engage in dynamic readings, network with fellow industry executives, collaborate in small group exercises, and connect the dots through guided reflections. Plus, attendees will expand and strengthen their professional network within the forest products industry, gaining a cohort of next-generation leaders they can call on for advice and guidance for the rest of their careers.

The program is organized around five themes: human capital, innovation, managing change, negotiation and strategy. It is designed so that attendees will leave the program having mastered the ability to:

• Construct a theory of personal leadership within their professional context;
• Assess their current leadership strengths and weaknesses;
• Formulate and execute a personal plan to maximize leadership strengths and minimize weaknesses;
• Recognize and implement best practices in team leadership;
• Evaluate their own growth as leaders by employing active reflection; and
• Integrate concepts learned in the program into their professional context.

The ideal course participant possesses at least 10 years of management, supervisory or financial management experience (in any field), and is a current or incumbent senior leader of a forest products industry company or division who wishes to hone their leadership and management skills.

Why Now?

NAWLA has spent the last few years revamping the program to ensure it’s the best it can be for our participants investing in the program. We’ve partnered with a top-10 business school and carefully adjusted the curriculum to make it relevant and challenging, giving our participants the best return on their investment. The program is also designed in conjunction with experienced industry leaders who ensure the coursework is aligned with what’s happening now in the forest products industry.

If you’re an owner or head of a company, you know that now is the time to invest in your employees. If your employees work hard, there is no limit to what they can achieve. But as your teams advance there’s a need for them to think strategically rather than operationally. EMI will train your rising stars to do just that. Plus, the program ensures you have the talent and skills on your teams to take your company to the next level.

Here’s another thing that remains true: forest products professionals are very good at adapting to change. By investing in yourself or your teams through the EMI program, you’ll ensure your company not only adapts but harnesses that change to fuel growth for the future.  

Learn more and register for the Executive Management Institute by visiting nawla.org/EMI.