Program Description
Discover how to support and grow businesses in your community to enhance your reputation and revenue. Your commercial and industrial key accounts need special attention—the Key Accounts Certificate Program is designed to show you how to nurture strategic relationships and build trust and loyalty. Whether you plan to start a utility key accounts program or want to take your current program to the next level, this curriculum provides the skills, knowledge and tools for success. Join the program to learn from real-world examples, get tools and templates, practice skills, and network with public power peers from across the nation.
Supplemental Resources
Attendees in the Key Accounts Certificate Program will receive a copy of the Association's Key Accounts Field Manual and access to the Key Accounts Training Bundle, which includes post-course reference items, tools, and resources.
Who Should Attend
This program is designed for public power key account managers and representatives. Other utility staff involved in key accounts, or those looking for professional development credentials, will also benefit.
Program Requirements
To earn this certificate, participants must complete all requirements within one year of attending their last course in the certificate program curriculum.
1. Complete the four required courses (2019 schedule below):
- Electric Utility Industry Overview
Monday
- Implementing a Customer-Focused Key Accounts Program
Tuesday
- Developing Your Key Accounts Representative
Wednesday
- The Effective Key Accounts Toolbox
Thursday - Friday (half day on Friday)
2. Pass an online exam
Consists of 100 multiple choice questions, based on the five required courses.
- You must score at least a 75% to pass the exam. You’ll have two opportunities to pass the test.
3. Submit a customer action plan
Certificate Completion Requirements
After completing the required coursework, participants must:
1. Pass an online exam
- The online exam, made up of 100 multiple choice questions, will assess the participant’s comprehension of the five required courses.
- Participants can take the exam at their convenience, after finishing the coursework requirement.
- An individual must score at least a 75% to pass the exam. Participants have two opportunities to pass the test, thereafter there will be a $50 fee assessed to retake the exam.
2. Submit a customer action plan
- Participants must demonstrate how their utility plans to address the needs of a selected account.
- Participants will receive plan guidelines that outline what is expected in each section.
Participants must complete the program requirements within one year of attending their last course in the certificate program curriculum.
About the Instructors
Tim Blodgett, President and CEO, Hometown Connections
For over 16 years, Tim has served as the president and CEO of Hometown Connections, providing consulting, training and facilitation support to hundreds of public power utilities and their governing boards. He has worked with municipal governments and non-profit organizations on strategic planning, governance, organizational assessments, public participation, market research, and customer service. Previously, Tim served as the director of sales for en-able, an affiliate of KN Energy and PacifiCorp, assisting energy distribution companies with their customer care and energy services programs.
Erick Rheam, Vice President, Business Development, Automated Energy, Inc.
Erick is a consultant, speaker and author on key accounts and human dynamics. He co-authored the Association’s Key Accounts Field Manual: A Guide for Public Power Professionals. He has been involved in public power for 15 years. He worked as a key accounts manager and customer relations division manager for public power utilities in Indiana and Colorado, managing industrial pretreatment, key accounts, mid-market, conservation, and marketing programs. In partnership with Automated Energy, Inc., Erick offers key accounts consulting and education across the country.
Enrollment Fees*
Members
Registration received on or before Sept. 9: $2,600
Registration received after Sept. 9: $2,850
Nonmembers
Registration received on or before Sept. 9: $4,800
Registration received after Sept. 9: $5,050
The enrollment fee includes the four courses, cost of study material, exam grading and review of the customer action plan.
*For more information and pricing for the Electric Utility Industry Overview course opt-out option, contact [email protected].
How Can I Participate?
Attend an Education Institute
The Key Accounts Certificate Program classes are held once a year, in conjunction with one of our seasonal education institutes (winter, spring or fall), and they provide a great opportunity to network with industry peers from across the nation.
The next offering will be in conjunction with our 2020 Winter Institute. More details on this training location will be announced soon.
Let Us Come To You!
We can bring our courses to your location at any time—a convenient and cost-effective option for groups of eight or more. This format also allows you to customize course content to address the specific goals that are important to your organization.
Pool Your Resources
Partner with neighboring public power utilities, state and regional associations, or joint action agencies to bring the training to your area. This is a great way to share costs and to secure a location that is within driving distance (ideal for utilities facing strict travel guidelines or joint action agencies looking to add services to their members).
For more information, contact the Education Department at 202-467-2921 or [email protected].
