What is AIM?
The Advocacy Internship for Manufacturers (AIM) program is an exciting program that offers manufacturers’ employees the opportunity to intern at a distributor location to learn the daily operations of a typical electrical distributor.
Watch the video below for more information on the AIM program
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AIM Benefits
- Learn the business processes of today’s electrical distributor.
- Strengthen business relationship with your channel partner.
- Learn the “value-adds” your channel partner supplies
Learn the business of electrical distribution – in person!
See for yourself how your products get into the satisfied hands of the end-user customer – effectively and efficiently. See the execution of business solutions in real time. And above all, take part in those special efforts that create “value” at the local level in the Supply-Value Chain.
Strengthen key relationships and build new partnerships
You’ll meet the people behind the processes, so you can really understand the critical issues. But most important, you’ll go beyond the issues of moving product. You’ll experience how the distributor controls their business as a true professional, meeting customer needs, and managing transactions to assure a fair profit for all.
You’ll also improve rapport as only a personal visit can, strengthening important business ties for the long term.
How can my company participate?
Participant manufacturers contact one of their distributor partners to arrange an internship, and then inform NAED of the basics of time, place, companies and contacts. Distributors can initiate the opportunity with a supplier as well.
NAED supplies a sample itinerary that you can adapt to your particular needs. You use the itinerary to create an AIM experience, and determine who gets involved within each company. Once completed, each partner will be asked three questions to evaluate their experience and offer feedback.
Sample itineraries.
What do I have to do?
BEFORE –
Make sure that both companies agree on what will be covered in a visit. Make sure expectations are clear about what will happen, who will be involved and when it will occur. Once decided, please complete this participant information form and send to NAED.
DURING –
Implement your internship visit.
Distributors are responsible for:
- Making the agreed-to operations and functions accessible to the participants
- Providing “mentors” to guide the participants through the AIM experience
Manufacturers are responsible for:
- Committing the time and resources required to complete the internship
- Communicating the basic program expectations to all those who participate
AFTER –
Upon completion of the AIM internship, you will both forward feedback on the AIM experience to NAED Member Services. The answers will be used to validate your AIM experience, and improve future AIM programs.
What is NAED’s role?
NAED serves as a conduit to bring together manufacturers and distributors. NAED then reviews the feedback of each party to confirm the experience, and find ways to enhance the experience and reward AIM participants with a certificate of recognition.