Fleet managers searching for a way to sharpen their remarketing skills, but unable to find time in their busy schedules might be interested in learning how Laurie Conn managed to pull it off.

Operations manager for FLD, Inc. in Delray Beach, Fla., Conn wanted to test her industry knowledge, so she enrolled in the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance (IARA) online remarketing education modules curriculum, available through Northwood University’s online adult education program. FLD’s objective was to have Conn evaluate the course to determine its potential benefit for current and future employees as a professional development tool. “If the saying ‘two heads are better than one’ really is true, having a course that utilizes a compilation of knowledge and skill sets is priceless,” says Conn. “The program seems to be the perfect course for those entering the remarketing industry. It is also a great refresher course for seasoned professionals. Understanding the industry from other points of view is of great benefit to everyone. Personally, the course enhanced my working knowledge and further defined some ambiguous terms that I’ve questioned from time to time.”

The course currently comprises 12 modules available in groups of three to a unit. Each unit is available separately with three different courses, or the entire 12 modules can be taken at once in the all-inclusive unit. The online course is taken at the student’s leisure.

Unit number one contains the Introduction to Remarketing, Transportation, and Terminology modules. Unit two includes Inspections, Reconditioning, and Characteristics of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Unit three consists of Ethics, Guidebooks, and Resale Channels. Unit four is composed of Upstream Technology, Titling, and Conditions and Factors Affecting Vehicle Values.

Having completed the first three modules consisting of 12 courses, Conn describes the courses as a comprehensive reading followed by a series of questions for review. Her objective was to complete one course each workday, taking two weeks to complete all 12 courses. On average she spent 30 minutes on each course.

IARA members can purchase each unit with three modules for $99. The cost to non-IARA members is $149. The all-inclusive unit, with all 12 modules, is offered at a 20-percent discount of $297 for IARA members and $447 for non-members.

An IARA member, Conn said FLD paid for the course on her behalf and the investment was valuable. “My day-today responsibilities tend to focus on only one stream of the remarketing process. I found the course extremely insightful in interpretation and explanation of various streams of the industry. I also discovered that the course on terminology would be helpful to any newcomers in the industry,” she said.

Each unit must be completed by the end of the month in which the registration occurs. Northwood and the IARA will issue a certificate of completion. In addition, Northwood will issue the appropriate continuing education credits (CEUs) for each unit completed.

For more information, visit IARA’s Web site: www.iaraonline.org.