Center for Retailing Excellence
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Position Statement:
The most critical issue facing the retail industry is a growing shortage of qualified candidates to take on leadership roles. Closely related to this issue is a looming shortage of professors qualified to research the industry and most importantly, instruct students on how to have active leadership roles in retailing in the future. In effect, The University of Wisconsin-Madison is uniquely positioned to develop and implement strategies necessary to address these shortages.
Our Vision:
To maintain an active center that provides a long term strategic advantage to our members by dramatically increasing the size, quality and diversity of the pool of candidates from which to choose future leadership.
Mission:
To nurture a synergistic relationship between the retail industry, their partners, and the world-class faculty, staff, and students of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This relationship is to be built on the highest ethical standards and dedicated to improving the lives of consumers by fueling innovation and competition in the market place.
We will do this by:
Transforming separate and impressive programs spanning retail, business, liberal arts, fashion, textile, and interior design into a dynamic cohesive group, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts
Preparing students to fulfill leadership roles in every aspect of the industry
Providing industry partners with expanded recruiting options, aimed at matching careers and students in lasting and successful relationships
Creating new knowledge for the industry through faculty scholarship and applied research
Promoting graduate scholarship to enhance long-term educational excellence
Facilitating 360-degree networking between the retail center, the retail industry, UW-Madison students, faculty and alumni, for the benefit of all. Continually updating and communicating the accomplishments of the School and the Center
Welcoming and fostering University of Wisconsin-Madison alumni involvement at all levels
Values:
The Statement of Values for the Center for Retailing Excellence
A plaque at the entrance to Bascom Hall states:
“Whatever may be the limitation which trammel inquiry elsewhere, we believe that the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”
The values of this center in line with the values of the University and the School of Human Ecology will not limit those companies we choose to do business with based on the leadership’s perception of the value of that company to our society. Rather we will forthrightly inform any and all companies wishing to become part of the center that we will continually aid our students in: examining their own core values and those of any potential employer. We will encourage open discussion on the pros and cons of companies and products. And membership in the center will not exempt the company from such examination.
By supporting inquiry into personal values and corporate values we will develop leaders with a strong ethical base from which to lead. Such leaders will only serve to improve the value of the companies that employ them and their impact on the communities in which they do business.
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