b'SCOTT DOWNEYDIRECTOR OF THE PURDUE UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS AND PROFESSOR OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICSPURDUE UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL BUSINESSdowneyws@purdue.eduagribusiness.purdue.edu/Moving Online or Getting Left BehindREMEMBER THE SHOWThe Jetsons, where George Jetsonfor the center to perfect its ability to deliver world-class online worked for a company called Spacely Space Sprockets? Eachprograms. These online programs feature the same valuable time I get on a Zoom meeting, I think about this show. Withbenefits and networking experiences an in-person program par-COVID-19 shifting our attitude toward human interaction overticipant would receive. The centers vision is to be the industrys the last six months, most of us have increasingly incorporatedpartner of choice for professional development and continuing online tools into both our personal and professional lives. Similareducation opportunities, which cannot be done unless it is able to George, many of us are even strictly conducting businessto adapt with the ever-changing environment.virtually.Ive had several conversations recently with companies and sales managers asking how to help salespeople communicate more effectively in online customer interactions. These conver-sations inspired me to write my latest blog, How Did George Jetson Sell Spacely Space Sprockets?, which you can read atYou see, were living in a generation-defining moment. agribusiness.purdue.edu under the blogs tab. There, I cover best practices for getting the most out of these virtual interactions.The world we once lived in will never completely be the The transition to online sales may be a difficult adjustment in the beginning, but the advantages of simple screensharing to viewsame, and we have no choice but to adapt.demos and presentations, less travel time and the chat function of online meeting platforms should not be understated.You see, were living in a generation-defining moment. The world we once lived in will never completely be the same, and we have no choice but to adapt. For example, our center has historically been known for its top-quality in-person professional Unfortunately, this is not the last business-altering event we development offerings over the course of its three-decades ofwill experience. So if you want to be the best salesperson in your existence. Although the world around us has suffered an incon- region, or a better leader for your team, or whatever it may be, ceivable amount of change, the fact that people are an organiza- what small changes are you making today that will prepare you tions most valuable asset still remains the same. for the events of tomorrow? What challenges could you turn into For this reason, the center faculty and staff team drewopportunities? insights from its years of in-person program delivery to flip theLearn more from the Center for Food and Agricultural tradition webinar experience into a modern, hybrid online learn- Business by registering for an upcoming online professional ing approach. While the inability to welcome outside visitors todevelopment program. Visit agribusiness.purdue.edu for upcom-campus seemed like an unfortune business-altering situationing programs you can participate in remotely over a variety of in the worst way, it turned out to be an incredible opportunitybusiness topics tailored to the agri-food industry.OCTOBER 2020SEEDWORLD.COM /29'