NRECA program helps large load customers make wise energy choices

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association has launched a program to help cooperative professionals become proficient in conducting business and maintaining relationships crucial to success in a competitive business environment.

The Certified Key Account Executive program enables participants to develop and fine-tune the necessary skills for managing critical, large load customer accounts.

CKAE candidates complete a series of courses that give them a broad understanding of:

• Strategic planning and customer analysis
  
  
• Emerging technologies and customer applications
  
  
• Business relationships and customer expectations
  
  
• Sales techniques and customer decision-making
  
  
• Data resources and information management
  

Since the program began in 1998, more than 200 electric co-op professionals have attained the CKAE designation.