Recruiting the next generation of talent.

The Talent Development Council

The Talent Development Council engages participating members in a long-term research initiative to advance best practices, practical methods, and tools for B2B distributors and manufacturers to implement talent acquisition, development, and retention in their businesses. Each year, the council will focus on one talent area.

The Research Team, comprised of members of the AD Education Team and Texas A&M University, will meet with each participating company individually to gather insights into their current practices related to the topics being researched. The findings are then consolidated and used to inform and build out a virtual workshop, which participating member companies will have exclusive access to.

2 Research
Meetings
Six Online
Workshops
10-20
Companies

Council Structure

  • Member companies will have input in shaping the final topic list.
  • The Research Team will interview and collect data on member companies’ current practices and policies.
  • Spring workshops and fall workshops will be held via Zoom.
  • Member companies can bring unlimited attendees for each workshop.
  • All results, methods, tools, and examples will be shared with all participating members.
  • The workshops and resources are exclusive to participating member companies.

Participant Benefits

  • Benchmark your current practices with best-in-class.
  • Discover new talent strategies, methods, and tools.
  • Identify talent processes for improvement.
  • Connect with the next-generation workforce during panel discussions.
  • Network with distributors from multiple channels.
  • Get better at recruiting, developing, and retaining people. Win the race for talent!
View Brochure

Details & Investment

Audience

The Talent Development Council is for human resources professionals and managers focused on attracting, developing, and retaining talent. It is also available to all employees at participating member companies, regardless of job title or expertise.

Investment

The $10,000 membership fee covers all council benefits, providing your company with access to best practice methods and tools essential for talent acquisition.

Get Started Now

Membership Advantages

Implementation Strategy
  • Includes talent best practices, methods, and tools
Access to Engagement Opportunities
  • One-on-one strategy meetings with the Research Team
  • Six virtual workshops held in partnership with Texas A&M University
  • Optional networking events with Texas A&M University and AD
Access to Comprehensive Digital & Print Resources
  • 2026 social recruiting guide
  • 2026 social posting calendar
  • Talent Matters - 50 weeks of micro-learning emails
  • Quarterly book summary

2026 Focus Area: Talent Management

The 2026-2027 focus area of the Talent Development Council is talent management. It supports member companies by helping them discover how to retain employees through improved candidate experiences, competency alignment, manager effectiveness, and performance and rewards strategies. Membership includes access to a thorough resource folder, one-on-one company meetings, digital and print resources, and unlimited attendance in six virtual workshops hosted by AD in partnership with Texas A&M University.

Fall 2026

Candidate Experience

Design an applicant journey from job posting to onboarding. Build engagement with applicants by providing consistent communication and experience that results in improving acceptance rates.

Compensation and Benefits

Compare your monetary/non-monetary compensation and tangible/ intangible benefits. Learn best practices and innovations in recognition/awards that increases employee engagement.

Smart Screening & Personality Assessments

How to use the right personality and competency assessments. How to engage and train managers to interpret and use the results.

Spring 2027

Linking Competencies to Job Descriptions

Improve talent acquisition and job performance through competency-based job descriptions. Use the template for talent acquisition as well as for development, career pathing and retention.

Performance Management

Manage your employee productivity by setting expectations/goals and defining the right performance metrics. Train your managers to provide constructive feedback and outline development plans.

Managerial Development

Develop tools for new/first-time managers to be successful. Equip your new managers to earn the trust of their team, coach team members, foster team culture and understand workforce management.

Meet the Talent Development Research Team

  • {{ instructor.name}}