NCBA Launches Beef Training Camp, New Beef Web Site for Retailers

DENVER - America's beef producers have launched two new retailer-friendly tools to help meat department associates increase sales.

Billed as the most comprehensive retail training program in the meat industry and assembled on behalf of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) checkoff program, the Beef Training Camp will help retailers large and small enhance their meat departments through convenient training tools that provide guidance for improving beef merchandising at the meat case.

In describing the program's unique aspect that allows participating retailers the opportunity to tailor training topics and activities to specifically address issues and challenges facing their meat departments, Randy Irion, NCBA's director of retail marketing, said: "For those whose business it is to sell beef, the Beef Training Camp program provides an excellent opportunity to fine-tune their knowledge of beef to help increase sales. This is a training program for retailers and meat departments of all sizes, designed with their primary objectives in mind."

Using a sports theme throughout all materials, Beef Training Camp provides participating retailers with a detailed instructional manual, training video, and interactive CD-ROM. The materials offer a variety of information on all things beef, including consumer trends, cooking methods, an overview of beef's nutritional attributes, and consumer and retail food safety practices.

Retailers also have the opportunity to request a live training seminar to supplement the Beef Training Camp materials. Seminars, coordinated and facilitated by the NCBA's key account managers, State Beef Councils, or individual retailers, run approximately four hours and include the opportunity for hands-on cooking demonstrations if the facility permits.

Beef Training Camp is a revitalized version of the Beef College program, which has been attended by nearly 5,000 retail meat managers and staff. The enhanced training camp program is expected to reach a larger audience by providing retailers with the convenience of attending a live seminar and/or using interactive print, video, and computer training materials, says NCBA.

Meanwhile the new retail Web site, BeefRetail.org, is organized for the busy retail professional, with quick loading and easy-to-navigate marketing and merchandising programs, new product concepts, nutrition research, and more.

"Retail industry professionals can now access the beef resources and materials they need with a simple mouse click," says Derek Toman, NCBA's retail key accounts marketing manager. "This site is designed to help today's progressive retail meat managers improve the success of their meat departments."

Several beef retail programs can be easily accessed on the site. For instance, the site includes display tools for "Beef Made Easy," a program that simplifies stocking the meat case for retailers and makes shopping for beef easier for consumers. In this program, beef cuts are organized by color-coded cooking methods, with corresponding point-of-sale tools to help shoppers understand exactly how to prepare each cut.

"The Beef & Veal Ad Planner," a colorful 80-page book that includes two CD-ROMs of both high resolution and low-resolution graphics for marketing beef and veal, is another example of what's available to retailers on the site.

BeefRetail.org is funded by the Cattlemen's Beef Board (CBB) and managed by the NCBA. For more information visit www.BeefRetail.org.
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