Omaha Steaks International
Omaha Steaks began as a small-scale butcher shop in downtown Omaha in 1917, originally called Table Supply Meat Company. In the early days, beef cuts and other products from Table Supply Meat Company were sent to local supermarkets, as well as discerning restaurants and institutional customers. From there, the business expanded its reach through cross-country foodservice partnerships, which put Omaha Steaks on the menus of railroad dining cars that traveled between Omaha, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. Because of this exposure, Omaha Steaks reputation spread rapidly, and through many pioneering efforts in marketing, direct mail, food packaging, and teleservices, Omaha Steaks grew to be the nation’s largest direct response marketer of premium grain-fed beef and gourmet foods.
Still based in Omaha, Neb., Omaha Steaks has approximately 2,000 employees, and ships millions of coolers annually all across the country.
The Need
Omaha Steaks International, Inc. recognizes the value of fostering innovation and investing in high-potential talent. Most recently, leadership within its marketing department has identified 25 employees who have demonstrated passion for the brand, creativity and innovative thinking. These professionals represent Design, IT and Marketing. Each innovator submitted a project idea around increasing revenue or reducing costs. The next step was to identify a provider who could customize a training program that would increase the number of successful projects; a customized training program that simultaneously builds applicable skills in influencing-up, project management, leading organizational change and persuasive presentations while developing a strong business case for each approved “big idea” to be presented to the executive panel at the completion of the program. Omaha Steaks chose NBDC.
The Solution
NBDC developed a 4-day customized program with the following goals:
- Foster more innovative thinking
- Improve decision making
- Include capstone team presentations
- Support project implementation
The following program sessions were held at UNO's College of Business Administration:
- Leading by Influence
- Selecting and Managing Projects for Business Success
- Leading Change Initiatives
- Presenting the Business Case
The Impact
Of the approximately 23 proposed projects, 8 were approved and are in different stages of implementation. In the following year, Omaha Steaks included a variation of the original program in its company-wide certificate training program that includes virtual participants from Omaha Steak stores across the U.S.
Brian Deveney, employment and training manager for Omaha Steaks, said, "NBDC professionals asked good questions, listened well and were flexible in meeting our needs. They met the project timeline and delivered interactive sessions that gave our employees the practice and tools needed for success."