Public Relations

NWACC unlocking mysteries of data analysis and insight

Pictured above (L-R): James Thulin, Dr. Traci Barrios, Val Wilson and Marshall McCall.

           BENTONVILLE (Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008) – NorthWest Arkansas Community College’s Corporate Learning Division is unlocking mysteries of data analysis and insight to a wider clientele this spring with a broader selection of Category Management courses.

            “Vendors know how much data is available and how difficult it is to turn into meaningful, insightful information,” Executive Director for NWACC’s Retail Institute Marshall McCall said. “They also understand how increasingly difficult it can be to stay at the forefront of what they should be reading, researching and analyzing.”

            As a result, the NWACC Retail Institute and its local Advisory Committee created and piloted this fall the Category Development Process and Actionable Analysis with Microsoft Office.

            Both courses, McCall stressed, were well received by the vendor community and have broad application to industries other than just retail, including banking, transportation and manufacturing.

Category Development Process

            Category Development Process helps participants gain insight into the latest information and philosophies on Category Management. The curriculum was developed over a 2-year period by leading Category Management professionals from a variety of companies with offices in Northwest Arkansas.

            Cutting edge course materials and information provide in depth perspectives of retailer expectations for supplier partners.

            The course was piloted this fall with 16 individuals who gave it positive feedback.

            Participants develop strategies for optimal business development with key client partners and learn to develop effective business relationships in the Category Management role with internal and external clients.

            The Category Development course is taught by Dr. Traci Barrios, an educator and independent business planning consultant with more than 10 years of experience in retail and the consumer marketing research industries.

            Barrios has a Ph.D. in business and has worked to effectively apply the principles learned to her professional experiences.

            Category Development Process meets at two different times in two 8-week session. Spring Session 1 meets Mondays from 6-10 p.m. January 5 through March 9. Spring Session 2 meets Tuesdays from 6-10 p.m. March 17 through May 19.

            Each session has 20 openings.

            The cost is $1,500.

Actionable Analysis with Microsoft Office

            Actionable Analysis with Microsoft Office helps participants find ways to improve productivity and gain efficiency in the Microsoft Office suite of programs, including Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint and MapPoint.

            Data feeds from the internet and MS Access are also reviewed in order to explore new ways of turning data into actionable analysis and insights.

            The course is for any working professional who wishes to work smarter, not harder and may be asked to produce more with fewer resources.

            Actionable Analysis with Microsoft Office is taught by Val Wilson, who is Director of Consumer Insights with Information Resources, Inc. The company is a leading provider of syndicated data, household panel and manufacturer-retailer and solutions.

            Wilson has an MBA and has worked in the vendor community for the past 10 years for some of the finest consumer packaged goods companies in the world.

            Actionable Analysis with Microsoft Office will be offered in five 8-week sessions during 2009. The class meets in a “lunch and learn” setting Thursdays and Fridays 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Session 1 runs Jan. 15-Mar. 6, session 2 is April 2-May 22, Session 3 is June 4-July 31, Session 4 is Aug. 13-Oct. 2 and Session 5 is Oct. 15-Dec. 11.

            “The course picks up where Access leaves off,” Wilson said. “The idea is to spend 15 minutes on a Monday morning compiling standardized information and be ready to make a presentation.

            “Participants learn what they need to get the job done. They have a functioning data base when they complete the course.”

            The cost is $1,000.

            Barrios and Wilson outlined fall course outcomes and previewed the upcoming courses at an announcement here this week.

            Enrolling participants in both courses must have a valid Retail Link ID and minimum of 2-years of manufacturer or retailer experience. Courses are held at the NWACC Shewmaker Center.

            For information on registering for these classes, contact Marshall McCall or James Thulin. McCall can be reached at (479) 936-5171 or mmccall@nwacc.edu. Thulin can be reached at (479) 936-5107 or jthulin@nwacc.edu.

Visit NWACC's Corporate Learning website.

For questions/comments on this content, please contact Marshall McCall.

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