Corner on Quality Archives
Each month a different staff member at Certified Angus Beef LLC writes about the latest news in their division and how it relates to the cow-calf producer. The column is available to any state Angus association or Angus newsletter. To add yourself to the e-mail distribution list contact us.
December 2008 - What we don't know can hurt usby Steve Ringle, CAB Assistant Director of Brand Assurance
- What's in a name? Not much, in my line of work, unless it's followed by an "R" in a circle, as in ®.
November 2008 - Plans beat predictions
by Clint Walenciak, CAB Packing Director
- Every day and virtually all the time, you think about the future.
October 2008 - A game of decades
by Mark McCully, CAB Supply Development Director
- The society we live in has come to expect things now - fast food, 24-hour service and overnight delivery. But remember, significant genetic change takes time.
September 2008 - World trade key to future
by Mark Polzer, CAB Vice President for Business Development
- On the ranch, it costs more to produce beef now than just a couple of years ago. In the store and on the menu, it also costs more for consumers to buy beef.
August 2008 - Preplan your focus
by Diane Peacock,CAB Value-added Products Marketing Manager
- Time is short for every busy person. While you're going about the business of living and working, it can seem like there aren't enough hours in the day. Just as you can bring more order to your days by planning, you can bring focus to the really big projects by PRE-planning.
July 2008 - Technology in perspective
by John Stika,CAB President
- We need technology in this industry, to help us produce the best beef, profitably. We need to satisfy consumers as well as producer cash-flow demands. It's not easy to meet those needs, but millions of research dollars continuously seek answers.
June 2008 - The proof is in the steak
by Deanna Walenciak
- They say, "the proof is in the pudding," meaning results are what count. The phrase was shortened over time from, "the proof of the pudding is in the eating." Its first use in the 1600s was probably not to describe a steak, but it sure applies today.
May 2008 - Telling the story
by Miranda Reiman
- Tune in to your local ag radio station or pick up your regional farm paper and you’re sure to get a glimpse of what we do. Industry Information is part of the supply development team at Certified Angus Beef LLC.
April 2008 - The right technology helps
by Dave Shock, CAB Information Systems Director
- You want to keep up with the times, and use innovations that save time and make money today, while building a better life and better market for your products in the future.
March 2008 - WANTED: C2E
by Christy Johnson
- "World's top beef brand seeks outstanding cow-calf producer for annual award. Must be devoted to measuring and improving herd performance and carcass traits that drive Certified Angus Beef® brand supply."
February 2008 - Help for fish out of water
by Al Kober, CAB Retail Director
- What does it take to become "Meat Director" of a large retail supermarket?
January 2008 - Lead customers to a great '08
by Steve Suther, CAB Industry Information Director
- Angus cattle are capable of greatness, but they can't do it all without proper management.
December 2007 - It all adds up
by Amanda Barstow, CAB Brand Assurance Director
- Cattle enrolled and harvested, carcass data, USDA certified figures, packer and distributor sales, source of commission, restaurant and retailer purchases...
November 2007 - Something for everyone?
by Brett Erickson, CAB Value-added Products Director
- It's a struggle to make everyone happy all the same time; in fact, it can't be done. Somebody always wishes you had made a different decision.
October 2007 - Work the network
by Mark McCully
- Networking. In the world of people networking, relationships with trusted contacts are the framework. Those relationships are key to finding the job, getting the meeting, making the sale or keeping the customer.
September 2007 - The world turns toward CAB
by Mark Spengler, CAB International Division Director
- The odds did not favor a big year for the International Division of Certified Angus Beef LLC. Outside of a peek back into Korea, there were no new markets to speak of--so how did international sales jump 30%, with one of its largest sales surges ever?
August 2007 - August 2007
by Christy Johnson, Director, Supply Development Marketing
- By walking the line and asking our partners to do the same, we ensure the brand's success for generations to come. You can use the same strategies to keep the line thriving for your next generations in the Angus business.
July 2007 - Wooster is not Rome
by By Mark Polzer, CAB vice-president for business development
- The producer-owned non-profit subsidiary of the American Angus Association thrives only because it serves.
June 2007 - Power to open doors: Priceless
by Deanna Walenciak, CAB Marketing Director
- Pepsi or Coke? Ford or Chevy? Budweiser or Coors? Asked of the right crowd, these would spark lively discussions. We are passionate about the brands we like.
May 2007 - Ideas you can utilize
by Clint Walenciak, CAB Packing Director
- Utilization makes the world go around.
April 2007 - High Corn, High Stakes for High Quality
by Larry Corah, CAB Vice President
- The cattle business has taken on some aspects of a high-stakes poker game. Strong fed-beef and calf prices have won the chips for a few years, but rising input costs have forced all players to up the ante.
March 2007 - "The Brand that Pays" at retail, too
by Al Kober, CAB Retail Director
- Most shoppers walk past the meat department, not realizing the variety available there. The CAB retailer introduces excitement to allow high quality beef to sell itself.
December 2006 - Corporate chef builds excitement
by Jennifer Walker, communications and media manager
- One of the ways Certified Angus Beef LLC is working to drive demand for the brand at all levels is through its corporate chef. That's right: CAB has its own professional, accredited chef who works to help spread the word about the brand and demonstrate its quality.
November 2006 - Worldwide demand still grows
by Mark Spengler, CAB International Director
- People overseas recognize the Certified Angus Beef ⠢rand and associate it with the same great taste and flavor you do. Thousands and thousands of miles from your farms and ranches, CAB delivers quality and consistency to dinner tables in places like Hong Kong, Saipan, Bermuda and the Philippines.
October 2006 - Customers by the number
by Dave Shock, director of information systems
- Business 101 teaches that you have to know something about your customers if you expect to satisfy them. Satisfied customers will be back, paying a premium to get what they want again.
September 2006 - Quality All Around
by Miranda Reiman, industry information specialist
- There is a reason for everything we do at Certified Angus Beef LLC. From the employees we hire to the greeting cards we send our contacts, it is important that we aim for quality. Our facilities, trade show booths and promotional materials are the face of
August 2006 - Why cattle don't make the grade
by Larry Corah, vice president
- With so many factors lined up to reduce marbling in cattle today, its no wonder the beef industry struggles to maintain 55% USDA Choice grade. Acceptance levels in cattle identified for the Certified Angus Beef ® brand languish in the 14% to 15% area.
July 2006 - Students will be experts
by Christy Johnson, director of supply development marketing
- The most logical way to become an expert is to first be an attentive and systematic observer.
June 2006 - Communication: A pretty cool hand
by Mark Polzer, director of food service
- Beef producers and the foodservice industry rarely communicate with each other. Let's break that trend.
May 2006 - Stop, look and listen
by Mark McCully, director of supply development
- Consumers tell us what they want by spending: more for higher quality beef, less for lower quality.
April 2006 - Who is your final sales rep?
by Deanna Walenciak, director of sales marketing
- CAB launched a comprehensive, computer-based training program for retail associates that gives their staff the confidence and knowledge they need to answer consumers' questions.
March 2006 - Producers can use new CAB logo
by Steve Suther, director of industry information
- Angus producers have been asking for clearance to use the Certified Angus Beef brand logo for as long as it has existed. The lights are green now for an approved layout use.
December 2005 - C-A-B: Say it right
by Amanda Barstow, director of brand assurance
- When Angus producers come to town, especially when your city cousins know you are Angus producers, you add to consumer demand by saying Certified Angus Beef.
November 2005 - World trade doors opening
by Mark Spengler, director of international
- In a world beef market known for instability, the Certified Angus Beef brand will continue to win because of a sustained effort.
October 2005 - The real value of convenience
by Jody Wacker, Value-added products division
- In the food business, value-added products are known for convenience, but those marketed under the CAB brand deliver much more.
September 2005 - Marketing that hits the target
by Tracey Erickson, vice president
- CAB's promotional spending has to be creative and concentrated. The answer? Target marketing.
August 2005 - Bookmark cabpartners.com
by Melissa Schultz, CAB Information Systems
- CAB's Information Systems and Supply Development staff recently transformed cabfeedlots.com into cabpartners.com
June 2005 - Keep beef king of the menu
by Mark Polzer, director of food service
- CAB works with NCBA, producers and packers to create added value from the entire beef carcass and drive the beef economy to the next level.
May 2005 - The brand that serves you
by Mark McCully, director of supply development
- CAB adds value to your Angus cattle through its specification-based branded beef programs.
April 2005 - Angus genetics grow postweaning profitability
by Steve Suther, director of industry information
- High percentage Angus genetics in feedlot cattle increase profitability on the grid market
March 2005 - All about VALUE
by Al Kober, director of retail division
- CAB creates real value for the partners it works with
January 2005 - Brighter New Year, but normal?
by Clint Walenciak, director of packing
- A prosperous year could be in CAB's future for 2005
December 2004 - To protect and serve
by Amanda Barstow, director of brand assurance
- Producers can provide another tool to help CAB monitor its brand's integrity on a daily basis
November 2004 - (R)Evolutionary changes
by Mark Gwin, value-added products R&D manager
- CAB offers customers a higher level of satisfaction by researching the appropriate cuts of meat for their needs
October 2004 - An international brand
by Mark Spengler, international director
- The CAB brand charges forward as international markets reopen
September 2004 - CAB specs
by Gary Fike, feedlot specialist
- Strict specifications set CAB apart from the rest of the pack
August 2004 - Informed decisions
by Dave Shock, director of information systems
- CAB has a detailed information structure to forecast and track product when it leaves the packing plant
July 2004 - King of the Grill
by Deanna Walenciak, director of sales marketing
- CAB is becoming the consumer's choice on the grill and beyond
June 2004 - Diversification as a strategy
by Sarah Morehourse, executive account manager for foodservice division
- how CAB is answering the consumer's call to have a more diversified life
April 2004 - Quality Confusion
by Al Kober, director of retail division
- producers can rely on CAB to build a quality component into their cattle
March 2004 - Where's the Premium? It's now very clear
by Larry Corah, vice president
- hidden premiums seem to be available for Angus producers who do not feed their cattle to finish
January 2004 - Grinding out value
by Clink Walenciak, assistant director of packing
- the growth in demand for CAB-quality ground beef has outpaced the growth of all other CAB sales
December 2003 - CAB: Momentum at 25
by CAB Marketing and Industry Information Staff
- The growth CAB is experiencing after celebrating its 25th anniversary
November 2003 - Search for a bigger piece of the pie
by Jody Wacker, quality assurance manager for value-added products
- how value-added products are driving CAB
October 2003 - Knowledge is power
by Deanna Scrimger, assistant director of public relations
- how knowledge is becoming a driving force in the beef industry
September 2003 - Focus on the customer
by Al Kober, director of retail division
- producers can develop a consumer-focused marketing strategy with similar big business philosophies
August 2003 - Data vs. Information
by Dave Shock, director of information systems
- how CAB helps producers convert data into information that can increase what they know about their herd
July 2003 - Responding to Demand
by Steve Suther, director of industry information
- with the growing demand for CAB (r) products what can producers do to help increase supply and make profits
June 2003 - Feeding Partners + NACC = Opportunities
by Rod Schoenbine, coordinator of producer programs and data services
- using NACC's competitive approach to reach more producers and increase the supply of CAB-eligible cattle
May 2003 - New Horizons in Casual Dining
by Mark Polzer, director of foodservice division
- the growing demand for CAB (r) Product has taken the brand beyond your typical suit and tie restaurant
March 2003 - CAB launches 2003 campaign
by Deanna Scrimger, assistant director of public relations
- marketing efforts in Dallas, Texas and St. Louis, Mo. and what they mean for the future of CAB
February 2003 - We take care of our own
by Amanda Barstow, director of brand assurance
- the role of brand assurance in monitoring the integrity of the CAB (r) Brand and making it a marketing tool for quality cattle
December 2002 - Growing the brand in 2002
by CAB marketing-communications division staff
- the growth of the CAB(r) Brand and efforts taken to communicate to producers and consumers
November 2002 - Is the Internet here to stay?
by Dave Shock, director of information systems
- the different ways CAB is utilizing the Internet to accomplish duties from the consumer to producer
October 2002 - Cut to the chase
by Deborah Leonard, director of marketing communications
- the changes being made in marketing approaches at CAB to better sell the brand to producers
September 2002 - Closer ties
by John Stika, director of supply development
- the long-term planning adjustments made at CAB to better satisfy producer and consumer needs for future years
August 2002 - The Buzz Word
by Brent Erickson, director of value-added products
- what value-added, CAB products are doing to increase consumer demand
July 2002 - Under the black hide
by Steve Suther, director of industry information
- the benefits producers can see if htey go beyond the goal of black hide and strive for quality, know-Angus genetics
June 2002 - Prime time for CAB
by Mark Polzer, director of foodservice division
- how CAB Prime is distinguishing itself from the pack at some of the United State's most prestigious restaurants
April 2002 - It all came together in Salt Lake
by Deanna Scrimger, Olympic coordinator
- the impact of CAB supplying frankfurters and chilli at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games
October 2001 - Pull-through effect increases demand
by Jennifer Kiko, marketing communications division
- the pull-through marketing efforts taken by CAB to better reach consumers and increase demand for CAB product
September 2001 - Act now for tomorrow's market
by Mark McCully, director of packing
- the changes taking place in the beef industry from packer to feedlot and how producers can benefit from them
August 2001 - Adding Value through Value Added
by Brent Erickson, director of value-added products
- the efforts CAB is taking to become a recognized leader in providing quality, value-added products
July 2001 - We are Team Angus
by Steve Suther, director of industry information
- the efforts CAB is taking to become a recognized leader in providing quality, value-added products
June 2001 - CAB licensed feedlots focus on Angus, quality
by John Stika, Director of Feeder-Packer Relations
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May 2001 - Using information systems to the max
by Dave Shock, CAB Director of Information Systems
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