2018 Best Practices Awards
The agency ’ s warehouse doubled its shipping capacity thanks to recent modernization .
dustry required the implementation of new systems , additional staffing and a great deal of employee cross-training . Ultimately , the OLCC ’ s efforts paid off by generating more revenue than anyone anticipated , with a total of $ 65 million in marijuana taxes the first year alone . Proceeds from license fees were directed back to the OLCC to invest in additional programming across a variety of areas .
MAKING EDUCATION A PRIORITY With expansion of beverage alcohol retail sales comes additional responsibilities . For the OLCC , education and enforcement have always been top priorities . Around the time the retail expansion program launched , the agency worked to identify new opportunities to enhance marketing , merchandising and promotional efforts across OLCC retail operations .
After contemplating a variety of models , it was determined that an in-house agency education program would be the most effective . The result is the annual “ Keeping Oregon in Good Spirits ” program , an event that connects store agents and staff members with industry experts , marketing specialists and business professionals , while also maintaining a strong commitment to safety .
“ Investing in annual liquor agent education returns dividends for the Commission , the state and Oregon consumers through the sharing of best retail practices and industry knowledge that helps drive better sales ,” Rosenbaum says .
The primary goals of the two-day program are to improve communication with liquor agents , promote solid strategies they can implement to achieve growth , and to help enhance the overall customer experience in retail stores . Now in its fourth year ,
10 StateWays | www . stateways . com | September / October 2018