Bord Bia programmes to carry advice from Harvard farm expert
The American experts’ new perspective on pathways for growth in the Irish food-and-drink industry, over the next three to five years, offer clear opportunities to fuel new growth and development, according to the Food Board.
The Harvard ideas are reflected in brand research for consumer-and-trade testing in six international markets, linked with the essence of Ireland’s reputation, to support a “we are natural and we can prove it” brand promise.
Meanwhile, sustainability and environmental stewardship standards that will be associated with usage of ‘brand Ireland’ are being formulated.
Bord Bia has identified 20 projects where strategic co-operation — termed “co-opetition” by Bell and Mary Shelman — could add value in the supply chain. Five such projects are being advanced, where the potential benefits are significant and there is a willingness among management teams to engage.
Bord Bia has launched the Food Entrepreneurs Network, facilitating new enterprise owners and managers, and the CEOs of larger firms, to gain insights into the supports needed for food entrepreneurship to thrive.
In other initiatives, 80 companies are being assisted with 100 research assignments in 12 different markets, as part of Bord Bia’s Marketing Fellowship programme.
The Food Industry Strategic Growth Programme commenced in December, and offers a two-year executive training programme in conjunction with Smurfit Business School.
In conjunction with IBEC, Bord Bia has developed a food-industry Export Orientation Programme (EOP) to be rolled out fully this year.
