Coca-Cola rolls on it's 'University on Wheels' from West Bengal

Coca-Cola University launched the first ‘University on Wheels’ in West Bengal together with Bengal Beverages Pvt. Ltd. The mobile classroom training initiative has been launched under Coca-Cola University’s ‘Parivartan’ – retailer training program, aimed to empower rural retailers in business skills. The program is a capability-building initiatve which provides training to rural retailers –kirana shops- on Shop Management, Stock Management, Customer Management and Financial Management. S.R. Goenka, Chairman and Managing Director Bengal Beverages Pvt.Ltd., Bhupendra Suri, VP- Franchise Bottling Operations, Coca-Cola INSWABU and Dr. R.C. Datta, Director, Coca-Cola University inaugurate the bus at Kolkata’s Taj Bengal hotel with 15 retailers, Coca-Cola associates and media.

Parivartan; meaning positive change, is conducted in a customised, mobile classroom bus, by Coca-Cola University certified trainers. With an aim to provide traditional Indian retailers with the skills, tools and techniques required to succeed in India’s constantly changing retail scenario, Parivartan has already trained more than 

Parivartan began the first bus in West Bengal in December 2013 as a pilot. Since then, the Coca-Cola University on Wheels has trained more than 6600 retailers including 600 women retailers. Coca-Cola University has been conducting classroom training in West Bengal since 2008 and has trained more than 35,000 retailers including 3600+ women retailers overall since then. This year, Parivartan is aiming to empower approximately 15,000 retailers in West Bengal alone, including 3000 women.

Talking about the initiative, S.R. Goenka, Chairman and MD, Bengal Beverages Pvt.Ltd. said “Parivartan is a great initiative that Coca-Cola University began in 2007. I personally visited the bus when I was in Punjab and I spoke with the retailers there as well. They were very happy with the trainings and spoke highly of the impact Parivartan had had on their lives. That is when I decided to bring this unique concept to West Bengal. We have worked with Coca-Cola University to make the mobile customized bus for retailers in West Bengal. We have developed content and materials in Bengali and the training is also conducted in Benagli. I hope more and more retailers participate and make use of these free trainings.”

The mobile-classroom bus has been specially customised for training purposes and includes a screen, projector, audio–visual set-up and customized seats for for enhanced learning. Participants are taught simple but effective techniques for enhanced sales efficiency and development like how to handle customers at the shop, how to manage stocks and inventory effectively, what makes a shop more appealing to customers, how to mangae finances etc. Advanced sessions on Parivartan include merchandising, pre-selling, environment and hygiene conservation etc.

Dr. R.C Datta, Director- Coca-Cola University said “We started “Parivartan” with the first training session held in December 2007 in Agra. Since then, we have taken the initiative to several areas and reached out to over 2 lakh retailers. It gives us great pleasure to bring the program to West Bengal today. Training methods under “Parivartan” are specifically adopted keeping the participants in mind. We take multimedia training approach in the classrooms, using videos, text and trainers. Each retailer who completes the program receives a Certificate of Completion from the Coca-Cola University. We have received a lot of positive feedback on this initiative and we hope to continue to empower more and more retailers in the coming years”.

Parivartan is also a part of The Coca-Cola Company’s global 5by20 program which aims to economically empower 5 million women by the year 2020. Under 5by20, Parivartan has been extended to women retailers in an effort to build their capabilities and hence, improve their livelihood. Several training programs have been run in women only batches, with great response. Firsthand stories of several women retailers have shown a tremendous improvement in confidence and skill amongst the beneficiaries.