Debra Lubitz, MBA. PMP.

May 1st marked the kickoff of our inaugural Talent Expo at our Arlington office! The expo was focused on supporting the career growth of our employees, with opportunities to update professional headshots, connect with employee resource groups, receive talent snapshot consulting sessions, and more. We even had some empowering panels designed to supercharge our career path within Nestlé like: 🚀 Unleashing Potential: We got insider insights straight from a panel of our senior leaders on how to carve our path to success at Nestlé. From seizing development opportunities to owning your career journey. 🎯 Acing Internal Job Interviews: A session on how to elevate your interview game with tips and tricks from our seasoned Recruiting Leadership Team. Sharing how to shine bright when aiming for that dream role within Nestlé. 🔥 Fireside Chat with the VP of HR and Head of Research and Development where they dove into the future of work with our Talent Marketplace experts. A dynamic platform designed for employees to explore projects outside of their typical scope and that is shaping our people, our culture and driving success across teams like Research & Development. Next week we're gearing up for round two at our Solon, OH location where there will be more insightful sessions and engaging opportunities! Excited to explore career opportunities with us? Visit our career site to see open opportunities waiting for someone just like you! If you spot the perfect one, don't hesitate to reach out for an employee referral. Because at Nestlé, we're not just about creating good food and a good life – we're about fostering greatness in every person we meet. #Nestle #CareerDevelopment #JoinOurTeam

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“Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the ‘me’ for the ‘we.’” Phil Jackson (yes, the super coach of Chicago Bulls, I'd say he has all my attention when it comes to building successful teams) I came across this simple, yet powerful quote in this interesting article on the Fourth Q. Worth a read! As leaders, we all need to grasp the challenge and opportunity laying in the new skillsets demanded equally by our teams and the situations we encounter. #leadership #team

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As consumer demand for diverse, global flavors increases and companies work to respond, responsible ingredient sourcing becomes paramount. I recently participated in a webinar presented by Food & Beverage Insider during which my fellow panelists and I discussed the increasing importance of functional ingredients, supplier relationships and the role of sustainability in sourcing ingredients in the food and beverage industry. I encourage you to watch the full webinar to diver deeper into the conversation 👉 https://lnkd.in/gbAUWzb6 #Sustainability #ResposibleSourcing

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🛠️ Managing Conflict for Organizational Success from Drae's Standing Desk Over my 20 plus years of working for start-ups to small companies to large fortune 500 entities, one thing that is consistent is conflict! It is an inevitable aspect of organizational life, but not all conflict is detrimental. Contemporary perspectives show that effectively managing both functional and dysfunctional conflict can yield significant benefits for organizations. Functional Conflict 🌟 (Constructive) - Supports group goals and improves performance. - Encourages critical thinking and innovative solutions. - Fosters a culture where diverse viewpoints are valued. Dysfunctional Conflict 🚩 (Destructive) - Arises from personal struggles for control or recognition. - Disrupts collaboration, erodes trust, and diminishes morale. - Leads to decreased efficiency, increased stress, and higher turnover. Effective Conflict Management Practices in my Toolbox: 1. Identify Conflict Types: Determine if the conflict is functional or dysfunctional. 2. Promote Constructive Debate: Encourage open communication and collaborative problem-solving. 3. Train in Conflict Resolution: Empower employees with negotiation skills. 4. Address Issues Promptly: Mediate disputes and set clear behavior expectations. 5. Support Emotional Well-being: Maintain a positive work environment. By recognizing the differences between functional and dysfunctional conflict and applying targeted strategies, organizations can enhance performance and foster innovation and cohesion. Effective conflict management is crucial for a healthy, sustainable organization. #Leadership #ConflictManagement #OrganizationalSuccess #Innovation #WorkplaceCulture

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Healthy indulgence will continue to influence shopping behavior in 2024. How does the trend manifest in chocolate? 🤸🏽🌱 Snack bars loaded with prebiotic fibers or fancy chocolates for inner peace, there's a new generation of healthy chocolates to discover on the market. 📊🍫From ‘high in vitamins & minerals’ to ‘high in protein’, which claims are more or less appealing to consumers? Find it out, download the global or region-specific Top Chocolate Trend Report👇 #TopChocolateTrends #Report #Chocolate #BarryCallebaut #TopChocolateTrends2024

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May 1st marked the kickoff of our inaugural Talent Expo at our Arlington office! The expo was focused on supporting the career growth of our employees, with opportunities to update professional headshots, connect with employee resource groups, receive talent snapshot consulting sessions, and more. We even had some empowering panels designed to supercharge our career path within Nestlé like: 🚀 Unleashing Potential: We got insider insights straight from a panel of our senior leaders on how to carve our path to success at Nestlé. From seizing development opportunities to owning your career journey. 🎯 Acing Internal Job Interviews: A session on how to elevate your interview game with tips and tricks from our seasoned Recruiting Leadership Team. Sharing how to shine bright when aiming for that dream role within Nestlé. 🔥 Fireside Chat with the VP of HR and Head of Research and Development where they dove into the future of work with our Talent Marketplace experts. A dynamic platform designed for employees to explore projects outside of their typical scope and that is shaping our people, our culture and driving success across teams like Research & Development. Next week we're gearing up for round two at our Solon, OH location where there will be more insightful sessions and engaging opportunities! Excited to explore career opportunities with us? Visit our career site to see open opportunities waiting for someone just like you! If you spot the perfect one, don't hesitate to reach out for an employee referral. Because at Nestlé, we're not just about creating good food and a good life – we're about fostering greatness in every person we meet. #Nestle #CareerDevelopment #JoinOurTeam

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Interesting article with powerful examples of bottom-up transformation, showing the magic of ideas driven organizations. When a leader, even a mid-level or lower level leader, skillfully brings a voice and a vision, others will follow and surprising things can happen. The culture could change on a large scale with actions driving a mindset and becoming a catalyst in the whole organization.

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Good analysis and view where the generational workforce currently is and what the future in the workplace could look like.

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This image will mean something to those who worked at General Mills under the then Sales Director Fred Lea. It was used in a presentation where the culture was shifted dramatically from internal to external focus. Dedicating my time to understanding the retailer under the banner of Customer Intimacy is a value that has stuck with me for over a decade. Too often in sales we get distracted by the short term, our personal agenda or beliefs and we miss the essence of the role we serve. We mediate the transfer of goods shoppers love, we narrate the story through retailers and through collaboration deliver value to customers. We only achieve a small fraction of the potential if we fail to understand the assets and obstacles with our retailer counterparts. Seeking first to understand and to listen raises the bar and sets you apart. However it must be done with integrity, not simply as a strategy to manipulate or secretly set your own agenda. Be relentless in remaining true to these ideals and doors will open. I've been fortunate to be exposed to this visionary thinking early in my career, and I hope my execution of it has made a positive ripple effect in my professional and personal life. Ultimately for me it aligns my personal values with business, giving me the passion and energy to build brands I'm proud to represent. Thank you, Fred. I'd love to hear other ideas of what has inspired you to think differently in your approach to FMCG- dm or comment below.

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Customer-centric (customer-centered, customer first) was a corporate buzzword that littered mission statements, marketing slicks, slogans, emails, etc., but lost its impact due to corporations' repeated failures to deliver on the promise. I fear the same fate for "Innovation," which is used everywhere but seldom delivered consistently. The "Innovation Gap" discussed in Adam Melonas article published by Forbes Business Council below must be solved before "Innovation" becomes another hollow buzzword. Innovation, not Renovation, is what will drive profitable, volume-led growth for CPG companies. Critically, the innovation, from idea to shelf, must be in months, not years.

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This reminds of the “what got you here won’t get you there” idea. Growth and adaptability as a leader are musts.

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"Promotional Intensity", of established brands is going to have a significant impact on the emerging CPG brand landscape. Pricing, Volume (Velocity mostly) and therefore Operating Profit, for established brands are under pressure. It's probably a lot worse for many emerging CPG brands. But you knew this earlier in the year, so the question is...What are you going to do about it for the remainder of this year and for 2025? Here are some nuggets: "“If you look before pandemic, it's kind of back to that level of promotional intensity,” Harmening said, adding “we'll be pulling all the levers we can to make sure that consumers know the value of our big brands”. "Asked about plans to rebuild the balance sheet via a focus on volume rather than creating value through premiumisation, Harmening said: “I don't see it as a trade-off between volume and premiumisation, I think it's an and.” Yahoo Article Read Peter McDonald's post(s). Always informative. Read the Yahoo article too.

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If you talk to me long enough, you will find out that I am passionate about learning & development. My mission as a leader is to help people have their best career possible. That ranges from removing roadblocks to mentoring & coaching other associates in their career journey. I am grateful to work at Reckitt where I can fulfill my personal mission, learn and grow. #ReckittLearningWeek #FindYOURLearningMoment

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Congratulations to the Ingredion Supply Chain team for this wonderful and well deserved recognition. Earning our customers' business everyday is how we drive success! Thanks to all. Blue Yonder, May 14, 2024  8 min read SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – May 14, 2024 – To honor its customers who are driving digital transformations of their supply chains, Blue Yonder presented several leading companies with the ICONic Customer Awards at the annual Blue Yonder ICON conference on May 14, 2024, in Dallas. The ICONic Customer Awards celebrate organizations and individuals who are making a name for themselves by embracing innovation, challenging the status quo, and delivering great results. The awards acknowledge the success, impact, and results that they are driving. The Supply Chain Planning Resiliency: Ingredion and Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC / CONA Services LLC This category recognizes companies who have demonstrated resiliency through digital planning to solve the hardest problems and uncover the most opportunity. Winners have leveraged Blue Yonder’s end-to-end solutions to predict and pivot their supply chain planning capabilities in order to deliver on their promise to partners, suppliers, and – ultimately – customers. The whole article is below. https://lnkd.in/gDNcfG56

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I really enjoyed Bonnie Hammer's story in this weekend's WSJ. It's adapted from her new book "15 Lies Women are Told at Work: and the Truth we Need to Succeed." While the book clearly focuses on women, this essay "'Follow Your Dreams' and Other Terrible Career Advice is for everyone. One of my favorite lines: "But here's the truth: While we are all born with personal worth, we have to earn our professional worth." #careeradvice #earningprofessionalworth #hardwork #opportunities https://lnkd.in/gcB_SmFe

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🌟 I’m excited to be speaking at Executive Platforms North American Food Manufacturing Summit this October in Chicago!    I’ll be joining other global food manufacturing leaders for two days of engaging sessions and networking, discussing our solutions for critical topics facing our industry.    If you’d like to be part of the conversation, visit ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eCKfdfkS to learn more.   #NAFMS24 #FoodManufacturingSummit #SupplyChain

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With shopper interest in specific types of seafood and their buying patterns often differing significantly in accordance with the consumers’ age and ethnic group, retailers seeking to maximize activity must implement sales strategies that correspond to the behaviors of their unique customer bases, analysts said. That includes such age classes as Gen Z (18-26), millennials (27-42), Gen X (43-58), and baby boomers (59-75). Younger consumers, for instance, are more likely to visit grocery seafood counters during every trip, reports Collage Group, a Bethesda, Md.-based consumer research firm. That includes 14% of millennial and 13% of Gen Z shoppers, followed by Gen X (7.1%) and baby boomers (3.4%). In addition, 18% of millennials and 17% of Gen Z consumers said they are likely to visit counters on most trips, along with 11% of Gen X and 10% of baby boomers.

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As a leader I have leaned that having crucial conversations are necessary in coaching my team, however, with some direct reports this can be perceived as an end result vs a “restart” if you will. Introducing and implementing a coaching culture that allows for these moments to be received as a moment of positive progress vs negative result, has been successful most of the time in my experience. My goal as I continue in my servant leader role is to continue to drive this and hope to help myself and my team be more productive. What is your experience with changing your culture to implement coachings as a positive drive toward the “W”?

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