Jared Gordon’s Post

“He watched and listened. I was so impressed with him.” Sustainability as part of your purpose and strategy will show in every decision you take and in how people show up every day It can be shown in the numbers. It’s profitable AND sustainable. Here are some quotes from the article: “Buechel’s leadership style — humble, open, leaning in — is part of what makes him the ideal person to take Whole Foods into its next evolution. He showcases the other facets of his authentic style — including his focus on purpose, team culture, customer experience and technology “ “And the innovation happening at Whole Foods isn’t about just e-commerce or cashierless checkout tech, it’s about doing things authentically differently when it comes to company culture, team-building and creating a place where people can’t wait to come to work.” “a lot of folks have a higher purpose and core values, but they’re words on the wall. At Whole Foods, we are living and breathing them every single day.” This is a very good example for making sustainability part of your strategy!

#InclusiveLeadership great read with lots of food for thought. Whole Foods Market CEO Jason Buechel reinforces the vital role of purpose, team culture, customer experience, and technology in shaping the company's trajectory in this article. His leadership style, characterized by humility and openness, aligns with Whole Foods' purpose-driven culture. The emphasis on maintaining quality standards and a strong commitment to living the company's core values daily sets Whole Foods apart. And with more than double the number of banned food ingredients since the Amazon sale or having added over 3'000 local brands in the past five years, a 30% increase, it shows. Buechel highlights the significance of technology in enhancing customer experience, citing experiments with Amazon's Just Walk Out technology and other innovations. The CEO also outlines plans to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and leverage technology for a better customer and team member experience. My favorite, the empowerment locally and the culture agents, what's your key take away from the article?: https://lnkd.in/emnQzCHi #HealthyGrowth #Development #SustainableFuture #DiVerseConsulting ___________________________________________________________________   Like my content & want to see more? 🔔 ring the bell on my profile 🌐Karen Miller & follow the hashtag #DiVerseConsulting for previous posts

The feared and revered “State of the U.S. Wine Industry 2024” by Silicon Valley Bank was released last month. John Sumners reached out to ask for my take based on M+C experience with consulting, messaging, and programs. M+C works with food, wine, and lifestyle clients. I don't think this comes as a surprise, but brands (especially experiential products) are competing against a broader spectrum of goods and services for an audience that is increasingly diversified in background, interests, and purchasing habits. Even though that's not a surprise, from my nook in the industry, I find that businesses and leaders are nervous to try something new. To adapt. I'm proud of the clients we've worked with to lean into these changes, embracing the evolution versus feeling threatened by it. Ultimately, John's piece reflects on what the SVB report means for the broader industry and how we can (and should!) adapt. There ARE options. But they don't include ignoring the changing market or hoping what you've always done will keep working.

In a customer-obsessed world, here's a truth many miss: people don't always know what they want. Why?   - Consumers might hide desires due to embarrassment or uncertainty. - Preferences evolve from experiences and observing others. - They're easily influenced by peers, experts, or media.   Let's delve into the wine industry, a domain I'm deeply intrigued by, especially with the current 'natural wine' trend. Northwestern researchers found that the staggering 50% surge in U.S. wineries and the market's near doubling in value to $57b in 2023 from 2002 can be attributed largely to passionate producers. They didn't just grow grapes; they shaped palates and educated the masses. The influence chain is clear: producer ➡️ critic ➡️ consumer ➡️ consumer's circle.   In our complex product and service landscape, success isn't just about reacting to demands. Sometimes, doubling down on customer research isn't the answer. The real game-changer? Educating the market and shaping a compelling narrative. Leaders that get this are crafting a resilient future for their brand and nascent sectors. https://lnkd.in/e6Ar_vSC   #BrandStrategy #ExperienceDesign #FutureProofing

Hey, you food and beverage brand owners out there! Are you struggling to scale your business? The food and beverage industry is complex, and to stand out, you need to have not just an excellent product but also a winning go-to-market strategy, design for scalability, and the right commercialization plan. It's easy to understand your brand vision and your product need, but it's much harder to build a profitable and scalable business around it. Here's the truth: to grow your CPG business, you need more than a great product. You need the right expertise. But where does that expertise come from? Hire someone who has done it before. Reach out to experts. Join industry networks. The key is not to be afraid to ask for help. If you want to succeed in this industry, you have to be willing to invest time, money, and resources into building the right team that can help take your brand to the next level. So, go ahead, take that leap, and watch your brand rise to new heights!

The Brew's Blend: Navigating Pricing Pitfalls to Pour Success The Outcome: A Local Favourite Facing Closure The Brew, a popular local coffee shop known for its artisanal approach and community vibe, was teetering on the edge of closure. Despite the loyalty of regulars and the quality of its coffee, financial strains were bubbling to the surface. The Pain: Competitive Pricing Meets Cost Ignorance Owned by Kupa, The Brew initially set its prices based on the competitive landscape, aiming to match or undercut nearby coffee houses. This strategy sought to attract price-sensitive customers but failed to account for the actual costs of artisanal coffee production, from premium beans to expert baristas. Conversely, when Kupa later shifted focus to cover rising costs, prices were set without considering what customers could afford or were willing to pay, leading to decreased sales. The Turnaround: Breaking Silos, Brewing Collaboration Realizing the precarious financial position of The Brew, Kupa convened a series of strategy meetings that brought together the baristas, who understood customer preferences, and the back-office staff, who managed the finances. This cross-functional dialogue was designed to harmonize Brew’s pricing approach with market realities and internal cost structures. The Strategy: Crafting a Competitive and Cost-Aware Pricing Model The collaborative sessions led to a nuanced pricing strategy that considered customer loyalty, competitive pressures, and the unique value of The Brew’s offerings. The team implemented tiered pricing for different sizes and types of coffee, introduced seasonal specials to draw in traffic, and used cost data to set profitable yet competitive prices. The Resolution: Revitalized Business and Renewed Growth This strategic pricing realignment allowed The Brew to cover its costs without alienating its customer base. It regained its competitive edge, turning a once precarious financial situation into a story of resilience and success. Conclusion: The Power of Integrative Strategy The Brew’s journey from potential closure to bustling success underscores the critical need for strategic integration across all facets of business operations. It highlights that effective pricing strategies must blend market understanding with precise cost analysis and customer engagement. Takeaway: Unity in Strategy, Strength in Business For business owners, the lesson is clear: Silos within a business can cloud decision-making. By fostering an environment where communication and collaboration guide pricing strategies, companies can align their offerings more closely with market demands and financial realities, ensuring sustainability and growth.

In a bustling city, there was a small family-owned bakery struggling to compete with larger chain stores. Seeing dwindling sales, they decided to innovate their business strategy. By fostering a culture of innovation among their staff, they encouraged everyone to share ideas for new products and marketing approaches. They implemented a suggestion box where employees could anonymously submit their ideas, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment. Through this collaborative effort, they introduced unique pastries, revamped their social media presence, and started offering baking classes, attracting new customers and revitalizing their business. Ready to innovate your business strategy? Start by encouraging creativity among your team and implementing fresh ideas. Embrace change and watch your business thrive! #businessstrategist #projectmanager

part 6 concluding part MASTERING COMPLEXITY WITH THE CONSUMER-FIRST PRODUCT PORTFOLIO,!!! For instance, The food company now includes the menus and platforms in its initial design-brief templates, so that new products take advantage of a revised list of less-expensive ingredients and common flavor platforms. Additional decision gates include go–no go criteria based on the alignment of the proposed product to the menus and platforms. Companies can also use menus and platforms to assess their current portfolios and find opportunities to retrofit for faster value generation—perhaps accelerating existing packaging- or branding-review cycles to keep momentum going. Sustainability reviews offer further options for reinforcing the portfolio performance toolkit: the beverage company has used its menus and platforms to inform decisions about material substitutions in light of consumers’ rapidly evolving expectations on reducing environmental impact. Conclusively and finally, portfolio optimization means striking the right balance between efficiency and consumer value drivers. Both practical and tangible, a consumer-backed approach to portfolio performance is more relevant than ever and can be done relatively quickly with cross-functional resources. Now is the time to capture both short-term savings on existing business and structurally innovate for the future as innovation and automation had now become a competitive advantage for business , organization or companies and anyone that priotize this reap the benefit.Permlt me to draw the curtains here, Please like and follow me as I leave loads of inspiring , educative and informative topics in the pipeline.Am open to opportunity, ready And willing to work, Learn, impact positively and aswell relocate.Good day all.#africasglobalbank #harvardbusinessschool #cbn #affdb #universityofchicago #bankofengland

My 5 year old son asked me if he could draw on my strategy white board. We decided to have a strategy think tank session for my company. He captured what was going on in my head perfectly! #restaurateur #restaurantcoach #restaurantowner #restaurantlife #restaurantsuccess