Matt Gregory’s Post

Working in FMCG, I learned two simple hacks to know if a product is moving or not in a supermarket: 1. If the product has some dust above it, it's definitely not moving. 2. Check the manufacturing date. If it's more than three months old, it's not moving. I got this insight from my seniors in my previous stint. You can use the very same insight for your research on new products. #fmcg #consumerbehaviour #marketing

"Unilever's Lesson: Experience Over Price❤️" Today, when I was in the Ujjain market, I went to talk to potential customers about our product. As a sales officer, I find it really interesting to explain our product to different people. Each person is unique, so I have to adjust how I talk about our product to fit each customer. Something funny happened today.......😅 I went into a restaurant and saw another salesperson pitching their lime seasoning product, just like ours! It was a bit surprising because we were from different companies but selling similar products. The owner of the restaurant didn't seem convinced by the other salesperson's pitch and left. Then it was my turn to talk to the owner. I greeted him warmly and tried to make friendly conversation. After a little chat......💬 I introduced our product, Knorr Lime Seasoning, in a short and simple way. I wanted to keep it brief so the owner would feel comfortable asking questions and telling me what he thought. To my surprise,😄 After I finished talking about our product, the owner asked if he could try it out.I was really happy about that because it meant he was interested! I happily gave him a demonstration. He tasted the product and smiled, saying he liked the taste. That made me really happy because it meant I had convinced him to buy our product.😁 PS: Sometimes, when we're selling something, like the lime seasoning I was pitching, we think that the price is the most important thing. But today, I learned something different. It's not always about the price.Customers want to know more about the product before they decide to buy it. "They want to see it, touch it, and even try it out themselves" That's why giving the owner of the restaurant a chance to taste the lime seasoning was so important. It helped him decide that he liked the product and wanted to buy it, even though it might have cost a little more than other options. So, this experience showed me that letting customers experience the product first hand can be more convincing than just talking about the price.😄 #unilever #sales #experience #growing #learning #market #fmcg #hul

🌟 Reflecting on a Milestone 🌟 Ten years ago, I was grateful to be recognized with the Watsons HWB Award 2014 for Best Account Management of the Year in Health & Wellness. This accolade was not just a career highlight but a stepping stone for my ongoing development in key account management within the FMCG sector. A heartfelt thank you to the Lifestream Group management for giving me the opportunity to join them and to achieve such a milestone. 🌟 Key Account Management (KAM) in FMCG: A Blend of Strategy and Technical Skill 🌟 Key account management transcends typical sales roles; it involves cultivating long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships between an organization and its most critical customers. In the fast-moving consumer goods industry, these key accounts are essential for sustainable, strategic growth and require substantial investment in both time and resources. In the current data-driven market environment, technical skills have become increasingly crucial in KAM. The ability to proficiently analyze data and interpret market trends through advanced analytics is transformative, enhancing our ability to manage these pivotal relationships effectively. Integrating technical tools enables us to: 📊 Analyze extensive data sets to uncover patterns in customer purchasing behavior, critical for tailoring product offerings and promotions. 🎯 Develop marketing and sales strategies that are not just efficient but are also deeply personalized to meet the unique needs of each account. 🔄 Enhance communication and reporting processes with sophisticated CRM systems, ensuring all customer interactions are meticulously logged and actionable insights are consistently utilized. Embracing these technical capabilities within key account management allows us to navigate the complexities of the FMCG landscape more effectively, ensuring that our strategic partnerships are both resilient and profitable.

Why do you still drink coke???🤨🤨 I recently conducted a research project on the Coca-Cola bottling company. Even though my focus was on the company's internal policies that promote diversity among its employees, I couldn't help but wonder what makes this brand timeless. Coca-Cola is one of the top brands that has consistently maintained its position globally. The brand keeps innovating its strategy for connecting with customers, and these two essentials amongst others have helped it retain its crown: ✅Experiential Customer Engagement: Customers care about these basics; product quality, good service, and effective communication. Coca-Cola has excelled in all these areas, providing a great customer experience. ✅Flexibility Amid Concerns: When customers became concerned about sugar consumption, Coca-Cola responded with Coke Zero and Coke Life, which were appreciated by health-conscious customers. This ability to be flexible ensures that the brand remains relevant. These two essentials are not only applicable to established companies but also to startups and growing organisations thus improving customer retention requires enhancing customer experiences and maintaining flexibility within the limits that ensure profitability. Please share your thoughts on other strategies that have worked for you in the comments section. It's me Juliet Yusuf-Agbo MBA, BCS your go to for all things customer success and operations management. I help develop and implement cutting edge strategies that ensure customer retention and repeat purchases for your organisation. Let's connect shall we? 🤝🤝 #retentionessentials #cocacola #customersuccess #linkedinexecutives #20daylinkedinchallengewithhaoma

🌟 Introducing Graeme Wheeler: Markwell Foods' Territory Manager – Lower South Island 🌟    Joining in March 2011, Graeme has become the face of Markwell Foods for Retail in the lower South Island, forging strong customer connections and driving growth through his intimate knowledge of his customers and their needs.     We sat down with Graeme to learn more about him and his journey at Markwell Foods. 👉 Can you sum up your role in a couple of sentences?   I travel throughout the Lower South Island calling on supermarkets to sell, promote and am continually looking for opportunities to grow our shelf share in Seafood, Butchery and Frozen Grocery.  👉 Can you tell us what a typical day looks like for you?   Starting with replying to emails, and anything that is urgent! Some driving, some talking, more driving, more talking. Chuck in some merchandising. The face of Markwell Foods down here in retail!  👉 Reflecting on your journey with Markwell Foods so far, what are the highlights or key learnings you'd like to share?  Biggest highlight has been working hard and watching my territory grow and being part of the growth that Markwell Foods has had in the South Island. Key Learnings: Flexibility, being able to adapt to ever changing customers and situations.  👉 In your opinion, what are the most important factors in building and maintaining strong customer relationships, and how do you apply these in your interactions?  Honesty, Integrity, Reliability, and a good listening ear! I have found over the years you have to make it as easy as possible for customers to deal with you. Gain their trust! If they like you, they will generally buy from you.  👉 How do you stay up to date on industry trends, challenges and opportunities, and how does this knowledge inform your approach to serving our diverse set of customers?   I keep up to date with trends by talking to my customers to find out their needs and those of the consumer! Every day I wake up is a challenge and an opportunity to do better. My customers look forward to seeing me and I enjoy working alongside them to increase their market share with a quality product range.  👉 What do you like to do outside of work?   Love spending time with family and grandchildren, love my rugby, a bit of golf, I play lawn bowls. Taking my old car out for a cruise.  👉 If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be?   Elvis Presley as he was the King!  👉 Favourite Quote?  Short term pain for long term gain! Thanks for your time Graeme.

I've spent my entire career in category management, transitioning through various roles from Client Service Executive to Assistant Category Manager to Head of Category. Despite 20 years in this space, I’ve never actually managed a category. Why? Because on the supplier side of the industry, we don’t manage categories – retailers do, while we manage brands and portfolios. If you are unsure, ask any supplier category team what their KPIs are. You’ll likely find that category size and growth aren’t among them. Instead, their KPIs focus on portfolio sales, business margins, and market share. Clearly, this isn’t about managing categories. So, what should category teams be doing for their business? A high-performing category team should provide the strategies, tools, and tactics to deliver the strongest possible physical availability in the market. What are the key drivers of physical availability we should focus on: 1. Be There: Ensure the right range of products is available for sale at all times in all stores where shoppers may purchase your category. 2. Be Seen: Stand out in-store by being located in the optimal part of the store, with strong visibility both on the shelf and through secondary displays. 3. Be Worth It: Deliver the right value to shoppers, clearly seen and understood at the point of purchase. This does not mean we should do what we want at all costs. We must balance delivering physical availability with the broader category impact. Adopting a shopper and category-first approach will make our plans easier to execute with retailers. Further, by delivering positive results for the category, we build trust and credibility, ensuring future plans encounter less resistance. I'm keen to hear your thoughts on the current role of your category team and discuss strategies to enhance their effectiveness. Reach out to chat! #CategoryManagement #RetailStrategy #BusinessGrowth #PhysicalAvailability #ShopperMarketing

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Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a Customer Marketing Manager for Essity's Tork brand? Jutta Schmitt, who is leading a dedicated team of four, shares what she likes most about her job: The variety and the opportunity to work with customers and colleagues from various disciplines. Jutta's typical day is a blend of engaging conversations with her team, coordination with colleagues from diverse departments, driving forward exciting projects, and meeting with customers in sales. And, of course, the unexpected ensures that, according to Jutta, her workday is never boring. Interested in working at Essity? 👥 Find out more: https://bit.ly/30khY4N #LifeatEssity #TeamEssity #DiverseRole

🚀 Exciting Learnings from Everyday Life in the FMCG Industry! 🚀 🛍️ As someone working in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, I have had the privilege of gaining valuable insights from my everyday experiences. These learnings have not only enriched my professional journey but also provided me with essential life lessons. Today, I'm thrilled to share some key takeaways from my time in the FMCG sector: 🎯 Customer-Centricity: In the FMCG world, understanding and satisfying our customers' needs are at the heart of everything we do. Regularly interacting with consumers and gathering feedback helps us tailor products and marketing strategies to deliver exceptional experiences. 🏃♂️ Adaptability and Agility: FMCG is a fast-paced and fiercely competitive industry. Embracing change and staying agile is the key to staying ahead in this dynamic landscape. 🚚 Supply Chain Efficiency: A well-optimized supply chain is the backbone of successful FMCG operations. We work tirelessly to ensure products reach consumers promptly and in perfect condition. 💡 Innovation: Embracing innovation is the lifeblood of FMCG. By introducing new products, packaging, or marketing techniques, we keep our brands fresh and appealing to consumers. 🏷️ Pricing and Promotions: Smart pricing strategies and engaging promotions are integral to influencing consumer buying decisions and boosting sales. 📊 Data-Driven Decision Making: Data analytics and market research provide invaluable insights that empower us to make informed decisions and drive business growth. 💼 Relationship Management: Building strong relationships with distributors, retailers, and stakeholders fosters trust and ensures smooth operations. 💚 Consumer Loyalty: In a competitive marketplace, building consumer loyalty is paramount. Consistent quality, excellent customer service, and value for money are the pillars of loyalty. 🌱 Environmental Responsibility: As global citizens, we're committed to sustainability. Adopting eco-friendly practices and packaging aligns with consumers' values and contributes to a greener world. 🛡️ Crisis Management: The ability to handle crises transparently and efficiently is crucial for maintaining trust and reputation. 🤝 Team Collaboration: Teamwork and collaboration across various departments are fundamental to achieving our collective goals. I'm immensely grateful for the enriching experiences and the wonderful people I've met along the way. If you're interested in the FMCG industry or want to know more about these insights, feel free to connect! Let's engage in a meaningful conversation and continue learning from each other. Would love to hear your views on the matter. #FMCG #ConsumerGoods #BusinessInsights #LearningAndDevelopment #salesandmarketing #continouslearning #workandlearn #sharingexperiences #LinkedInPost

👥 Dive into the world of retail and FMCG key account teams with us. Unravel their unique roles, structures and challenges. Don't miss insights on boosting inter-team collaboration for brand success. 👉 https://hubs.la/Q02pmDQh0 #FMCG #RetailStrategy #RetailSuccess #GetWiser