In today's episode, we welcome Simon Bos, the visionary behind Mezze and Gravity Well.

Simon, who has a deep understanding of both tech and food industries, discusses the pressing issue of technological inefficiencies in food manufacturing. He narrates the story of how Mezze was conceptualised during a collaboration with Adelie Foods, which initially relied on a call centre in India for order management. By introducing a custom software solution, Mezze transformed the process, allowing customers to place and track orders online efficiently.

Simon explains the function of an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system and why many existing systems fall short for food manufacturing needs. Mezze, as a food-specific ERP, addresses these gaps by providing tailored solutions that reduce administrative burdens and enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, the episode highlights the pivotal role of AI in sustainability efforts, significantly cutting down food waste by optimising order decisions based on various factors.

A significant part of the discussion revolves around the benefits of early tech integration, particularly for scaling businesses. Simon backs his argument with practical examples, demonstrating how tech investments can streamline operations and reduce future headaches. The conversation also touches on government support through Innovate UK, and Simon’s aspirations to expand Mezze's reach to the US market, ensuring small manufacturers can stand toe-to-toe with industry giants.

Throughout the episode, we emphasise the importance of technological evolution in the food sector and how platforms like Mezze can be game-changers. We also encourage listeners to rate and review the podcast and join our community on Facebook.

Timestamps:

• [0:00] Introduction to the episode and guest, Simon Bos.
• [03:15] The technological lag in the food manufacturing industry.
• [07:45] Origin story of Mezze from the collaboration with Adelie Foods.
• [13:20] Explanation of ERP systems and their shortcomings in food manufacturing.
• [16:45] How Mezze addresses specific needs in the food industry.
• [19:30] AI's role in optimising orders and reducing waste.
• [23:50] Impact of government support and Innovate UK's involvement.
• [27:15] Benefits of early tech investment for scaling businesses.
• [31:05] Mezze’s branding flexibility and integration capacity.
• [34:20] Sustainable practices and carbon counting enhancements.
• [38:10] Opportunities and challenges for small food brands.
• [42:00] Plans for US market expansion and further scale-up programs.
• [47:30] Engagement with other technology startups and entrepreneurial ventures.
• [51:10] Closing thoughts and contact information for Simon Bos.

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ohforfoodsake

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oh-for-food-s-sake/

You can follow us here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oh_forfoodssake/

For industry consulting from Lucy, connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Find her on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation from Amy.

See you next time!

During the episode, we discuss the importance of embracing the role of a people manager once you transition into leadership. The shift from being task-focused to people-focused is pivotal. We share personal stories about how this shift has impacted us and the teams we’ve managed

We also touch upon the art of effective delegation. We open up about our struggles with perfectionism and how letting go of the 'doing' part was initially tough but ultimately beneficial and how delegation not only frees up your time but also fosters the growth of your team.

In addition to that, the episode emphasises the importance of strategic thinking. Moving into a leadership role means that you need to start planning for the long term and align your work with the company’s strategic goals.

We also discuss the pitfalls, such as micromanaging, not adapting your communication style, and the unrealistic expectation of needing to know everything.

The episode aims to remind you that empowering your team and fostering an environment of trust and growth is essential for a successful transition into leadership.

Timestamps

• [00:00] Introduction to the episode and the topic of transitioning into leadership roles.
• [00:16] Lucy welcomes listeners to the "Oh For Foods Sake" podcast and introduces the focus of today’s episode.
• [01:24] Amy discusses her personal experience with Fearless Foodies and the need to step into a leadership role.
• [02:32] The transition from being a technical expert to a leader and its challenges.
• [03:37] Societal issues related to the lack of leadership training.
• [04:47] Amy’s exercise with Donna on recognizing leadership qualities.
• [06:24] Emphasizing the importance of focusing on people management rather than just tasks.
• [08:11] Building high-performing teams through understanding individual strengths.
• [09:07] Importance of learning to delegate effectively and its impact on team growth.
• [13:14] Shifting perspective from technical details to strategic goals.
• [14:39] Understanding the bigger picture and aligning with company goals.
• [16:05] Pitfalls to avoid: Micromanaging and its negative impact.
• [17:26] Adapting your communication style to different audiences.
• [19:26] Accepting that you don't need to be the expert in everything and empowering your team.
• [21:20] Summary of key tips and pitfalls for new leaders.
• [22:16] Closing remarks and invitations to join the community.

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ohforfoodsake

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oh-for-food-s-sake/

You can follow us here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oh_forfoodssake/

For industry consulting from Lucy, connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Find her on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation from Amy.

See you next time!

In this insightful episode, we explore the evolving landscape of procurement within the food industry with our guest, Michelle Bailey.

We kick off the episode discussing the pivotal role of streamlined procurement processes and the benefits of enabling employees to access product information group-wide, driving efficiency and reducing complexity. Lucy suggests an ambitious idea: an industry-wide global database of all ingredients and whilst the idea poses anti-competitive concerns, the potential benefits are intriguing.

Michelle highlights the importance of creating category strategies within procurement, which enhance transparency about purchasing, supply chains, and supplier expertise. These strategies empower teams, especially those in customer-facing roles, to engage confidently with retailers. She reflects on the transformation from decentralised to centralised procurement approaches, which have significantly improved efficiency and supplier relationships over the years.

Supplier feedback is another key theme, with Michelle stressing its importance in building better supplier-customer relationships. She also addresses the often-overshadowed role of procurement teams in organisations and the challenges they face, such as lack of training and organisational representation. Michelle’s consultancy work focuses on busting the myth that procurement is solely about lower prices; it's about strategic negotiations, especially in volatile markets.

The episode then delves into the confusion around job titles and how similar roles can vary significantly between companies. Amy recalls a course Michelle wrote that demystified procurement for non-specialists and enabled better supplier communication, reinforcing Michelle's mission to empower businesses by developing their procurement skills and confidence.

Effective communication, particularly phone communication, is emphasised as a critical aspect of managing supplier relationships. Despite generational discomfort around phone calls, Michelle, Lucy, and Amy agree on its advantages over emails in enhancing supplier relationships and business outcomes.

The conversation shifts to the complexities of procurement, such as sourcing high-demand raw materials, and the growing importance of sustainability, due diligence, and clear supplier compliance. Michelle and the hosts draw parallels between procurement and new product development (NPD), noting the significant internal communication challenges both faces.

Michelle provides valuable advice on building internal relationships, encouraging less reliance on emails, and emphasising enjoying the journey. She closes with reflections on her career and remaining accessible to listeners for further questions or advice via LinkedIn. The hosts wrap up by inviting listeners to join their Facebook community and connect on LinkedIn for professional services.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] Introduction and Welcome
• [02:45] Guest Introduction: Michelle Bailey's Background
• [05:30] Importance of Streamlined Procurement Processes
• [10:00] Industry-Wide Ingredient Database Proposal
• [12:15] Role of Category Strategies
• [16:40] Evolution of Centralized Procurement
• [20:50] Significance of Supplier Feedback
• [25:00] Challenges in Procurement Roles
• [30:20] Procurement Myths: Beyond Lower Prices
• [35:00] Job Title Confusions and Impact
• [40:10] Effective Communication: Phone vs. Email
• [45:30] Complexities in Procurement and Sustainability
• [50:00] Similarities Between Procurement and NPD
• [55:20] Internal Relationship Building and Career Reflections
• [59:55] Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ohforfoodsake

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oh-for-food-s-sake/

You can follow us here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oh_forfoodssake/

For industry consulting from Lucy, connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Find her on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation from Amy.

See you next time!