In this episode of "Oh For Food’s Sake," we welcome Georgina Earing to discuss the intricacies of stakeholder management, especially during periods of expansion and digitalisation. Georgina, the Product Development Manager at Simply Lunch, shares her career journey and the transferable skills that have been critical in her role. Together, we explore project management challenges, the importance of effective communication, and keeping teams engaged. Georgina also delves into Simply Lunch’s expansions, sustainability efforts, and ongoing digital transformation for improved efficiencies. Lucy shares her experience with people forgetting about new system implementations, emphasising the importance of continual engagement and communication. We also touch on the emotional language surrounding ultra-processed foods and the broader aspects of health, including sustainability. The episode concludes with discussions on balancing convenience and health in food offerings.
This episode explores the holistic approach to project management in the food industry. Georgina Earing and Lucy Wager highlight the significance of stakeholder management, sharing their own experiences and strategies for overcoming barriers and keeping team members focused on project goals. Georgina also talks about her personal growth and the new skills she's developed in her role as a product development manager at Simply Lunch.
Simply Lunch’s significant expansion, new working policies, and digital transformation efforts take centre stage. Georgina emphasises the importance of effective communication and engaging team members during these periods of change. Lucy underlines the challenge of maintaining engagement and awareness about new systems within a team.
Sustainability is a key theme, with Georgina detailing Simply Lunch’s initiatives such as removing beef from their ingredient selection to reduce carbon emissions, sourcing local produce, minimising single-use plastics, and partnering with regenerative farms for their plant-powered product range.
Our discussion moves towards the intricate balance between convenience and health in food offerings and the challenges of using specific ingredients. We address the emotive language surrounding ultra-processed foods and the practical aspect of managing ingredient lists for both health and commercial viability.
Georgina also shares her career trajectory, from her public health and nutrition background to her role at Simply Lunch, demonstrating the value of transferable skills in product development. We finish by discussing the importance of continuous learning and adaptation, particularly in stakeholder management and effective communication.
Timestamps
02:30 Discussing stakeholder management and overcoming barriers
07:50 Georgina's journey and new skills in product development
13:20 Simply Lunch’s expansion and digital transformation
20:45 Importance of communication during periods of change
26:35 Lucy’s experience with new system implementation challenges
32:20 Simply Lunch’s sustainability initiatives
40:15 Balancing convenience and health in food offerings
48:30 The role of specific ingredients in product development
55:45 The significance of transferable skills in career growth
Links and Resources:
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See you next time!