In this episode of "Oh For Food's Sake," we spotlight Lucy as she delves into what a typical day looks like for a product development consultant in the food industry. Lucy explains the diverse nature of her role, which includes hands-on kitchen work and strategic stakeholder management. Her journey and expertise showcase the multifaceted world of food consultancy, shedding light on the challenges and joys of helping businesses bring products from concept to launch. The episode offers invaluable insights for those considering a shift to consultancy and businesses considering hiring a product development consultant.
In this episode Lucy reveals how her 21 years in the food industry have shaped her approach to consultancy.
She shares her passion for the process side of product development, highlighting how her expertise in stage gate processes and stakeholder engagement distinguishes her consultancy services from others.
Throughout the episode, we discuss the key differences between interim roles and consultancy, emphasising the creative liberties and strategic advantages consultancy offers.
A key theme is identifying and addressing business problems rather than rushing to implement presumed solutions.
Both hosts stress the value of consultants in providing a broader market perspective, connecting networks, and introducing best practices to optimise product development and launches and Lucy’s stories and advice offer business owners and aspiring consultants a practical guide to navigating the dynamic food industry.
Timestamps
00:00:00 - Transition into consultancy and its perks
00:01:27 - Understanding the role of a product development consultant
00:02:52 - The varied nature of consultancy work
00:05:11 - Lucy’s passion for the process side of product development
00:09:07 - Day-to-day examples of consultancy work
00:14:31 - Differences between interims and consultants
00:18:17 - What businesses should consider when hiring a consultant
00:21:32 - Challenges and rewards of being a consultant
00:24:06 - Building and utilising your network
Links and Resources:
Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/
FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/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.
Oh For Food's Sake is sponsored by Microsearch Laboratories https://micro-search.co.uk/ and Point 74 https://www.point74.co.uk/
See you next time!