In this episode of "Oh for Foods Sake" we dive into an inspiring conversation with our special guests, Amie Burke and Amie Brown, who share valuable insights into their career progression within the food and drink industry. Amie Burke discusses the "Mmmake Your Mark" initiative, a groundbreaking campaign designed to address labour shortages and skills gaps by inspiring diverse individuals to share their career stories and explore new opportunities whilst Amie Brown recounts her own career journey at Coca-Cola Euro Pacific Partners, emphasising the importance of embracing challenges and valuing transferable skills.
Amie Burke of IGD introduces us to the " Mmmake Your Mark" campaign, an innovative effort aiming to bridge gaps in the food and drink industries labour force by encouraging professionals to share their career experiences.
She highlights the toolkit available on the IGD website, offering practical resources for sharing stories online, particularly on LinkedIn and TikTok. Amie emphasises the importance of engaging younger audiences and showcases the campaign's collaborative success, notably through a viral "thunderclap" event, unifying industry players to tackle workforce challenges.
Our second guest, Amie Brown, shares her multifaceted career path at Coca-Cola Euro Pacific Partners, illustrating how viewing challenges as opportunities can lead to significant growth and progression. She recounts her determination to excel in field sales despite initial rejections and highlights how her tenacity and ambition have fuelled her success across various roles. Amie Brown’s journey underscores the importance of transferable skills and exploring diverse opportunities within a single company.
We reinforce the episode's central themes of inclusivity and diversity. We discuss the need for more flexible hiring criteria that value passion and transferable skills over rigid requirements and we also elaborate on the importance of visible role models, particularly women in senior positions, to inspire and empower others within the industry.
Together we discuss the significance of demystifying the food industry's wide range of career paths and the value of reverse mentoring and representation.
Our conversation also touches on broader industry challenges, including sustainability and the need for collaborative efforts.
This episode aims to motivate listeners to reflect on their own careers and consider participating in the "Mmmake Your Mark" campaign to contribute to a more inclusive and dynamic food industry.
Timestamps:
Links and Resources:
Link to Mmmake Your Mark Campaign: https://www.igd.com/Social-Impact/Articles/Mmmake-Your-Mark-campaign-toolkit/50316
Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/
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See you next time!