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In these challenging times with the possibility of a recession around the corner, the lessons learnt during the pandemic of how a business should be adaptable still holds true today. ?

This article was first published during the pandemic and with rising food prices, extortionate energy and fuel cost and inflation at record levels I felt it warranted another airing.

It uses an acronym of the word ??.??.??.??.??.??.??.?? that identifies, what I believe, are the key elements that are essential to successfully turn a business from impending failure to a growing success.

To illustrate the process, I have used PRET A MANGER as a case study.

The following article is a road map that I hope will enable you to review your business model and move it forward and as Elton John sang to ensure you’re still standing.

FIRSTLY, THE ACRONYM

Positive Intention

Innovation

Vision

Opportunities

Talents

Implementation

Numbers

Grit

PIVOTING THE FOOD SECTOR IN THE COVID AGE

POSITIVE INTENTION - The key to positive intention, if it is to work, has two elements that must be addressed:

1.??????A can-do attitude that you and your team need to buy into.

If all that can be seen are the blocks that the pandemic has placed in the way your business will fall at the first hurdle.?

2.??????What positive elements are needed for your customers and clients to buy what your selling?

What is happening in your consumers world that you can create a positive effect on their lives?

INNOVATION – The ability to think laterally, fresh ideas, new processes to approach the new reality.

A round table discussion, albeit virtual, is needed to get the creative juices flowing

Chris Evans on Virgin Radio told this story. He noticed that during the summer months instead of people jumping in their cars and going to retail parks, because of lockdown restrictions, families were taking picnics into parks, sitting, and actually talking to each other.

Within weeks PRET A MANGER had also identified this trend and were offering picnic packs for families to order. This would mean that every member of the family could choose the sandwiches and drinks they wanted rather than accept what the family had in the fridge

With Christmas just around the corner how many businesses will offer ‘Christmas in Box’. Creating, in one pack, all the necessary requirement to make the festivities work.

In terms of hamper not your Fortnum and Mason’s style but scaled down, basic food elements that have a festive feel.

This can also be done with decorations, party favours and family games. How you can innovate your products to serve a need?

Many families will not be able to gather together and will have to revert to Zoom etc, How wonderful therefore if each family group had the same products to share. ?What could you do to create Christmas in a Box? ??

VISION – A clear plan and compelling view of the road ahead.

A vision that is co-created has a far greater chance of being successful than one thought up at a senior level.

To have a clear vision is another essential element for the innovative idea to work. It certainly needs to be shared with all those involved and for the business to see the end product. The key is also to reverse engineer the idea so that the key steps on the way are defined.

OPPORTUNITIES – To seek out and understand what the markets needs, and trends are.

What are the realistic opportunities out there? With Pret a Manger it was blatantly obvious as the opportunities could be seen all around. In the parks, on the golf courses (that were open at that time to walkers} and other open spaces.

What are the needs and trends for Christmas? With all the perceived doom and gloom due to job losses and lack of money businesses need to look closely at offering exceptional value and a virtual one stop shop for their products.

Certainly, it offers a way of clearing stock from the shelves

TALENTS – To recognise your skill sets and that of the team, to know what further skills are needed, to learn new skills and collaborate with others who have those skills.

Collaboration is the key here. If hampers or boxes are to be supplied, who can you approach to supply them. Who can create the right packaging, and develop a branded design? What is the expertise needed to realise the project?

The prime example for the food industry is Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats all of which have developed partnerships with restaurants and suppliers to distribute their products safely and with due regard for the customers Covid safety needs.

IMPLEMENTATION – No plan can work without the drive and motivation to carry it through.

This is the pragmatic element of VISION. What needs to be in place to make the project work.

I have discussed supply chain and delivery. It also means staff numbers, division of responsibility and the myriad of other considerations to make it work. Stock control, health and safety and customer satisfaction surveys to name a few. ?

Marketing, advertising, and getting the word out is an absolute necessity. Website design, messaging and PR support is the difference between success and failure.

Promoting and selling yourself, your product and services to your market must be carefully considered, researched, and delivered with power and impact. Influence, persuasion and making the emotional connection with your customer base must be managed expertly.

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NUMBERS – What value does the idea bring to others and to you and what is it going to take to make it financially viable.

I’m sure that Pret looked at their stock levels and ‘use by dates’ and calculated what the cost would be to have items such as drinks, nuts, crisp etc just sitting in their shops.

Calculating every element from packaging to distribution to ensure you know whether the ideas is just something that serves the community, which is also good, or an idea that will sustain the business and keep people employed.

GRIT – Every plan takes determination to see it through to the end regardless of push backs.

The key component of any new idea and project is to ensure that everybody is engaged, and morale is maintained. Motivation for the owners of a business is a given but how to maintain the continuing support of the team is essential.

‘Lucky to have a job’ is not enough of an incentive. Recognition, rewards (not necessarily financial) appreciation all plays their part. For me it is communication. A shared vision is supported when people are kept in the picture and can see how their involvement has made a difference.

I wish you success in what may be a difficult time ahead and would be delighted to help you explore how your business can be pivoted.

Contact me on [email protected]