Values in Action series: Our values really help us to have a positive impact

Our vision is to be The Great Australian Food Company by creating great food for a better future. This involves a focus on great food, great people, great aspirations and working for the greater good. Where do our values fit in you ask? Well, we aim to make a difference in everything we do by embracing our four values which are:?

• Passion for the customer and consumer - We create great food and build brands that our customers and consumers love and trust.?
• Grow our people - We ensure our people will continue to grow with us. We give them the responsibility to work together and achieve great outcomes together.?
• Invest in our future - We have great aspirations to go beyond our business today. We invest in technology, innovative products and new markets.?
• Support each other - We strive for a greater good by combining our success with a positive and lasting impact on others.?

Our team members live and breathe the values day in and day out and we thought what better way to get a better understanding than to chat with them firsthand.?

Ben Hennessey who recently joined the Bega Group as State Manager Queensland, was keen to share his thoughts about our values.

For me, it is the ability to own your role, be empowered to make decisions, and the ability to deliver your outcomes in your way. That said, by far the best part about working here is the ability for me to help others grow. Grow their skills, their personal brand, their results, and ultimately their careers. This is the most satisfying part of the Bega Group magic and the role I play.??

I have had many roles across the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) landscape, and what was important to me as a priority was balance. I needed to know that I could enjoy and be involved in key moments that were special to my family, and that I could have a routine that supported me to be present while at home and outside of work hours. This hadn't been the case in my last few roles. That is not to say that I don't prioritise work, I am very ambitious and very competitive however this needs to be delivered within a balanced approach to work and family. It is important to me to try and lead in the same way so that my team feel that they are able to also work hard but enjoy the special moments that are important for them to be a part of.??

Secondly, the brands and portfolio that we have were also a key attraction! Something people might not know is that we are Australian owned and proudly Australian, from farmers, to factory workers, to our sales teams and delivery network. We have an outstanding number of large, well known, market leading brands. To be involved in growing these and being a part of a great Australian food company is a highlight.

Thirdly, a key attraction was the flexibility. To see the great talent that we have scattered across the country in various national roles and not limited by state boundaries is refreshing. Talent sits everywhere, and to join an organisation that recognises this and rewards talent and performance with flexibility in work location is of real value.?

When I think about our values of which there are four, the one that is my favourite would have to be ‘grow our people.’ I see this shine through day to day in every interaction here. Being authentic, clear in direction and providing context also assists to display this value. I am available for others, show vulnerability, and genuinely care for those that I work with.?

Day to day I try my best to demonstrate this through being real with how I interact and share my views. I share similar concerns and challenges in my role with my team, and I acknowledge these openly. I try to use storytelling to support decisions that assist in building credibility and confidence in my leadership approach.??

I think that this value is a really important one because you need to be able to trust and respect the people that you work with and that you report to. Having a transparent and authentic leader creates a platform for trust and sharing. This supports an environment conducive to trying new things and creates a safe space to have a go. The leaders that I have had that displayed this value allowed people to grow and make mistakes and be open about the journey. This is the reason I feel this value is so relevant and important to building high performance teams and enjoying your time at work.?

Recognition is a focus here and someone that I’d like to shout out is Tara-Lee Kemp (TL) for demonstrating the value of ‘grow our people’ really well. Since day one, TL has been 100% authentic in everything she does. She has welcomed me into the business, offered support and guidance, and shared information to assist me in getting up to speed quickly. Always welcoming, open and available. TL has played a key role in my onboarding and enjoyment of the Bega Group business.?

When I think about our purpose “Creating Great Food for a Better Future” for me it underpins all that I strive for during my workday and aligns to what I feel is important in my personal life. I have a family of five, three beautiful little children who I want to grow up understanding nutritious foods and being conscious of sustainability. If my role can deliver on both of these platforms then I am better for it, as are my children into the future.?

The Bega Group is a great company that delivers what it promises, cares for its people, invests in development, and allows for lifelong careers. Few businesses offer the breadth of products, brands and roles that can cater for all career aspirations!?

Liking what you’ve heard when it comes to the Bega Group values and how we live and breathe these each day? It is a great time to join and be a part of the Bega Group talent community. Check out our career website where you can register to join.