Leadership Considerations
According to Porter, the challenge of “developing or reestablishing a clear strategy is often primarily an organizational one and depends on leadership.”
Green counsels leaders to carefully listen at meetings for what is said and definitely what is not said, asking, “Where is energy focused? Is it on the day-to-day or what happened last week, or is there time carved out to discuss ‘winning’ and the future? What gets rewarded in a system? Is it firefighting to address the latest crisis or an idea that could dramatically change something?”
It can also be helpful to enlist the services of an outside consultant to help develop or implement a strategy. According to Green, successful individuals and organizations can “be very stuck in ways of thinking and behaving, and it is incredibly difficult to break these patterns…to consider alternatives, challenge assumptions, and change perspectives.”
The best strategy might be an unexpected one, and discovering it requires out-of-the-box thinking. “Keep in mind Coca-Cola is the most valued brand in the world, and it’s chemicals in a can,”Green comments. “Humans are not logical, rational creatures, and understanding this is critical to determine a successful strategy for today’s world.”
Final Thoughts
Management consultants and executives agree the produce industry is continually evolving and that any effective business model must adapt accordingly.
As Hunt points out, “The key sustainable strategy in the produce industry is to embrace change and to remain flexible.”
