Exploring Sustainability in the Food Industry: A Review of “You Can’t Market Manure at Lunchtime”
In today’s world, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. In her insightful book, “You Can’t Market Manure at Lunchtime,” Maisie Ganzler, Chief Strategy and Brand Officer of Bon Appétit Management Company, delves deep into the complexities of sustainability within the food industry. Through a combination of personal experiences, interviews with industry legends, and practical advice, Ganzler offers a roadmap for companies looking to prioritize sustainability while navigating the challenges of the modern market.
Personal Experiences and Industry Insights
In an exclusive interview with Mercedes, Ganzler shares how her personal experiences and conversations with industry luminaries have shaped her perspective on sustainability. She highlights the universal nature of setbacks and failures in the journey towards sustainability, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and determination. Ganzler reflects:
“One thing that stood out for me was that everyone’s experience mirrored my own in that the path towards sustainability was not straight. We all faced tough questions, setbacks, and failures but doubled-down on creating a more sustainable system rather than abandoning our commitments.”
Through anecdotes from Gary Hirshberg, Shawna Sadowski, and Fedele Bauccio, Ganzler underscores the need for continuous innovation and resilience in the face of adversity:
“My own experience taking on new issues often felt like bumping around in the dark, stubbing toes and hitting walls while me and my team chased down leads for new suppliers and asked tough questions. I would tell the team, ‘This is what leadership looks like. If it were easy, someone else would’ve done it already.’”
Combatting Greenwashing
Ganzler warns against the dangers of greenwashing and provides practical steps for companies to ensure they are genuinely operating sustainably. She emphasizes the importance of setting meaningful goals, measuring progress, and practicing radical transparency:
“The steps are simple: set a goal, measure progress, report out. None of these are easy though.”
By sharing her own experiences at Bon Appétit Management Company, Ganzler illustrates the power of accountability and collaboration in driving meaningful change:
“When we at Bon Appetit Management Company missed meeting one of our animal welfare commitments, my first call was to the Humane Society of the United States. I was open with them about my struggles and, instead of crying ‘greenwashing,’ Josh Balk, then vice president of farm animal protections and interviewed in the book, helped me find a new supplier that treated animals the way we’d promised to.”
Crafting a Sustainability Story
In “You Can’t Market Manure at Lunchtime,” Ganzler emphasizes the importance of crafting a compelling sustainability story. She offers insights on effectively communicating complex scientific topics related to sustainability and spreading the word about corporate efforts:
“To effectively communicate complex scientific topics you must first understand them so start with educating your staff and having them practice saying and explaining the hard words out loud.”
From educating staff to finding points of tension as news hooks, Ganzler provides a comprehensive guide for companies looking to amplify their sustainability efforts:
“Spread the word by pitching traditional media but don’t rely solely on others. Write the story yourself by submitting an op-ed to a newspaper or thought-leadership piece to an online publication (with small staffs they are often hungry for content).”
Unveiling “You Can’t Market Manure at Lunchtime”: A Must-Read for Sustainable Business Enthusiasts
In today’s world, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. As a Sustainable Food Systems Consultant, I am constantly seeking new insights and strategies to help my clients navigate the complexities of sustainability within the food industry. “You Can’t Market Manure at Lunchtime” by Maisie Ganzler immediately caught my attention with its promise of practical advice and real-world examples from industry leaders.
In her insightful book, Ganzler delves deep into the challenges and triumphs encountered on the path to sustainability. Two sections particularly resonated with me, shedding light on innovative approaches and practical strategies for fostering sustainability within organizations.
Preserving Brand Integrity: The Unilever Acquisition
The Unilever acquisition of Ben & Jerry’s has been much lauded for preserving the brand’s commitment to sustainability. Ganzler reveals the unprecedented nature of this acquisition, highlighting the meticulous efforts undertaken to protect the spirit of the brand. She explains:
“Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s board of directors, along with the cofounders, Ben and Jerry, worked out this legal document that established an independent board of directors for the social mission of the company that had legal authority. If they felt that Unilever was taking Ben & Jerry’s off the social part of the three-part mission – product mission, economic mission, and social mission – they could bring legal action against Unilever.”
This case study serves as a compelling example of how companies can navigate acquisitions while safeguarding their core values and commitments to sustainability.
Crafting a Compelling Narrative: Step One: Get Your Story Straight
In “You Can’t Market Manure at Lunchtime,” Ganzler emphasizes the importance of storytelling in communicating sustainability efforts effectively. She highlights the significance of ensuring that everyone in the organization can articulate the brand’s sustainability story. Ganzler reflects on her experience at Bon Appétit Management Company:
“At Bon Appétit, I invested a huge amount of time and resources in teaching our people the science and the thought processes behind our commitments so that they knew not only what our policy was and how to operationalize it, but why we made certain decisions.”
Ganzler’s emphasis on education and empowerment underscores the importance of equipping employees with the knowledge and understanding to champion sustainability initiatives within their respective roles.
Empowering Change: Igniting a Sustainable Revolution
In conclusion, “You Can’t Market Manure at Lunchtime” is more than just a book; it’s a call to action. Through insightful anecdotes, practical advice, and endorsements from industry leaders, Maisie Ganzler inspires readers to rethink their approach to sustainability in business. Stay tuned for more exclusive interviews and thought-provoking content from DG Speaks as we continue to explore diverse perspectives and inspire positive change.
