Plum Organics CEO Neil Grimmer told CEO Briefing that this approach already has borne fruit for both firms. “We’ve been part of Campbell Soup now for over a year,” he said. “It’s been a fantastic relationship” so far. Morrison and he have begun to gradually mesh the two companies’ strengths and capabilities to close needs and gaps on both sides—a huge part of Campbell’s rationale for buying the $93-million leader in the fast-growing kids’ snacks and organic products industries.
“We spent the first six months making sure we got to know each other’s organization before we did any collaboration across departments,” Grimmer continues. “Now what we’ve really been focusing on is finding ways to leverage each other’s strengths.”
For example, he said, Plum “benefits greatly” from the well-established relationships that Campbell enjoys with retailers and from its broad capabilities in distribution infrastructure, production, warehousing, freight and logistics. Meanwhile, Grimmer noted, Plum is “a small, innovative challenger brand with speed to market, a mission orientation, and a passionate culture. These are all infectious things we hope to bring to the broader Campbell organization while making sure that the magic and mission of Plum stay as true as when we started the company.”
And soon, Grimmer said, consumers will begin to see some hybridization of the two companies, stemming from all of the above. “Our innovation teams get together and share ideas, and so there is cross-pollination happening,” he said.
The first result? Plum soup. “This will be an exciting launch for us that clearly leverages some of their capabilities at Campbell Soup, and also will bring what Plum does best to the soup aisle.”
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
