Be ready for change: the preparatory steps to fight food waste are crucial

The definition of a long-term strategy is at the heart of the fight against food waste: it is a global change which needs to be adopted by all the management and insufflated in each layer of the organization.
From the current actions fighting food waste to the next planned, everything needs to be thought and integrated to ensure the change is impactful. For that, the preparatory steps to change are a crucial step.

Overview of the different steps needed for a successful change

From diagnosis to monitoring, retailers must ensure everything has been already put in place to fight against food waste and the next steps are planned to guarantee success and a full adoption by teams.

DIAGNOSIS & ANALYSIS OF THE EXISTING

• Conduct a comprehensive audit of current food waste generation within the store, including factors such as overstocking, spoilage, damaged goods and expired products
• Interview of the teams members
• Assessment of the cost of food waste
• Analyze data to identify trends, root causes of waste and areas for improvement regarding this audit

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT OPTIMIZATION

• Implement inventory management systems to track stock levels and optimize ordering practices
• Control storage conditions
• Use solution and leverage data to ensure to order the correct quantity of needed products
• Work with suppliers to minimize over-ordering and ensure timely deliveries that match demand

BETTER QUALITY ON EXECUTION, PROFIT, CONTROL & DISPLAY

• Digitize the fight against food waste to manage the short-dated products efficiently
• Rotate stock effectively to prioritize the sale of older items before newer ones, reducing the risk of products expiring on the shelves
• Use a dynamic AI solution specific to each product every day to guarantee maximum ability to save it at the best possible price
• Ensure your food waste management solution is tackling the subject in a proper way, to reduce order at the correct level and to save the end-of-life product with the best output

EMPLOYEE TRAINING FOR ENGAGEMENT

• Provide training to staff to optimize their utilization of an anti-waste tool
• Ensure a new culture of responsibility is growing
• Encourage employee involvement in waste reduction initiatives
• Offer purpose and meaning, communicate internally and act with efficiency

EDUCATE CUSTOMERS

• Raise awareness among customers about the impacts of food waste and empower them to make informed purchasing decisions
• Promote anti-waste areas

OPTIMIZED PRICING

• Optimize the pricing strategies for items nearing expiration with the adjusted markdown

IMPROVE THROUGH CONTINUOUS MONITORING

• Implement systems for ongoing monitoring and measurement of food waste levels, allowing for timely intervention and adjustment of strategies
• Regularly review performance metrics and solicit feedback from staff and customers to identify further improvement

By following these steps of change and adopting a proactive, collaborative approach to food waste reduction, stores can minimize waste, optimize operations and contribute to a more sustainable food system over the long term.

You want to discuss these preparatory steps to achieve an efficient change? Contact our experts!

A roadmap in 10 key steps

To be really prepared and ready for change, a roadmap in 10 steps can be followed by retailers, from the need to drive change by a leader, authority figure in the firm, to the new culture to integrate at every level.

An efficient roadmap to change should have different milestones executives must tick to ensure successful deployments.

So what are the preparatory stages retailers should have in mind?

1- DRIVING CHANGE NEEDS A LEADER

C-level is required to manage this transformation project throughout the company.
While the management team’s relays are essential to carry the new vision forward, it’s up to the Executive Committee to be the leaders, to be willing to question what already exists and to demonstrate its commitment.

2- CLARITY AND TRANSPARENCY FROM THE LEADERS

False assurances, overly detailed plans: leaders sometimes struggle to reduce uncertainty and provide clear guidance to their teams. Instead, they must remain authentic and open, acknowledging change and uncertainty but able to handle it and move forward.

3- AUDIT OF THE EXISTING INITIATIVES

Before initiating changes, an exhaustive assessment of the current situation is required.
Infrastructure, people, processes, innovative solutions tested: an audit allows teams to understand their points of weaknesses and be ready to make their future situation more efficient and responsible.

4- ALIGNMENT OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM

The executive team needs to make sure that the management are in clear agreement on the goals and approach of the transformation initiated. In busy and evolving environments, reinforcing the message and refining it based on ongoing feedback is the adequate way to ensure clarity and focus on the right priorities for these frontline leaders.

5- CHANGE IMPLEMENTATION THROUGH PRECISE STEPS

To ensure long-term commitment throughout the process, organizations should follow a
detailed roadmap where large-scale transformations are divided into realistic and achievable tasks, taking into account the people and current culture.

6- FOSTERING RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMPLOYEES

People are the most valuable asset. Ensuring they are engaged and focused in the new strategy is a requirement. Ambassadors and relays for the leaders are an ideal way to ensure change is integrated at every level of the organization. Fostering responsibility through a new professional gesture is a profound transformation for the teams.

7- DATA MANAGEMENT REVOLUTION

With augmented AI tools and demand-forecasting technology, the data gathering is more precise and accurate. Organizations enter an era where they can leverage on advanced data analytics and technology to optimize operations, personalize customer experiences
and drive business growth.

8- CHANGE THROUGH PROCESSES

Automation and harmonization of the best practices and initiatives are key to successfully achieve a transformation. This is why implementing new processes, benefiting the whole organization, is one major milestone for retailers wanting to upgrade their model.

9- MEASURE IS KEY

To ensure transformation is a success, objectives need to be clearly defined, transmitted to the teams and followed and measured through appropriate Key Performance Indicators (KPI). These indicators will allow executives teams to track performance against those
metrics and adapt their processes to improve their results.

10- POWERING A NEW CULTURE

Entering an era of change is the first step to a new culture gradually impacting the firm, its values, its philosophy and the people working in it with positive impacts for all stakeholders involved.

Retailers, if you are ready to tick all these major steps, you are ready to launch an impactful food waste strategy!
Contact our experts!

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