Above & Beyond with Crown Food Group
Who is Crown Foods Group?
The Crown Foods Group is a reputable member of the Bidcorp Group, with a heritage of over 110 years. They are an international food distribution company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, operating globally, and employing over 28,000 people. Crown Food Group is known for its commitment to transparency, accountability, integrity, excellence, and innovation. They have two manufacturing facilities specializing in dry ingredient blends and sauces, adhering to rigorous food safety standards. The company also has Centers of Excellence for research and development, showcasing their expertise in providing tailored solutions to customers.
The Challenge
The Managing Director of Crown Foods Group, John Morris, recognized the importance of prioritizing the well-being of the organization’s people to sustain growth. Drawing on the principles of strategic thinking, personal planning, goal setting, and other valuable components, he sought a suitable program to take the organization “Above and Beyond” and uphold the legacy of leaving people better than they found them. Previous skills development programs had fallen short of achieving specific outcomes. The new initiative, called “Above and Beyond,” aimed to engage employees, enhance management and personal leadership skills, contribute to career development and succession planning, and drive organizational transformation.
Solution & Results
Crown Food Group’s executive committee (ExCo) adopted LMI’s Effective Personal Leadership (EPL) program in October 2021. The implementation of the program resulted in a record-breaking year for the company, achieving an impressive 19% growth despite a challenging economic environment. Encouraged by this success, Crown Food Group extended the EPL and similar programs to 113 more employees across all levels of the organization by June 2022, further solidifying the positive impact on personal and professional development throughout the company.
What the Team Had to Say
“I lead a team with very diverse personalities which can be quite challenging. The LMI program equipped me with the knowledge and tools to lead this team more effectively and to lead with empathy. Focusing on each of our strengths has changed the team dynamics, facilitated personal growth, a stronger team, better results, and better efficiencies.”
Natasja Erasmus
Manufacturing Supply Chain Executive
“LMI’s Effective Personal Leadership to me is a blueprint for achieving desired outcomes and goals that we often put off as near impossible. The LMI’s Leadership Development Program is an impressive approach to help one ground imagination into reality.”
Reuben Govender
Executive Director: Regulatory Affairs, Compliance and Food Safety