How to create something amazing...together!!

I have been a little quiet with newsletters over the past couple of weeks due to various work commitments and getting ready for the amazing IFE, International Food & Drink Event which kicks off next Monday 25th March.

I am involved in three different main events during the three days including stand 155 for Buyerology, chairing a panel about AI and the buyers journey and a private talk about how to enter the UK.  But the one that has really proved Aristotle’s hypothesis has been the creation of the Spicy Society which has really been an amazing opportunity for collaboration and definitely built up my whole!!

The Spicy Society came about because I had taken a stand at @ife and was not sure what to do with it, when I realised the best thing to do would be give it to some of my clients. After all, what highlights my success as an alternative business coach and mentor  better  than having them on the stand demonstrating their own results?!!

I created a theme of Spicy Society bringing together 4 condiments companies run by women of colour and surrounding mySpike which is a vertical cooking tool on which you can cook the meat fish and veggies to go with the condiments.

I asked if they wanted to be involved and all said yes and then this amazing thing happened….everyone become the power house of energy and expertise that they are in their own businesses for this project

Claudia offered and managed her design team to produce the artwork and print the banners for the stand walls.  Roni briefed her PR agent Jackie Mitchell who put together the press release.  Karen Prado offered to bring tables, chairs and other equipment.  Alexa agreed to coordinate incoming samples, printed materials and bring them to the show and also manage the project plan which I wrote (but was not so good at implementing!!)

 And of course, everyone is promoting their attendance at the show through social media and Linked in which means our footfall at Stand 155 will be much great than it had just been me!!

 So who is this amazing group of women - let me introduce you:

Roni Bandong-McSorley from RoniB’s Kitchen will be exhibiting Award-winning Filipino products created from family and traditional recipes from the Philippines. These include banana ketchup, a sweet and tangy twist on a classic condiment; the traditional Filipino Adobe cooking sauce; Kalamansi Marmalade (Philippine Lime marmalade); Filipino Black Bean Chilli paste for coating on meat and fish and Tamarind jam made with tamarind and a splash of Tarsier gin.

Claudia Castellanos from Black Mamba will be exhibiting a range of hot chilli-based speciality foods. It is an ethical brand from Eswatini, Africa. All products are made with organically grown ingredients sourced from local small holder farmers. These include chilli sauces, pestos, marmalades and jams.

Karen Prado from Chimilove will be showcasing delicious South American condiment sauces combining high quality ingredients with spices. The range including a variety of Chimicurri sauces, spicy Aji sauces and Chimichurri and Mayonnaise, can be used to cook with or drizzle on dishes.

Alexa Fernandez from Chili Maven will be exhibiting a variety of condiments made with Mexican chillis and spices. Their original salsa macha, a condiment handmade in Mexico, uses a blend of dried chillis, seeds and nuts, has been awarded a Great Taste Award.

Veebha Parmar from MySpike will be showing the UK’s first purpose-made vertical oven spike for use at home in the oven or on the barbecue. It distributes heat evenly resulting in perfectly cooked vegetables and meat. She has just launched mini MySpike kits for air fryers.

And the result is I have a professional looking stand, manned by some amazing women across the three days with increased footfall due to 6 not 1 company promoting themselves to potential retailers and distributors.  I honestly have not lifted a finger since the kick off meeting bringing them all together.

 So what is the secret of success – how can YOU bring together business collaborations that work?

1.     Common goals – all my clients want to be in big brand retailers whether that is Selfridges, Burger King or Lakeland we are getting into all those stores and focused on the trade marketing to get there.  And in some ways each of the condiments companies could be competing for share of category but all are dedicated to growing the overall category and as a result, happy to work together to share not only this stand but social media opportunities, their network and their support

2.     Balance of skillsets – I am a strong visionary and leader but my attention to detail is rubbish, others have great teams who can handle the gruntwork and others fantastic social media networks to build the momentum.  Together Spicy society is a formidable powerhouse

3.     Willingness to support each other – I have seen this team of very very busy female entrepreneurs who not just running their own business but their families plus other commitments, including volunteering and other interests find the time they are to look after each other, to listen to the others needs and help where they can

 And of course a great leader and coach like myself to bring out the best in others!

Totally loved doing this and I am going to continue to create collaborations like this – if you are interested in joining me, then drop me a line at karen@buyerology.co.uk and let's see if we can all collaborate to sell more and sell better.

And don't forget to come and visit us on stand 155 at www.ife.co.uk