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Tom Benton, 28, Head of Commercial at Little Dish, won last
year's Leading Light Award sponsored by Danone at IGD's Food Industry
Awards.
Here, he tells us how he won the award, the challenges he faced, and
how it has helped him grow professionally.
How long have you been a member of Leading Edge?
I became a member of Leading Edge two years ago.
What inspired you to enter the award?
I’d seen the award presented at the Food Industry Awards in 2008 and
felt it would be a fantastic opportunity to highlight some of the work
I’d done at Little Dish to a wider audience.
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Tom Benton, winner of the 2009 Danone Leading Light Award |
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What was the project that won you the award?
I won the award for my role in establishing Little Dish as the leader
of the kids chilled meals category across different retailers, working
on a tight budget. As the first range of fresh meals for toddlers - with
no added salt or sugar - securing the category captaincy has been a big
achievement for both me, and the company.
How did you find the award entering process?
Initially I found it quite difficult to talk about my own
achievements but with the support of my peers and family, I managed to
produce a great entry. It was in fact, much simpler than I expected.
Would you enter the Leading Edge Leading Light Award again or
recommend it to a colleague?
Absolutely! Entering the awards was a great experience. The time I took
to enter the award really enabled me to reflect on my achievements from
the previous year - something I don’t often do. It was also a fantastic
networking opportunity and I enjoyed meeting all of the other entrants.
Have you entered any awards since?
Not personally, but last year Little Dish picked up a Bronze Medal at
the Practical Parenting Awards for its range of meals and was named as
one of the top 50 places to work for in the UK by Glamour Magazine. This
year, following the business’s exceptional growth, we're planning to
enter - and hopefully, win - some business awards. Hopefully our
products will continue to perform well in consumer taste tests!
What was the reaction from peers and colleagues?
Everyone has been really positive – I’ve even heard from many of my
old school friends. My colleagues at work have also been really
supportive and were after a beer for their help with the online voting!
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Tom collecting his award at last year's IGD Food Industry Awards |
Has your role changed since entering the awards?
Because Little Dish is a team of just seven, my role is always
developing. At the moment, we’re working really hard on our NPD so I’ve
been more involved in research and development, building the launch
plans and financial modelling. Winning the award has definitely helped
boost my confidence.
What did you spend your £2,000 award winnings on?
I’ve put it away for now but I’m planning on treating my girlfriend
to a fantastic holiday to Australia to visit some friends. She has just
started her own business so we’re looking forward to a nice break in the
coming months.
What do you think are the main issues faced by food and grocery for
the foreseeable future?
Finding and retaining the best talent is always a major issue, and the
current climate has made this even more challenging. There are lots of
fantastic graduates that are struggling to get roles in food and grocery
businesses.
The rising cost of goods also presents a challenge. As a manufacturer
of fresh and healthy children’s food, Little Dish is committed to using
the best natural ingredients in its products - and this is something
that we won't compromise on.
Will you be attending any more Leading Edge events?
Definitely! I’m looking forward to honing my skills at the
Perfect
pitch: How to develop compelling business proposals sessions coming up
in May.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us Tom!
Could YOU be our next Leading Light?
The search is on for our
Leading Edge Leading Light 2010. So if you
have gone the extra mile and made a real difference to your company, the
industry or to your own development, now is your chance to let us know
and be in with a chance of winning £2,000. And don’t forget, the award
is FREE to enter!
Click here for more details.
Free master classes from Leading Edge in April
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Sustainability: how, why and where it matters |
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If you want to get a better understanding of sustainability of the supply
chain, then why not come along to one of our FREE sessions in April. The
Sustainability master class is an excellent opportunity to appreciate the
key elements of sustainability and understand how they might apply to your
business. To book your place or for more information, visit
www.leadingedge.igd.com/sustainability
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