The "Mmmake Your Mark" Initiative: Inspiring Careers in Food and Drink

Amie Burke of IGD introduces us to the " Mmmake Your Mark" campaign, an innovative effort aiming to bridge gaps in the food and drink industries labour force by encouraging professionals to share their career experiences.  She highlights the toolkit available on the IGD website, offering practical resources for sharing stories online, particularly on LinkedIn and TikTok. Amie emphasises the importance of engaging younger audiences and showcases the campaign's collaborative success, notably through a viral "thunderclap" event, unifying industry players to tackle workforce challenges. Our second guest, Amie Brown, shares her multifaceted career path at Coca-Cola Euro Pacific Partners, illustrating how viewing challenges as opportunities can lead to significant growth and progression. She recounts her determination to excel in field sales despite initial rejections and highlights how her tenacity and ambition have fuelled her success across various roles. Amie Brown’s journey underscores the importance of transferable skills and exploring diverse opportunities within a single company. We reinforce the episode's central themes of inclusivity and diversity. We discuss the need for more flexible hiring criteria that value passion and transferable skills over rigid requirements and we also elaborate on the importance of visible role models, particularly women in senior positions, to inspire and empower others within the industry. Together we discuss the significance of demystifying the food industry's wide range of career paths and the value of reverse mentoring and representation.  Our conversation also touches on broader industry challenges, including sustainability and the need for collaborative efforts.  This episode aims to motivate listeners to reflect on their own careers and consider participating in the "Mmmake Your Mark" campaign to contribute to a more inclusive and dynamic food industry. Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction[02:15] Amie Burke on the "Mmmake Your Mark" campaign[08:40] Toolkit resources for sharing career stories[12:30] Engaging with younger audiences on TikTok[16:45] Amie Brown's career journey at CCEP[24:50] The value of transferable skills and diverse experiences[30:00] Lucy and Amy on inclusivity and industry challenges[36:20] Success stories and the viral "thunderclap" event[42:10] Future goals for the "Mmmake Your Mark" campaign[48:15] Closing remarks and community call to action Links and Resources: Link to Mmmake Your Mark Campaign: https://www.igd.com/Social-Impact/Articles/Mmmake-Your-Mark-campaign-toolkit/50316 Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/ FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ohforfoodsake LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oh-for-food-s-sake/ You can follow us here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oh_forfoodssake/ For industry consulting from Lucy, connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn. Find her on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation from Amy. See you next time!