A New Year … or is it?
New Year’s revelry always brings the promise of a reset, a clean slate, a fresh start.
Just three weeks in, it’s safe to say 2022 doesn’t feel that way. Six-month outlooks are dotted with asterisks, and 12-month plans are flexible at best.
As we head into round three of the global pandemic, there’s no shortage of coverage on issues such as supply chain challenges, inflation, public health concerns and more. On top of managing this day-to-day mayhem, our personal lives are disrupted. I spoke at length with 10 International Fresh Produce Association members to hear how they are managing within their organizations, and how they cope and support their teams. Here is what I heard.
Businesses are struggling, but employees are struggling, too.
Our industry is built on former President Theodore Roosevelt’s notion of “working hard at work worth doing.” But for many, our threads and treads are worn thin. Now, more than ever, our supply chain truly embodies the butterfly effect: a delay in one link sets off a succession of outward growing ripples throughout other sectors.
Time matters to meet demand requirements every day, which continue to fluctuate. This is especially true in foodservice channels such as the workplace, schools and leisure, which have yet to reach a consistent and bankable rebound.
The same kind of disruption is happening throughout the workforce. The home/work balance remains fragile for many. At a time when, anecdotally, 10-20% of the workforce is out at any time because of the latest surge in illnesses or people managing homecare conditions such as remote schooling, everyone I spoke with acknowledged the stress and the overwhelming strain of constantly pushing uphill.
While it definitely feels Sisyphean, we can’t forget that what keeps the industry moving is not just supply and demand, product, or research. It’s our people, who remain essential almost two years after that phrase entered our lexicon.
Whether members were grateful their businesses stayed afloat or had banner years, all recognized their teams’ sacrifice.
In this world where everything is temporary and disruption is causing constant urgency and turnover, the real question is: “What will we look like on the other side?”
We’re waving the yellow flag, and it’s important we all acknowledge it to each other.
Our community has been stalwart and solid throughout the entire pandemic, on the back of an industry built on thin margins and high risk. But what suppliers or customers might not share with you is a need to slow down. Our members shared what must happen for us to get beyond this period in (relatively) one piece:
1. Honesty. Have more open and genuine conversations. Not just letting people and partners know when we’ve hit roadblocks in business, but also having authentic discussions about our outlook and mindset. If you’re having a hard time, say it. If your customers or team members are intimating, stop and listen.
2. Realism. There are a lot of things we cannot control and we all have limited resources. Being realistic about what needs to be done should also come with being realistic about what doesn’t need to be done – or, more bluntly, can’t happen. We need to let things go that aren’t adding to our business, even if we’ve done them for years. If there’s ever a time for introspection and evaluation, it’s now.
3. Optimism. Don’t lose faith for a strong tomorrow. Despite the challenges we face, this is an industry built on the promise in the future yield of the seeds we plant today.
We are resilient and, despite it all, we’ll get through it.
The great news is that, while we may be weary, there is no white flag in sight.
Since I joined this community six years ago, everyone I’ve met in the fresh produce and floral industries has shown genuine enthusiasm and passion for what they do. I’ve seen partnerships form and new ideas and products come to life thanks to the creativity inherent in this business.
There is also an unshakeable belief in the power of what we do in feeding the world each day, providing solutions to global health challenges, brightening lives, minds, and bodies, that drives us all forward, no matter the obstacles in our path.
And that is absolutely worth fighting for.
Lauren M. Scott is chief strategy officer for the International Fresh Produce Association.
