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Personal Development Plans for Category Managers

Updated: Mar 18

Do you struggle to come up with ideas for your Personal Development plan? Do you look at the blank boxes to fill in and wonder what you could do? Here are some suggestions to inspire some ideas and consider for your development.


Understanding Production



Have you been round the factory (or factories) where the products you recommend are made? If yes, how recently? Could you have a refresh? Knowing where your recommendations impact, understanding how food products are made, the pinch points, the opportunities and challenges will add to your breadth of understanding of the food system.


Books


If you enjoy reading, then books can form part of a development plan. Learning about the wider food system could be something you're interested to explore. I've recently made some suggestions on Sustainability and Food System books. Speaking to colleagues about business books they have read to get recommendations. If they own the books they may be more than happy to lend them to you. Libraries are well stocked with business books and titles on the food system. Audiobooks might be another route to explore if you prefer to listen to books.




Podcasts


If you enjoy podcasts? Could you squeeze in one about the food industry? Oh For Foods Sake covers a great breadth of food industry topics, often including personal development. There are also special guests with experience across the food industry offering unique insights. Car journeys, train journeys, the gym and whilst cooking are all times you could opt for a podcast.


Sustainability


Do you want to understand more about your category and the role it will need to play on the road to Net Zero? I have developed Category Roles for Net Zero that I could share with your team (email hello@curiouspuffin.com to find out more). The Future Food Movement run open courses as well as climate accelerators. There are a range of Masterclasses covering topics such as Net Zero and I'm delivering the 1.5 Degree Food Design Masterclass.



Category Upskilling


Is there a gap in your knowledge? Is that gap to do with a customer, a category, how to execute a piece of work? A data system? How to manage or approach a topic? Is it feasible for you to swap retail accounts with a member of your team? or swap product categories? Could you work on a project? Would some time with an experienced category professional help fill the gap? Curious Puffin offers Power Hours that can be used to expand knowledge or for upskilling.





Developing Soft Skills through Coaching


Working in the food industry can be tough and having someone to discuss your career path and work on soft skills can be really valuable. Coaching is something that can offer huge amounts of help and direction. Amy Wilkinson offers Coaching through Fearless Foodies




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