Recognized as one of the Top 100 Canada's Most Powerful Women, Purdy's Chocolates CEO Karen Flavelle shares her insights on what it means to innovate. Based in Vancouver, BC, the chocolate retail company and confectionary manufacturer makes an effort to listen to their customers, employees and suppliers.
Flavelle discusses the Purdy's Chocolates chocolatier culture and how having talent feel proud and confident of what they do, training them to understand where chocolate comes from and how its made makes employees feel comfortable with customers and generate new ideas. Creating a trusting culture is also integral to innovation.
When it comes to determining whether a new product is something people want they look at purchase potential.
Innovating in Chocolate
Karen Flavelle of Purdy's Chocolate Discusses Innovation at a WXN Event
Trend Themes
1. Customer-centric Innovation - Purdy's Chocolates' focus on listening to their customers, employees, and suppliers presents an opportunity for businesses to adopt a customer-centric approach to innovation.
2. Cultivating Employee Pride - By training employees to understand the chocolate-making process and emphasizing the importance of their role, businesses can cultivate a sense of pride and confidence among their workforce to drive innovation.
3. Trusting Culture for Innovation - Creating a culture of trust within an organization can foster an environment conducive to innovation, as demonstrated by Purdy's Chocolates' approach.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage Industry - The insights shared by Karen Flavelle in the chocolate industry can be applied to the broader food and beverage industry, enabling companies to innovate and meet customers' evolving tastes.
2. Retail Industry - Purdy's Chocolates' customer-centric approach to innovation can be adapted by businesses in the retail industry to enhance customer experiences and drive growth.
3. Training and Development Industry - The emphasis placed on employee training and development by Purdy's Chocolates presents an opportunity for companies in the training industry to create programs that empower employees and foster innovation.