Turning crisis into success: How 1:2:1 Coaching transformed Rethink Food
As a seasoned business coach, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing countless success stories unfold. Yet, one particular journey stands out as a true testament to the power of strategic guidance and unwavering dedication.
Every business faces its fair share of challenges, but not all emerge from those trials with the resilience and growth that defines a true success story.
Rethink Food is a prime example of this transformation. A Community Interest Company that was once in the throes of crisis, struggling with financial instability and a less-than-ideal team, but which has now blossomed into a thriving organisation making a profound impact on food education and security. This remarkable turnaround owes some of its success to business coaching. My coaching support, coupled with their commitment to succeed, helped pave the way for Rethink Food’s remarkable journey from the brink of failure to becoming an inspirational beacon of achievement.
In the trenches of crisis: a humble beginning
Picture this: a modest warehouse in Pudsey, doubling as a makeshift meeting room – an unlikely setting for a pivotal moment.
It was here 8 years ago that I first met Kevin Mackay. The business faced many challenges, but over the next two years of hard work, one by one, these were overcome. Nathan Atkinson then joined Kevin and together they created a brand-new vision for the future. This marked the inception of Rethink Food’s triumphant journey. The outcome has been nothing short of remarkable.
A partnership of transformation: six years of guided growth
Over the span of six transformative years, my journey with Rethink Food became a story of strategic planning, resilience, and growth. The cornerstone of this journey was a comprehensive three-year strategic plan. This blueprint provided a roadmap for Rethink Food’s resurgence, offering clarity and direction amidst the chaos. But the story didn’t end there – the management team actively engaged in my GrowthCLUB planning workshops. These quarterly sessions propelled them to craft 90-day plans and actionable strategies, fostering progress and accountability. Monthly reviews ensured we remained agile, addressing challenges while keeping our sights firmly fixed on their objectives.
A journey of growth and expansion
The fruits of this collective effort materialised as Rethink Food flourished. The organisation transitioned from its modest origins, relocating to a shopping centre, and more recently to a dynamic, spacious facility, with the warehouse and offices all under one roof. The team expanded, now comprising 13 dedicated employees and an inspiring 34 volunteers. This growth was not just numerical – it encapsulated a spirit of commitment and tenacity that defined Rethink Food’s transformation.
Fulfilling a mission: redefining food education and security
Rethink Food’s mission extended far beyond the realm of business success. Their commitment to delivering 10 million hours of food education, aimed at improving food security for children and young people by 2030, showcases their dedication to the community. Collaborating with various sectors including education, food, business, and the environment, Rethink Food is driving change at the grassroots level, benefiting children, families, and communities alike.
Four pillars of impact
Rethink Food’s approach to change rests upon four critical pillars:
- Availability: ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food.
- Accessibility: enabling individuals to access food tailored to their personal needs.
- Utilisation: promoting essential preparation, cooking and food storage skills.
- Sustainability: fostering awareness of the environmental and financial implications of food.
Empowering through education: The Rethink Food Academy
Rethink Food’s impact extended online through the ‘Rethink Food Academy.’ Their programmes cater to:
- Education: providing participating schools with weekly food deliveries and educational and training opportunities. The food supplied is made up of surplus produce from a range of supermarkets and wholesalers.
- Futures: guiding students through the journey of becoming scientists, farmers, chefs, and informed consumers.
- Communities: empowering families, individuals, and community groups with direct access to surplus food through their warehouse in Leeds. Each week they provide 180 families and 20 community groups with access to food.
A testimony of transformation
The impact that coaching can have, is best captured in Rethink Food’s words: “Stuart is an exceptional business coach who over the last 6 years has added a huge amount of value to our business. As the business has grown the planning systems and processes Stuart has helped us implement have cascaded down to the whole team and continue to be a vital part of our operations. ”
Also, “At the heart of this relationship is trust and this has been challenging and at times; difficult conversations where we have been taken out of our comfort zone. Stuart’s questioning and challenge, underpinned by his wealth of knowledge and experience has enabled us to get to the root of key issues. He has then been able to support us in creating strategic plans to help our continued growth and improvement. As a critical friend, Stuart is able to challenge and praise our efforts and our regular meetings with him ensure we remain focused and driven towards our goals.”
These sentiments speak volumes about how coaching can achieve growth and success for any business.
A celebratory conclusion
Working with Rethink Food has been an extraordinary journey, one that showcases the power of strategic coaching in transforming adversity into prosperity. As Rethink Food continues to nourish minds and communities, my role in their journey stands as a testament to the profound impact dedicated guidance can have on an organisation’s success. Rethink Food’s transformation epitomises the potential of businesses embracing change, fortified by the commitment I had, and still have, to their growth.
