Lessons from a startup

Today I had a chance to hear more about yogurt maker Chobani in a really good podcast series called Innovators Uncensored (Link to episode here).

As I’m listening the story, lots is going through my mind. While I find start up success stories very interesting, I also started to relate his answers to what happens in corporate these days.

Here are the three big topics I am reflecting on:

1. Closing sites and its math: very interesting thought about how one company (in this case, Kraft) decided that this Manufacturing Plant would no longer be important to them. While the math probably was right from a high level POV, was it really the right call to make?
   In our world these days, we consolidate sites, adding other types of complexity that not many people understand. And that eats up savings calculated on a preliminary savings calculation spreadsheet. Sometimes, the savings comes from focusing  and solving the problem, rather than closing up shop. My conclusion here is that every case is different and should be reviewed as such.
2. How important is to have a vision and execute plan: going on point 1), why did the factory work for Chobani and not for Kraft?
   I think it is a combination of two things…. the first one is having NO plan B. They started the company with 5 employees and had to get this place running to have a job the next month. So there is quite a bit of motivation there. Usually we think that big companies will always back things up. Not the same for startups. And there’s the edge.
   The second one is the product. Chobani yogurt was in startup mode, compared to well established Kraft products. Marketing strategies matter.
3. Made in USA is possible: leadership lesson there. How you select your employees, and you become unstoppable. You have people now that will work side-by-side with you. There’s no need for Unions or anyone representing them. When you create a culture of trust, business and winning attitude, things go so much better, including controling manufacturing costs to re-open this Plant and even expand it.

When  you think about where you are right now, how does the Chobani story compare to yours?