Kraft conference call gives council a better picture of NEW
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Members of the Women’s Sales Council at Kraft Foods learned how to get involved in NEW and execute best practices for developing women leaders during a nationwide conference call June 12, 2009.
More than 250 Kraft sales executives participated in the hour-long discussion, which featured Kraft’s Ambassador to NEW, Regenia Stein, vice president for trade strategy, integrated planning and execution and Martha Johns, Kraft’s Shopper Insights Category Advisor, South, and national chair of Kraft’s Women’s Sales Council (WSC). The call, which included video in some areas, was facilitated by Kraft Category Sales Planner Sara Froning, national conference call director for the WSC.
Two at-large members of the Network’s board of directors represented the Network during the call: Cathy Green, chief operating officer of Food Lion LLC, and Julie Hamilton, president of the Global Walmart Team for Coca-Cola. NEW Executive Director Joan Toth and Client Services Director Nancy Krawczyk were on hand to explain how the Network works and how Kraft executives can get involved.
"The WSC leadership is looking outside ourselves for creative ways to build community and connectivity that fits with our ‘inspire and Include' focus,” Johns said. “NEW is a perfect strategic partner that includes our customers and our sister CPG companies. The Kraft Womens Sales Council and NEW have common goals of attracting, developing and retaining women," Johns said. “There were over 200 lines conferencing into the national call, many of which were Kraft conference rooms with a group of local women gathered to participate on the call together,” she noted. “It was the best participation of any of our WSC conference calls to date.”
The presentation brought the Network full-circle, Toth noted. “Coca-Cola was one of the first sponsors of NEW back in 2001,” she said, “while Food Lion, Hannaford and Sweetbay are our latest sponsors in 2009. Bringing these sponsors together with Kraft is a demonstration of how NEW facilitates external networking and the sharing of best practices.”
Kraft understands the benefits of networking -- Martha Johns, national chair of Kraft’s Women’s Sales Council, connected with Coca-Cola Ambassador Chaly Jo Moyen to plan an informal networking event in Atlanta to explore ways to work together in the southeast region.
Ann Nyberg, Kraft’s director of strategy and planning, was recognized for her service to the Network during the call. The outgoing co-chair of the Network’s Twin Cities regional group was praised for the extraordinary commitment that earned her the Network’s Best of the Best regional committee member award. “I want to ensure Kraft maintains our strong involvement in Twin Cities NEW,” Nyberg said. “While it is a little bittersweet to be wrapping up my stint as co-chair, [I am] excited to continue my involvement in NEW.”
“Friday sessions was a great example of how NEW can add value in today’s tough economic climate,” according to Nancy Krawczyk. “Kraft sales executives were able to hear firsthand from a manufacturer – Julie -- and a retailer – Cathy – how the Network helps companies develop women leaders and diversity best practices throughout the industry. This event was an excellent example of how you can use technology to bring people together in a cost-efficient manner,” Krawczyk said.
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