KANSAS CITY, MO — In response to audience feedback, Commercial Baking has launched a new season of its podcast, Troubleshooting Innovation, sponsored by Shick Esteve, to help bakers find new ways to think about innovative manufacturing.
In its next season, Joanie Spencer, podcast host and Commercial Baking’s editor-in-chief, sits down with operations and engineering expert Rich Berger to discuss how companies can operationalize corporate values in the food manufacturing space.
In addition to several decades of baking industry experience, Berger’s engineering expertise spans several industries ranging from offshore drilling to food and beverage. He is currently head of manufacturing and engineering for Kinders, a Walnut Creek, CA-based food manufacturer.
In this five-week podcast, Berger and Spencer will discuss not only the importance of values-based manufacturing but also the tangible benefits that come with innovating in an values-based operation.
“A values-based culture woven into the manufacturing environment is an innovation lever that can fuel productive decision making and stakeholder satisfaction, and serve as a positive market differentiator,” Berger said. “Every organization operationalizes their values in different proportions and means. I’m excited to share my own cultural journey, from a limping culture serving as a tangible risk, to a values-driven culture that sustains an organization and its stakeholders, and everything in between.”
Airing for five consecutive Sundays beginning Nov. 7, Troubleshooting Innovation will cover topics including how innovation can impact the community, ways food manufacturers can innovate sustainably, the importance of innovative talent development, and the importance of innovating for and through a brand.
“Rich is a deeply talented engineer with a storied history in manufacturing, so he provides myriad perspectives,” Spencer said. “Our conversations will change the way people think about operational innovation by looking at it through a values-based lens.”
In the final episode, set to air on Dec. 5, Berger will answer listener questions that can be submitted through email and social media. Troubleshooting Innovation will be available on www.commercialbaking.com and on podcast platforms such as Apple, Spotify, Google and Stitcher.
Listen to the first season here.
