Ventura Foods’ Post

🐝 Today is World Bee Day 🐝 World Bee Day is celebrated to acknowledge the vital role of bees & other pollinators in the ecosystem. It’s a day to raise awareness about the importance of bees for environmental health & the threats they face due to human activities. It’s a day to appreciate & contribute to the sustainability of our environment 💛💚 For those of you who don't know, I love bees & for me, the journey to becoming a beekeeper has taught me the true meaning of a growth mind-set. It has taught me resilience, problem-solving, adaptability, patience, empathy & even physical strength (trust me, a honey-laden frame is heavy!). But above all, it has emphasised the importance of communication & connection. So, it got me thinking, how much alike are we in People & Culture (P&C) to our fellow bees? Bees work together within their hive to achieve collective success & in similarity the bustling activity & collaboration of a P&C team mirrors this, illustrating how both nature & business thrive through being connected, communicating & have a shared purpose. 🐝 Each member of a P&C team, like each bee in the hive, has specific roles & responsibilities that contribute to the overall success of not just a team, but an organisation as a whole. 🐝 Bees communicate with each other through the waggle dance – yip, they actually dance! P&C teams rely on effective communication & collaboration too. Shall we adopt a shared P&C dance routine perhaps?! 🐝 Bees are adaptable, constantly learning & responding to their environment. This is reflected in P&C teams as they are agile, continuously learning & adapting to change. 🐝 A beehive is a supportive community. Each bee contributes to nurturing the young & protecting the hive. Just like P&C teams, they foster a supportive environment looking after each other, employees & encouraging growth. 🐝 Bees are known for their efficiency in pollination & honey production. P&C teams work collaboratively so organisations can operate efficiently. So, it appears to be that the link between bees & P&C teams lies in the importance of collaboration, communication, shared values, diversity, inclusion & connection so we can adapt & foster a cohesive community. Isn’t that sweet? 🐝🍯 🐝 Happy World Bee Day 🐝 #boqgroup #workwithboqgroup #careersatboqgroup #diversityandinclusion #worldbeeday

Happy International Picnic Day! Today, we're encouraging you to step into the sunshine to celebrate the great outdoors. There's something truly magical about spreading out a blanket, enjoying fresh air, and sharing good food with great company. Plus, did you know that a change of scenery, like the one you get from a picnic, can significantly boost your creativity and provide a fresh perspective? Perfect for those brainstorming sessions! At PIN Business Network, we believe in the power of stepping back to recharge and find inspiration in the beauty around us. Whether it's a quiet moment alone with your thoughts or a lively discussion with your team, nature has a way of sparking creativity and new ideas. We're curious - what are your must-have essentials for the perfect picnic? Is it a particular dish, a favorite spot, or perhaps a game that gets everyone laughing? Share your picnic must-haves in the comments below and inspire others to take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors. #InternationalPicnicDay #Creativity #MarketingInspiration #PINBN #OutdoorBrainstorming

Celebrating Balance and Innovation at Blunt Botanicals 🌿👩👧👦 Inspired by Yvon Chouinard’s “Let My People Go Surfing” ethos, we at Blunt Botanicals believe you can strive to be the best while also focusing on your personal life. At Patagonia, employees are encouraged to take time away for life’s adventures, knowing they’ll return to a thriving company and a supportive team. At Blunt Botanicals, we embrace this philosophy wholeheartedly. Our team is comprised of exceptional women, all of whom are mothers. We understand the importance of balancing parenting and professional ambitions. Do you want to be at that field trip with your child? Need time off for adventure? Are the waves good, the sun shining, is the boat ready? Take some time, enjoy your life. We encourage balance and celebrate it. Every work encounter at Blunt is filled with joy, and our products reflect this passion. They are innovative, great for the planet, and help people, raising the bar in our category. We will continue to push the status quo in this male-dominated industry. By fostering a supportive work environment that values personal time and well-being, we ensure our team members are respected, safe, and return to a thriving company. This balance means everything to us at Blunt Botanicals. Join us in celebrating balance and innovation in the cannabis topical industry. Let's make impactful change together. #BluntBotanicals #CannabisTopicals #Wellness #Parenting #WorkLifeBalance #Sustainability #InspiredByPatagonia *How I spent my weekend in the Okanagan after a heavy week, preparing for another Product Launch!!

Jos van Oostrum, Senior Director for Mars Sustainable Solutions at Mars joined us on the MCA Prodcast to give us a quick glimpse into his career helping big businesses, like Mars, to become more sustainable. Throughout his career Jos has leveraged the power of big brands to create positive social change. Jos shared one example in particular where he identified an opportunity to connect a brand with a strong meaningful purpose, beyond just product quality. In this case, he recognised the potential in the pet care industry, where brands like Sheba and Whiskers could make a difference in promoting sustainability around the world, as well as making a direct positive impact. Jos's idea was to use fish by-products from the fishing industry, a resource Mars already utilised, to give back to the environment. Jos's concept was to support coral reefs, which represent 25% of all marine life, through the Sheba brand. His email pitch to Jane, a colleague, resonated deeply as she had just witnessed the destruction of the Great Barrier Reef with her family. This moment of shared passion and purpose gave birth to "Hope Grows" and initiated a transformative journey. Jos and his creative agencies came up with the innovative idea of spelling "HOPE" underwater. The outcome is a living reef, visible from space, that has subsequently sparked interest and engagement from people worldwide. This is just one example of a positive environmental campaign by a well-loved brand that not only demonstrates their commitment to make a positive impact, but connects with consumers and encourages them to do the same; a beacon of hope inspiring meaningful action right around the world. Hear the full story of Sheba Hope Grows, and so much more from Jos by listening to the full episode for free: https://buff.ly/48JZ8XO #shebahopegrows #mars #sustainability #engagement #climatechange #brands #change

To Zoo or to Zoom, that is the question ... To everyone still sitting on the fence about whether to come along to #CULTUREBites, now is the time to decide. Our last #CULTUREBites of the year is happening next Tuesday, 21 November, from 12-2pm, and we'll be onsite at the Taronga Zoo Sydney and, for those who can't join us in person, we'll be Zooming away as usual. What can you expect? Meeting some incredible people, all of whom are passionate about making workplaces somewhere where we thrive. Learning from each other. Really good conversation over a tasty lunch. And all topped off with a really good discussion led by Simon Duffy, Executive Director at Taronga (Taronga Conservation Society Australia), about what it takes to create an environment in which your team can do their best work, whether that work is done behind the scenes or on the front line, office based or out-and-about in nature. Coming to the Zoo? If you want to join us in person, only a few seats are left. Book your seat by Saturday, 18 November. Joining us on Zoom? Reservations will stay open until the evening of Monday, 20 November. So, to Zoo or to Zoom, that is the question. Either way, reserve your seat now, and we look forward to seeing you soon. Secure your seat here: https://lnkd.in/fzaBwBS #changingchange #2mmshift #leadership #companyculture #purpose #culturechange #culture #transformation #environment

Holi, the vibrant festival of colours, is a joyous celebration of the colours of spring, new beginnings, and the triumph of good over evil. It's a time for families, communities, and yes, even workplaces, to come together in a spirit of inclusivity and fun. For companies seeking to champion ESG principles, Holi presents a unique opportunity to showcase commitment in a fun and impactful way.  Let's explore ways to create a meaningful Holi celebration that goes beyond the usual: ✅Provide eco-friendly colours made from natural dyes, minimizing environmental impact and ensuring inclusivity for those with sensitivities. ✅ Replace traditional paper cards with vibrant, digital Holi greetings. It's a small yet impactful way to reduce waste. ✅ Instead of individual gifts, consider a donation drive to support a cause your employees care about. This aligns with helping the community and promotes social good. ✅Lead a team volunteering activity with a local organization focusing on environmental preservation or social causes. This fosters a sense of purpose and connects your company to the community. Remember, Holi isn't just about throwing colours; it's about embracing new possibilities.  By incorporating these ideas, your company can create a memorable and responsible Holi celebration that reflects your commitment to ESG principles and fosters a vibrant, inclusive workplace culture. How will your company celebrate Holi this year? Share your ideas in the comments below!

In 2023, we’ve made meaningful progress across our corporate responsibility platform, Good Done Right, and we’re not done yet. At the midpoint in our annual reporting cycle, Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer Liliana Esposito shares an update across our focus areas of Food, People and Footprint. Read more on The Square Deal.

To Zoo or to Zoom, that is the question ... To everyone still sitting on the fence about whether to come along to #CULTUREBites, now is the time to decide. Our last #CULTUREBites of the year is happening next Tuesday, 21 November 12-2pm and we'll be both onsite at the Taronga Zoo Sydney, and for those who can't join us in person, we'll be Zooming away as usual. What can you expect? Meeting some incredible people, all of whom are passionate about making workplaces somewhere where we thrive. Learning from each other. Really good conversation over a tasty lunch. And all topped off with a really good discussion led by Simon Duffy, Executive Director at Taronga (Taronga Conservation Society Australia), about what it takes to create an environment in which your team can do their best work, whether that work is done behind the scenes or on the front line, office based or out-and-about in nature. Coming to the Zoo? Only a couple of seats are left if you want to join us in person. Book your seat by Saturday, 18 November. Joining us on Zoom? Reservations will stay open until the evening of Monday, 20 November. So to Zoo or to Zoom, that is the question. Either way, reserve your seat now, and we look forward to seeing you soon. Secure your seat here: https://lnkd.in/fkJzZYT #changingchange #2mmshift #leadership #companyculture #purpose #culturechange #culture #transformation #environment

Every leading research agency will tell you that employees want to do meaningful work. When engaging with Salesforce, this leading software player was strongly promoting joining the Pledge 1% program to its partners and suppliers. This program implied sharing to contribute to social goals. Only very recently we saw a much stronger act: two honourable gentlemen transferred ownership of the profitable company they founded decades ago to a foundation committing its full proceeds to nature protection and restoration. That company is Patagonia. The profits of their company will improve the wellbeing of Mother Earth. Patagonia’s ActionWorks platform has benefitted many great nature improving initiatives. Here’s what CNN reported on their heading: https://lnkd.in/gnJcvkVA Enough is enough. Let’s prioritize meaningful work. And if you’re an employee: chose to work for meaningful companies and work on meaningful activities.

Last week, we concluded the first-ever Well-being Month at Syngenta Group, and I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the incredible journey we have embarked on together. Throughout the month, we delved into various aspects of #wellbeing, addressing topics such as stress management, financial well-being, and the importance of unplugging to recharge. It was also a great way of launching our new well-being brand “Ways to Well-being”. The biggest learning from this inaugural Well-being Month has been the realization that the human being is very complex and taking a holistic approach to employee well-being is the only way forward. #mentalwellbeing has been on top of everybody’s mind in the last few years as a reaction to the Covid pandemic but true well-being encompasses not just our mental health, but also our physical, financial, and social well-being. By nurturing all these aspects, we can achieve a balanced and fulfilling life. If as a company we truly want to support our employees, we can't ignore this complexity. By the way, putting together the Well-being Month program has been a lot of work 😅 but as Bob Dylan would say: behind every beautiful thing, there’s been some kind of pain. https://lnkd.in/e-XNRzu7