Before we take down those holiday lights and decorations, it’s a good time to look back and look forward. 2017 was another exciting yet challenging year. The business climate was something else, all the same, we endured. But while we look back, it is more important to look forward to a bright new year 2018.
Like other years before it, year 2018 would come with both challenges and opportunities, and some businesses would focus on challenges, while some others would grab opportunities. While the past would contribute to the future, it would not totally determine it. The key to success depends on the business decisions we make and how prompt we are in making them.
To succeed in 2018, every Baker or Caterer needs three things;
1. Knowledge, Information & News
A knowledgeable and informed baker is a better baker. This is because, knowledge and information is the most important ingredient in baking. Bread and cake are different from packaged water or juice, because it takes a lot of chemistry to bake a perfect loaf. To succeed in this industry requires knowledge and information. It requires both professional and technical knowhow, as well as news on what is happening in the industry. Spend all the time on the table, also spare time to get the latest industry news. It would be worth it to dedicate time to knowing a lot more about our industry. And it is easy too, news is free, just a click on mobile phone, you get all the latest news.
2. Great Brand
An average baker spends more than seventy percent of his time at the bakery to turn out beautiful loaves and cakes. No doubt, operations is the heart of the bakery business. However, to succeed in the baking business, we need to look beyond baking, instead of baking bread, it's better to focus on building brand. A baker is like a writer, no matter how good you are as a writer, you can never be a best writer, rather you can become a best seller. Therefore in 2018, focus on 'bread 2 brand' strategy, build great brands. Create more bread labels and varieties, alongside sizes. Surprisingly, it's not so hard, you can use the same dough for different bread brands.
3.Community
The saying that 'no man is an island' is absolutely true, because in life, we need one another to lean on. Virtually, all professionals have communities; doctors have their medical unions or associations, lawyers in Nigeria have NBA, there is ICAN for accountants. Bakers cannot succeed without a community.Therefore, in 2018, make out time to identity with and join a bakers' community like AMBCN. There is a lot of benefits and a lot to achieve when a cause is fought as a group. Please let's bring ourselves together and closer, let's share idea and knowledge, this is very helpful.
In all these, I would add that, the bold always win in business. Be bold, innovate and aspire!
Happy New Year!
