Episode Summary:
Shane continues a series of interviews with business & operational leaders who had no previous business continuity experience and were thrust into launching a recovery strategy in not-so-ideal circumstances. Sheeba Philip is the CEO for Akola (Akola.co) a globally-inspired jewelry brand on a mission to empower women in need in Eastern Africa. With both manufacturing operations in Uganda, Africa, and retail and operational activities in Texas, Sheeba has to shift immediately into business continuity mode without any formal training or plan. Listen as she describes all the issues she had to deal with, from dealing with business finances, to employee safety and shifting priorities all during a global pandemic.
Key Points:
2:09min- Intro to our guest - Sheeba CEO of Akola
3:03min- What does Akola mean what they do
6:40min- When she and Akola begin to feel the impacts of the pandemic
9:33min- There was no plan!
11:42min- The first actions around personal and worker safety, include a communication cadance
16:15min- Adapting the manufacturing business in a foreign company
17:22min- Changing the product focus to accommodate the times
20:00min- Changes she'd make in the future to be better prepared
Guest Bio:
Sheeba Philip is a management & marketing executive with deep global brand building experience across consumer, retail, and non-profit sectors with over ten years in brand and general management positions, with full P&L responsibility, at Mondelēz International and Kraft Foods & JCPenney. She also spearheaded the brand redesign for International Justice Mission, the largest anti-slavery organization in the world.
Sheeba is currently serving as CEO of Akola, a pioneering retail/social enterprise startup on a mission to be a women's lifestyle brand that empowers women in need in Eastern Africa. Akola has been named as one of the 25 brands shaping the future of retail by the National Retail Federation.
Links:
EP22: Gamifying Business Continuity | James MacDonnell
EP21:Reaching the Next Generation of Planners | Burley & Navarro
EP20: Developing Your Skills Through Service | Michael Crooymans
EP19: Dealing with the New Normal During a Crisis (Part 1) | Cyril Moulin-Fournier
EP18: The Bus is Coming! What do we do? | David Lindstedt Mark Armour James Green
EP17: Building My Own Online BIA App | Michelle Marx
Redux- EP04: Integrating Continuous Improvement into BCM Programs | John Hill
Redux- EP01: Creating BCM Engagement | Scott Baldwin
EP16: Improving Your Skills Through Great Books | Erick Anez
EP15: Building Your Personal Brand in BC | Luke Bird
EP14: Embedding Your BC Program Throughout the Business | Jamie Goodloe
EP13: Pre-planning is Key with Restoration Services | Ricky Wells
EP12: Can Artificial Intelligence and Business Continuity Mix? | Daniel Breston
EP11: Is Business Continuity at a Crossroads? | James Green
EP10: Can You Build Business Continuity Plans in a Productivity App? | Chris Rivera
EP09: Adopting Adaptive Business Continuity | José M. Garay
Ep.08: Why Were Some in Business Continuity Sidelined During COVID? | Michael Herrera
Ep. 07: Spotlight on Business Continuity Programs in Healthcare | James Mitchell
Ep. 05- Building a WFH Strategy in 1 Day | Anitha Abraham
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Commercial Edge: Unleash the Power of People
The emPOWERed Half Hour
HCI Leadership Revolution
Human Capital Leadership
The Power of Music Thinking
BusinessWISE
Business Wars