Case Study

From Legacy to Prosperity: Revitalizing Executive Roles, Enhancing Team Dynamics, and Transforming A Family Business into an Efficient, Profitable Legacy

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Meet Caribbean Food Delights

Caribbean frozen food manufacturer

Meet Caribbean Food Delights A leading Caribbean frozen food manufacturer known for its high-quality Jamaican patties, owned and operated by the HoSang family since 1978. Caribbean Food Delights (CFD) prides itself on producing premium products such as beef, chicken, and vegetable patties, and has recently embarked on a significant expansion to increase production capacity by 15%​ (Caribbean Food Delights)​​ (Home - Jamaica Observer)​.

Challenges

The siblings who inherited Caribbean Food Delights were dedicated to preserving the family legacy and ensuring its growth for future generations. However, they faced several challenges:

  • Inefficient Team Dynamics: Team members were unsure whom to approach for various issues, leading to most queries being directed at the overwhelmed CEO.

  • Role Misalignment: The COO was eager to take on more responsibilities, but employees did not reach out to her enough, confused about who owns what within the organization’s executive team.

  • Leadership Transition: The CEO struggled to take a full maternity leave due to the concentration of responsibilities.

  • Profitability Issues: One company division was not profitable and required a turnaround.

  • Family Unity and Reputation: Internal conflicts and unclear roles were in danger of affecting family relationships and the company's community reputation.

Results

  • Regulatory and Compliance: Compliance violations were resolved, and no further fines were incurred.

  • Family Unity and Community Reputation: Strengthened relationships and communication within the team, and enhanced the company’s reputation as a model family business.

  • Professional Responsibilities: Increased team engagement, high job satisfaction, and efficient communication between management and employees.

  • Revenue Growth: Turned around the unprofitable division, leading to overall profitability. The company is now on track to increase revenue by $30 million.

Additionally, the CEO was able to take a full maternity leave, and the COO seamlessly took over responsibilities during this period. Clear boundaries were established, ensuring employees knew whom to approach for different issues, which reduced the burden on the CEO and COO. The restructuring allowed the company to perform more efficiently, enhancing job satisfaction and work-life balance for the executive team and employees.

Approach

We implemented a comprehensive strategy to address these issues:

  • Executive Restructuring: Placed the right family members in the appropriate executive roles to leverage their strengths.

  • Clear Job Descriptions: Developed detailed job descriptions to eliminate confusion about responsibilities and streamline communication.

  • Delegation: Encouraged the CEO to delegate more responsibilities to the COO and other senior managers.

  • Succession Planning: Established a clear process for staff to follow, ensuring a smooth escalation process and reducing the CEO’s workload.

  • Compliance and Regulation: Fixed compliance violations and set up systems to prevent future issues.

  • Team Engagement: Revamped the team onboarding process and encouraged employees to take full ownership of their roles.

  • Board of Advisors: Set up a board of advisors to handle executive issues, providing additional support and oversight.
Jeanette-Vincent-HoSang

Where They Are Now

Caribbean Food Delights (CFD) continues to thrive as a leading manufacturer of Caribbean frozen foods. The HoSang family's dedication to quality and authenticity has earned them a loyal customer base and significant industry recognition. Recently, CFD embarked on a strategic expansion, increasing their production capacity by 15% to meet growing demand. This expansion not only demonstrates their commitment to innovation and growth but also reinforces their position as market leaders. Additionally, their products have gained widespread distribution across North America, making Caribbean cuisine more accessible to a broader audience. With a strong focus on maintaining high standards and community engagement, CFD remains a testament to the success and resilience of family-owned businesses in the competitive food industry.

Conclusion: Transforming Challenges into Triumphs

The targeted coaching and consulting provided to Caribbean Food Delights helped transform the company into a more efficient and profitable enterprise, while preserving the family legacy. The implementation of clear roles, effective delegation, and robust succession planning ensured that the company could thrive and expand. This case study highlights the importance of strategic executive coaching in navigating complex family business dynamics and achieving sustainable growth.

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