How to Hire a Condiments & Sauces Executive
By Annabel Norman, Managing Partner · Norman Consultants The short answerHire condiments and sauces leaders who combine strong brand and marketing capability with an understanding of the category’s flavour-driven loyalty, global and cultural diversity, and steady innovation. The best pair the ability to build and grow the beloved brands that anchor the category with the […]
How to Hire a Chief Learning Officer
By Annabel Norman, Managing Partner · Norman Consultants The short answerHire a Chief Learning Officer who combines genuine learning and development expertise with the strategic capability to connect capability-building to business strategy and needs — not just an administrator of training. Look for a leader who can anticipate and build the capabilities the business will […]
What Does a Chief Learning Officer Do?
By Annabel Norman, Managing Partner · Norman Consultants The short answerA Chief Learning Officer (CLO) leads a business’s learning and development — the strategy and programmes that build the skills, capabilities, and knowledge its people and the organisation need. As capability increasingly drives competitiveness, it is a strategic role, connecting the development of people to […]
Beauty Distribution & Wholesale Leadership: Hiring for the Channel
By Annabel Norman, Managing Partner · Norman Consultants The short answerHire beauty distribution and wholesale leaders who combine strong commercial and relationship capability — building and managing the retailer, distributor, and partner relationships that get products to market — with genuine understanding of beauty and the distinctive dynamics of distribution across markets and channels. This […]
Leading Through Ambiguity
By Annabel Norman, Managing Partner · Norman Consultants The short answerLeading through ambiguity means guiding a business and its people effectively when the situation is unclear, information incomplete, and the path uncertain — providing direction and steadiness without false certainty, making decisions and adapting as things clarify, and helping people cope with not knowing. It […]
Managing Underperformance in a Leadership Team
By Annabel Norman, Managing Partner · Norman Consultants The short answerManaging underperformance in a leadership team means addressing a senior leader who is not delivering — honestly, fairly, and promptly — through clear feedback, genuine support to improve, and, where necessary, the decision to make a change. It takes the willingness to confront the issue […]
How to Hire a Frozen Foods Executive
By Annabel Norman, Managing Partner · Norman Consultants The short answerHire frozen foods leaders who combine strong commercial and operational capability — including the demands of the cold chain — with brand strength and an understanding of the category’s evolving image, from convenience staple to quality, health, and premium. The best pair operational rigour with […]
Having Difficult Conversations as a Leader
By Annabel Norman, Managing Partner · Norman Consultants The short answerHaving difficult conversations well means addressing hard issues — performance, conflict, sensitive feedback, or tough decisions — directly, honestly, and with care, rather than avoiding them. It takes the courage to have the conversation, preparation and clarity, genuine listening and empathy, and a focus on […]
How to Hire a Dairy Executive
By Annabel Norman, Managing Partner · Norman Consultants The short answerHire dairy leaders who combine strong commercial and operational capability at scale with brand strength and an understanding of the category’s science, supply chain, and increasingly its innovation and sustainability pressures. The best pair the rigour to run a large, complex, often commodity-influenced business with […]
How to Hire a Plant-Based Executive
By Annabel Norman, Managing Partner · Norman Consultants The short answerHire plant-based leaders who combine genuine understanding of the category’s mission- and health-driven consumer and its science and innovation demands with strong brand and commercial capability — and the realism to build a durable business, not just ride a trend. The best pair authentic belief […]
