The Power of Collaboration: Building RCL FOODS R&D
Building team cohesion and alignment for a centralised R&D
In 2021, RCL FOODS transitioned its Research and Development (R&D) function from a decentralised model to an integrated centralised function.
A key first objective was to leverage the team’s strengths through enhanced collaboration and knowledge-sharing. This was done with an end goal to align the R&D function with the broader organisational agenda.
Strategic collaboration
Susan Matemu-Sakwa, the Group R&D Director, partnered with Mike Ivey from Café Life and Melanie Kiley from CreateConsulting for this transformation journey.
Susan Matemu- Sakwa (right), with Melanie Kiley (left) of CreateConsulting and Mike Ivey of Cafe Life.
Susan explains:
“As experienced leadership facilitators, I felt they would complement each other. Mike brought familiarity and psychological safety, while Mel brought structure and value-adding tools. This was particularly useful from a strategy perspective and bringing the team onto the same page.”
Susan highlights the unique strengths each brought to the table:
“Mel uses structured methodologies to address key leadership needs, and Mike adapts the requirements based on the group's shifting needs. Together, they formed a balanced approach which assisted me greatly on my leadership journey.”
Together, Susan, Mel and Mike co-designed and co-created a journey with multiple touchpoints to support the R&D Team in achieving their objectives.
The importance of starting with leadership
The journey began with an intervention for the newly formed Executive Team to:
Set the Tone
Role model the way forward
Create a conducive thinking environment for strategic decision-making
Mike reflects on the shifts within the team:
“There has been great growth in the leadership team. The learning culture was enhanced, enabling knowledge-sharing and development. There is a willingness to share, speak up and challenge one another. This has created a strong family feeling that is largely due to the trust that has been built and the ongoing engagement in conversations that matter.”
The Journey
Since 2021, the journey has continued to build momentum. To bring the broader teams from each business unit on board and align them to the strategy, they participated in the three annual conferences. These conferences were interactive, fun and provided the Executive Team with the opportunity to walk the talk and share the outcomes and direction of the new R&D strategy.
Reflecting on the 2024 conference, Mel shared:
“This was the best conference yet, thanks to its collaborative nature. Each Executive played a key role in leading parts of the agenda and role-modelling collaboration and integration as one R&D team, contributing to the event’s success. We also had a team of fun ambassadors who played a key role throughout the conference. It’s phenomenal to see the cohesion and synergy at the executive level and how it energises and aligns the broader teams, readying them to drive high performance and achieve their goals. I believe in the mantra ‘Leaders get what they deserve’, and Susan is an incredible leader who can be proud of the R&D team she has built.”
With the journey continuing to grow, Susan shares,
“Partnering with Mel and Mike has been instrumental in shaping our R&D journey. We have created a unified culture with a clear identity and a strategy that aligns with our broader business goals. This partnership has been deeply rewarding, and we look forward to continuing the journey.”
Mike adds,
“It’s been a breath of fresh air to co-facilitate, learn from one another’s styles and balance our approach for the team’s benefit. We share a similar philosophy and have the client’s best interest at heart, which makes this collaboration work.”
In closing, Mel expresses her gratitude for the collaboration:
“I'm incredibly grateful to Susan for her vision and trust in our partnership. Mike and I complement each other’s styles very well. Combining our strengths transformed her objectives into an impactful intervention. Witnessing the growth and transformation in the leadership team and broader R&D team is a testament to the impact we have created collaboratively.”