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| Hospitality Today | Spring 2017
Future Fit Foodservice
After a drinks reception , Andrew Selley , the chief executive of Bidfood , took to the stage to deliver the 2017 Arena Savoy Lecture .
Firstly Selley tackled the name change from 3663 to Bidvest Foodservice and now Bidfood . He explained that the change reflected the evolution of the company and followed the separation of the global Bidvest Foodservice businesses from the Bidvest Group , when it listed independently on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in May last year . This listing meant that Bidvest Foodservice in the UK , along with other Bidvest Foodservice businesses around the world have all changed their name to Bidfood to reflect this . The new name keeps the entrepreneurial spirit that the company is built on , but focuses on what it does - food ! He put this issue clearly to bed , stating : “ People trade with us for our great people , product and service - and not because of the name .”
“ Future Fit Foodservice ” - as a business and an industry - provided the backdrop of Selley ’ s upbeat presentation .
Speaking specifically about his business , he gave an insight into how he has created a “ lean , agile , but strong , company ”. Describing 3663 as a successful , growing business , but not as successful as it could have been , he took the audience through the implementation of cultural ,
performance and focus change to drive the business forward . Using the momentum of the great people within the business , he created change . An employee survey revealed three things they want to change about the business , three things they want for its future , and one thing they want it to be famous for . Characteristics such as complex , political , bureaucratic , inward looking and reactive where put forward as things to change . Dynamic , passionate , innovative and forward looking were some of the future aspirations . And , they wanted to be known for service excellence . This became , and remains , the single-minded focus for Bidfood . The company values also received an overhaul . 3663 had 15 values but no one knew what they were . Selley upheld that they were all good , honourable values but they were not from the heart of the business ’ s people . A series of workshops inspired employees to think about a time when they loved working for the business and as a result , three ‘ home grown ’, authentic values , that everyone knows , were born : Care - take pride in what you do , no matter what you do Share - work together to make great things happen Dare - take brave steps to deliver exceptional results . To show his commitment to achieving service excellence and supporting
Jamie Oliver launches Barbecoa Piccadilly this month - see video on p3