At Tastebuds Collective, we recently held our very first Advisory Board meeting, marking a significant milestone in our growth as a community-driven food and drink platform.
The meeting was insightful, thought-provoking, and paved the way for exciting times ahead. With a strong commitment to nurturing relationships between consumers and manufacturers, we used this opportunity to map out our future strategy and align our vision for the years to come.
1. Three-Year Delivery Plan for Food and Drink Manufacturers
One of the primary topics on the agenda was our three-year delivery plan. At Tastebuds Collective, our core mission is to support food and drink manufacturers in delivering high-quality, innovative support to our members. To ensure our (and your) long-term success, we outlined a strategic roadmap that focuses on:
- Membership growth & engagement
- Delivering impactful events & collaborations
- Project applications to various funding streams
- Expanding presence beyond the East of Anglia
- Ensuring financial stability
We believe that by fostering collaboration with food and drink manufacturers, we can not only help them grow but also enhance the diversity and quality of offerings available to consumers through new product development.
2. Funding and Budgeting: A Path Toward Sustainable Growth
In any ambitious plan, sustainable growth relies on sound financial planning. During the meeting, we discussed funding opportunities and the budgeting framework necessary to support our projects. Our key objectives included:
- Securing four food and drink businesses to become founding sponsors
- Meet membership targets and retainment
Balancing investment with responsible spending will ensure that Tastebuds Collective remains resilient, even in the face of market challenges.
3. Growth Plan: Scaling with Purpose
Our growth plan is bold, yet purposeful. As Tastebuds Collective continues to build momentum, we discussed strategies to not only expand our platform but also enhance its value for all stakeholders. Key initiatives include:
- Staffing expansion
- Project funding for commercial ventures
- Achieving financial independence
- Infrastructure development
- Expanding beyond East Anglia
By fostering a collaborative and scalable ecosystem, we’re positioning ourselves to be a key player in the future of food and drink innovation.
4. Project Delivery: Ensuring Timely and Effective Execution
A well-structured plan is only as strong as its delivery. During our board meeting, we put considerable focus on project delivery, aiming to establish a clear, actionable framework to ensure the timely and effective execution of our plans. This includes:
- Event sponsorship - speaking engagements, branding and promotion
- Ticketed events - for non-members, conferences
- Commercial growth - trade directory, franchise model, branded content
- In-kind sponsorship - opportunities to offset operational costs
By focusing on clear milestones, adopting agile practices, and maintaining transparency across teams, we are confident that we can execute our ambitious plans efficiently, driving growth and delivering value to all our stakeholders.
Looking Ahead
Our first Advisory Board meeting was a pivotal moment for Tastebuds Collective. The conversations were energizing, and the commitment from our board members reinforced our confidence in the future. With a clear three-year delivery plan, a structured approach to funding and budgeting, a strategic growth roadmap, immediate projects underway, and a robust framework for project delivery, we are excited about what’s to come.
We’re proud of the community we’ve built so far and eager to keep expanding. Whether you’re a manufacturer, a consumer, or an investor, we welcome you to join us on this journey. Together, we can shape the future of the food and drink industry, one taste bud at a time.
Get to know our founding sponsors.
Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for being a part of Tastebuds Collective!
