Perry Yeatman 2013-05-23T15:06:29-04:00 Perry Yeatman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/author/index.php?author=perry-yeatman Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Perry Yeatman Good old fashioned elbow grease. Tackling Food Insecurity Will Take the G20 and the B20 (and the Rest of us Too!) tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1601530 2012-06-15T20:31:34-04:00 2012-08-15T05:12:05-04:00 Perry Yeatman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/perry-yeatman/
Addressing hunger/food insecurity requires a consistent, global, long-term, multi-stakeholder effort -- even beyond what we've seen thus far and despite the fact that our economies are struggling. So I was very proud (and honored to be in the room) when President Obama spoke on this very subject a few weeks ago at a Chicago Council on Global Affairs event in advance of the G8 Summit. There Obama committed America to continuing to lead the global fight to end hunger.

This pledge and many others like it make clear that there is greater understanding and greater commitment than ever before among all actors. But while it's a triumph to finally see food security making it to the top of the G8 and G20 agendas, that is just the beginning. The words are important but actions are paramount.

Helping to figure out what the right actions might be is exactly what a group of about 20 leading companies and civil society organizations have been doing as part of the World Economic Forum B20 Task Force on Food Security. (Full disclosure, Kraft Foods, my employer, is a member of this B20 Task Force).

Anyway, many representatives from this group will meet with government leaders in Los Cabos, Mexico this weekend to share our thinking about what's needed. I obviously can't predict how everything will turn out but I can share a bit about what we're recommending.

First of all, we're suggesting an audacious but achievable goal. Here it is in a nutshell: deliver food and nutrition security for all by increasing food production and productivity by 50 percent by 2030. Do this in ways that are environmentally sustainable and that simultaneously improve the livelihoods and incomes of farmers around the world.

Simple to say but, as you might imagine, not so simple to do. So we've taken a holistic approach and identified nine areas where we think government, business and civil society need to act in order to create sustainable and scalable solutions. I couldn't possibly list all the details here, but I can tell you they cover everything from increased investments in agriculture to risk management/access to finance to land rights to nutrition to biofuels. And if this is an area you are involved with, I encourage you to check out the details by clicking here.

We're on the cusp of something that truly could change the world for the better. But it'll take unprecedented collaboration and commitment to get there. So, we all need to step up. If you care about food security (and we all should since we all need to eat to survive) please do your part. Get informed and get involved. The needs are so vast everyone has something they can do to make a difference. Tell your congressman to support the emergency food aid budget and not to cut funding to USAID. Buy brands that promote sustainable agriculture. Donate to the World Food Program or CARE or Catholic Relief Services or Save the Children (there are so many worthy organizations that are doing great work in this space). Advocate for land rights or women's rights or free trade. Or just read the report and share it with other who work in this space. If we all do a bit it can add up to a lot. I know the B20 Food Security Task Force companies are committed. We hope the G20 leaders and all of you will join us!]]> Being a Mom Doesn't Hurt Your Chances of Being a CEO -- It Can Actually Help Them! tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1508783 2012-05-11T15:35:13-04:00 2012-07-11T05:12:13-04:00 Perry Yeatman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/perry-yeatman/
Here's my conclusion in a nutshell: Contrary to what many people (men and women alike) think, I would posit that being a mom does not hurt your chances of becoming a CEO (or other senior executive). Indeed, it can actually help them! I say this, first and foremost, based on my own experience. But there is also a lot of other evidence out there. For example, there are many books written about what being a parent teaches you about management. Or the fact that today, about two-thirds of the female CEOs running Fortune 500 companies are moms, based on the April 2012 Catalyst list and my Internet research. A coincidence? I think not.

While I don't personally know most of these female CEOs, and I'm not saying being a mom makes doing your job any easier, I can say that I am confident being a mom can make you a better and ultimately more successful professional. Here are 10 things being a mom taught me that make me better at work:

1. First and foremost, being a mom taught me how to be a better negotiator -- with anyone and about anything. That comes in handy literally every day at work.

2. Being barraged by endless questions taught me the power of curiosity and to use questioning and probing as a management technique. I frequently don't know all the answers, but I often uncover powerful insights and issues by asking the right questions.

3. Juggling all the requirements of motherhood convinced me all other juggling acts had to be easier. Yes, I am the mother of all multi-taskers at this point. Sometimes it leads to overkill. But it's also a key survival skill to manage an overflowing inbox, multiple deadlines and a packed meeting schedule every day -- not to mention laundry, play dates and math homework.

4. It taught me that different is good. Contrary to what I was probably doing before I had kids, my teams shouldn't just be "mini-MEs." And if you are smart, you'll pick people that won't necessarily see things exactly as you do. You'll embrace looking at things through their eyes, like you do through the eyes of your children. (And I bet you'll come up with better solutions and better results because of that too!)

5. The best leaders (and best moms) know that it isn't about always lecturing or telling people what to do. It's a lot about coaching, nurturing and guiding. And then, toughest of all sometimes, it's about letting them go do their thing without you.

6. Being a mom taught me it's not physically possible to worry about or prevent every single thing that could go wrong (believe me, I tried!). So, now I try to remain laser-focused on what really matters and to let the little stuff go. The rule in our house is "no permanent damage." (So blue hair would be okay. Body piercing, not so much.)

7. Having kids taught me that "EQ" (emotional intelligence) is as important as "IQ." I am undoubtedly more empathetic to those I work with now. I am able to open my heart and really care about them and their lives, not just what we do together at work. I can say honestly that I now know my teams personally and they know me, too (the good and the not-so-flattering). This is a mutual investment that not only builds understanding but also trust and team spirit.

8. In the long line of things I learned from raising my kids is that long-term success depends on relationships, not just hitting the numbers and getting the results for one quarter or one year. I used to be too busy "getting it done" to invest in relationships. Now I know you must do both and that relationships aren't optional. They are critical.

9. I saw how direct, honest, real-time feedback, positive reinforcement, support when they are down, and actual cheering when they win are such game changers. These are all things we do naturally with our kids. Why should it be any different with our work teams? Okay, of course our work teams are made up of fully functioning adults, not kids, but we're all human. I am proud to say I can be heard whooping it up down the hall when we succeed and I feel good that everyone on my team knows exactly how they are doing and what they can or should do better after nearly every interaction. That's how we are at home and that's how I am at work and I think it's healthier.

10. Last but not least, being a mom helped me see that the journey and the process can be even more important than the destination when it comes to developing your people and getting a star performance out of your team. When you are a family, you are "in it for life." If you behave the same way with your work team, you will see positive growth from all members and an ongoing, self-motivated commitment to keep raising the bar. Need I say how priceless that can be?

These are just some of the things that being a mom either taught me or reinforced in me. I remain a work in progress for sure and I have no doubt my kids have more lessons in store for me as we move into the next phases of their lives. But I am certain that being a mom has helped boost my career -- at least enough to make up for the lack of sleep and the other things we all sacrifice to be great parents and great professionals. And I wouldn't have missed it for the world! I really enjoy working for Kraft Foods. But I love being a mom even more. And I'm just so lucky that my employers have seen what many employers have obviously seen -- that being a mom and being a CEO (or senior executive) can indeed go hand in hand. So, happy Mother's Day to all working moms! Go forth and create the careers and lives of your dreams! And, let me know what you've learned along the way. I'd love to hear your stories and lessons -- and I know you have them!]]> Lessons Learned From the Frontlines of Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1467268 2012-05-01T13:17:50-04:00 2012-07-01T05:12:24-04:00 Perry Yeatman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/perry-yeatman/ in an earlier HuffPost blog, so I won't focus on that here. But I do think the HOW to go about it could still use some elaboration.

First, a little background/context:

I'm happy to say that it's finally clear to most folks that business has a key role to play in solving many of the world's toughest problems -- from food security to environmental degradation to economic development. And, so do governments and civil society. Only by combining the unique outlook, skills, capabilities and resources of these actors can we get to the sustainable, scalable and replicable models we all want to see and the world so desperately needs. So, multi-stakeholder partnerships -- combining the power of companies, countries and civil society -- are the way to go. But when we all have different agendas and, frankly, even speak what sometimes feels like different languages, HOW do you even begin?

As a businessperson first and philanthropist second, let me start by saying that first and foremost to get public companies to engage in something that is long-term, complicated and largely unproven, there must be a strong financial or strategic business rationale. You will never get real corporate money into this space without a compelling business case. And, I think there is one to be made. Each will be different, based on the industry and the company. But as we've seen in the various partnerships we're part of -- from a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation partnership on cashews in West Africa, to a WFP childhood nutrition project we're engaged in in Indonesia and Bangladesh, to our own Cocoa Partnership in Ghana -- there are a range of real business benefits that can be achieved.

Knowing what YOU want is the right starting point. But even that isn't enough to succeed. So here are five more lessons we've learned from our work that might be helpful.

1) Ensure ALL the partners start with a common shared objective. And that the objective is clear and has both societal and business benefits spelled out and that neither side would declare the project a success unless both societal and business aims are achieved.

2) Recognize that multi-partner collaborations take longer and are more complicated. So set expectations for the longer-term -- five years minimum. That's a long time in political or corporate life these days -- but it's also the only way to ensure broad, lasting change, so be sure the business and societal cases are compelling enough that even leadership changes won't derail your efforts.

3) Secure and segregate at least your base funding from the outset. That helps ensure that even amidst corporate or political change your program will be covered in the time before it begins to show meaningful results -- often up to the first two to three years.

4) Know the various actors will have very different perspectives and motivations, so be prepared to talk a lot early on in order to ensure that in the end everyone is equally committed to the outcome and that relationships are built on mutual transparency, trust and accountability. Then, put it in writing.

5) Allow each actor to do what they do best. For example, companies should focus on R&D, innovation and market creation. National/local government is needed for things such as infrastructure, risk mitigation, land rights, legal protections and creating an overall supportive policy environment. International donor partners (like USAID, DFID, WFP, etc.) can also play a key role both by investing in underpinning programs such as education, school feeding, sanitation, hygiene, extension services, etc., as well as advocating for the supportive enabling environment on issues such as trade, finance, human rights, etc.

So these are some of the things we've learned. What about you? Share your lessons so we can all get better at doing this "seemingly unnatural" but vitally important thing -- partnering up! Multi-stakeholder partnerships will likely never be the easiest. But they can be the best for tackling major social issues.]]> The First Female President Will be a Girl Scout -- I'm Sure! tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1247462 2012-02-04T10:59:54-05:00 2012-04-05T05:12:01-04:00 Perry Yeatman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/perry-yeatman/ ToGetHerThere campaign designed to level the leadership playing field between girls and boys in all walks of life within a generation. And if anyone can lead the way, I am betting they can! That's why I say with confidence that the first woman in the White House will be a Girl Scout.

There are many great programs and institutions out there for girls and I applaud them all. But none that I know of is as broad in membership, as inclusive in approach and as progressive in programming as the Girl Scouts. Whatever you may think, this is not just a cookies/camping/crafts movement. This is a leadership and life development movement and it's millions strong.

So, if you haven't checked them out in a while or you've never considered volunteering or getting your daughter, granddaughter or niece involved, now is the time. What parent doesn't hope to raise a child of courage, confidence and character ... one who is not afraid to take action and one who is committed to serving others at the same time? No matter what your gender or age, Girl Scouts could use your help to make the next 100 years as positively life changing as the first for millions and millions of girls. After all, as I've said many times before ... when you invest in a girl, you can change the world! Click here to get involved.
]]> Workplace Wellness: Secret Ingredient to Fighting NCDs Based on Report Released at Davos tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1232397 2012-01-26T20:00:50-05:00 2012-03-27T05:12:01-04:00 Perry Yeatman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/perry-yeatman/
Don't get me wrong... I'm very glad that accidents and infectious diseases (the other two main causes of death) are on the decline globally. While that means, inevitably, most of us will instead die of an NCD, the problem is that the onset of NCDs is happening much earlier in life. That results in a lose-lose-lose proposition where we suffer lost productivity and reduced quality of life while society suffers a much higher burden in terms of health care and other costs.

This is bad news for everyone and it has rapidly become one of the most pressing problems in the world - both among developed and developing nations. So much so that the United Nations held a high level meeting on NCDs this past September - only the second time in UN history that it has held a summit on a health-related issue. Yes, it's a huge problem. And it's getting worse. Obesity. Smoking. Stress. Sedentary lifestyles. These are all contributing. But what can we do? Well one thing employers can do and that I'm proud to say Kraft Foods (my company) and more than 100 other member companies of the World Economic Forum are doing is promoting workplace wellness. Yes, from gyms at work to weight loss support and stress management, to smoking cessation programs and free health screenings, a new WEF report released this week demonstrates the power of workplace wellness. The Workplace Wellness Alliance - Investing in a Sustainable Workforce

Workplace wellness programs are the unsung heroes in the fight against NCDs. I know from personal experience that even when the work day is long, having a gym on site is a huge positive in terms of fitting in regular exercise. And when things get so crazy there isn't even time to get down to the gym, sometimes we have walking meetings - even just that 20 minutes of walking the halls while talking about pressing work can be enough to make a positive difference.

So, my message is this: we need all big companies to follow the lead of these 100. Combined, our workforces number in the millions. And if we can find ways to support employees to get healthy, this will not only help our own bottom lines in terms of reduced costs and increased productivity, but it will also take some of the burden off already squeezed public coffers. Regardless of the industry, I bet there is something each company can do to make a meaningful difference. And when you help one person, that can have a multiplier effect - eg, one female employee may also be a wife and mother of three so when she takes her new knowledge and better lifestyle habits home with her, the impact if even greater.

What have we got to lose after all - a few extra pounds, some nasty and costly habits? We can turn this lose-lose-lose into a win-win-win... if employers and employees work together. So, I encourage everyone who is employed by a large company today to speak up. Suggest cost-effective ideas that will make a difference. And then share your tips about what works - with co-workers, with family members, and even maybe by commenting on a World Economic Forum site. Together, we can reduce the personal and economic burden of NCDs. We owe it to ourselves, to our families, to our companies and to our countries.

And now I've got to do my part by heading to the gym...
]]> "Sustainable Consumption" Is Not an Oxymoron. It's Not Optional, Either tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1227415 2012-01-26T15:18:19-05:00 2012-03-27T05:12:01-04:00 Perry Yeatman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/perry-yeatman/
Yes, while "sustainability" has been and continues to be a key topic at Davos, this report -- launched by the Forum earlier this week -- is the first I've read that actually "does the math" to demonstrate just how important sustainable consumption is for global economic prosperity. Just two data points from the report to illustrate this: collectively, we could save $2 trillion by adapting to resource constraints in 2030. An even closer in motivation is that by 2018 as much as 47 percent of company earnings could be lost due to environmental pressures if we just continue with the status quo.

So, as the report (PDF) says... "there is both an opportunity and an imperative for a much more resource-efficient economy in which economic value creation is not coupled with environmental depletion and degradation."

We're seeing progress... in products, processes and business models. And there are a host of initiatives out there aiming to increase sustainable sourcing. But, despite these efforts, we're only making a dent in the problem. If we can't significantly ramp up current efforts, we will be facing a decade of economic and social turbulence.

Yes, the motivation is clear. It is an economic imperative that consumer companies support the inevitable growth in demand that is coming from the developing world. But, it is equally clear that they can't do it using current models. And, to address the size of the transformation needed, companies will have to collaborate along entire value chains and across multiple industries and with governments in ways never seen before.

But even if we can get that collaboration to happen, it won't be enough if we also can't find ways to engage consumers more often and more meaningfully. We've seen for too long that what we as consumers say we are willing to do (buy more sustainable products and often even pay more for them) vs. what we actually do (which is far too often to not buy the more sustainable product) are at odds. But to make this idea of "sustainable consumption" a reality, companies and governments must find ways to make the consumer/citizen (you and me and the billions more like us) part of the team. Companies know no one wants to compromise on quality or price ,or in the case of a food company, on taste. But what are we willing to do to make a difference? 7 billion people can do a lot. I think we just need the right incentives and systems to make doing the "right" thing easier and more affordable.

So how about joining the team? Let us know what it would take to get you actively involved. This decade will be gone before you know it. And, as we often say on my team, failure simply isn't an option -- for any of us. So get engaged. What great ideas do you have? What advice can we as consumers share? We don't have to wait for companies to do market research, let's blog and tweet and comment and make some noise about what would work. And let's start today! The case is clear. Sustainable consumption is not an oxymoron and it doesn't have to be a pipe dream, either. It can be done. But it'll take all of us and we need to get moving! ]]> It's Not Easy but Businesses Can Benefit From Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.1066253 2011-11-01T12:30:20-04:00 2012-01-01T05:12:01-05:00 Perry Yeatman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/perry-yeatman/
But if PPPs can be so powerful, why are companies often reluctant to join? Well, first of all, because they are pretty complicated. Getting these three groups, with very different motivations and operating styles, to work closely together against a common goal is no small feat. And second, because PPPs can take a long time to set up and even longer to execute and deliver results ... hardly ideal given the emphasis on quarterly-results for so many US-based public companies.

Despite the obstacles however, we've found that there are at least seven compelling benefits a company can achieve provided it is willing to do the work to define a societal problem that it can really help solve and to put in the time to find the right partners to join in that effort.

Since we all win when the poorest, most needy among us benefit, we want to help more companies get engaged in meaningful ways. So, I'm sharing my learnings here and encouraging you to share them with others or add more learnings from your own experiences. The more the merrier in this space! So, here they are...

PPPs can benefit business by:
  1. Creating/opening new markets (from new countries to new buyers)
  2. Developing new products
  3. Building consumer engagement and preference (both within and across developed and developing markets through online, on-pack and in-store tools/activities)
  4. Improving employee retention (through everything from communicating about what you're doing to employee volunteering and employee giving)
  5. Boosting recruitment (more than ever people want to work for companies they can feel good about and orgs they feel are doing some good in the world so PPPs make a good recruitment story)
  6. More robust supply chains -- including in our case sustainable sourcing of agricultural commodities
  7. Improved government relations (it doesn't mean you'll get what you're asking for, but, a successful partnership does make it more likely you'll get a fair hearing.)


I've only got a few years experience in this space but this is my current list. Love to hear yours!
]]> It's Time for a Closer Look at "Remarkable Indonesia" tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.887263 2011-06-30T14:23:35-04:00 2011-08-30T05:12:01-04:00 Perry Yeatman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/perry-yeatman/
But when I was back in Indonesia earlier this month for a World Economic Forum (WEF) Summit, I have to say I found Indonesia more amazing than ever -- "remarkable" in fact, to use the current slogan!

So it just astounds me how little the average American knows about this nation and correspondingly I suppose, how little mainstream media coverage Indonesia seems to get in the U.S. So, I thought I might take this opportunity to share a few "remarkable" things from my most recent trip, just to help folks get a bit better idea about this emerging Asian tiger...
Indonesia brings new meaning to the notion "island nation." In fact, this country is made up of approximately 17,000 islands (Yup I may still be jet lagged but 17,000 is not a typo!)

  • While you may not know much about it, Indonesia is the 4th most populous nation in the world, behind only India, China and the USA, with nearly 240 million people.

  • It is also, I understand from my Kraft Foods Indonesia colleagues, the largest Muslim democracy in the world.

  • Java, the "main island" where the capital Jakarta is, is home to about 50 percent of the nation's population according to a government official I met with -- making it the most densely populated island in the world. (And yes, the traffic jams there help ensure you never forget that!)

  • Indonesia has seen rapid economic development in the past decade and is now considered a low/middle income country. It is also a member of the G20 group of nations.

  • Even still, according to my colleagues, about 70 percent of Indonesian households live on 2-5 dollars per day. So, clearly there is more to be done. But, I am happy to report that from our experiences at WEF, the government is taking action in many areas that can really make a difference -- including areas where I am actively involved for my company, namely child malnutrition and sustainable agricultural development.

  • I also learned from my colleagues that this is a very social nation, where people like to stay connected. Indonesia has a 90 percent cellphone penetration and is the #2 Facebook market in the world and #3 in Twitter use.


These are just a few of the interesting things I think are worth sharing about this beautiful nation. Yes, the beaches are still some of the best in the world (though I sadly didn't have time to get anywhere near one on this latest trip). But I encourage everyone to look beyond the beaches and the things that may not be working 100 percent yet and get to know more about this emerging power. The more we know, the better we can engage!

PS: And for those in my new hometown of DC, there's a great opportunity on July 9 on the Mall where there will be a huge Indonesia festival. Check it out if you're in town!
]]> AID Has Never Been a Better Investment tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.816778 2011-02-02T14:39:47-05:00 2011-05-25T18:30:24-04:00 Perry Yeatman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/perry-yeatman/
Before I go further, in the interest of full disclosure, I want to be clear that these views are my personal views. I am speaking here as a mom, as an American and as a global citizen. I should also warn those of you who already think I am too "rah-rah" on big institutions, that this will be another positive piece. (Sorry all you cynics out there. You are certainly entitled to your own views but I am likewise entitled to mine.)

With that said, let me get to the heart of the point... I am inspired by AID again. Yes, I said INSPIRED! I left those discussions with Raj Shah from USAID and Andrew Mitchell from UKAID with renewed hope for the world (my how you cynics will love that comment). But, it's true. While our problems are huge, and I honestly think the world is in the most precarious position of my lifetime, I felt that at least this area -- key to get right if we are to have any chance at a collective positive future on this planet -- was in good hands. The sessions are all under Chatham House rules so I can't share what was said, but I can share what I took away and what I later found on the web from these two men.

From Andrew Mitchell:

Tackling deprivation around the world is firmly in Britain's national interest. Our bargain with taxpayers is this: in return for contributing your hard-earned money to helping the world's poorest people, it is our duty to spend every penny of aid effectively... We will secure maximum value for money in aid through greater transparency, rigorous independent evaluation and an unremitting focus on results. We will harness the full range of British government policies -- including trade, conflict resolution and environmental protection -- to contribute to our progressive vision of a more prosperous, sustainable and secure world.



Well said, Andrew! And not dissimilar to what Raj Shah has been saying. The fact is that USAID isn't just "from the American people," what's important for everyone to understand is that USAID's work is actually "for the American people." As someone who once worked under a USAID contract, I have to say I couldn't agree more. How we help those in need now will determine the quality of life our children will inherit -- whether they live in Chicago, Cheltenham or Cairo. I for one feel optimistic indeed about where we are going in development. It won't be quick or easy. But at least we are on the right path. So the next time you start complaining about government spending (and rich or poor we all do it so let's just fess up). But next time you start... think AID. As an American and as a mom, it's one of the BEST investments I think we can make in our collective future. ]]> Doing Good and Making Money Can and Should Go Hand-in-Hand tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.814101 2011-01-26T10:00:00-05:00 2011-05-25T18:25:24-04:00 Perry Yeatman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/perry-yeatman/
Why are micro finance funds, NGOs and foundations the only ones playing big in this space? How will we ever get enough of these great ideas and programs to scale if we only approach them as philanthropic endeavors? Let me be clear: I have HUGE respect for the groups that were in the room. We are in fact already partners with many of them! But, despite the good intentions and great work, the truth is that philanthropy -- in the broadest sense -- can rarely make the long-term impact business can. I think of it this way -- as the president of the Kraft Foods Foundation, I have about $100 million in cash and in-kind we can invest each year. But as Kraft Foods INC, my company has literally billions to invest in the things we need to buy. Effectively directed, what is likely to have a greater impact -- millions or billions? I think the answer is obvious. But clearly this point isn't obvious enough or that 97 percent of assets wouldn't be on the sidelines of impact investing.

That said, while it hasn't happened yet, I'm happy to say the tide seems to be turning and much of the world seems to be coming to this same conclusion -- including many of those here at Davos today. The discussion is gradually beginning to shift from "doing well by doing good" to "doing well by achieving shared outcomes -- outcomes that have both social and business benefits at the heart of their design." This may sound like mostly semantics to some of you but I think it's an important shift. I think it tells business that doing good is important BUT that it's OK to be transparent and upfront about what you need to get out of a partnership in order to make it work for your business and therefore be something you'd want to keep funding and growing. It wasn't that long ago that critics of big business would point to a program a company was funding and say, "but look, see what they are getting out of it" like that was a bad thing. I completely disagree. I think it's a good thing if a social outcome can be achieved while providing a business benefit, and I'm really glad others are beginning to come around to that point of view too. It's the ultimate win/win isn't it?

In fact, I experienced an example of this changed thinking just yesterday. A man was in a social entrepreneurs meeting next door to my meeting of the Consumer Community Steering Board. When he heard there was someone from Kraft Foods next door, he came over because he said he really wanted to talk with us about buying ads on his show -- a cartoon show designed to help create a "new normal" of religious understanding and acceptance among children in the Middle East. He understands, as I understand having worked in public education on economic reform in Russia back in the mid-90s, that "educating" people, especially about values, etc., is not nearly as powerful as engaging them through means and mediums they enjoy and can relate to. But regardless of his particular concept and whether it might be a good choice for one of our brands, what really resonated with me was that right off he said he didn't want sponsorship. He said -- and I quote -- "I only want Kraft to go into this if it makes business sense for you all." By getting his show out there, I am sure good will be done. But he understood that for the partnership to really work, it must make "business sense" for both sides. That's exactly what I'm talking about, and I was delighted to see that he clearly got it and was acting on it.

This is just one small example. What's even more encouraging is that I'm seeing this thread across many of the sessions at Davos this year. I see it in the call for more and unprecedented public/private partnerships. I don't think this is a coincidence. I think it's because people are now recognizing that even if you have a great solution to address a critical global issue -- hunger or poverty or obesity for example -- if you want to get that solution to scale and then maintain it, you need market-based models. You need companies at the table and in the value chain.

The fact that every business, public or private, must answer to its ultimate owners and must in some way make a profit -- and make it happen "fast," in relative terms -- is not a negative. Indeed, I think this market pressure can be used as a positive. When businesses behave as businesses, they help ensure that whatever they do generates an economic benefit. And if you then apply that mindset to something a company needs to buy that can also do some good in the world -- like sustainable agriculture in the case of Kraft Foods -- then you can create something that makes a real and lasting difference for millions. It isn't easy. It still takes time. But it is most certainly doable. And, it's about the only model that'll get you there.

So what do you think? Is it time we get this 97 percent off the sidelines and into the big game? I say it's past time. Get in there! What are you waiting for?]]> Ending World Hunger Is Possible -- Davos iIs Part of the Process tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.812273 2011-01-21T13:32:09-05:00 2011-05-25T18:25:24-04:00 Perry Yeatman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/perry-yeatman/
In a few days, I'll be heading to the small snowy town of Davos Switzerland, site of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Despite a few comments from friends and family about how cool it would be to meet Bono, that's not why I am going. (Not to say it wouldn't be awesome if our paths happened to cross of course...because he has personally done so much to address world hunger and because well... he's Bono... and I'm just human. But, that's clearly not sufficient reason to warrant the trip.)

No, despite what you might think, the truth is that those who go to Davos go with a purpose. As I am in business, I go with a business agenda... a broad agenda that can only be addressed through the collective action of companies, countries and civil society. Davos is one of few events that puts leaders from all three sectors together in thought-provoking and meaningful discussions that can lead to real action on the ground. So, while it may sound like fun to those who have never been, those who have participated know it's really just a lot of work... worthwhile, important work.

This year, I'll be there to listen, to share what we've learned as Kraft Foods and to urge action to tackle three of the greatest challenges facing the world today: food security, environmental degradation and economic development. What will we be asking leaders to do? Simply put... invest more in agriculture.

Yes, as outlined in a roadmap called "A New Vision for Agriculture" which will be released on Jan 28, the latest news in solving the age-old problems of hunger and malnutrition is...well, not new. In fact, it's the lesson of the past forty years. Where investment in agriculture has been a priority, prosperity has followed. Just look at how the "green revolution" sparked economic growth and lifted millions in Latin America and Asia out of poverty. Smart investments in agriculture reduced malnutrition rates while improving farmer livelihoods and farm communities. Conversely, look at that same period in Africa, where the "green revolution" failed to take root. For too much of the continent the result has been persistent famine, political strife and economic collapse. Of course I'm over simplifying it to make my point, but the fact remains that much of the world's failure to make lasting improvements in addressing hunger and malnutrition has been due to the well-intended but, in hindsight, misguided development policies that drove investment out of the agriculture sector.

It's no coincidence that the UN estimates that of the billion people in the world today who are hungry or malnourished nearly 70 percent are engaged in the agriculture sector. Failed crops, low yields, lack of viable markets and poor infrastructure... all these have contributed to a situation where millions of farmers can neither feed their families nor make a living. And, even where agriculture is thriving, we should be concerned about its environmental impacts, which include nearly 70 percent of worldwide water withdrawals and up to 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. But regardless of the reasons, the simple fact is that the agriculture sector isn't working effectively enough in many parts of the world nor as a global system. And, we are all suffering because of it.

It doesn't need to be this way. Fixing agriculture -- and in turn banishing hunger and malnutrition -- is clearly possible. We just need to change our mindset and our vernacular. We need to stop referring to insurmountable challenges as being "like solving world hunger." Because solving world hunger is NOT insurmountable. The capacity and capability to do this exists today. And against this new perspective, we then need to apply sustained collective action and demonstrated political will.

The private sector is clearly part of the solution. And here, I'm not talking philanthropy. I'm talking business. If you'll let me use an example from my own company, Kraft Foods, I think you'll see what I mean. We are already the largest buyer of Rainforest Alliance and Fair Trade certified cocoa in the world. And now, working with others, we're collectively investing nearly $100 million in a bunch of sustainable agriculture initiatives. This work will improve the lives and livelihoods of more than 1 million farmers in the developing world. That's important. But, we invest not just because it's "the right thing to do." We invest because we know that if we can improve the social, environmental and economic status of farmers then they will keep growing the high quality ingredients we need to make our delicious products, like the cocoa we use in our Milka and Cadbury chocolates.

Investing in agriculture is not a quick or easy fix. But, I believe it is the BEST investment we can make to simultaneously improve food security, environmental sustainability and economic opportunity. Whether it's cocoa or coffee, soy or sugar, the goal is the same: new and unprecedented collaboration between farmers, companies, governments and civil society, with governments setting the direction, businesses investing and innovating and civil society mobilizing the community.

History has shown that investing in agriculture drives a virtuous cycle. The lessons are clear, but there is a missing ingredient -- more action! That's what I'll be pushing for at Davos and I hope others will not only listen but get engaged. If that happens, then, even if I don't meet Bono, the trip will have been more than worthwhile!

Note: If you want to see how it goes at Davos, you can follow along on the WEF website where lots of the discussions are broadcast live. There are also lots of ways you can get directly involved in fighting hunger and supporting sustainable agriculture -- from buying certified cocoa and coffee products to supporting the World Food Program. With something this big, it's clear that everyone has a role to play. Find the one that works for you!

Perry Yeatman is an SVP at Kraft Foods Inc. and President of the Kraft Foods Foundation. She is also the award-winning author of Get Ahead by Going Abroad.

]]> Ensuring That Our Kids Are At Home In the World tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2009:/theblog//3.324122 2009-10-16T15:25:20-04:00 2011-11-17T09:02:45-05:00 Perry Yeatman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/perry-yeatman/
Like most moms around the world, I worry about how best to prepare my 5-year-old for success. Of course it's hard because I want "success" for her to be about her dreams not mine and at 5 years old I honestly have no idea what she will grow up wanting to be. Will it be a ballerina like Angelina Ballerina? She loves ballet and she is good at it but I'm thinking that's not likely if she grows to her predicted 6 feet in height. Will it be an artist given her penchant for painting or drawing anything and everything? Perhaps. Will it be a business person like her mommy....a career she thinks is cool because "I" make delicious foods she and her friends love to eat like Mac & Cheese and Oreos and because I sometimes get to be "the boss."

Or, will she be more like her daddy - a fearless sailor and a builder and fixer of all things electrical and mechanical? Whatever she chooses in the end, I want to do my best now to prepare her to be successful at it. The question is how? And how to do it now when most of us are trying to cut back and when the conventional wisdom seems to be that we have to spend a lot to help our kids get ahead - be it on private schools, private lessons, etc.

Before I go further, let me confess that I am a product of private school and I did have my fair share of private lessons. And, I will forever be thankful to my parents for the sacrifices they made to enable me to have those things. But looking at the world today, I don't think that any of these things individually will help my daughter succeed as much as how I help shape her attitude towards the world at large. That's why I think we all have to start now to ensure that our kids grow up with global mindsets.

What exactly does that mean and why do I think it matters today? Well, to me it means our kids have a genuine curiosity about the world and a respect for those who are different - those from other cultures, those with different beliefs, those whose values may not be exactly the same, etc. And this curiosity and respect doesn't just apply to people from other nations. It applies equally to those living around us. Fellow Americans. After all, have you looked around recently? Almost no matter where you live in the United States today, you will find multiple races, religions and cultures. And, while I understand many Americans are struggling with the statistics that indicate our population will get even more diverse in the decades ahead, I for one feel this is and must continue to be one of our greatest assets.

So, building children who are "at home" with classmates and teachers (and later colleagues or teammates) be they Hispanic, African, Asian, etc., is critical. It's critical for them to succeed in America and for America to continue to be successful in the world. Think about it - everything from business to ballet has gone global. How can we build our kids for success if we keep them isolated from the rest of the world?

And the time to build this mindset is when they are young - before negative stereo types and biases have been engrained. Because we do that to our children -with what we say, what we do, what we let them watch. They aren't born biased. It has to be learned. So I say, let's not teach our kids that. Instead, let's teach them to embrace the world and all the variety therein. For their sake and for the sake of others.

The problems we face today are complex, entrenched and will not be solved overnight. And the only solutions to those problems will involve empathy, compromise and broad engagement. Whether we're talking about health care or nuclear disarmament. Being able to understand and work with a broad cross section of people will be key to success on virtually every issue and in virtually every career in the future.

So, if you agree with my premise about the need for an open, global mindset, what do you do? The good news is that building this global mindset is easier than ever. I won't try to list all the things you can do here because - conveniently - I recently met a woman who shares my point of view and has just written a book for parents who are interested in this idea. It's called "Growing up Global" and it's by Homa S. Tavangar. (Let me make clear here that I had never met Homa until a couple months ago and I have no financial stake in her book's success so my praise is genuine not commercially motivated). The book came out just a few months ago. I loved it as soon as I read it. Why? Because it's a book that everyone - and yes I mean everyone - can use. Because it doesn't just contain ideas like foreign travel or foreign language lessons - things that take money and time many people don't have.

Instead, while those things are in there, this book also has literally hundreds of ideas that every mom (or dad) can do. Many from right in your own home. Many for free. So, really, what's our excuse? I say, let's stop fretting about all the things we may want to be able to provide for our kids but can't right now and start doing something that is important, timely and totally doable. Let's help ensure our kids will always be at home in the world. Let's all start today! ]]> 2009 Resolution: Learning to Want What I've Got tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2008:/theblog//3.154259 2008-12-30T13:15:00-05:00 2011-11-17T09:02:45-05:00 Perry Yeatman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/perry-yeatman/
In 2008, I wrote in this space about trying to "do less" and "enjoy more." How'd I do? Well, while I was still very busy at work, I did do much better outside the office. I spent less time running around and more time just hanging out. While still busier than "the average" perhaps, 2008 did see me accepting fewer engagements, making fewer play dates, reducing my work travel, etc. All this made for more time to just be -- with my family or with a book.

Most importantly, I began to really enjoy "being." In fact, by about mid-year, I'd decided doing less was really quite a good thing. Clearly, being overly driven and programmed was not the short cut to happiness for me. And it only took me 40 years to figure it out! So, even though not perfectly executed, I found my 2008 resolution adding a lot to my overall quality of life. I'm grateful for that and hope to make even more progress down my road to happiness in 2009.

Yes, amidst the gloomy outlook, I am looking for a silver lining. In these uncertain economic times, we are all no doubt looking for ways to save more and spend less. For me, that backdrop is perhaps ideal for what feels like the next natural step after learning to do less and enjoy more. That step is as Sheryl Crow so aptly put it "not having what you want but wanting what you've got."

I've always loved this phrase but recently I've been thinking about it more and more. Let me say here that for all those reading this who may have lost jobs or houses or even worse, loved ones, this past year that I understand that I am truly lucky not to be in that position. I am blessed to have all the basics well covered for myself and for my family. And, I'm lucky to be working for a solid ethical company that I am confident will still be in business next year and next decade. For those who did suffer a major loss this past year, I am truly sorry. My heart goes out to you. You have every reason to be sad or hurt or angry or all of the above.

But, for those people who are, like me, poorer as we exit the year but still doing okay, 2009 may be our best chance to bring Sheryl's words to life in our own lives. Instead of complaining about what we don't have or can't afford this coming year... think about what would happen if we wanted what we had? Wanted our families, even that weird uncle or bossy grand mother... Wanted our jobs, despite long hours, limited advancement opportunities or difficult bosses... Wanted our houses, even without the addition or the new bathroom... Wanted our bodies, just as is, as long as they are healthy... Wanted the clothes we already own, even if they aren't the latest fashion? Think about it. Think of the power of it!

It may not help our consumer driven economy but then again, I think we need to change our dependence on consumer spending anyway. Wow! What a difference that would make and how much more time we'd all have if we weren't always shopping or spending money -- time to enjoy our families, time to help those not as fortunate or time to learn something new, by borrowing a book from the library so we don't even need to buy anything!

That may or may not appeal to you, but it has a lot of appeal to me. So, in 2009, that is my resolution. To stop longing and/or shopping to get what I want and to start wanting and using what I've got. To be happier even without having more.

Of course I'm not going to succeed completely. I'll no doubt find something, sometime, I just "have to buy." And I'll no doubt find my spouse or family or colleagues lacking in some major way at some point during the year. But that's ok. That's natural. Like 2008, it's not about being perfect. It's about making progress. Every bit of contentment gained would be a step in the right direction. And, in a year where spending less and saving more will likely remain on all our minds, wouldn't it be great if we could feel just a bit better about that and do something positive with it? Haven't we clearly voted for change? A new mindset for the New Year?

This is another change we can all do -- no matter our location, profession or religion. You can do it. And I'm certainly going to try. Even a little change can mean a lot in tough times... And I, for one, have no interest in spending 2009 complaining about all that has gone wrong. I'd much rather focus on fixing things and trying to be happy. No politician or CEO -- no matter how good -- can make that happen for me. It's up to me to do it for myself. What about you? How do you want to spend your year and what are you willing to do to make that a reality? ]]> Of All Nations, Why Should We Fear "Different"? tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2008:/theblog//3.134339 2008-10-13T11:52:49-04:00 2011-05-25T12:50:18-04:00 Perry Yeatman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/perry-yeatman/
First, let me state clearly that this is not a blog about either candidate. It's a blog about a country I love... America.

Since our founding, one of our greatest assets has been our diversity. We are one of very few truly diverse nations. We've been a blend of races and nationalities from the beginning. And, while our history shows we too have not always been fair or equitable, whether to women or African Americans for example, I do feel we have done better than most nations. And, all our citizens, our businesses and arguably the world have benefited from that. Not to get all sappy, but while in DC last week I was struck... again... by the words of our founding fathers and greatest leaders. For those who haven't read the Declaration of Independence or the Gettysburg Address recently, I strongly encourage it. They are so powerful... so insightful... and they are one of the reasons I was so disturbed by what I heard on the radio this morning... Have we learned nothing? Have we not grown during these last hundred years?

I have been speaking across the country and around the world during the past year about how working abroad can catapult your career. Two weeks ago, I was speaking at the Harvard Women in Business conference in Boston. When the students there asked me what were some of the most important lessons you could learn overseas that would help you succeed, I said living and working abroad would help you truly understand that "different" does not automatically equal "bad." And when asked why that would be important, I pointed to trends like globalization or even the changing demographics in the USA. To me, the writing is on the wall and undeniable. In the future, those companies and countries that can bring together the best -- from everywhere and everyone -- will clearly have an edge over those who remain closed within their narrow sphere.

"Tolerance" is simply not enough. We must all learn to embrace differences. And, as someone married to a foreigner, I can tell you it isn't always easy. But, there is no other way forward. If we want our children and grand children to live in a great nation -- a nation that still commands the respect and attention of the world -- we'd better all start now getting a lot more comfortable with the idea that different can indeed be great. It can make us better, stronger, more adaptable, more resilient. And therefore, it is not to be feared. It is to be explored... considered... evaluated on the merits.

So when you go to vote in the coming weeks -- and I do truly hope you will vote -- please make your selection not out of fear of what's different. Make your selection -- for you and for all of us -- based on what you truly think is best, for all of us.

Perry Yeatman is an SVP at Kraft Foods and co-author of the award-winning book, Get Ahead by Going Abroad.]]> Save Time and Money: Learn to Live out of a Carry-On tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2008:/theblog//3.119772 2008-08-20T16:06:21-04:00 2011-11-17T09:02:45-05:00 Perry Yeatman http://www.huffingtonpost.com/perry-yeatman/
Combining an impatient nature with chronic back aches and frequent travel made me a "carry-on only" girl nearly two decades ago. I may not be a fashion plate everywhere I go (I admit, that would take more packing space than allowable) but I do look professional and well put together.

For those of you just now trying to come to grips with the new rules of the road re: checked luggage, here are my 10 "no fail" tips on how to be a light packer and still arrive with what you need to have fun and look good.

1) Start with the biggest and best suitcase you can find. In my foreign and domestic travels, the one size I've found to be accepted by all is a 22" stroller bag. Get one with almost no internal sub-compartments, an external pouch for a laptop and a fully retractable handle. Because they are very light weight, last forever and are well designed, my favorite luggage Tumi. But, any brand will do if you pick wisely.

2) Add the right "hand bag/brief case". Don't just bring a small purse because in some airports if you can't fit it into your suitcase, it will count as "a bag" even if it's no larger than a credit card. So, I suggest a small handbag that can easily fit inside a larger soft sided duffle - a pair that together can fit under the seat in front of you if need be. Combining the stroller and the duffle will give you the maximum room allowed to pack in. That's a good start.

3) Next, ensure all of your toiletries are in travel size containers. Not only do you need to do this to get through security but it will save you a huge amount of space and weight.

4) Forget grooming appliances. Bring a multi-converter if you need it but otherwise, just plan to use the hair dryers etc at your destination.

5) Work with one base color only. Black. Brown. Tan. Navy. You pick. But, you only get one because everything has to match it. My choice is always black because it works so well switching from day to night and is the best at hiding a multitude of sins. But any base shade will do.

6) Dress in layers. That way you can easily move from climate to climate, indoors to outdoors, without needing totally different outfits. Just add or subtract layers as needed.

7) Use accessories and different tops/jackets to add color and visual differentiation to your base items. You'd be amazed how many days in a row you can wear simple black slacks or a basic black suit (washed if needed of course!) as long as you keep changing the jackets, scarves and jewelry.

8) Buy outfits that pack well. Look for ones that remain wrinkle-free, comfortable even when sitting for long periods of time and reduce to very small sizes when folded. There are many brands in all price ranges that are great for this. Two of my favorites are Eileen Fisher and St. John's. They are not cheap but I've had some of my outfits for nearly a decade so they do pay for themselves over time - and of course they both have outlet stores!

9) Limit your shoes to two pairs. Period. And, try not to bring a bulky pair (like boots) unless that's the pair you're sure to be wearing when you need to pack the rest of your stuff into your bag. I always bring a pair that can work across my needs for walking/site seeing/exercise (usually a simple black pair of walking shoes) and one pair for meetings/evenings (in my case, usually a low heeled black pump - with metal clips I can add/change so I can change the overall look of the shoes day to day).

10) Finally, make every inch of space work for you. Roll or fold all of your items. Stuff your shoes with your socks or scarves or other small wrinkle-proof items. How you pack can make a big difference in what you can fit so it's worth the effort!


So, that's my list. It may be painful at first to leave those gorgeous one of a kind outfits at home. But, once you get the hang of it and you see the benefits in time and money, I swear you'll never go back!

Perry Yeatman is an SVP at Kraft Foods and co-author of the award-winning book Get Ahead by Going Abroad.]]>