Leadership, Strategy, and Business Insights for Petfood Scientists
The Best Technical Solution Isn't Always the Best Business Solution
Last month, I introduced the four business capabilities that have shaped my career: Business Acumen, Strategic Thinking, Cross-Functional Leadership, and Strategic Communication.
Rather than cover all four at once, over the next few issues I want to take them one at a time, sharing what each has meant in my career and how you can begin applying it in yours.
Let's start with Business Acumen.
Lauraā€™s Lesson
One of the experiences that taught me the most about business was developing what eventually became TEMPTATIONSā„¢cat treats.
The work didn't start with the idea of creating a cat treat. We were trying to solve a technical challenge: Could we create a better-tasting cat food?
As a scientist, that was exactly the kind of problem I loved. We focused on understanding what cats preferred and how we could create a product they found highly palatable.
But as the work progressed, the opportunity became much bigger than the technical problem we were trying to solve.
Instead of simply creating better-tasting cat food, we began to see the potential to create something different: a new way for pet parents to treat and interact with their cats. That opened the door to what became the cat treat category and ultimately TEMPTATIONSā„¢.
It taught me to look beyond the technical problem in front of me. Sometimes the greatest business opportunity isn't the solution you originally set out to develop. It comes from understanding what your science makes possible and connecting it to a larger consumer and business need.
The best technical solution isn't always the best business solution. Sometimes the science can lead you to an even bigger opportunity.
I share the full story behind the development of TEMPTATIONSā„¢ in my e-book, Beyond the Bench.
Why It Matters
Scientists are trained to find answers. We evaluate data, solve technical problems, and recommend what we believe will work best.
But businesses aren't optimizing for technical performance alone.
An ingredient decision can affect margin, supply security, and manufacturing efficiency. A new product may be technically feasible but not solve an important consumer need. A technically superior solution may require an investment the business can't justify.
Business acumen means seeing your science in this larger context.
The shift is from asking only:
Can we do this?
to also asking:
Should we do this, and why does it matter to the business?
That's when scientists begin contributing not just technical answers, but better business decisions.
The PetSpark Framework
I define Business Acumen simply:
Understand how your company creates value and how your work contributes to it.
You don't need an MBA or finance degree to develop business acumen. You do need to become curious about the business around your science.
How does your company make money? Which products and customers drive growth? Where are the biggest costs? What does Finance see when it looks at your project?
The more you understand the business, the better you can connect your technical expertise to the decisions that matter.
One Tool
SparkFit: Look Beyond Technical Feasability
Scientists naturally spend a lot of time thinking about feasibility:
Can we formulate it?
Can we manufacture it?
Will it perform?
SparkFit helps broaden that perspective by looking at three dimensions:
Desirability: Do customers and consumers want it?
Viability: Does it create value for the business?
Feasibility: Can we successfully make and deliver it?
The strongest solutions balance all three. A technically excellent solution that consumers don't value isn't enough. Neither is an exciting consumer idea that can't be manufactured reliably or doesn't make business sense.
SparkFit helps you step back from the technical answer and look at the whole opportunity.
One Action
Choose one project you're working on right now and ask yourself three questions:
Desirability: What customer or consumer need are we solving?
Viability: How does this create value for the business?
Feasibility: Can we technically and operationally deliver it?
Which question is easiest for you to answer? Which is the hardest?
If feasibility comes naturally, spend a little more time this month understanding the other two.
That's one small way to start building your business acumen.
PetSpark Update
Science belongs at the strategy table.
PetSpark helps pet food scientists turn technical expertise into business impact through practical tools, business capabilities, and leadership development.
Each issue of The Petfood Scientist is one way I'll help you make that shift.
Next month: Strategic Thinking.
We'll explore why being responsive doesn't mean everything should be a priority.
Continue Your Journey
If this newsletter resonated with you, here are a few ways to continue your journey.
Explore PetSpark
Learn more about PetSpark, our business capabilities, signature tools, courses, consulting services, and upcoming programs designed specifically for pet food scientists.
Take the Business Impact Scorecard
Curious where you are on your journey?
The Business Impact Scorecard helps you assess your current business capabilities and identify the areas that will have the greatest impact on your professional growth.
Take the Free Business Impact Scorecard
Start Learning Today
Ready to take the next step?
Explore PetSpark's self-paced courses, designed specifically for pet food scientists who want to strengthen their business skills and increase their influence.
Check out Full Suite of Courses
Join the PetSpark Community
Coming soon.
Connect with fellow petfood scientists, participate in monthly learning sessions, gain access to exclusive resources, and continue growing alongside a community of peers.
Thank you for joining me for the first issue of The Petfood Scientist.
Whether you're just beginning your career or leading teams across the industry, I hope you'll find practical ideas, useful tools, and new perspectives that help you grow your influence and create greater impact.
I'm excited to share this journey with you.
Until next month,
Laura Moran
Founder, PetSpark
Creator of The Petfood Scientist
Turning science into strategy.
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