Sodiaal, a leading French dairy cooperative, recently hosted a comprehensive AI training seminar near Lyon, led by Emmanuel Obadia, aimed at transforming productivity, marketing, R&D, and sustainability through AI applications.
Seminar Context and Objectives
In June 2024, a comprehensive off-site seminar was organized near Lyon for 100 Sodiaal executives and team leaders. The event, conducted in French, aimed to educate and inspire leadership about AI’s transformative potential in the dairy industry. Key objectives included providing an inspiring keynote on AI’s impact, conducting interactive workshops on AI applications in productivity, marketing, R&D, and CSR, and facilitating practical learning sessions for immediate application within Sodiaal’s operations.
Tasks and Preparation
Emmanuel Obadia was tasked with designing and delivering a tailored AI training program for Sodiaal. The preparation involved two planning meetings to align on the agenda, expectations, and deliverables. Emmanuel developed customized presentation materials, workshop guides, and practical exercises specifically designed for the dairy industry context. The content was crafted to bridge the gap between strategic insights and hands-on application, ensuring that complex AI concepts were accessible to all participants regardless of their technical background.
Seminar Activities and Actions
The AI training seminar for Sodiaal featured a diverse range of activities and actions designed to provide comprehensive learning and practical application of AI concepts. These activities included:
Keynote Presentation: Emmanuel Obadia delivered an inspiring keynote that set the stage for the day, highlighting the transformative potential of AI in the dairy industry. This presentation covered key AI trends, applications, and their relevance to Sodiaal’s operations.
AI Maturity Assessment: Participants engaged in an exercise to evaluate Sodiaal’s current AI maturity across various dimensions, including AI usage, skills, decision-making, innovation, and customer personalization. This activity helped identify areas for improvement and strategic focus.
Multimodal AI Exploration: The seminar covered sessions on exploring multimodal AI applications relevant to the food & beverage, and CPG industries. This covered text, image, voice, data, and video analysis, as well as AI applications in marketing, R&D, and sustainability. Participants learned how these technologies could be applied to enhance product development, optimize production processes, and improve customer engagement.
Hands-on Tool Demonstrations: Practical demonstrations of AI tools relevant to Sodiaal’s operations were conducted. This included showcasing generative AI platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity for augmented research, and Microsoft Designer for AI-assisted creative work. These demonstrations provided participants with tangible examples of how AI could be integrated into their daily workflows.
Interactive Problem-Solving Workshops: As previously mentioned, the seminar included interactive workshops where teams tackled real-world challenges using AI. This activity was particularly effective in translating theoretical knowledge into practical application, as highlighted in Gérald’s testimonial.
Case Study Analyses: Participants examined AI initiatives from leading companies in the food and beverage industry, including Kraft Heinz, Unilever, L’Oréal, and Carrefour. These case studies provided valuable insights into successful AI implementations and their impact on various business aspects.
Ethical AI Discussions: The seminar addressed the ethical considerations of AI implementation, focusing on data privacy,transparency, and responsible AI use. This ensured that participants knew the opportunities and challenges associated with AI adoption.
Future Planning Session: The day concluded with a session dedicated to mapping out Sodiaal’s AI journey. Participants worked on identifying critical business problems that could be addressed with AI and outlining next steps for implementation.
Throughout these activities, Emmanuel Obadia employed a dynamic and engaging approach, combining strategic insights with practical examples. His ability to simplify complex AI concepts and relate them directly to Sodiaal’s context was particularly effective, as noted in Gérald’s feedback. The seminar’s structure allowed for a balance between theoretical learning and hands-on application, enabling participants to immediately apply their new knowledge in team sessions. This comprehensive and interactive approach to AI training not only educated Sodiaal’s team but also inspired them to think creatively about AI applications in their specific roles. The seminar’s success in bridging the gap between AI theory and practical implementation laid a strong foundation for Sodiaal’s future AI initiatives in marketing, R&D, and sustainability.
Interactive AI Problem-Solving
The seminar featured interactive AI workshops designed to engage participants in practical problem-solving. Ten tables of ten people each were presented with three industry-specific challenges to choose from, focusing on applying AI to marketing, R&D, and sustainability in the dairy sector. Teams had 20 minutes to develop innovative AI-driven solutions, fostering collaboration and creative thinking and leveraging chatGPT, Perplexity, and MS Designer. Three selected tables then presented their ideas to the entire group, showcasing diverse approaches to leveraging AI in Sodiaal’s operations. This hands-on exercise not only reinforced the seminar’s learnings but also generated actionable ideas for immediate implementation, as noted in Gérald’s feedback on the team’s ability to quickly grasp and apply AI concepts in practice.
Results and Feedback
The AI training seminar led by Emmanuel Obadia for Sodiaal yielded significant results and garnered highly positive feedback from participants. Key outcomes included:
Increased AI literacy: Participants across various departments, including marketing, R&D, and sustainability, gained a comprehensive understanding of AI’s potential applications in the dairy industry. This newfound knowledge empowered them to identify opportunities for AI integration within their respective areas.
Actionable strategies: The interactive workshops resulted in the development of concrete AI-driven strategies that Sodiaal could implement immediately. These ranged from optimizing marketing campaigns to enhancing product innovation processes.
Cross-functional collaboration: The seminar fostered interdepartmental cooperation, with teams from different areas working together to solve complex challenges using AI. This collaborative approach led to innovative solutions that leveraged diverse expertise.
Immediate application: As highlighted in Gérald’s testimonial, participants were able to quickly grasp and apply AI concepts in practical team sessions during the seminar itself. This hands-on experience accelerated the learning process and increased confidence in using AI tools.
Strategic alignment: The seminar helped align Sodiaal’s leadership on the strategic importance of AI, setting the stage for future investments and initiatives in this area.
Enhanced innovation potential: Participants left the seminar with a clearer vision of how AI could drive innovation in product development, marketing strategies, and sustainability efforts.
Positive ROI indicators: While specific financial metrics were not provided, the enthusiasm and immediate application of learnings suggested a strong potential for positive return on investment from the training
Gérald’s testimonial particularly emphasized the effectiveness of Emmanuel Obadia’s training approach:
“Emmanuel captivated our team with his personalized AI training at Sodiaal, focusing on marketing and R&D applications. His approach, combining strategic inspiration with practical aspects, enabled our collaborators to quickly grasp the opportunities offered by these new technologies and put them into practice in team sessions. His ability to simplify complex concepts, his energy, and his expertise in the field make him an ideal speaker for any company looking to integrate AI into its marketing and product strategy.” Gérald Saada, Managing Director @Sodiaal CPG – Growth Platforms, Marketing, R&D, CSR
This feedback underscores the seminar’s success in not only educating but also inspiring and enabling Sodiaal’s team to take concrete steps towards integrating AI into their operations. The combination of strategic insights and practical application provided by Emmanuel Obadia was particularly valued, positioning Sodiaal to leverage AI effectively in its future initiatives.
Accelerate Your AI Transformation
Personalized AI training, like the approach used with Sodiaal, can significantly accelerate digital transformation in companies across industries. By tailoring content to specific business needs and providing hands-on experience, organizations can quickly bridge the gap between AI theory and practical application. This approach enables teams to identify relevant AI use cases, develop actionable strategies, and foster cross-functional collaboration. To explore how a customized AI training program can benefit your company, consider scheduling a complimentary fit session. This initial consultation can help assess your organization’s AI readiness, identify key areas for improvement, and outline a strategic plan to leverage AI effectively in your business operations.
I am grateful for the impactful partnership with our sales and marketing teams. The keynote and OKR workshop have laid a strong foundation for our growth strategy. Emmanuel’s expertise, dedication, and strategic guidance have been invaluable in shaping our path to success. The team is energized, and we are excited to embark on the ABM journey. With the ongoing coaching and mentoring program, we are confident in achieving our objectives and positioning Wallix as a leader in the cybersecurity industry.” — Eric Gatrio, Chief Revenue Officer, Wallix
Emmanuel’s keynote at our kick-off was inspiring, and his OKR workshop transformed our goals into clear, actionable steps. Through his coaching program, I’m now experiencing his unique blend of strategic vision and practical guidance firsthand. Emmanuel’s rare ability to connect through speaking, workshops, and coaching is bringing real value to our organization.” — Edwige Brossard, Chief Marketing Officer, Wallix
As the team embarks on the ABM implementation, our commitment remains to provide ongoing support through the coaching and mentoring program. Together, we aim to empower Wallix to conquer new frontiers in the cybersecurity realm and fortify the digital resilience of businesses worldwide.
SCALING NEW HEIGHTS: WALLIX’S JOURNEY TO STRATEGIC GROWTH
Client: Meet Wallix, a leading cybersecurity company committed to empowering organizations worldwide with cutting-edge solutions to safeguard their critical assets from cyber threats. As Wallix’s newly appointed Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), Eric Gatrio was eager to steer the company toward strategic growth and elevate its position in the competitive cybersecurity landscape.
Challenge/Objective: Upon joining Wallix, Eric Gatrio faced the challenge of devising a comprehensive growth strategy that would capitalize on the company’s cybersecurity expertise and innovation. The objective was clear – to solidify Wallix’s position as a top cybersecurity provider, drive expansion into new markets, and strengthen its existing customer base. Additionally, Eric aimed to ignite a desire within the team to embark on Account-Based Marketing (ABM) at scale and endorse the OKR methodology for effective goal setting, all while ensuring sales and marketing alignment to maximize the company’s growth potential.
Solution: As a sales and marketing expert, Emmanuel delivered an inspiring keynote in the presence of the CEO, CFO, and Eric’s leadership team from all countries, highlighting the importance of sales and marketing alignment. The keynote sparked a newfound desire within the team to embark on Account-Based Marketing (ABM) at scale, solidifying Wallix’s leadership position in the cybersecurity landscape.
Additionally, Emmanuel conducted a well-received OKR workshop, providing the team with a comprehensive introduction to the OKR methodology. Through open discussions and cross-functional collaboration, we gained valuable insights into Wallix’s strengths and potential areas for improvement, laying a strong foundation for their growth journey.
Results: The keynote and OKR workshop inspired the team, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. The defined OKRs provided a clear and measurable direction for Wallix’s growth strategy, emphasizing the importance of sales and marketing alignment in driving success.
Follow-up Coaching & Mentoring: To ensure seamless implementation of the growth strategy, Wallix engaged in follow-up coaching and mentoring services. Our ongoing support helps Wallix to navigate market challenges, capitalize on emerging opportunities, and continuously enhance its cybersecurity solutions.
“Emmanuel has a real talent as a speaker and knows how to convey messages to a large audience. His keynote with the top 80 managers in France about CSR challenges was highly appreciated, both for his strategic vision and the operational examples; a concrete speech without blah-blah, all with good humor and friendliness. The parallel traced between digital and sustainable transformations is well articulated; if the topics diverge, the key message about the need for an underpinning transformation did resonate!”
“A big thank you to Emmanuel Obadia for coming to keynote at our quarterly French leader’s meeting, for listening to our challenges, and for offering us a speech without any jargon, both instructive and positive about the sustainable transformation.”
“Emmanuel addresses CSR and the substantive issues of sustainable transformation from an original and inspiring angle. His energy and his passion are communicative. A top keynote!”
FUELING CSR ENGAGEMENT: INSPIRING KINGFISHER’S TOP 80 LEADERS FOR SUSTAINABLE TRANSFORMATION
Emmanuel took center stage, delivering a thought-provoking keynote to Kingfisher‘s top 80 leaders in France. With the captivating title, “Did you like the digital transformation? You’ll love the impact revolution!”, Emmanuel set the tone for an engaging session. His speech, a unique blend of strategic vision and practical examples, left a lasting impact, praised for its relatable and jargon-free connection with the audience. His approach was refreshingly tangible, devoid of clichés, and infused with humor and warmth. One leader commented, “His concrete speech without blah-blah and his friendly demeanor made the keynote highly appreciated.” His engaging and humorous style made the topic of sustainable transformation accessible, compelling the leaders to see the parallel between digital and CSR transformations. The key takeaway resonated deeply: the need for an underpinning transformation for a sustainable future. Emmanuel’s passion for the subject matter was contagious, fueling enthusiasm and commitment among the audience. A leader remarked, “Emmanuel’s energy and passion are communicative, making this a top keynote!”
The event’s success solidified Emmanuel’s reputation as a trusted partner for Kingfisher. Impressed by his ability to bridge the gap between vision and actionable steps, Kingfisher Plc. eagerly continued their collaboration. A few months later, they invited him to address their top 300 leaders in another keynote. As one leader put it, “His instructive and positive speech about the sustainable transformation left a lasting impact.”
Emmanuel’s speech deeply connected digital and sustainable transformations, offering concrete examples and strategic vision. His impactful storytelling, strategic insights, and practical examples effectively conveyed the significance of CSR and sustainable transformation, leaving a lasting impression on the top 80 leaders.
“Emmanuel is a rock star. I always leave our sessions pumped up, like after a great concert. And what he said there still resonates in my mind weeks afterward, like a great song I cannot forget. Like any star, Emmanuel is a super pro. He has an in-depth experience on all corporate core topics, and knowledge of so many methods and tools to move forward. And, like any star, you can relate to Emmanuel. He has a fantastic personality and is the ultimate sparring partner: neither complacent nor harsh, but impactful and game-changer. Rock-on, Emmanuel!”
Accelerating Growth and Confidence: Stellar’s Executive Coaching Journey
ng Growth and Confidence: Stellar’s Executive Coaching Journey
Stellar, a rapidly growing B2B SaaS provider with a motto “We connect what drives you” bringing digital life to vehicles and passengers through the best internet and deep data intelligence, was on the fast track to success, and their founder, Damien Garot, was caring for help with the complex challenges of scale. Emmanuel stepped in, providing a tailored executive coaching and mentoring program that has since evolved into a second 12-session program and a workshop for his management team.
Damien initially set three key objectives for the program: mastering public speaking, raising funds, and increasing awareness. The results exceeded expectations. Damien describes the experience, saying, ‘Emmanuel is a rock star. I always leave our sessions pumped up, like after a great concert. And what he said there still resonates in my mind weeks afterward, like a great song I cannot forget.’
Emmanuel’s impact was profound. With his guidance, Damien learned the art of storytelling, mastered public speaking, completed his first fundraising round, prepared for future ones, and understood the power of ‘looking at the distant blue sky.’ He also learned how to manage journalists and handle tricky questions. Most importantly, he took away a get-things-done (GTD) methodology that helped him stay adaptable, tenacious, and always moving forward.
With Emmanuel’s guidance, Damien was able to lead Stellar with renewed confidence, effectively manage growth, and align his team with the company’s vision and values. Damien encapsulates Emmanuel’s influence: ‘He is neither complacent nor harsh, but impactful and game-changer.
“Emmanuel mentored me while I was working as VP Marketing at Didomi, a high-growth scale-up offering B2B software solutions, and needed crucial insights to structure our team, operations and processes. His coaching, mentoring, and advice proved to be very important for me as a young marketing leader, and I would recommend to any ambitious professional to get such an experienced advisor on board. Having a coach like Emmanuel helped me manage my team better and grow as an individual, even in challenging situations.
Emmanuel is a very kind individual, who brings structure to every working session and is able to quickly mobilize his experience leading marketing at global software companies. I could share a personal challenge, talk about a past meeting or an upcoming decision to take, or share a thoroughly prepared deck with him, he always found the appropriate balance between encouragement and toughness. More importantly, he is able to combine his feedback or advice with an incredibly important level of insight about people, organizations, and the various stakeholders involved in high-growth and high-pressure work environments.”
“Emmanuel has recently been very helpful with my team in the context of transformation/customer experience development. His energy, enthusiasm, and expertise have been recognized by all my team members who were really thankful for what he brought. Indeed, he made a very dynamic and engaging presentation and run a workshop where his expertise in terms of customer experience knowledge and experiences was really appreciated.”
Emmanuel Obadia & Partners | Transform & Innovate 