Katelyn Jones, Head of Strategy and Transformation at AGRANA, shares what it really takes to build strategy in a global agribusiness spanning sugar, starch, and fruit processing. From her career journey through BayWa AG to leading fruit operations in New Zealand, Katelyn brings rare perspective on where consultants add value versus where in-house teams should lead. She breaks down the realities of commodity markets under pressure, the innovation happening in fruit preparations you see on grocery shelves, and why strategy must be owned internally even when external expertise is needed. For anyone working in consulting, corporate strategy, or agricultural business, this conversation reveals the balance between building internal capability and knowing when to bring in specialized support.
- Why strategy processes must be owned in-house while consultants support specific projects rather than drive the entire transformation
- How AGRANA navigates commodity pressures in sugar and starch markets while growing specialties and fruit innovation businesses
- The exact scenarios when external consultants add value: expertise gaps, capacity constraints, or tool implementations requiring specialized knowledge
- What makes consultants valuable long-term: honesty about scope boundaries and willingness to say when work should stay internal
- How to structure strategy teams for flexibility across transformation, M&A, and strategic initiatives without becoming siloed specialists
- The reality check on consulting engagements and how strategy departments keep projects focused on delivering actual results
Connect with Katelyn Jones on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyn-jones-a9166653
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– Christian and the Beyond Consulting podcast team
Connect with Christian Moldenhauer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-moldenhauer/
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Beyond Consulting, hosted by Christian Moldenhauer, founder of expertpowerhouse, is the show for current and former consultants ready to explore what comes next. Hear the real stories of ex-consultants who’ve built startups, led innovative teams, joined exciting ventures, or completely reinvented their careers. Each episode delivers unfiltered insights, practical lessons, and strategic advice to help you transition, grow, and lead beyond the world of traditional consulting.