Projects, Experience & References
Plant-based Food
Interim client case:
Led the development and rollout of the international expansion strategy for Germany and Switzerland, creating a fundraising proof of concept and building a pipeline of customers in mass retail, foodservice, and top-tier restaurants.
Plant-based Beverages
Interim client case:
Assisted a start-up business in the plant-based category develop an aggressive growth strategy, implement performance management processes, and build a high performing sales organisation.
Premium Confectionery
Client Case:
Strategy workshops with leadership team for niche player in the premium confectionery industry. The purpose was to build knowledge in the organisation about the characteristics of the Travel Retail channel and to determine strategic priorities for both Export and Travel Retail. Travel Retail strategy resulted in strong Nordic distribution footprint.
Australian Wine
Client Case:
Developed a 3-stringed go-to-market model to enter the highly complex alcohol market in the US for 10 of the wine company’s client brands. Each model matched the ambitions and risk profile of the wine brand and as a result each brand is currently benefitting from their tailored model.
Seafood
Client Case:
Delivered a report on how to succeed with one of the world’s largest retailers with corporate HQ in the US. Deep dive on retailer business model, do's and don'ts and recommended approach
Export Council of Australia
Client Case:
Held training programs and was part of expert panels in numerous workshops aimed at assisting Western Australian businesses with their international business development. Main presenter and advisor at the Women Trading Globally Program with the purpose of assisting Sri Lankan women develop a successful international strategy for their businesses.
Baby Food
Interim client case:
Sparring partner and mentor to the founder and CEO, supporting organisational and strategic development with focus on rapid international growth
Confectionery
Employment:
19 years in Denmark’s leading confectionery company. Last 5 years as Vice President International Sales and part of executive management team with leadership responsibility for 45 employees. P&L responsibility for three business units – Export, Travel Retail and Sweden – each with different market positions and competitive dynamics and therefore highly different strategic approaches that generated the expected results.
Free From Category
Client Case:
Assisted a start-up company in the free from category with distributor contacts in Europe as well as providing commercial input to distributor agreements.
Danish Wine
Client Case:
Long term project where I worked closely together with CEO/owner as well as the operational team to develop a focused business strategy and implement sales excellence and performance management tools. Two workshops to define core competences and company DNA as well as set strategic priorities were held.
Department of Primary Industries, Australia
Client Case:
Presentations to WA food and beverage member companies on how to engage with domestic and international retail buyers both on a strategic and tactical level.
Danish Craft Distillery
Client Case:
Developed a short term international go-to-market plan for the distillery's existing award-winning gin range while planning the launch and long term strategy for the distillery's whisky launch.
What some of my clients say
"Annemette has helped us get insights into the travel/duty free industry and the mechanisms that characterise this channel. She has been an asset when it comes to understanding how this industry works and in terms of building the Simply Chocolate strategy. Annemette has proven to have a very strong strategic toolbox as well as hardworking skills, and she has always been very prepared and engaged in our meetings. She is a very good sparring partner for me and the team, and she has my recommendations as a strong partner/consultant to build sales with."
Niels Østenkær, CEO Simply Chocolate
"Frederiksdal Kirsebærvin A/S is a start-up company producing wine from cherries from its own orchards selling directly to consumers worldwide. Annemette Thomsen has contributed to the journey with strategic and operational skills from the corporate world and implementing them into a small company. This has given the company a good strategic direction with clear priorities and has created a common goal for the Frederiksdal team. The organisation has benefitted from Annemette’s warm person, good overview, analytical skills, and knowledge about markets and sales mechanisms, making it clear what´s important and what’s not important. I have also appreciated her concrete input as a sparring partner on the overall development of the business."
Harald Krabbe, CEO & Owner Frederiksdal Kirsebærvin
"I had the pleasure of working with Annemette over several years. The ECA contracted Annemette to assist with training programs and to be part of expert panels in numerous workshops aimed at assisting Western Australian businesses with their export planning.
Annemette provided exceptional service in assisting both Western Australian exporters and Sri Lankan business women under the Women Trading Globally Program with their international business development.
Her strategic mindset, hands-on experience, and personable manner, proved to be a valuable combination that those who participated in her workshops appreciated and benefited from.
Annemette understands when to use her corporate strategic toolbox and how to get her message across through concrete operational examples. She is also an accomplished presenter who understands how to effectively communicate with her target audience and maintain their interest and engagement.
Above all, Annemette was always professional, took time to understand our needs and desired outcomes, and delivered above expectations."
Honor Iosif, Former State Manager for Western Australia, Export Council of Australia
"Annemette’s extensive knowledge of how to create a successful international business has been of great value to the department’s food and beverage clients. Annemette has presented valuable insights on how to engage with domestic and international retail buyers both on a strategic and tactical level by delivering a series of workshops for the department.
Through her excellent presentation and communication skills and ability to provide hands-on practical advice, Annemette has made it easy for our clients to transfer her knowledge and experience to immediate and concrete business opportunities for WA businesses."
Jon Berry, Project Manager at Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia