Intelligent Choices for a New World

Intelligent Choices for a New World In a world where single-use plastic packaging is rightfully being removed from the supermarket shelves, what solution is there for drinking water? The Retail People Magazine chat with Harry Singh, CEO of NKD Life and shares the years they spent in creating technologically advanced water filtration devices that aim to give us the same endless spring quality water in a single, reusable personal bottle.

nkd Life is a British Company leading the market in the design, manufacture and sales of technologically advanced water filtration bottles. We launched our first consumer water filter bottle in 2017 offering advanced levels of water filtration.

Our award-winning nkd Pod+ is designed with the consumer in mind. Ergonomic to hold, finished with a soft luxurious silicone sleeve and incorporating a one-touch cap release, keeping the mouthpiece always clean, the bottle is a delight in its ease of use. The tough BPA free, dishwasher safe Tritan body is designed so it can be taken, anywhere you go.

The heart of the bottle is its unique filter. Using Space programme technology, it removes up to 99.9% of Bacteria, Viruses, Cysts, Chemicals and heavy metals from many water sources, instantly, as you drink, giving you crisp, clean, safe drinking water. The three-stage filter begins with removing chemicals and heavy metals, next microbiological contaminants are removed, and finally, the media core ionizes the water making it taste light and fresh.

The nkd Pod+ is ideal for travelers visiting destinations where it can be filled at airports, hotels or restaurant taps. It’s also perfect for school children, giving parents peace of mind while their children use the school's water system. The stylish design of the Pod+ coming in 6 colours, none of which would look out of place on any executive's work desk, reminding them to stay hydrated throughout the day.

When hiking, camping and out in the wilderness the Pod+ is invaluable, whether you fill from a wadi in the desert, or a river while hiking in the Himalayas.

The Pod+ makes a perfect and thoughtful gift, considering the damage single-use plastics are causing to our environment, this product takes a leap in the right direction.

Millions of people across the world every day take a chance of illness or death just to drink water which is often contaminated. We want to put an end to this through our nkd life movement. Each bottle and replacement filter our customer purchases filter 175 litres of water. We, in turn, will provide the same amount of water to those most vulnerable.

The Pod+ is sold across Europe, India, Kenya, USA and UAE. We are proud to have leading retailers such Dubai Duty Free, Virgin Megastore, Jashanmal, and Adventure HQ stock the Pod+ and look forward to adding many more outlets soon. For more info, please visit: nkdlife.com

Food and Beverage - No Playground for Lucky Losers Will Odwarka, Owner and CEO of Heart At Work Growth Management Consulting talks to Retail People Magazine about why it has never been more important to look for advice to forecast feasible and achievable growth targets in the Food and Beverage Industry.

Tell us a bit about yourself. Originally born and raised in Vienna, Austria, my career started in construction and commercial real estate before I joined McDonald's. In the last 30 years, I supported the growth of new players in this field which today are some of the best-known brands like McDonald's, Burger King and Starbucks. Throughout my career, I have been responsible for over 1,000 openings in over 40 countries.

You’ve had a great background and expertise, how did you come up with the idea of establishing the Heart@Work? It was a dream since my early days, but I didn't pursue it. Now, I believe I have the expertise and range of knowledge to start something great. In addition, my wife was passionate and keen to jump on board, it was like the cherry on the cake. Heart@Work puts the main protagonists in focus who are the "people." There are so many great ideas and concepts out there, failing because they just don't see it through. We support them to avoid pitfalls and mistakes on the way or at least to help them to recognize them.

What services do you offer that you think unique to others who are in the same field? Aside from our vast experience in so many countries and fields, we set ourselves apart from the majority of consultants, we can literally step into a business and look at it not only from a helicopter view, but from within. We also work as a bridge between the Gulf countries and Europe for businesses that are ready to grow and to go to the next level. We also do brandscouting for malls, hotels and investors and advise on market planning and help setup growth strategies. G R O WTH • MANA GEMENT • CONSUL TING

What do you think are the secrets on how to achieve growth plans and retain partners successfully in the F&B industry? Reach out for advice, don’t pretend you know it all because you don’t. You need to stay savvy but at the same time understand what you would like to accomplish. Success can only be achieved through hard work by consistently satisfying the client's expectations. F&B business demands a lot. When you run a restaurant or café, you need to consider the level of commitment, passion and drive to keep it going. If there is one thing which I would consider a key to success – it is PEOPLE. Bring them along, train them, fill them in your plans and let them grow with you. No lip service but a serious commitment to the individuals that make your concept work. Over the last decades, our industry spent so much on design, look and feel, branding and technology, but so little focus on the people who deliver the very story to the clients who pay for it.

F&B is not an industry for lucky losers. It requires a serious confrontation. The people should understand what guests need and how to deliver it before they think about their bank account – regardless of whether it is their own concept or a franchise.