Client Story: Dawn Foods

Introduction 

00:00:09 – 00:00:23 
Dawn is a bakery distributor and manufacturer. We make and distribute sweet baked goods in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. Each month, we manage roughly 75 to 100 projects, which includes the commercialization of new product development. 

Challenges Before Implementation 

00:00:23 – 00:01:10 
At Dawn, we operated very functionally but lacked visibility into projects across functions. We often didn’t know the status of a project—whether it was at the beginning, middle, or end. Without metrics, unexpected issues would arise. For example: 

• Missing documents delayed facility moves. 

• Capital projects didn’t start on time. 

• Customers sometimes didn’t receive samples when expected. 

Factors in Selecting a Solution 

00:01:10 – 00:01:48 
When choosing a solution, we considered several factors: 

Ease of implementation – We wanted something simple because we previously used Excel or Microsoft Project. 

Integration – SAP integration was crucial, especially for CapEx projects, to ensure financials flowed correctly. 

Teams integration – Since we create Teams channels for most projects, the ability to automate this setup was highly valuable. 

Project Intake and Prioritization 

00:01:48 – 00:02:28 
We use a generic intake form for all projects. This allows us to: 

• Categorize projects within strategy pillars. 

• Score and prioritize projects efficiently. 

• Maintain a real Gantt chart to track progress and deadlines. 

This system lets us see whether projects are on time, behind schedule, and who is responsible for each task. 

Benefits of the Solution 

00:02:28 – 00:03:18 
The key benefits include: 

• Visibility – Clear understanding of project status and responsibilities. 

• Accountability – Decision-makers and task owners are clearly defined. 

• Risk management – Risks are quantified early, allowing proactive mitigation. 

This approach reduces surprises, ensures constraints are identified early, and allows us to take corrective action ahead of time. 

Relationship with Cora Team 

00:03:18 – 00:03:30 
My relationship with the Cora team has been excellent. From initial demos to configuration and training, they have been consistently supportive. The partnership has been very positive.