JDE Peets - Filling a knowledge gap

Filling the knowledge gap in developing the L'OR Barista Créatif coffee machine and companion app.

At Dot Connectors we pride ourselves on being the Swiss Army knife for project management, product ownership and in this case, especially for connecting the dots between innovation, marketing, and technical realization.

One of our most dynamic projects involved Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE), where I, Xander Amo, took on the dual role of Project Manager, Product Owner, and overall project specialist for developing the L'OR Barista Créatif proposition.

I was not only responsible for overseeing the app's development, ensuring smooth communication between internal teams and external partners, and guaranteeing that the app met both business and consumer expectations. I was also involved in commercial contract negotiations, legal contracts, and overall proposition strategy. We closed the project with a future way of working for similar projects and people.

Xander's role in Digital sparring partner Filling a knowledge gap. Project specialist. Connecting the dots.

The Challenge

JDE sought to revolutionize the coffee experience with the L'OR Barista Créatif connected coffee machine, enabling features like recipe customization, remote brewing, and smart reorder notifications. My role was initiated by JDE’s Innovation team in collaboration with JDE IT, to drive the project from concept to execution. The challenge was to manage and deliver the app, aligning business strategy with technical innovation, while ensuring seamless collaboration across various stakeholders.

Connecting Innovation, Marketing, and Technology with internal colleagues and external partners.

As part of the JDE Innovation Team, I played a crucial role in aligning the app’s development with the broader marketing and business strategy. This meant translating the innovative vision into a technically sound and user-centric product, ensuring the app was more than just a technical tool—it needed to resonate with consumers.

As a temporary external expert, I was responsible for overseeing the app's development and ensuring smooth communication between internal teams and external partners. This level of collaboration required orchestrating efforts across multiple teams to ensure a unified vision for the L'OR Barista Créatif. I worked closely with a diverse range of external partners, including:

- Versuni (formerly Philips) for IoT integration with the coffee machine and cloud solutions.

- Infinum, which led the development and design of the mobile app.

- JustBI, responsible for data analytics and reporting integration.

- Emakina, tasked with Salesforce and eCommerce integration.

- Conversation Design Institute, which collaborated on the future voice integration.

In addition to overseeing technical development, I was actively involved in commercial contract negotiations and legal agreements, ensuring that the app’s business model, from smart reordering to user data management, was fully aligned with JDE’s strategic objectives.

Results and Future Way of Working

The project culminated in the successful launch of the L'OR Barista Créatif machine and app, offering a seamless user experience while connecting consumers to the coffee machine in innovative ways. Through collaboration with our external partners, we were able to close knowledge gaps between technical development, consumer experience, and business strategy, creating a comprehensive product that not only met but exceeded expectations.

We also established a future way of working, laying out a blueprint for how similar projects could be executed more efficiently across JDE. This framework ensures clear communication, goal alignment, and streamlined collaboration between business, technical, and external partners.

Conclusion

At Dot Connectors, we specialize in bridging the gap between business strategy and technical realization. Our work on the L'OR Barista Créatif proposition showcased our ability to connect innovation with practical execution and knowledge transportation.

If you’re looking for a partner to help you fill a knowledge gap and that moves your project forward. Reach out today to learn more!