In today’s consumer packaged goods (CPG) landscape, innovation isn’t optional; it’s survival. Speed-to-market and R&D efficiency determine who leads and who lags behind. Yet, many manufacturers still wrestle with outdated knowledge management approaches. Expertise is trapped in silos, innovation cycles stretch too long, and hybrid or global teams struggle to collaborate effectively.
PepsiCo offers a compelling proof point: by transforming how knowledge flows across its global R&D organization, the company accelerated decision-making, reduced duplication, and strengthened innovation. But this isn’t just a PepsiCo story; it’s a roadmap that other CPG manufacturers can follow.
Here are five key lessons from PepsiCo to speed up your innovation cycles and reap the rewards faster.
Innovation thrives when knowledge isn’t hoarded but shared, built upon, and celebrated. For many organizations, the challenge isn’t a lack of expertise; it’s creating an environment where people feel safe and motivated to contribute what they know.
PepsiCo tackled this by introducing anonymous Q&A functionality, making it easier for employees to share insights and ask questions without fear of judgment. The takeaway? R&D and operations leaders must go beyond policies and create mechanisms that reward and normalize knowledge sharing. A knowledge-centric culture ensures that valuable expertise is never lost, even as teams evolve or talent moves on.
Even within highly collaborative companies, knowledge often exists in micro-silos, small, isolated groups where insights stay buried. The result? Teams duplicate efforts, overlook past research, and waste resources.
PepsiCo solved this by connecting employees to existing insights, making them instantly discoverable and reusable across the organization. For CPG manufacturers, the lesson is clear: map where knowledge currently resides and deploy systems that surface expertise on demand. By doing so, you reduce redundancies and unlock hidden value from prior work.
No matter how powerful a knowledge management platform may be, it will fail if employees don’t adopt it. The key is usability. AI tools must be intuitive and deliver immediate personal value.
PepsiCo’s approach turned knowledge-sharing into a career-building exercise. Employees could showcase their expertise and build their internal brand, making participation inherently rewarding. For other manufacturers, the strategy is to focus on user experience: ensure that platforms are simple to use, seamlessly integrated into daily workflows, and designed to benefit individuals as much as the organization.
A static database of reports and presentations is no longer enough. True knowledge management is dynamic; it thrives on interaction and engagement.
PepsiCo achieved impressive results, with 96% of questions answered and participation peaking during remote work periods. This demonstrates the importance of measuring not just how much information is stored, but how actively it is being used. For CPG manufacturers, success metrics should include responsiveness, adoption rates, and cross-team collaboration. This shift in measurement ensures that knowledge systems remain living, evolving assets rather than digital filing cabinets.
Ultimately, knowledge management isn’t about technology; it’s about business outcomes. When expertise flows freely, CPG manufacturers can accelerate product innovation, streamline operations, and cut costs.
PepsiCo proved this by enabling faster decision-making and reducing R&D overhead. For other manufacturers, the message is clear: effective knowledge management directly drives competitive advantage. Whether launching new products faster or improving supply chain resilience, the ability to connect people with expertise at the right moment is a differentiator in a crowded market.
PepsiCo’s success highlights a fundamental truth: the future of CPG innovation depends on how well organizations harness their collective intelligence. For leaders, the first step is to audit your current knowledge-sharing culture. Are silos slowing down progress? Are employees motivated to contribute their expertise? Are you measuring the right things?
Platforms like Starmind are designed to make this transformation possible. As PepsiCo’s case study illustrates, the right approach can unleash hidden expertise, foster collaboration, and deliver measurable ROI. If your teams are still relying on outdated databases or disconnected systems, it may be time to modernize your knowledge management strategy.
Want to see how your organization can achieve similar results? Let’s talk about how to unlock the knowledge already within your teams and turn it into a driver of growth.