ERIKS N. America plans for growth post divestment | Sonepar subsidiary unveils new sales approach, leadership | Linde to build carbon capture plant in Germany with Heidelberg Materials
ERIKS North America has undergone some major changes since divesting from its Netherlands-based parent company last year, with new leadership, an acquisition and growth plans as a separate entity, CEO Jeff Crane says in this podcast episode. "I think there are a number of opportunities for us to invest in commercial activities and commercial capabilities that we don't have," Crane says.
Viking Electric, a subsidiary of Sonepar USA, has promoted three sales leaders to executive roles and is revamping its sales approach to focus on contractor and industrial customer segments. The Minneapolis-based company promoted Brett Wilson to vice president of contractor sales, Dean Dobitz to vice president of industrial sales and Steve Sass to director of sales operations.
Third-party logistics providers moving perishable items across borders should hire diverse and bilingual personnel to enhance communication and mitigate any problems at the border, according to industry experts. Using the right technology is also key, according to Emerson Cargo's Mayra Shaw, who said, "When it comes to protecting and preserving perishables, it's essential to have real-time visibility to in-transit shipment temperatures, location and security."
Blockchain, artificial intelligence or a mist filled with DNA molecules allows tracking of products such as cotton in clothing to ensure illegal sources haven't replaced legal ones in the journey from raw material to finished product. New government rules around the globe that prohibit products with components made with forced labor or that don't meet sustainability goals have become a "tipping point for real transparency," said MeiLin Wan, Applied DNA's vice president for textiles.
Goldie Chan, social media expert and CEO of Warm Robots, sets a five-step plan for business-to-business marketers to develop a successful brand ambassador program. Chan explains strategic planning, choosing the right advocates, inspiring with the best value proposition, supporting influencers and tracking return on investment.
The cast of HBO's "Succession" (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
Immersing yourself in the actual customer experience at your own company offers insights that top-level leaders don't often get, leadership speaker Denise Lee Yohn says in this video. Using an example from the HBO series, "Succession," Yohn illustrates how such a lack of understanding can result in misguided priorities, fewer customers and dissatisfied employees.
Seek diverse opinions, learn new skills and experiment with different approaches to disrupt how you've always done things as a leader and create new possibilities, write Jefferson Yu-Jen Chen and Anne Duggan, co-authors of "Courageous Invitations." "By embracing a mindset of curiosity and exploration, you can uncover new insights and opportunities that you might have otherwise missed," they write.
