The Chemical Show: Leadership Conversations on Strategy, Supply Chain, Innovation, Talent and Trends

By Victoria King MeyerBusiness News Business News Management

The Chemical Show: Leadership Conversations on Strategy, Supply Chain, Innovation, Talent and Trends episodes

August 20, 2024Harnessing a Digitally-Optimized Business Model with Austin Nichols of ChemPoint - Ep 176
Explore the intersection of digital innovation and chemical distribution with host Victoria Meyer and Austin Nichols, CEO of ChemPoint, on The Chemical Show. Austin shares his insights on the critical role of digital solutions in scaling business operations. Victoria and Austin discuss the difference between ChemPoint's supplier-centric model and Univar's broader approach, detailing how ChemPoint leverages digital marketing and inside sales to enhance efficiency and supply chain management.

Discover how ChemPoint's unique value proposition targets strategic supplier relationships and digital optimization. Austin discusses the ongoing digital progression in the plastics industry, the impact of AI on distribution, and how remote work during the pandemic brought about transformative changes in company culture. Gain valuable perspectives on leadership, customer focus, and the significance of creating a culture of accountability in business success.

Gain insights on the following topics this week:
The evolution of ChemPoint: from Univar's digital platform to standalone chemical distributor
Striking a balance in being "wholly owned" yet a stand-alone distributor
Right-sizing digital resources
Digitization and the future of chemical industry distribution
How is the chemical industry utilizing AI in business?
The evolution of work models: Facing challenges and strategies in remote work
What is critical in leadership today?

Killer Quote: "At ChemPoint, we're not just focused on distributing chemicals; we're pioneering a digital transformation in the industry. By combining frugality with cutting-edge digital solutions, we're able to redefine efficiency and reshape how suppliers and customers interact. It's about creating a seamless, innovative experience that keeps us ahead of the curve." - Austin Nichols

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38 min
August 13, 2024Mastering the Art of Resilience: Turning Setbacks Into Success - Ep 175
Exploring the crucial role of resilience in both personal and professional contexts, host Victoria Meyer delves into how businesses and individuals can adapt, recover, and ultimately thrive amid unexpected challenges.

Victoria breaks down the concept of resilience, distinguishing it from business continuity planning and emphasizing its emotional and adaptive components. She shares practical tips on building resilience, such as embracing mistakes, fostering accountability, and planning responses to potential setbacks.

Tune in to gain insights on nurturing resilience within yourself and your team as you navigate the unpredictable landscape of today's business world.

Victoria discusses the following topics this week:
Why business resilience matters
Current events causing upheaval
Can Resilience be taught?
The importance of a Growth Mindset
3 Strategies to Enhance Business Resilience
What can leaders do to instill resilience

Killer Quote: "Resilience is really the ability to adapt, recover, and thrive in the face of various challenges. It's not just about bouncing back—it's about bouncing forward, embracing mistakes, and learning from them to become stronger and more adaptable." -- Victoria Meyer

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.
***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com
Wondering how we produce our podcast?
We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
We use CastMagic.io to create Show Notes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1
We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t
22 min
August 06, 2024Building a 100-Year Company: Kris Maynard of Essential Ingredients - Ep 174
Discover how hiring for character and training for skills can cultivate a thriving company culture with Kris Maynard, executive chairman of Essential Ingredients. Kris joins host Victoria Meyer on The Chemical Show this week to share insights on the importance of long-term sustainability, reflecting on his company’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming an employee-owned business. Kris discusses the transformative power of trusting relationships, transparent communication, and the strategic advantages of remaining privately owned.
Additionally, Victoria and Kris explore the concept of a 100-year company, drawing parallels with historical craftsmanship in cathedrals, and discuss how Essential Ingredients' ESOP model has driven employee retention and engagement. Gain valuable advice for those entering the industry and understand how a purpose-driven approach can navigate modern challenges like supply chain issues and regulatory hurdles.

Join us this week as Victoria and Kris discuss the following topics:
Essential Ingredients' origin story: Humble beginnings in a server closet
What makes Essential Ingredients different?
Partnership Alignment in one-to-one relationships
Essential Ingredients as a privately owned company - a rarity in the chemical industry
Building a 100-year company
Customer Experience at Essential Ingredients
Kris Maynard's leadership advice

Killer Quote: "A hundred-year company isn’t just about surviving; it's about flourishing, creating a legacy, and paving the way for future generations. It's about hiring for character, training for skills, and building a culture that values trust, transparency, and long-term sustainability." – Kris Maynard

Other Links:
April Yeager, Senior Vice President of Operations for Essential Ingredients, Episode 41: Moving Up the Corporate Ladder For Professional And Personal Growth With April Yeager

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.
***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com
Wondering how we produce our podcast?
We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
We use CastMagic.io to create Show Notes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1
We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t
39 min
July 30, 2024(Part 2) Role of Venture Capital in Clean Tech Startups with Rob van der Meij - Ep 173
Sharing valuable insights on strategic partnerships, Rob van der Meij, a partner at Capricorn Partners joins host Victoria Meyer for the final installment of this series, citing successful collaborations like Econic’s partnership with Unilever and Monument Chemical, and the significance of balanced, non-competing alliances.

Gain a deeper understanding of the venture capital process in green chemistry and how startups drive innovation where large corporates might hesitate. Discover the essential steps for assessing potential investments and the importance of diverse perspectives on boards to foster long-term success and sustainability in the industry.

Join us this week as Victoria and Rob discuss the following topics:
Partnering criteria in chemical industry VC
Board Diversity and Corporate Vision
Capricorn Partners' Investment Strategy and their approach to VC
The role of leadership in driving success
Next steps for investors and investment funds: how to get involved with VC

Killer Quote: "It’s not just about being a shark; in the chemicals and energy world, you need to be the right kind of matchmaker. Balancing between enabling innovation and ensuring sustainability can make a real difference in this industry." — Rob van der Meij

Other Links:
Tom van Aken, Avantium: Commercializing New Technologies For A Sustainable World With Tom Van Aken Of Avantium

Corey Tyre of Trillium: Scaling Up Sustainable Chemistry: Trillium’s Path to Green Acrylonitrile Technology with Corey Tyree

James Gibson, Void Technologies: Neil Burns, James Gibson, And Jon Timbers On Creating A Greener Planet With Sustainable Innovation

Keith Wiggins Econic Technologies: From Carbon Emissions To Valuable Raw Material With Keith Wiggins of Econic Technologies

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.
***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com
Wondering how we produce our podcast?
We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
We use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1
We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t
36 min
July 23, 2024Role of Venture Capital in Clean Tech Startups with Rob van der Meij of Capricorn Partners - Ep 172
Wondering how venture capital firms support the clean tech startup ecosystem?
Explore the intricacies of sustainable investing and leadership dynamics in the chemical industry with Rob van der Meij, a partner at Capricorn Partners in part 1 of this 2 part series. Host Victoria Meyer delves into Rob's expertise on ESG and impact investing, the vital role of leadership throughout a company's life cycle, and the emotional challenges founders face in relinquishing control.

Hear about Capricorn Partners' unique approach to venture capital investment in cleantech and chemistry sectors, highlighting the importance of diversified investments and the innovation hurdles startups encounter.

Join us this week as Victoria and Rob discuss the following topics:
Sustainable Investing
Transitioning skills from big to small companies
The role of venture capital in chemicals and clean tech
Venture capital versus private equity
Derisking and business development

Killer Quote: "In business development for a new venture, it's crucial to find customers who understand that our product is still evolving and who are willing to accept that it's not yet perfect." — Rob van der Meij, Capricorn Partners
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29 min
July 16, 2024How Pricing and Behavioral Economics Impacts Business with Melina Palmer - Ep 171
Behavioral economics is revolutionizing the business world with Melina Palmer, CEO of The Brainy Business, and Victoria Meyer on The Chemical Show®. Melina delves into the importance of social proof in influencing consumer decisions, showcasing how psychological principles can dramatically shape pricing strategies. Highlighting examples from luxury goods like the Birkin bag to New York City's $214 grilled cheese sandwich, she explains how scarcity, identity, and well-framed messaging can alter purchasing behavior irrespective of functionality.
Melina will be a speaker at The Chemical Summit on October 8-9, 2024 in Spring, Texas. For details and tickets, visit thechemicalsummit.com.
Victoria and Melina discuss the profound impact language and framing have on decision-making, emphasizing the value of thoughtful communication in reducing stress and improving organizational efficiency. They share actionable insights on leveraging behavioral economics principles in B2B settings, experimenting with small focused tests, and leading teams with an openness to change and human-centric strategies.

Tune in to hear Victoria and Eric discuss the following topics:
Life as a series of micro moments and micro decisions
Communicating with customers and getting them to buy your products
The Truth About Pricing and the rest of the story
Applying behavioral economics to B2B markets
Linguistics as a part of value, pricing, and negotiations
Aligning your business' communication and messaging
Effective leadership in turning the tide more toward behavior centricity

Killer Quote: "Pricing is not just about the numbers; it's about the psychology and the framing of the message. The way you present your product's value can turn a simple sandwich into an exclusive, $214 experience." — Melina Palmer, The Brainy Business
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48 min
July 02, 2024Future of Green Methanol: Challenges and Opportunities with Eric Bober - Ep 170
Discover why methanol has become the number one alternative fuel for ships ordered in 2023 and how the race for environmentally improved methanol is shaping the future of the chemical industry. Eric Bober, Senior VP at NexantECA, joins host Victoria Meyer on The Chemical Show® to dive into the evolution of green chemicals, the urgent demand for sustainable methanol as marine fuel, and the gap between innovation and infrastructure.
Victoria and Eric explore the groundbreaking advancements and the hurdles companies face in project development and market segmentation, all while highlighting the critical role of consortiums and government incentives in driving progress. Further discussing the importance of balancing traditional technology with innovative solutions, Victoria and Eric shed light on carbon capture and the strategies to mitigate risks and propel the industry forward. As the push for decarbonization intensifies, hear how methanol’s journey from commodity to green powerhouse is poised to reshape the chemical and shipping industries.

Tune in to hear Victoria and Eric discuss the following topics:
Green Methanol: the revolution continues and the evolution is currently "bogged down"
Methanol as a shipping fuel
Decarbonization: Who's paying for it?
Leveraging the strengths and advantages of methanol
Solutions to speeding up environmentally improved methanol
Methanol's future outlook
Killer Quote:
"If you build it, they will come. And I think in this case, they're coming, so we need to build it. The ships are coming. They're going to come starting next year. And if we can have environmentally improved methanol, the ships will use it." - Eric Bober
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22 min
June 25, 2024Decarbonizing the Chemical Industry with Solugen CEO Gaurab Chakrabarti - Ep 169
Wondering how a unicorn startup in the chemical industry is changing the business of chemicals? Join host Victoria Meyer as she speaks with Gaurab Chakrabarti, co-founder and CEO of Solugen, to explore innovative approaches that challenge the traditional paradigms of bigger, more efficient assets. Their conversation delves into alternative solutions for reducing carbon intensity, emphasizing the importance of local supply chains and circular feedstocks.
Gaurab Chakrabarti is a force in the chemical industry, renowned for his unique journey from aspiring medical doctor to pioneering entrepreneur. A Forbes 30 under 30 honoree, Gaurab's passion for studying pancreatic cancer led him to uncover parallels between cancer biology and chemical processing, ultimately inspiring him to co-found Solugen. Alongside his best friend Sean Hunt, Gaurab is committed to decarbonizing the chemical industry through innovative enzymatic catalysts and scalable, high-yield processes.

Learn more as Victoria and Gaurab discuss the following topics:
An unconventional start to a career: from physician to scientist to Forbes 30 under 30
Solugen's framework of decarbonization
Growing into a 2 billion company and the expectations that arise
How receiving a DOE loan creates an inflection point in growth
Workforce and cultural evolution of Solugen
Gaurab's career insights and advice

Killer Quote: "To build something of generational value, it's essential to ensure the problem you're solving is meaningful and worth committing to for at least ten years. The journey is long and challenging, but the personal and professional growth it accelerates is truly rewarding."
–Gaurab Chakrabarti
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43 min
June 18, 2024The Importance of Long-Lasting Business Relationships with Frank Fisher - Ep 169
How essential are strong business relationships and how can geopolitical tensions shape chemical industry business strategies? Host Victoria Meyer sits down with Franklin Fisher, founder and CEO of South Carolina Chemical, and a seasoned expert in international sourcing, contract manufacturing, and supply chain management this week on The Chemical Show®.

Frank shares his insights on the pressing issues affecting the chemical industry today, from the impact of geopolitical tensions on global supply chains to the practical and ethical considerations of reshoring operations. The conversation also navigates through his career journey, spotlighting the role of empathy in leadership and the unexpected freedom of running his own business.

Be sure to tune in to learn more about the following topics this week:
How Frank continued seeking challenges to develop academic and professional success
A new company born in retirement: South Carolina Chemical
Assessing a company’s competitiveness in a global marketplace
Is regionalization a trend or a long-term solution?
Leading a big enterprise versus leading a small enterprise
The importance of empathy in leadership

Killer Quote: "The true power in business isn't just about finding the lowest cost; it’s about building and sustaining relationships that can weather the storm of global uncertainties. It’s about understanding that sometimes, the value of a partnership goes beyond the price tag."
– Frank Fisher
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32 min
June 11, 2024Carbon Capture and Customer Value with Kevin Norfleet of Celanese
Ep 167 Show Notes - Carbon Capture and Sustainability with Kevin Norfleet of Celanese

Get an insider's view of sustainability in the chemical industry with Kevin Norfleet, Global Sustainability Director at Celanese, as he joins Victoria Meyer on The Chemical Show®. Kevin shares his journey from chemical engineering to spearheading sustainability efforts at Celanese, including the company's innovative initiatives like the large-scale carbon capture and utilization project for methanol production in Texas.

Victoria and Kevin delve into the evolving demands for sustainable products, discussing which market segments are leading the charge and how companies can offer competitive and impactful eco-friendly solutions. Additionally, Kevin touches on the importance of sustainability in talent recruitment and career development within the chemical industry, offering valuable advice for aspiring professionals.

This episode was recorded at the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care® and Sustainability Conference.

Don’t miss the following topics this week:
Methanol as a scalable building block for sustainability
Investing in Carbon Capture & Utilization (CCU) to reduce carbon footprint
Viewing sustainability through a customer's lens
Sustainability as an employee value proposition
The importance of agility in career success

Killer Quote: "We see sustainability as really an exciting opportunity for our business... looking at sustainability both as the right thing to do, but also something that's good business." - Kevin Norfleet

***Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player.
***Like what you hear? Leave a rating and review.
***Want more insights? Sign up for our email list at https://www.thechemicalshow.com

Wondering how we produce our podcast?

We use Transistor to publish our podcast. Check it out here: https://transistor.fm/?via=victoria
We use CastMagic.io to create ShowNotes, Newsletters, Social Media posts and more. Check it out here: https://get.castmagic.io/ean5etivmzi1

We use Descript to edit and transcribe each podcast episode. Follow this link to learn more: https://get.descript.com/j0hyfup4gm0t
10 min