Career Success Podcast

Change is something that, admit it or not, most of us are afraid of. However, there are some individuals who see change as an opportunity to grow and develop themselves further. In particular, changing companies is something that has helped many to find their passion and, especially, has led them to grow professionally. Today we have invited Hugo Lehmann to share with us his experience when making the move from Heineken. Hugo is currently the Sr. Global Sales Director for Danone Waters, but before this experience he worked for Carlsberg and Heineken in local roles in Italy and Brazil, as well as global roles in Denmark and Amsterdam. Topics Covered -Why you should move companies when you are doing fine in your current role. -How do you know it is the right time to change companies. -What you can offer an employer which you didn’t have before. -Factors to weigh in when making the decision to change companies.

Operational excellence is becoming an increasingly popular term to refer to companies that achieve the best results, at the lowest costs and ensure the quality they provide is there. In fact, it can be an essential element to differentiate successful businesses from those which fail. Today we’ve invited George Psomiadis to discuss this topic with us. With over 10 years of experience in the FMCG industry working internationally for companies such as PepsiCo, JDE, Mondelez and more. George has recently returned back to his home country to become the Sales Director for Diageo Greece. In this edition of the Career Success Podcast, he’ll shine a light on Operational Excellence, what it takes to achieve it and how leaders can innovate within it. Topics covered: -Why are excellence teams key in a successful business? -How can companies achieve operational excellence? -Innovations which companies can carry out within their excellence team

Lauren Stiebing was recently invited to Mark Whitby's Resilient Recruiter Podcast to discuss how increasingly important it is to develop a strong personal brand to be successful as a recruiter. That applies to all recruitment consultants but is especially critical for independent recruiters and owners of small recruiting and staffing agencies. My guest today—Lauren Stiebing—is a great example of a recruiter who has embraced personal branding as a way to differentiate herself in a crowded market. Lauren started her search firm, LS International, in the US and has built a thriving global practice in the CPG/FMCG space. There were many factors that contributed to her success, including her relentless persistence. In our conversation, we talk about the challenge of building a client base from scratch and the learning curve associated with mastering the ins and outs of business development. She shares the unique challenges she faced and the different strategies she’s used to successfully build her recruitment bu

Nowadays, the retail industry has a lot of challenges coming from a fast-paced society which is constantly evolving. Creating exceptional experiences is a key component that companies should have in order to be competitive and remain relevant. To discuss this, we’ve invited Bob Phibbs. Bob Phibbs, CEO of the Retail Doctor, is an internationally recognized business strategist, customer service expert, sales coach, marketing mentor, author of three books, and motivational business speaker. He has appeared on ABC, Fox, MSNBC, PBS and he and his work have been featured in articles in the Entrepreneur, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. This is part 1 of a two-part episode with Bob, please look out for part two where we will address the topic of recycling and waste management. We will also discuss the role of retailers in this process and what can be done by everyone to create a more sustainable world. Topics covered -Role of retailers in the recycling process and how to do it successfully -Re

Nowadays, the retail industry has a lot of challenges coming from a fast-paced society that’s constantly evolving. Creating exceptional experiences is a key component that companies should have in order to be competitive and remain relevant. To discuss that, we’ve invited Bob Phibbs. Bob Phibbs, CEO of the Retail Doctor, is an internationally recognized business strategist, customer service expert, sales coach, marketing mentor, author of three books, and motivational business speaker. He has appeared on ABC, Fox, MSNBC, PBS and he and his work have been featured in articles in Entrepreneur, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. This is part 1 of a two-part episode with Bob, please look out for part two where we will address the topic of recycling and waste management. We will discuss the role of retailers in this process and what can be done by everyone to create a more sustainable world. Topics covered -The issue of purpose-led brands -Tips for a brand to be competitive -What good in-store

Partnerships between big and small companies are becoming a very positive tool for both parts to grow substantially and benefit from it economically. To discuss this issue, we've invited Olga Guerous, who believes in the huge potential of entrepreneurs to inject positive value with innovations for the business, society, and environment. Olga has had executive roles in leading Consumer goods and Healthcare Companies like Danone, Novartis or PepsiCo, and more recently as Commercial Vice President and Regional Head for EU CIS in Mars Inc. Throughout her entire career, she has been praised for her strategic thinking, perspective, extreme curiosity as well as strategic partnership development and transformation skills. Topics covered • Current status in the consumer industry (FMCG/CPG) Environment • Main challenges main players are facing • Smaller fast-growing and innovative companies in this industry • How big and small players can partner to create successful partnerships • Steps to create a successful partn

Leaders usually have teams of both people who do a great job – over-performers, but also others who may struggle to keep up with the performance standards which they are expected to deliver – under-performers. We have invited Lies Ellison, an experienced managing director who has worked leading teams across organizations such as P&G, PepsiCo, Friesland Campina and Accenture. She will share with us some tips on how to work with both under and over-performers to make sure our teams are as effective as they could be.

We've heard many times the media talking about the concept of a digital native, but the truth is that the majority of the current workforce doesn't fit in this demographic. We invited Anna Campagna, the current Sales Director for Heineken APAC, an Italian national that's lived and worked in Europe, Mexico and Singapore, where she's currently based. The aim is to understand digital native vs. digital immigrant, and how they can work together to find joint success. • The concept of Digital Immigrant • The need of experienced executives to go Digital • Challenges for these generations working together • Mrs. Campagna’s personal experience • Key take-aways and advice

We often hear the typical sentence “choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”. This means that when you pursue your passion, you will feel your job is a pleasure, rather than a burden. Being highly motivated and engaged at work will be an essential tool to have a successful career and, why not have fun along the journey. To discuss this topic we have invited Ilya Sokolov, who has shaped his career based on his initial passion for languages and anthropology, but then realized how he could channel that passion into a marketing career. He has many years of experience working in various countries in Europe and the US, and is now the Vice President of Marketing in Curation Foods. Topics discussed: • How passion can help one to have a successful professional career. • First steps on shaping your career based on that passion. • Tips for those who haven’t found their passion yet.

E-Commerce has been around for nearly as long as the internet but it really only has started to have an impact on major consumer goods companies in the last 10 years. The emergence of this new sales channel is running in parallel to another major change: digitalization. Supply Chain, traditionally relegated to an enabling function and a cost center is becoming increasingly important for companies that want to prioritize the digital and e-commerce space. To better understand how Supply Chain can help drive this change we invited Nabil Malouli, VP of eCommerce at DHL Supply Chain. Topics discussed • The impact of supply chain in a digital transformation • How to leverage a 3PL • The pivotal role of operations in e-commerce • The acceleration of e-commerce in recent times

Dunke Afe is a seasoned marketeer with over 19 years’ experience in the FMCG industry. During this time she has had an amazing career with Unilever, the last 10 years in the Home Care division where she held senior leadership roles such as Global Director for Brands and Portfolio, Senior Global Director for the Dirt Is Good brand and Regional Laundry Director for Africa Dunke is also a certified executive and holistic coach. She regularly mentors and coaches younger managers, especially African talent on how to develop their authentic leadership style as they navigate their careers into senior management roles.

In the current era of globalization, the world is evolving rapidly and so are its markets. With increasing competition and a constant distribution of new products, a key element for a business to be successful is its capability to adapt and to understand what consumers want. We have invited Anthony Ellison to better explain how this process is happening and to give us some clues on how successful businesses may work in 2025. Anthony is a senior commercial executive with over 20 years’ experience in the consumer products industry. He has worked for companies such as Kellogg, P&G and SC Johnson. Topics covered in this podcast: Evolution of the world and more specifically the FMCG market by 2025. The commercial capabilities required to face these changes. The impact these changes will have on a company’s hiring strategies.

Nowadays, the concept of Digital Transformation is in everyone’s mouth. Just like water, it expands and unconsciously takes any spaces available. Those companies who are better and faster at understanding and profiting from it, are the ones with a clear comparative advantage when it comes to future growth. What does this mean as a concept and for an organization? To get some answers, we have invited Fabio Bozzacchi, a Supply Chain leader that’s worked with companies like Procter and Gamble, Merck Pharma and Philip Morris, where he’s led global organizations. Topics covered in this podcast: • What does a digital transformation mean? • Why does it feel like it’s become a buzzword? • Why is it important? • What are the most important steps to lead a digital transformation? • How do we overcome resistance and objections to make it happen?

Now more than ever the line between a successful business and one that struggles has become a foggy frontier. Digitalization, personalization and technology make the most successful company model outdated in less than a decade. Having the ability to adapt to ever-changing landscapes and adjusting to the newest social trends are some of the key factors to thriving in today’s scenery. To understand how to make this happen we have invited Cecile Budge. With over 20 years of experience in the FMCG and Personal Care industry, Cecile has led both P&G’s Mass and Prestige Beauty businesses, and then more recently headed up the UK business at Shiseido. Topics covered in this podcast: • The importance of strategic innovation • How to strategically innovate. Examples. • The Who, What and How of Strategic Innovation • What are the typical barriers to innovation and how can you overcome them as a leader?

Companies, just like the people who make them, are permanently evolving and changing. Digitalization, automatization and customer- centricity are some of the trends that are shaping the way companies and the functions within those companies operate. How does the future of Supply Chain look like? And how can people impact and contribute to this change? To understand this better, I’ve invited Willis Weirich, who’s currently heading up Supply Chain for Neiman Marcus, to get his take on what good supply chain talent looks like today. Themes discussed in the podcast: Key skills and decisions to make to get to a Chief Supply Chain position Which will be the skills needed to succeed in the supply chain function and what it will take to get promoted. 5 things to look into when hiring for a supply chain team

Looking at the news, shops, restaurants or TV adverts it becomes apparent that one of the biggest revolutions taking place and which will unfold in the coming years is centered around the how and what we eat. Consumers demand more options, more information and overall a better understanding of food, which will allow individuals to eventually become healthier and more environmentally sustainable. To dive deeper into this matter, we have invited Bayer Consumer Health’s Global Head of Nutritionals, Martin dos Ramos. Martin has 28 years’ experience in the consumer good field working for large multinationals such as Colgate, Nabisco and Bayer. Topic covered in this podcast: Which trends should we to take into account when it comes to nutrition and health.  How are people today thinking about nutrition compared to past.  What are some of the challenges with nutrition today. What is the role of nutrition in healthcare and how has digitalization and personalization had an effect on that.  How does Bayer make a diff

Dagmar Chlosta is a 30 year veteran of the FMCG industry with a focus on sporting goods and cosmetics. She served on the board of Schwan Cosmetics, the global leader in cosmetic pencil manufacturing, as Chief Market Officer responsible for global Product, Communications and Marketing. Prior to joining Schwan Cosmetics, she worked in various global executive positions for Under Armour Inc. based in the USA and the adidas Group based in Germany. Her core expertise lies in the areas of Strategy, Operations and Transformation. She is passionate about leading through a compelling vision and creating a culture of belonging which allows people to  fulfill their potential and be inspired. She is a renowned change expert having led many major transformational programs across industries. Ms Chlosta has lived and worked in the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom and thrives on  an international and diverse environment. She is a strong believer in gender balanced teams and the power of women leadership. Give

It is undeniable that for the last few years the Retail industry has been undergoing a radical transformation when it comes to where and how people shop. This rapid shift leaves a big question mark on the future of retail, this is why we have invited Dimas Gimeno Alvarez to this edition of the “Career Success Podcast” to shine some light on the current state of the retail industry and how to include and work with smaller up and coming brands. Dimas is a Spanish businessman with more than 18 years of experience in retail. Between 2014 and 2018, he was President of El Corte Inglés, a retail giant in Spain and Europe, with annual sales of 16 billion euros, 35 shopping centers in Spain and Portugal and more than 92,000 employees. He promoted and led the company’s e-commerce transformation, creating an online platform and positioning it as a serious competitor for Amazon in Spain. Topics covered in this podcast: • Challenges smaller brands are currently facing • Do smaller brands need a physical presence to be s

Going international and managing a global career is not an easy choice, but can be an immensely rewarding one, both at a personal and professional Level. To hear more about how to manage this career and life choice, we invited Kevin Corning. Mr. Corning has lived and worked in over 7 countries. He joined the Claire’s board in October of 2018 and was named interim CEO in March of 2019. Kevin is the former EVP, International for Carter’s Inc. a global leader in children’s apparel. Previously Kevin spent 20 years working in general management in Asia, South American and Europe for companies such as Nike, Mars and Whirlpool. He also spent 5 years as a US Army officer serving as a helicopter pilot. He graduated from the College of William and Mary and has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management. Topics covered in the podcast - Mr. Corning's global experience - Why it is a good career strategy to move internationally - Leadership abilities learnt in different markets - How having an international profile ca

Even the seemingly most insignificant actions can make a difference, specially when it comes to the gender issue. Confronting our unconscious biases, is essential to tackle the gender pay gap and gender parity concerns, as well as making sure we protect and include of all types of diversity within modern companies and society in general. To expand a bit more on the how’s and what’s of this topic we have invited Myriam Cohen-Welgryn the current President at Mars Petcare Europe and previous VP at Danone to learn some tips on how to help females reach their full potential. Topics covered in this podcast: Authentic leadership and breaking through the glass-ceiling. The importance of strong support systems around women The relevance of biases in day to day activities Tips on neutralizing those biases within company dynamics.