The Chemical Show: Where Leaders Talk Business

Your customers are the key to strategic success.In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer delves into the importance of engaging customers early on to de-risk business strategy. Victoria shares valuable insights and strategies for effectively engaging customers and stakeholders during key business changes and decisions. Discussing the benefits of introducing a new product or service and involving customers early in the development process, Victoria explores the barriers and fears that may prevent business leaders from seeking customer feedback and provides strategies to overcome them. Learn more about the following in this episode:Why early Customer and Stakeholder Engagement mattersManaging Risk - a key leadership roleEngaging your customers to build ambassadors Time is money: Ask the right questions early, to increase success laterHow to engage your customersUsing real-life examples from industry leaders like Shell and Ford Motor Company, Victoria emphasizes the need for customer and stakeholder engagement to inform decisions, test assumptions, and create successful strategies. Join Victoria for this insightful episode to learn how proactive customer engagement can help de-risk your business and build strong relationships with your target market.Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights.Additional links:Focus: The manufacturing backlash: No factory in my backyardData-Based Insights Into The Customer Experience With Kevin HuntsmanShell ChemicalsFord Motor Company

In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer talks with Karen Tkaczyk, director of Life Sciences Regulated and Enterprise Solutions at MasterWord to share more about her unique combination of industrial and service experience as she helps chemical, energy, and life science companies do business globally with minimal risk. Victoria and Karen discuss the importance of technical expertise in language translation services, talent shortages influenced by the pandemic, the impact of geopolitical events on translation services, and the importance of breaking through language barriers in business relationships.Learn more about the following in this episode:The challenge of languages in Chemical and Material Science industryThe role of translation in global businessesHow the pandemic accelerated AI and TechnologyThe Talent supply chain Local language is critical to the Customer ExperienceTranslation services as a risk mitigation toolTranslation and language services play a crucial role in bridging communication gaps in a globalized world. From helping businesses expand internationally, to ensuring safety compliance and protecting intellectual property, it's a fascinating and ever-evolving field. Join us this week to learn more!Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights.

Do you treat your B2B customers the same or personalize your engagement and their experience?In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer focuses on segmentation and personalization. B2B companies in the chemical industry often focus on organizational factors when segmenting their market. However, limited use of segmentation can leave both parties feeling unheard. By prioritizing customer relationships and serving them appropriately, companies can address specific needs in a unique and important manner. Victoria highlights the need for businesses to shift towards a more structured and customer-centric approach, using buyer personas to understand their customers' roles, drivers, and interests. Learn more about the following in this episode:The importance of using both Personalization and Segmentation with B2B customersWhy Personalization is critical to creating value in B2B chemicalsFour scenarios in applying segmentation and personalization and their impactSupplier-centricity vs. Customer-centricityDiscussing the challenges companies face in implementing personalization and the impact it can have on improving the customer experience, Victoria provides valuable insights into the importance of segmentation and personalization in creating business value and improving customer relationships. Join us this week as Victoria takes a deep dive into customer segmentation and its impact!Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights.

American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) to chat about his organization's efforts towards a circular economy and rail safety. Victoria and Chet discuss the importance of recycling and innovation, the challenges of reducing plastic waste, rail safety, the dual challenge of producing energy while maintaining sustainability, and the immense value and benefits of plastics.Learn more about the following in this episode: AFPM's top priorities Storytelling in the chemical industry UN Plastics Treaty Education and Awareness of Advanced Recycling The EPA's proposed draft strategy to prevent plastic pollution Achieving a circular economy Challenges with Rail TransportationChet emphasizes the importance of approaching plastics in a nuanced and balanced way, neither treating them as inherently good nor bad, but recognizing their essential role in modern life. Victoria and Chet also discuss the benefits of advanced recycling, which creates "pure feedstock" that can be reused in new products. Thompson expresses his optimism for progress within Congress to enhance public safety for rail and promote competition in the industry.Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights.AFPM sustainability report: https://afpm.org/data-reports/publications/sustainability-reportAFPM: https://afpm.org/Progress: https://wemakeprogress.org/Empower: https://empower.afpm.org/

On this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer is joined by Peter Hanik, President and Founder of Pretium Innovation. Victoria and Pete discuss the importance of innovation in the chemical industry, as well as strategies for problem-solving and understanding customer needs. Learn more about the following in this episode:Innovation in the chemical industryCrafting a long-term career in chemicals "Type Three" Problems and Solutions Adapting to cultural differences in a global career Sharing his 50+ years experience in the chemical industry, Pete offers valuable insights into problem-solving and innovation in the chemical industry, as well as strategies for understanding and addressing customer needs in a sustainable way.Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights.Check out Peter Hanik’s book, Type 3 Solutions: Problem Solving for Competitive Advantage: https://amzn.to/440uirc

Humans are master storytellers and as business leaders, we should harness the power of storytelling.In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer explores why storytelling is critical for businesses to control the narrative about their performance, products, and value creation. Victoria shares how business storytelling involves interpreting facts and creating emotional connections as well as what makes a good story - starting with the end in mind, choosing the right information and time frame, using visual supports, choosing strong words, making it personal, and relatable. Topics discussed in this week’s episode:The case for storytelling in businessWhy owning the narrative is criticalInsights from Harvard Business School3 tips for compelling business storiesCase study on the power of the right storyTune in to learn more on this episode of The Chemical Show!Like this episode? Remember to share, follow, and leave a rating or review.For more insights and information, check out www.thechemicalshow.com

In this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer interviews Kevin Yttre, Managing Director at Grace Matthews, an investment bank that exclusively focuses on the chemicals and materials industries, assisting with mergers, acquisitions, and capital raises. Kevin shares valuable insights about the world of M&A, explaining M&A strategies, the role of ESG credentials, recent slowdowns in the industry, success factors in transactions, and much more.Topics you can expect to learn more about in this episode:The Role of Investment Banking in M&AInfluence of current economic environment on M&A Activity in Chemicals and MaterialsHistorical and current multiples in chemicals M&AM&A strategies for chemicals and materials companiesAdvice for buyers and sellers todayThe role of Sustainability and ESG in transactions todayJoin Victoria and Kevin as they delve into the world of M&A transactions and discover the critical factors to consider when buying or selling a business in the chemicals and materials industry.Please subscribe to The Chemical Show on your favorite podcast player. And, visit www.thechemicalshow.com to subscribe to our email list and get additional insights.Check out Grace Matthew’s latest M&A newsletter including insights on transaction multiples.

"The last experience that your customer has with you and your brand, usually delivery from a logistics provider, defines their perception of your business and your company." – Victoria Meyer, President, Progressio GlobalIn this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer discusses the importance of managing your company’s Customer Experience (CX) through third-party service providers.  She emphasizes the importance of defining key communication roles, channels, and expectations to ensure a seamless and positive customer experience, especially in a business-to-business (B2B) space. Customer Experience is both end-to-end and omni-channel and is influenced not just by the activities of your own company, but also the business partners your company engages. This episode touches on the role of logistics companies in this process, highlighting the need for transparency and a clearly defined CX playbook to meet customer expectations, regardless of the service provider used.Download the B2B Customer Experience Best Practices guide  Like this episode? Remember to share, follow, and leave a rating or review.For more insights and information, check out www.thechemicalshow.com

"It's not a matter of if a company is going to adopt technology transportation management system, but more of when? When are they going to do that? Because you have to if you want to improve anything within your company, it starts with having access to the data and being able see it from what it is." - Jennifer Braun, VP Trinity LogisticsOn this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer speaks with Jennifer Braun, VP of Trinity Logistics, about navigating the dynamics of the chemical shipping industry. They discuss Trinity's efforts to combat the talent gap through onboarding and communication programs, separate recruiting and reward departments, and advanced technology-driven tools. They also cover Trinity's focus on customer-centricity and adapting to their needs, as well as its stability during the industry's current rebalancing period. Other highlights include Trinity's extensive sustainability efforts and its ongoing expansion and leadership program. Tune in to hear expert insights and predictions on the future of the chemical shipping industry.Like this episode?   Remember to share, follow, and leave a rating or review.For more insights and information, check out www.thechemicalshow.com

“Understanding your value, driving value, and demonstrating it creates opportunity and creates growth, especially in times of market softness." - Victoria MeyerOn this episode of The Chemical Show, host Victoria Meyer discusses the importance of getting back to basics and understanding a company's unique value in order to thrive during market softness. She highlights the story of a materials company that successfully increase sales by emphasizing their value in use to customers.  She also discusses the importance of regularly revisiting marketing strategies and market segmentation to adapt to changing market dynamics.   Listen in to this episode to learn about:Diving deeper to understand value to your customersThe importance of demonstrating value to customersCustomer and market segmentation – why you need to revisit it quarterlyConsidering alternatives including make-v-buy decisions. This episode serves as a helpful guide for businesses looking to navigate market softness and build resilience by focusing on their unique value and understanding the needs of their customers. For more insights, visit www.thechemicalshow.com.Have a question or topic you’d like addressed?  DM Victoria (King) Meyer or The Chemical Show podcast on LinkedIn.