The CPG View

SELF-AWARENESS Many people lack a proper understanding of what they project and how they come across.  Their behaviour and attitudes may be holding them back without them realising.  Coaches use a number of techniques to help people get a better understanding of how others see them.  It’s important because leaders are role models and set the benchmark.  So it’s crucial that they understand how they come across. Johari model Feedback Active listening Reading the room Importance of silence

In your role at Albertsons Media Collective, how do you approach innovation in building data and marketing products for retail media? Can you share a recent project that exemplifies your innovative approach and its impact on the business? The retail media landscape is constantly evolving. How do you stay ahead of industry trends and ensure that Albertsons Media Collective adapts effectively? Can you provide an example of a trend you capitalized on early and its outcome? What are some of the key challenges you face in product development within the retail media sector, and how do you overcome them? Could you describe a particularly challenging product you developed and the innovative solutions you implemented? Building effective teams is crucial for innovation. How do you foster collaboration and creativity within your team at Albertsons Media Collective? Can you share an instance where teamwork significantly contributed to the success of a project? Reflecting on your extensive career, what has been your most rewarding professional experience, and what advice would you give to aspiring leaders in the product and innovation space?        

In the CPG industry, how have you seen the approaches and strategies for engaging consumers online differ from those used in traditional retail channels, and what lessons can CPG brands learn from these differences to optimize their online presence? As the digital landscape continues to evolve, what emerging trends or technologies do you believe will have the most significant impact on the CPG industry, and how are you preparing your teams at Mondelez International to adapt and thrive in this changing environment? With the growing popularity of online grocery shopping and delivery services like Instacart, how do you see the relationship between CPG brands and these platforms evolving in the coming years? What opportunities are there for CPG brands to collaborate with platforms like Instacart to enhance the customer experience and drive sales? In your role as Executive Sponsor of the US Women's Sales Leadership Network at Mondelez, what initiatives or strategies specific to the CPG industry have you found to be most effective in promoting diversity and inclusion, and in supporting the career growth of women within the organization? The digital shelf plays a crucial role in the CPG industry's online presence. How do you ensure that Mondelez International's brands are effectively leveraging the digital shelf to engage consumers, increase conversion rates, and maintain a competitive edge in the dynamic online CPG market?

As the Global Director and Head of CPG Partnerships at Uber, could you share some insights into how you've leveraged your experience in digitalmarketing to forge successful collaborations with consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies?  What unique challenges and opportunities arise in partnering with such brands within the context of a tech-driven platform like Uber? Uber has become synonymous with convenience and accessibility. How do you integrate CPG partnerships into the Uber ecosystem to enhance the overall user experience while also driving value for both Uber and its partner brands? Given your background in retail media and commerce, how do you see the landscape evolving for CPG companies in terms of marketing and distribution channels? How does Uber's platform fit into this evolution, particularly in terms of reaching consumers at various touchpoints in their daily lives?

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT  People often think that getting on and getting to the top is all about hard skills: Decision-Making Skills Financial Acumen Budgeting and Forecasting Financial Statement Analysis Cost Management Investment Decisions Market Analysis Competitive Strategy Innovation and Creativity Risk Management But the truth is that soft skills are what make the difference. It’s the soft skills that set the true visionaries apart: Vision and Strategy Ethical Leadership Communication Skills Active Listening Public Speaking and Presentation Skills Conflict Resolution Negotiation Skills Emotional Intelligence Real leaders have empathy Self-Awareness Self-Regulation Advanced social Skills True leaders have charisma.  How can we develop it? And remember that culture eats strategy for breakfast.  

Expansion of Amazon's network (as called out in the attached WSJ article) + the new inbound shipping fee. How is it impacting customers? How is it impacting sellers? What can sellers do to fend off Amazon's increasing complexity with supply chain?   Innovation in supply chain. What does it look like? How are 3PLs using tech to optimize logistics? What are winners doing to continue to build their competitive moat?   Increased pain points and complexity in managing supply chain across marketplaces? What is broken? How are brands trying to fix things? Why are marketplace requirements so complex? Why is complexity increasing? How can brands solve their pain points?   Problems during Peak. Prime day is around the corner, Prime day #2/Holiday will be here before you know it - what should brands do that are struggling with getting product in the door during Amazon peak? How should they approach the problem differently? What are some of the pros and cons of your recommendation? How should brands think about Prime Day #2/Holiday differently from Prime Day?

How did you get your introduction to retail media and ecommerce? How do we fix that disconnect? How do you see organizations better aligning KPI’s and incentives to what generates growth? As you’ve built out ecommerce practices and helped other organizations hone theirs, how have you looked at creating and aligning KPI’s and incentives to drive growth? Talking about P&L ownership brings up another big tension point with retail media – who funds it? 

Can you share some key insights from your experience in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry over the past two decades, particularly regarding driving growth and fostering strong team dynamics? In your book,  "Snap & Go," you draw parallels between the average punt play in football and leadership lessons in life. Could you elaborate on how these concepts intertwine, and how they apply to navigating challenges in the CPG industry? As the Senior Director of Revenue Growth Management at Hostess Brands, what strategies have you found most effective in adapting to evolving consumer preferences and market trends within the CPG landscape? How do you prioritize maintaining a positive work environment while driving results in a competitive industry like CPG, and what advice would you offer to emerging leaders seeking to cultivate similar approaches in their careers?

Can you discuss some key trends and challenges you've observed in the marketing landscape, particularly in the consumer goods industry, and how you've navigated them throughout your career? As a marketing leader, what strategies do you find universally effective in driving brand awareness and engagement, regardless of the specific product or company you're working with? How do you approach fostering innovation and creativity within your marketing teams, and what advice would you offer to aspiring marketers looking to push boundaries and think outside the box? In your experience, what are some essential skills and qualities that every successful marketer should possess, regardless of the industry or company they're in?

Dr. Qubein, your journey from arriving in the United States with limited English and only $50 to becoming an internationally recognized leader is truly remarkable. Could you share some pivotal moments or decisions that contributed to your success? Dr. Qubein, under your leadership, as President, High Point University has experienced remarkable growth and transformation. Can you elaborate on the strategic vision you've pursued to achieve these significant accomplishments and how do you balance the drive for continuous improvement with taking time to appreciate milestones and successes? Could you share more about the President’s Seminar on Life Skills and the In-Residence program at High Point University? How do these initiatives enhance the educational experience for students and prepare them for success in both their academic pursuits and future careers? High Point University has undergone substantial growth and development during your presidency, including the establishment of new academic schools and record-breaking enrollment numbers. How do you believe the university's unique approach to education, campus culture, and community engagement sets it apart from other institutions? As a leader who emphasizes intentional leadership and innovation, what advice do you have for aspiring leaders in academia or other industries who aim to drive significant positive change in their organizations? What has been the most unexpected or surprising lesson you've learned during your tenure as President of High Point University, and how has it influenced your approach to leadership?