The CPG View

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?

Can you share more about your journey from a career in CPG to becoming a renowned career coach and consultant?   What inspired you to develop the ThreePieceLife online coaching course, and how does it help individuals navigate their career and life transitions?   In your experience, what are some common challenges people face when seeking balance in their work and personal lives, and how does your coaching approach address these challenges?   Could you elaborate on the concept of "making complex things simple" and "humanizing issues" in the context of your coaching philosophy?   How do you incorporate your 35 years of experience as a business leader and executive coach into the ThreePieceLife program to empower individuals on their journey of self-discovery and personal growth?    

Recently all the main analysts have pointed VTEX as one of the main leaders in B2C and B2B. Can you explain the main reasons that have positioned you so well?  In your previous question, you mentioned the architecture focus and how this influences how your customers evaluate your support. Can you explain more about that?   Which would you say is VTEX's sweet spot?  Recently you guys holded VTEX DAY with around 23,00 participants there. Can you tell us what this is about and also what were the main takeaways from it?  You mentioned an US delegation coming this year to VTEX DAY. Please share some of those names and projects you are implementing in North America. 

VTEX is known for its agility in helping businesses adapt to evolving market demands. Can you share some examples of how VTEX has enabled companies to quickly pivot their digital commerce strategies to meet changing customer needs? Multi-channel commerce is becoming increasingly important in today's digital landscape. How does VTEX empower businesses to seamlessly integrate and manage commerce experiences across various channels and touchpoints? VTEX's headless architecture is a key feature that enables businesses to create content-rich shopping experiences. Can you explain how this architecture works and provide examples of how businesses have leveraged it to enhance their online presence? Speed to market is crucial in the fast-paced world of e-commerce. How does VTEX streamline the implementation process for businesses, and what are some strategies companies can use to maximize the efficiency of their digital commerce initiatives with VTEX? Can you share any success stories or case studies that showcase the tangible results businesses have achieved by partnering with VTEX? How have these companies leveraged VTEX's platform to drive growth, increase sales, or improve customer satisfaction?