Could you tell us about your journey and how you got into the field of ecommerce? What led you to your current role at Weleda? As the Director of Ecommerce at Weleda, what are some of the unique challenges you face in the natural beauty industry? How does Weleda approach ecommerce differently compared to other beauty brands? In your previous role at Walmart, you were responsible for leading a $88MM vitamins and supplements business. How did you leverage data and analytics to achieve over 50% growth? What insights did you gain from this experience? Could you walk us through your approach to developing an ecommerce strategy for Weleda? How do you balance short-term revenue goals with long-term growth and brand building? You have a diverse set of skills ranging from performance marketing to P&L management. How do you stay up to date with the latest industry trends and innovations? What skills do you believe are most important for success in the ecommerce field?    

With the retail market rapidly shifting towards e-commerce and marketplaces, what strategies do you believe are crucial for Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brands to effectively compete and get ahead in this evolving landscape? The dominance of marketplaces in the e-commerce customer journey is undeniable. How can CPG brands adapt their marketing and sales approaches to leverage the opportunities presented by marketplaces and ensure maximum visibility and conversion? The transformation of large e-commerce platforms into marketplaces or their increasing demand for drop shipment capabilities from vendors has significantly impacted the e-commerce value chain. In your opinion, what are some key implications and challenges that CPG brands should be aware of, and how can they navigate these changes effectively? It's fascinating to see how platforms like Google, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest are expected to change their business models by collecting payments and processing orders. How do you envision these shifts influencing the customer experience and the way CPG brands engage with their target audience? What strategies should brands consider to stay relevant in this evolving ecosystem? As the digital landscape continues to evolve, there are several emerging digital sales channels gaining traction, such as live commerce, social commerce, in-car commerce, metaverse experiences, and NFC & QR technology. Could you share your insights on which of these channels you find particularly promising for CPG brands, and how they can effectively capitalize on these trends to enhance their online presence and drive sales?

In the context of digital strategy, how do you think your company's unique approach to consumer rewards has impacted the way consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies develop their marketing and advertising plans? What challenges and opportunities do you see arising for these companies as they navigate the evolving digital landscape? The CPG industry is increasingly focusing on data-driven marketing to enhance consumer engagement. How does your company's free app utilize data analytics to help CPG brands better understand their target audience, and how does this benefit both the consumer and the brand? Our listeners continue to be pushed to do more with less and make their dollars work harder. But, with inflationary pressures, the cost of goods going up and a looming recession, private label brands are probably the most alluring to consumers they have been in years. What are the categories facing the biggest challenges? Opportunities? Given the challenges facing both brands and retailers, it seems like a loyalty product in the tech stack is a must. How can brands leverage data and partners like Ibotta to “win” in such a challenging environment? As we have discussed private label switching is prevalent and to exacerbate that challenge, we also see the costs of loyalty increasing. How have you seen loyalty evolve? What trends do you see in loyalty?

Your company has paid consumers over $1.4 billion while working with leading consumer packaged goods and retail clients. How do you balance the interests of both consumers and businesses, and what role does this app play in fostering a more equitable and transparent advertising ecosystem? You’ve received recognition as a leading CEO including by Glassdoor.com, Denver Business Journal and ColoradoBiz. What is your approach to leadership, and how have your diverse educational experiences at Harvard, Oxford, and Yale Law School influenced your leadership style? Ibotta has been successful in providing value to both consumers and retail and brand partners. How do you ensure that the platform's features and offerings cater to the specific needs of these diverse stakeholders, and what strategies do you employ to encourage long-term partnerships with retailers and brands? As a two-sided platform, Ibotta must constantly innovate to remain competitive and relevant. Could you give us some insights into how your team identifies and addresses the evolving pain points of your retail and brand partners, and how these insights are translated into new features or improvements within the Ibotta app and web platform?

In this podcast episode, we'll discuss the challenges facing CPG leaders in a rapidly evolving industry. We'll explore how they can balance increasing demands while maintaining focus on their core responsibilities and driving growth. We'll also discuss how leaders from different functional areas can collaborate effectively to leverage insights from customer data, drive innovation, and improve overall business performance. We'll examine the key skills and competencies companies should prioritize when recruiting and developing leaders. Finally, we'll look at strategies to ensure multifaceted leaders remain agile and effective in driving growth and innovation while avoiding burnout or loss of focus. In the rapidly evolving CPG landscape, where technology and customer expectations continue to transform the industry, how can CPG leaders effectively balance the increasing demands of their roles while maintaining a strong focus on their core responsibilities and driving growth in their respective markets? As data-driven decision-making becomes increasingly critical to success in the CPG industry, how can leaders across different functional areas – such as marketing, sales, and supply chain – collaborate more effectively to leverage insights from customer data, and how can this collaboration drive innovation and improve overall business performance in the CPG sector? Considering the blurring lines between communications, marketing, sales, strategy, and digital roles in the CPG industry, what key skills and competencies should companies prioritize when recruiting and developing their leaders in order to keep up with the fast-paced and competitive nature of the market? As private equity firms continue to consolidate responsibilities into fewer leadership roles within the CPG sector, what strategies can companies employ to ensure that these multifaceted leaders remain agile and effective in driving growth and innovation, while avoiding burnout or loss of focus?

With over 20 years of experience at BIC, you have held various roles, from General Manager to your current position as Chief Executive Officer, and you also serve as the Chairman of the BIC Corporate Foundation for Education. Can you share some key insights or lessons you have learned throughout your career journey at BIC, and how they have informed your approach to leadership within the CPG industry? As a prominent player in the CPG industry, BIC has managed to maintain its market leadership for 75 years. Can you discuss the unique challenges and opportunities that the CPG sector presents and how BIC has navigated them to achieve lasting success across more than 160 countries? In the CPG industry, sustainability is becoming increasingly important to consumers. Can you share any recent product innovations that cater to this demand, such as incorporating eco-friendly materials or reducing packaging waste? How have these sustainable efforts impacted customer perception and loyalty within the industry? The CPG landscape is constantly evolving, and the Horizon Plan aims to "reframe your three categories to accelerate top-line growth." Can you provide examples of how BIC has adapted its product portfolio or marketing strategies to respond to emerging consumer trends and maintain a competitive edge within the CPG sector? Ensuring consistent quality is vital for CPG brands like BIC. How do you strike a balance between meeting consumers' changing preferences and maintaining the high-quality, reliable, and long-lasting products that have built your brand reputation in the CPG industry? Congratulations on BIC's recent recognition on The RepTrak Company’s list of the World’s Most Reputable Companies for 2023. How has the company's commitment to corporate responsibility and fostering positive relationships with consumers, employees, and communities contributed to this achievement? Can you share any specific initiatives or strategies that have played a significant role in building BIC's strong reputation within the CPG industry?

In your experience working with the CPG industry, how have you seen the 7-step McKinsey framework specifically help companies tackle their unique challenges, such as managing supply chains, optimizing pricing strategies, or understanding consumer preferences? When building an Issue Tree for CPG companies, how do you prioritize the various challenges they face, such as market competition, changing consumer behaviors, or sustainability concerns, and how do you address them in the most effective way? In the context of the CPG industry, could you share an example where using the SPQA (Situation, Problem, Question, Answer) method led to the discovery of an innovative solution or helped a company address an emerging market trend? How has the Pyramid Principle been particularly helpful in presenting solutions to CPG industry stakeholders, and are there any communication strategies you have found especially effective in this sector? Understanding the big picture is crucial when solving problems in the CPG industry. Can you discuss a specific instance where taking a holistic view of a CPG company's challenges led to a more effective or innovative solution that might have been overlooked with a narrower focus?

Can you tell us more about the specific challenges that Kraft Heinz faced when it comes to reaching consumers through the digital shelf?  What was the process like of selecting your tech partner to help address those challenges?  How did your team work to create content that would effectively maximize the algorithm across retailers?  Looking ahead, what are some of the trends or innovations in the digital marketing and content space that you and your team are keeping an eye on?  With the increased demand for quality content from consumers, what are some of the strategies and tactics that you and your team have implemented to ensure that Kraft Heinz is meeting those expectations? 

Can you share some of the latest Amazon data sources that have emerged recently, and how does Intentwise help businesses effectively leverage them to gain a competitive edge? What are some common data challenges that businesses face when working with Amazon, and how does Intentwise offer creative solutions to help clients overcome these obstacles and succeed in the marketplace? When it comes to planning and executing a data strategy on Amazon, what key components should be included in the framework, and how does Intentwise ensure its clients are staying on track for success? With the rapid advancements in AI impacting the Amazon marketplace, what major changes have you observed, and how does Intentwise enable businesses to adapt and thrive in this evolving environment? In the context of Amazon data strategies, can you provide an example of a successful approach taken by a business or brand that worked with Intentwise, and what lessons can we learn from their experience to apply to our own strategies?

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?