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The Next Wave of Innovation in the Chemicals Industry

Strategy+Business

The world is potentially on the brink of an age of new powerful materials, fueled by innovation in the chemicals industry. But for today's incumbent chemicals companies to be central players in this story, there are some vital prerequisites: restructuring of their product portfolios, successful exploitation of digital technologies, and rewriting business models to generate higher returns on their investment in innovation

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Value Creation in Chemicals 2016: Navigating the Territory of Extremes

BCG

The chemical industry was once a top value creator, generating a five-year total shareholder return (TSR) above that of every other industry in BCG’s annual Value Creators ranking. Yet some chemical companies have been able to adapt, developing differentiated business models and generating excellent returns. This disparity indicates that the chemical industry has become a territory of extremes. Article Monday, December 19, 2016.

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Making a Business Case for Sustainability in Chemicals

BCG

Rising concerns about sustainability are making it easier for chemical companies to build a business case for investments in sustainable products and services. Article Wednesday, April 19, 2017. Those willing to step up their strategic ambitions and build up their organization can pursue a variety of profitable opportunities. Article

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Dow Chemical’s CEO on Running an Environmentally Friendly Multinational

Harvard Business

Andrew Liveris, the CEO of Dow Chemical, discusses the 120-year-old company’s ambitious sustainability agenda. He says an environmentally driven business model is good for the earth—and the bottom line. Liveris is one of the CEOs contributing to Harvard Business Review’s Future Economy Project , in which leaders detail their company’s efforts to adapt to and mitigate climate change. Download this podcast. Sustainability Audio

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Chemicals: Deploy Natural Supply Chains - Strategy+Business

Strategy+Business

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The Crazy Consultant was LITERALLY Allergic to the Client.

The Crazy Lives of Consultants

I think I mentioned back in January that I was working with a chemicals company. In the name of good blogging, I cant say more, but long story short.the company was producing a chemical that made your favorite Crazy Consultant sick. skip to main | skip to sidebar. Tuesday, October 21, 2008. The Crazy Consultant was LITERALLY Allergic to the Client. Okay.admittedly.the Crazy Consultant has been MIA for awhile. Why, you ask? Because I was sick for several months.

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Can skills of innovation be learned?

Consulthon

The chemical response to risk and uncertainty may be hardwired in our brains, but that doesn’t mean you are either born an innovator or not. Innovative capacity can be learned. Jeff Dyer, Hal Grege

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Leadership Trust Killers: 4 Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make

Organizational Talent Consulting

At an individual level, a lack of trust contributes to feelings of: Frustration Rejection Stress Anxiety Depression When we experience feelings of distrust, our body responds immediately at a bio-chemical level within less than a second. I inherently trust most people.

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Real Leaders: Rachel Carson Seeds the Environmental Movement

Harvard Business

How one woman, armed with a pen, took on some of the world’s most powerful chemical companies. Leadership Sustainability Communication Audio

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New Regulations Place Sustainability and ESG at the Center of National and Global Business Competitiveness

Brimstone Consulting

The issue is that PFAS do not degrade or degrade very slowly, giving them the name “forever chemicals.” These forever chemicals are found in soil, waterways, food sources, and in our bodies – and they are associated with serious health conditions, including cancer and reduced birth weight.

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Simon Sinek on the Drivers of Real Leadership

Tom Spencer

Simon Sinek gives a ground breaking talk in which he explains the biological drivers of real leadership, and the natural chemicals ( endorphins , dopamine , serotonin and oxytocin ) that enable us to prosper, together. Leadership consulting dopamine endorphins leadership Management Consulting oxytocin real leadership serotonin Simon Sinek

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Reflections on "A Moral Obscenity": How Long Ago Was a War Against Syria Decided?

MishTalk

Secretary of State John Kerry says the use of chemical weapons in Syria is " a moral obscenity ". The White House has begun to prepare a wary US public for military action in Syria, with a flurry of well-publicised meetings of the administration’s national security team, backed by a statement by secretary of state, John Kerry, calling the regime’s use of chemical weapons “a moral obscenity”. Chemical Weapons Questions. Q: Were chemical weapons used in Syria?

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How to Solve Your Talent Challenge (Creatively)

Organizational Talent Consulting

BASF is a German multinational chemical company and the largest chemical producer in the world. At BASF, chemical production sites are highly interlinked product flows resulting in efficient uses of resources.

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Developing a picture

Seth Godin Blog

That used to involve putting film or paper into a chemical bath. You could have a small influence over what happened, but almost all the work involved setting up the shot in the first place. The goal of the bath was to uncover what was already on the film.

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Simon Sinek on the Drivers of Real Leadership

Tom Spencer

Simon Sinek gives a ground breaking talk in which he explains the biological drivers of real leadership, and the natural chemicals ( endorphins , dopamine , serotonin and oxytocin ) that enable us to prosper, together. Leadership consulting dopamine endorphins leadership Management Consulting oxytocin real leadership serotonin Simon Sinek

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What follows after the Eureka Moment: Consulting for Innovation Start-ups

Tom Spencer

When it comes to the plastics industry, the chemical recycling company Carbios is an instructive example of this delayed patenting strategy. The question was whether they should create their own recycling plant, or partner with other chemical recycling companies.

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McCain Proposes Military Aid to Al Qaeda; Mideast Map of Who Supports Who

MishTalk

Who Gains From Using Chemical Weapons? Assad had the most to lose by using chemical weapons. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar have the most to gain, especially if chemical use was attributed to Syria (not the rebels). As noted in Warmongers Unite (As They Always Do) , Syrians In Ghouta Claim Saudi-Supplied Rebels Behind Chemical Attack. Rebels Admit Responsibility for Chemical Weapons Attack. Syrian Rebels Caught on Tape Discussing Chemical Weapons Attack.

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Why the Middle East’s Petrochemical Industry Needs to Reinvent Itself

BCG

Slowing growth rates in the global chemicals industry will only worsen the problem. Article Monday, November 07, 2016 Multiple market disruptions—including the shale gas renaissance in the United States, plummeting oil prices worldwide, and a capacity expansion drive in China and Iran—are reshaping the Middle East’s petrochemical industry.

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Why the Middle East’s Petrochemical Industry Needs to Reinvent Itself

BCG

Slowing growth rates in the global chemicals industry will only worsen the problem. Article Monday, November 07, 2016 Multiple market disruptions—including the shale gas renaissance in the United States, plummeting oil prices worldwide, and a capacity expansion drive in China and Iran—are reshaping the Middle East’s petrochemical industry.

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Vaping and other NaĂŻve Actions

Martinka Consulting

He heated a chemical concoction, inhaled it, and figured all was good? He couldn’t imagine burning chemicals could cause bodily damage. There was a recent news story about a Seattle area law enforcement officer suing for about $11 million because of a health condition caused by vaping (a CBD product and something else to relieve his stress and pain). Am I missing something? I also see a lot of naivety in business and in the buy-sell world.

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Is mood a gift or a skill?

Seth Godin Blog

That might be because the outside world has handed us good news and opportunities, or it might be because the chemicals in our brain are particularly aligned… I think it’s fair to assert that sometimes, our moods are handed to us.

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The Next Big Technology Could Be Nanomaterials

Strategy+Business

Thus far, however, the large incumbent chemical companies have remained aloof from the hive of activity at startups and in academic research labs. The discovery and commercialization of graphene, the first two-dimensional material, which is impossibly thin and incredibly strong, has kicked off a renaissance in nanomaterial research and development.

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Customer Signals for Adapting Experiences

1 to 1

A chemical manufacturer with a solid customer listening program noticed an uptick in complaints about pricing. Unlike many firms, which would take the comments at face value and take action accordingly, this company first stepped back and reflected on its strategy: It sold premium chemical for advanced applications targeted at particular industries, so it surmised that the company shouldn''t see this kind of feedback.

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Will COVID Change Regulations?

Martinka Consulting

I believe workers need to be protected, I don’t want companies or individuals dumping chemicals in the water, on the land, etc. Perusing LinkedIn, emails, Twitter, and other sources I see a lot of commendations for health care workers of all types. The same for the universities, corporate research labs, etc. that are working on tests and vaccines. All deservedly so.

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Focus on Happiness: Achieve Sucess - Tom Spencer consulting blog

Tom Spencer

Happiness releases dopamine, a chemical which stimulates the learning centres in the brain and enables you to operate with more intelligence, creativity, and energy than would otherwise be possible. About. Book Shop. Archive. Definitions. Helpful Links. Quotes. Subscribe. Focus on Happiness: Achieve Sucess. by Tom Spencer on May 30, 2013 · 0 comments. in Business Strategy. Seize the happiness advantage.

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The Impact of Carbon Taxation on Supply Chains in China

Comatch

The most significant impact of introducing a carbon border tax will be on the cost of products with high-carbon inputs, such as steel, aluminum, cement, chemicals, and electricity-intensive processes.

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Scuff-proof shoes

Seth Godin Blog

You can invest in a chemical process that involves an impermeable shine and be on high alert to avoid anything that might be damaging to that shine. There are two ways to make your shoes scuff-proof: 1. You can wear well-worn, authentic shoes that are already scuffed. When we know and understand you and your brand, warts and all, it''s really unlikely that a new scuff is going to change our opinion of who you are and what you do

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Short Translation of Obama's Speech: "Flip Flop"; Long Translation: "I Don't Have the Votes"

MishTalk

Does Assad’s use of chemical weapons pose a threat to the national security interests of the United States? What''s the Difference Between the US Using Chemical Weapons and Others Doing the Same? The biggest user of chemical weapons in history is the United States of America. Readers may be interested in the Full Text of Obama''s War-Mongering Speech on Syria. Fake Diplomacy. I can sum up Obama''s speech in two words "Flip Flop".

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Freedom Fries are Out - French Fries and French Toast Back In

MishTalk

Western efforts to co-ordinate action against the Assad regime in Syria over charges of chemical attacks against civilians were dealt a blow on Thursday night when UK prime minister David Cameron lost a vote in the House of Commons on the issue. There were good arguments for, as well as against, acting to deter Mr Assad’s regime from using chemical weapons. UK Will Not Join War Against Syria. Yesterday UK Prime Minister David Cameron Lost House of Commons Vote on Syria.

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"Process Mining"? Sounds Like a Waste of Time.

Markovitz Consulting

For example, the global chemical company Chermours used process mining to analyze their order-to-cash process: It took the process mining effort four months to uncover how the actual process was performing (not just what the ERP documentation stated). You know what the problem is with your lean initiative? You’re not doing any process mining. Yup, that’s right.

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Stereotypes Can Be Deadly

Martinka Consulting

Most people, city or rural, don’t want chemicals dumped in their water or on their land. Unfortunately, the color is a chemical reaction from ash runoff from a power plant’s industrial dump site.**. We were having a cup of coffee and some breakfast at a great little coffee shop-bakery-café in Bozeman, MT before going on a hike. Next to us were three ladies, also dressed for a day in the outdoors.

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Prepare for War: Pentagon Crafts "Limited Strike Plans" for Syria; U.S. Forces Ready to Act With "Wide Range of Options"; Lose-Lose Situation For US; A Sensible Option

MishTalk

air strikes in Syria that would send a message to the regime of President Bashar al Assad not to continue using chemical weapons against its civilians. intelligence continues to investigate an apparent large-scale chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime this week that may have killed as many as 1,000 civilians. Obama is under increased pressure to intervene in Syria amid allegations that President Bashar al-Assad’s government used chemical arms in an Aug.

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Shopping is not the same as buying

Seth Godin Blog

Shopping releases chemicals in our brain. Just about everyone over the age of fifteen, anywhere in the world, engages in the market in some way. We need things and we buy them. That’s not what shopping is. Shopping is the act of imagining what you might want.

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What is Consulting?

Tom Spencer

Consultants can work in a wide range of industries including automotive, CPG (consumer packaged goods), chemicals, defense, electronics, financial services, healthcare, infrastructure, logistics, media, mining, oil & gas, pharmaceuticals, private equity, retail, social sector, technology, telecommunications and tourism. (Source: Flickr ). Consulting” is a pretty general term, and doesn’t really give you a clear idea of what consultants actually do.

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Investigating Career Journeys

Tom Spencer

In chemistry, a catalyst is something that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed by providing an alternative pathway for the reaction that has a lower activation energy. A career is as unique as the individual.

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Our engineering ratchet

Seth Godin Blog

Insulated glass, cars that don't break down, keyboards with just the right feel to them… Mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering are all moving faster than ever. Quietly, over the last thirty years, engineering has become dramatically more efficient and effective. Several factors are at work: Computer aided design and engineering means that smaller teams can do more, faster.

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In search of familiarity

Seth Godin Blog

Kodak failed because it was a chemical company and a bureaucracy, filled with people eager to do what they did yesterday. Ask someone what they do, and they'll probably talk about where they work. "I I work in insurance," or even, "I work for Aetna.". Of course, most of the 47,000 people who work for Aetna don't do anything that's specifically insurance-y. They do security for Building 7, or they answer the phone for someone, or they work in the graphic design department.

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Reasons for Today's Stress Pandemic (and Why High-Achieving Women Suffer the Most)

Consulting Matters

” Have a child and their chemicals imprint upon you which is why for so many women returning to the workplace after having a child creates total meltdowns.

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The pleasure/happiness gap

Seth Godin Blog

Both respond not only to direct, physical inputs (chemicals, illness) but more and more, to cultural ones, to the noise of comparisons and narratives. Pleasure is short-term, addictive and selfish. It's taken, not given. It works on dopamine. Happiness is long-term, additive and generous. It's giving, not taking. It works on serotonin. This is not merely simple semantics. It's a fundamental difference in our brain wiring.

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5 Tips to Renew Your Motivation and Stay Focused

Tom Spencer

Adenosine is a chemical that makes you sleepy by slowing down neural activity. I’m currently reading Thinking Fast and Slow , a wonderful book written by Daniel Kahneman, winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics. The book begins with a description of two different styles of thinking. The first method of thinking (which Kahneman calls System 1) is intuitive, easy, automatic, and emotional.

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