simplybetter’s Post

Winds of change in specialty chemicals distribution ! With the outgoing CEO´s of Azelis, Barentz and IMCD three executives leave who have transformed companies into industry leaders and benchmarks. I am sure, the successors will write interesting next chapters in company history. My best wishes to Anna Bertona, Valerie Diele-Braun and Peter Boone

So, earlier today, this happened… We’re committed to doing business in a purposeful way that has an impact on our People, Planet, Places and Partners. Social value was therefore high on the agenda today at our annual senior leadership conference, which saw 150 of our colleagues from across UK and Ireland converge on Headingley Stadium in Leeds. We were privileged to welcome the Rt Hon. Justine Greening to host a panel, alongside some leading business figures, to discuss the importance of #socialimpact in an evolving business landscape. Key themes discussed included: 👉 Public and private sector collaboration maximising social value creation. 👉 Challenges for organisations incorporating social value into strategy. 👉 Ensuring social value remains a priority, even during economic downturns or crises. Justine said: "People want change. Real change means mobilising entire communities, businesses, and employers to invest in championing decisions themselves. We should recognise the role that fantastic businesses like Sodexo and others with their own valuable insights can play in driving impactful change. They are part of the solution." For more information on the social impact delivered by Sodexo colleagues over the course of the last financial year visit: https://lnkd.in/enTgDecV. #leadership #purposefulbusiness Mayank Shah, Lynsey Talbot MCIM, Matt Beddoe, Julie Ennis MBA, Sean Haley

Big thank you to #StewardLeadership25 for including Sodexo's data-driven food waste reduction programme in the 2023 honouree list! Keen to learn more about the different types of food waste reduction methods? Here's a whitepaper we put together for #Malaysia and #Singapore https://shorturl.at/cBEOW #sustainability #foodwastereduction #data #SL25 #whitepaper

A very fulfilling 2-day leadership event last week. Our first Araw Uday (Araw-Sun, Uday-Rise) bearing our new entity name, Sun Life Global Solutions. Key team activities: 1. SunShark - Awesome ideas were presented focusing on cutting-edge solutions to our priority themes this year. 2. The HEART of BOLDER Future Fit Leaders with Coach Chot Reyes. What made a whole lot of difference was his heartfelt, real talk and credibility. The result was evident in the SEA Games win of our GILAS Basketball Team! Hats off to you, Coach! As always, you are an inspiration and motivation. 3. CSR in a Team Building. Kudos, Louie Banta and team for once again exceeding expectations. Really creative way of making this concept an amazing activity not just to engage leaders but also, to work together for a noble cause. Made similar concepts of integrating CSR in team buildings in the past, but this one really moved me. The all-out support we got from Tahanang Walang Hagdanan (NGO for orthopedically-challenged) was really commedable. We had the metalcraft supervisor and technician to guide/coach us so 10 teams can assemble some parts of the 10 wheelchairs that we will donate. 4. SLGS 120-pc Puzzle. We have a new name that emphasizes our identity, our purpose. This activity symbolizes the 120 leaders in the room with an important part/piece to play as SLGS embarks on a journey to BOLDER, Brighter Beginnings.❤️

Well yesterday's discussion on personal branding was as brilliant as I thought it would be. Reflecting on the conversation and how to avoid the 'ick' around self-promotion, the answer is reframing.... 1. Reframe as professional branding rather than personal. Being personal and sharing everything is not everyone's cup of tea. That is ok, think about your profile as one you wear to work 2. Reframe your "what should I talk about" and instead start with your core values and the areas you are passionate about. As I said yesterday, you haven't got where you are today without being smart, clever and just brilliant at what you do 3. Reframe the self promotion idea which can feel vain or ego driven. instead it is about sharing your knowledge helping others and building a legacy of your passion, career and insight for those coming up the ranks behind you. Oh and after the very big discussion about "over thinking it all", the very clear answer is just to bloomin' do it! And for anyone who wants to talk about raising their game and getting out there with thought leadership - happy to help in whatever way I can. As I said at the lunch, paying it forward with kindness is my core value!

Inclusivity of one of BAM’s values. But recently I’ve been wondering if the industry, in general, is more focused on Diversity, and perhaps if there was a greater focus on inclusivity then this would ultimately drive greater diversity. Over the past two days I’ve attended a Safety Leadership conference with 40 leaders from the UK part of the BAM UK & Ireland business. The conference was expertly delivered and facilitated by Alkoomi. It prompted a lot of thought provoking discussion around creating a culture in which everyone can go home safe and well EVERY day. It was a conference that I would have been glad if it had gone on for three or four days, such was the richness of the discussions. During these past two days I discussed openly how I often felt fatigued owing to workload and the effects this was having in my personal life, and also how I suffer from depression following my Fathers passing 10 years ago. It was interesting how my BAM colleagues, many of whom I had not met before, related to this. But what was most important is that I felt a safe space had been created in which I could be open without fear of ridicule or an effect to my career. To me, this is what inclusivity feels like – an environment in which I could be my true self. So the challenge I have set myself is to create the same environment for my team to be their true selves knowing they will be listened to and supported where needed. Do you create the same environment for your team?

Every few months, I run a female leadership event for those in senior positions at Good Companies - you know, the decent ones, with values and heart. The theme of this session was personal branding, or better described (thanks Katy Howell) as professional branding. Some key takeaways: - Identify your set of values. We're comfortable doing it for our businesses, but less comfortable reflecting on our own set of values. This shapes how we show up in the professional world. - Hone in on the THREE things you passionately care about. Be disciplined - no more than this. - Be consistent, be authentic and be kind. Especially be kind, in this crazy time we are living through. - Build your network, your tribe, who can support you & champion you, and give you confidence when perhaps you don't always feel it yourself. The energy in these sessions is always infectious. Thank you so much to all attendees. And especially to our guest speaker Katy Howell. Until the next one.. Katy Howell Zsuzsanna Recsey Julia Cove-Smith Victoria Sylvester Tanya Stevens Jamaica Lancee Anja Jones Cynthia V Davis CBE Hannah O'Donnell Rachel Murray Jennifer Lang Ying Wang Cass T. and we missed you Danielle Matthews and Anna Dixon (definitely next time!)

Are you attending Medicare Advantage Leadership Innovations East in Nashville from July 15-16? Be sure to join the panel discussion with Andrew Bell on Supplemental Benefits - "From Benefit Design to Member Engagement and Retention: Choosing the Right Benefits Members Will Actually Use". Read more about how we can help support your Stars strategy

Are you attending Medicare Advantage Leadership Innovations East in Nashville from July 15-16? Be sure to join the panel discussion with Andrew Bell on Supplemental Benefits - "From Benefit Design to Member Engagement and Retention: Choosing the Right Benefits Members Will Actually Use". Read more about how we can help support your Stars strategy

Are you attending Medicare Advantage Leadership Innovations East in Nashville from July 15-16? Be sure to join the panel discussion with Andrew Bell on Supplemental Benefits - "From Benefit Design to Member Engagement and Retention: Choosing the Right Benefits Members Will Actually Use". Read more about how we can help support your Stars strategy