DH+ INSPIRE – Details, episodes & analysis

In this edition of the DH+ INSPIRE Podcast, our own Colton Stombaugh is joined by fueling industry leaders Dave Lacaille and Ed Kammerer. Dave is the Senior Director of North American Sales at Dover Fueling Solutions, and Ed is the Director of Marketing and Global Product Strategy for OPW Retail Fueling. Both veterans of fueling and convenience store solutions, Dave and Ed offer unique insights on the future of industry trade shows.

Together, our guests discuss their roles within their respective companies, expanding upon their familiarity with the trade show scene. In particular, Dave and Ed reflect on this year’s exciting return to the “Super Bowl” of industry events: the PEI-NACS Show. Delving into the differences they noticed at the exhibition and the many successes they were able to celebrate, our subject matter experts attest to the value of media coverage and online interactions. Dave and Ed conclude this episode with a comparison of in-person vs. virtual events, and the changes they anticipate at regional and large-scale trade show events in the coming months.

See below for timestamps and a detailed outline of the episode:

00:00-4:10 Along with brief introductions of our guests Dave Lacaille and Ed Kammerer, we gain some background on Dover Fueling Solutions (DFS) and OPW Retail Fueling. From there, Colton broaches the topic on every B2B/industrial marketer’s mind: the return to in-person trade shows and events this year.

4:10-12:45 Widely regarded as the “Super Bowl” of fueling industry events, our guests explain why PEI-NACS is essential to companies like DFS and OPW. And after a 2-year hiatus, Dave and Ed noticed incredible energy on the PEI-NACS show floor, as attendees were eager to reconnect and access new solutions. Our guests also touch on noted differences in attendance, highlighting how travel restrictions have fostered more meaningful engagements.

12:45-16:30 Outside of the obvious sales and networking opportunities available at in-person shows, Dave and Ed describe the explosion of media activity and social media coverage on the show floor at PEI-NACS. Just as this heightened online presence allows for more accessible engagement during the show, the content can also live beyond the time constraints of the week, offering evergreen media opportunities that amplify the show’s impact.

16:30-19:24 Along with significant media coverage, Dave and Ed elaborate on the remarkable energy at PEI-NACS. With practically the entire fueling industry concentrated in Chicago, the work and the momentum never slowed down, even after hours. Our guests reflect on how this speaks to the irreplaceable value of in-person relationships within the industry.

19:24-29:30 Moving beyond the unexpected benefits of their time in Chicago, Dave and Ed share some of the new challenges their teams faced with the return to trade shows. The pair also delve into the changes they anticipate moving forward with trade shows, discussing how big shows like PEI-NACS might look in the months to come.

29:30-35:57 Closing with actionable insights for other sales/marketing leaders in similar industries, Dave and Ed encourage the audience to embrace the shift in sales approaches and social media coverage to optimize both in-person and online show engagements.

To connect with Dave, you can visit his LinkedIn here. To learn more about Dover Fueling Solutions, click here.

To connect with Ed, you can visit his LinkedIn here. To learn more about OPW Retail Fueling, click here. 

This episode of the DH+ INSPIRE podcast marks another addition in our Women Transforming Manufacturing series. In this installment, we had the pleasure of spending time with Ashley Poe Thompson, Operations Manager of Polymer Drive at BASF in Chattanooga, TN. BASF is a global corporation dedicated to creating chemistry that supports a sustainable future.

In our conversation with Ashley, she describes how she got her start in engineering and the career path that led her to BASF. She also discusses the ways in which her role has changed over the years, and what she finds to be most rewarding about her position with the company. Moving past her career in the field, Ashley talks through the changes they have each witnessed in the industry, especially with the growing number of women and young professionals in STEM. To conclude the podcast, our guest delves into her leadership position within the Tennessee chapter of Women in Manufacturing, encouraging listeners to look into the organization.

See below for timestamps and a detailed outline of the episode:

The Roots of a STEM Career

As we begin the podcast, we meet Ashley Poe Thompson, a woman changing the face of manufacturing in Tennessee. Ashley begins by sharing her journey through the field, including what inspired her to pursue a career in STEM in the first place. From there, Ashley discusses her educational background and unique entry into BASF.

New Role, New You?

Within her current role as Operations Manager, Ashley explains why she has found it valuable to learn from the experiences of other operators. Ashley agrees that listening is just as important as paving your own path when undertaking a position of leadership.

Evolutions in Career and Industry

Along with supporting her natural interests in chemistry and engineering, Ashley discusses what she finds most rewarding about her career. Through BASF, Ashley enjoys the opportunity to get involved in the Chattanooga community. And in her role, she feels empowered to share her voice and make an impact in the workplace, especially as the face of the industry continues to change.

The Value of Women in Manufacturing

In the past year, Ashley took on a leadership position with Tennessee’s chapter of Women in Manufacturing, and membership has since boomed. Ashley details how this organization is a valuable networking resource for women, but also for the industry, as it helps women see the various opportunities available to them. To close, Ashley suggests women look into fellow WiM chapters dedicated to connecting and supporting women in the industry.

To learn more about BASF, please visit: https://www.basf.com.

If you'd like to connect with Ashly, she can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleydpoe.

In this special edition of the DH+ INSPIRE podcast, DeanHouston+ advertising and media experts review the winners (and losers!) from the 2021 Big Game commercials.

What was your favorite commercial? Leave us a comment to let us know.

If you need a refresher on any of the ads discussed during this episode, just click on the links below.

Cheetos | It Wasn't Me (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7yvr...​)

Mountain Dew | Major Melon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cEiY...​)

Cadillac | ScissorHandsFree (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HQU0...​)

Oatly | Wow No Cow (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCz3a...​)

Bud Light Seltzer | Lemonade (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6CVK...​)

Bud Light | Legends (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFfsO...​)

SpaceX | Inspiration4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lghbq...​)

Toyota | Jessica Long's Story (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqWG5...​)

Jeep | Bruce Springsteen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVSx_...​)

Indeed | The Rising (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZodu...​)

Doritos | 3D (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLuqt...​)

Rocket Mortgage | Certain Is Better (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMgA-...​)

Pringles | 2021 Flavor Stacking (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APIMN...​)

GM | Will Ferrell (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdsPv...​)

WeatherTech | Family (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF6Jj...​)

In the fourth episode of DH+ INSPIRE’s Women Transforming Manufacturing series, we had the opportunity and privilege to spend some time with Shari Matras, Chief Growth Officer with CLR Brands. We take a deep dive through her incredible career, including stops at Quaker, Orbit Gum, and Gevalia Kaffe – and how her accomplishments at each major stop have helped make her a data-driven, growth-focused marketer 

This is one that no brand builder wants to miss. Along the way, we explore the stories and experiences that helped forge her knowledge that customer insights are key in the success of any growth initiative. As someone who has helped build some of the largest CPG brands in the world, as well as assist in helping start-ups achieve high growth, she shares many actionable insights in how companies of all sizes can think “customer first” and be data-driven at the same time. 

Whether you’re a leader at a small firm that wants to steal strategies seen at Fortune 500 organizations – or – you’re making moves at the enterprise level and want to learn how to think lean and fast, you’ll want to catch the whole episode where we discuss the following: 

• The core tenants of gathering deep voice of the customer data, and how any company can “right-size” their strategy – as long as they don’t discount its importance. 
• The common challenges that companies experience in the data collection phase and methods to break down those barriers.  
• The transformative effect that customer insights can have on every aspect of a business’s operation, from marketing all the way to research and development. 
• The differences (or lack thereof) of driving a B2C and B2B growth program. 
•  Some exciting new product news from CLR Brands, including their CLR Pro line – designed to be a safer, more sustainable cleaning solution for heavy-duty business application. 

To connect with Shari, you can visit her LinkedIn here, https://www.linkedin.com/in/smatras/. To learn more about CLR Brands CPG products visit CLRbrands.com, or to explore the industrial line visit CLRbrands.com/PROline.

Women Transforming Manufacturing is a regular podcast and video series dedicated to highlighting and celebrating the women who are helping drive innovation, setting leadership standards, and achieving incredible business results in the world of manufacturing. Follow us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts to stay on top of the inspiring conversations we have coming soon!

In our third episode of DH+ INSPIRE’s Women Transforming Manufacturing series, we had a lively conversation on the value of tapping into your network and professional community with Jacki Lutz, a rising marketing star, and the Global Head of Marketing Communications and Intelligence for Aftermarket Business and TPMS at Sensata Technologies. Along with her primary role, she’s also a critical member of several prominent industry organizations such as the AASA, YANG, the Auto Care Association, and Women in Auto Care.

As we weave through her story, we dive into her people-focused and human take on market intelligence and communications to gain some actionable inspiration on:

- How being open to experiences and opportunities in alignment with your personal and professional values is a critical key to career and leadership success.

- The value of servant leadership and how being collaborative and celebrating the success of your team is one of the greatest ways to empower those around you and help drive organizational performance.

- The importance of always remembering that data and market intelligence is driven by real-world activity – and the value of tapping into your offline network to achieve deep, practical insights into what’s happening in your markets.

- Why association membership and giving back to your professional community is one of the best ways to both inspire growth within - and help others grow - at the same time. Along with some actionable tips on how to start engaging with your industry.

To connect with Jacki, you can visit her LinkedIn here,

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackilutz/.

To learn more about how Sensata is enabling and improving connection, intelligence safety, and efficiency in the world’s most mission-critical industries, visit https://www.sensata.com/.

And, if you’re in the Automotive world and looking to grow your network AND help your industry grow, you can learn more about some of the industry’s prominent associations by searching:

The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA)

The Auto Care Association

The Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG)

Women in Auto Care

Women Transforming Manufacturing is a regular podcast and video series dedicated to highlighting and celebrating the women who are helping drive innovation, setting leadership standards, and achieving incredible business results in the world of manufacturing. Follow us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts to stay on top of the inspiring conversations we have coming soon!

In our second episode of DH+ Inspire’s Women Transforming Manufacturing series, we were honored and humbled to spend some time with Sonita Lontoh, Global Marketing Chief for HP’s new, disruptive Printing & Digital Manufacturing business. A recent inductee into the inaugural class of Women In Manufacturing’s (WiM) Hall of Fame, Sonita’s experience spans from leading teams at Fortune 100 global companies such as HP, Siemens and PG&E to venture-backed startups and strong exits. 

Through this conversation, we covered a lot of insightful and inspiring ground:

- Where Sonita's drive and passion for technology were born, and how she channeled her need to help the world realize new, innovative possibilities into an extremely successful career. 

- The various ways in which HP’s 3D Printing & Digital Manufacturing are helping companies create better products and better processes while simultaneously promoting sustainability. 

- The importance of a growth mindset on one’s career, and its ability to make an impact in both a professional and personal sense. 

- The power of seeking and embracing feedback to become a better teammate, better thinker and better leader. 

- The differences and similarities between industrial and consumer marketing, and how bold marketers can succeed in both. 

- The incredible effect of diversity and inclusion on team performance and innovation, looking at why both companies and individuals should embrace it. 

To connect with Sonita, you can visit her LinkedIn here (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonitalontoh/). To learn more about HP’s innovative 3D Printing Solutions - and how they can help you manufacture new possibilities, please visit (https://www8.hp.com/us/en/printers/3d-printers.html).

Women Transforming Manufacturing is a regular podcast and video series dedicated to highlighting and celebrating the women who are helping drive innovation, setting leadership standards and achieving incredible business results in the world of manufacturing. Follow us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts to stay on top of the inspiring conversations we have coming soon!

In the first episode of our Women Transforming Manufacturing series, we were extremely excited to sit down with Allison Grealis, President and Founding Member of Women In Manufacturing™ – a 5,300+ member (and growing every day!) trade association committed to supporting, promoting, and inspiring women who have selected careers in manufacturing. The organization works with both individual professionals and major manufacturers to help women in every function and at every level of manufacturing.

Through this conversation, we explore:

- What inspired Allison to pursue a career driven by empowering others and facilitating powerful and meaningful evolution in mission-critical industries.

- The gender gap in the manufacturing workforce and the many ways in which society is mobilizing to overcome it, along with the value and benefits manufacturing organizations see who make closing the gap part of their organizational mission.

- Where Allison sees manufacturing heading, with deep insights on how inclusion and evolution in company decision-making processes are driving change.

- Actionable thoughts on how to plan for, launch, and promote large scale digital events – a major pivot in Women in Manufacturing's operations in recent times.

- How Women in Manufacturing empowers women in the industry, including how to get involved, upcoming events, and some of the numerous programs and benefits the organization offers.

To connect with Allison, you can visit her LinkedIn here. To learn more about Women in Manufacturing and get involved, please visit womeninmanufacturing.org.

Women Transforming Manufacturing is a regular PodCast and Video series dedicated to highlighting and celebrating the women who are helping drive innovation, setting leadership standards, and achieving incredible business results in the world of manufacturing. Follow us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts to stay on top of the inspiring conversations we have coming soon!

In this episode of the INSPIRE+ podcast, we sit down with Lewis Bell, Director of Training, for OPW - a leading manufacturer of mission critical fluid handling technology.

Through this conversation, we discuss the power and importance of end user and channel partner training in technical products markets. As we discuss into how training helps customers not only be more effective and safer, but the impact it makes on business development and revenue, we dive deep into a number of topics, including:

- The historical importance of content-driven training and how good training should be structured for searchability and quick discovery of specific information

- The emerging importance of digital and video training in a business climate where travel and in-person sessions are impractical or impossible

- How adults learn - primarily through association and reference, as opposed to internalizing brand new concepts - and how to ensure your content and training strategies take advantage of the science behind this

- Future projections on what types of content and tech will be driving training tomorrow and beyond

To learn more about OPW visit (http://www.opwglobal.com).
You can connect with Lewis here (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-bel...).

In this episode of the INSPIRE+ podcast, we sit down with HeroWear's Karl Zelik (Chief Scientific Officer) and Matt Marino (Director of Ergonomics and Human Factors) to discuss an emerging and impactful technology - passive exosuits.

Designed to reduce the stress placed on the back and core during routine lifting tasks, HeroWear's passive exosuit is showing significant potential to help critical workers in various industries prevent the pain associated with repetitive stress injuries and help employers take care of their most valuable asset. As we dive deep into the HeroWear story, we discuss:

- A brief history, the science and importance of exosuits, and how recent research has indicated they may be a major tool in workplace injury prevention.

- The origin of the exciting startup, and how motivation and mission are critical in the development of any organization.

- What makes exo technology practical and what to look for when researching a potential exosuit vendor.

- How exos can help workers feel better at the end of the day, leaving time and energy for what's most important.

To learn more about HeroWear, visit HeroWearExo.com. You can connect with Karl Here, or Matt here.

In this episode of the INSPIRE+ podcast, we sit down with Jason Scales (Business Manager, Lincoln Electric) and Sarah Evans (Education & Sales Marketing Manager, Lincoln Electric) to discuss how Lincoln Electric Education navigated their COVID-19 Reopening Plan. 

Facing the challenge of creating and delivering educational product solutions - as well as managing in-person, hands-on classroom learning - Jason and Sarah’s unique perspectives provide their experience-driven take on how to:

• Think about employee and external stakeholder safety through challenging health and safety protocols
• Listen, watch and learn as regulations and COVID data shifts
• Quickly pivot customer and learning processes to leverage digital tools and distanced communication 

We were humbled to speak with two of the leaders in both the industrial products and education space - from one of the world’s foremost manufacturers. Through the conversation we gathered a ton of insights on how important safety is in the current times, and how a company can maintain effectiveness and flexibility, all with people’s wellness at the heart of every decision.

To see some of the tangible ways Lincoln Electric Education addressed the re-opening, click here.