32 CEO MONTHLY / GLOBAL CEO EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2021 CEO MONTHLY / GLOBAL CEO EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2021 33 , , May21088 Best Plastic Injection Moulding CEO (USA): Steve Dyer Injectionmoulding is amajor part of our lives that often goes unseen, but the immense values that these producers bring is incredible. We take a look at Thomson Plastics, and the approach championed by its CEO, Steve Dyer. Now amature industry operator, he has come to see the value of predictable performance, which has allowed him to reach newheights of success in CEOMonthly’s Global CEO Excellence Awards 2021. The name Thomson Plastics will not be familiar to many, but to many industries it is a household name. Thomson Plastics is the premiere large tonnage moulder in the South-Eastern United States, with locations in Thomson, GA, Lexington, SC, and Howell, MI. This allows them the regional presence and flexibility to serve a wide range of different customers, thanks in no small part to a talented group of engineers, project managers, and operations team led from the top by Steve Dyer. Mr. Dyer comes from a place of supreme experience, having held virtually every position one can have within a manufacturing environment. This unique perspective allows him to have a practical approach that always pushes the business forward. In his early days in the industry, Mr. Dyer pushed for “perfect performance” in every respect, but has seen over the years the value of “predictable” performance. There are so many variables in the manufacturing process that perfection is nice to strive to, but almost impossible to attain. With the right processes and systems in place, however, it’s easy to build contingencies around performance that can be predicted. This allows customers to build their own plans around a system that is always stable. Mr. Dyer’s customer focus has also driven him to drive out waste as far as possible in the manufacturing process. He knows that they are not willing to play for activities that do not add value to the end product. To this end, the services offered embrace as much transparency as possible to ensure that everyone involved knows precisely what goes into the injection moulding process. Every project begins with a clear clarification of goals and objectives, as Mr. Dyer has noted that one of biggest causes of trouble down the production line is unspoken expectations. Because of this clear communication, the projects he oversees end happily for all concerned. Mr. Dyer’s success comes, in no small part, to this collaborative mindset at every level of the company. He applies it equally to staff and clients. As far as possible, he surrounds himself with experts in the field who know more than he does and who will be able to provide a clear voice that is worth listening to. Key to the success of Thomson Plastics during his tenure has been being able to draw on this wealth of knowledge and experience. Naturally, he remains the boss and makes the final decision, but having multiple views offers a more dynamic solution to all concerned. With a mind open to every possibility, Mr. Dyer has been able to make extraordinary leaps in his career. He is always looking forward to the next opportunity for himself and for Thomson Plastics. In today’s economy, he contends that if an individual is not moving forward, they are quickly surpassed by global competition. As such, he continues to push ahead, guided by advice and challenges from mentors who continue to mould his thought processes. He pays this attention forward as well, mentoring members of his team so that they might grow and develop as he has. Bringing the best out of everyone in an organization is the only way of ensuring continual success in his eyes. It’s little wonder that Thomson Plastics has grown so quickly and effectively in the last few years, with Mr. Dyer instilling an attitude that champions collaboration and development for all involved. His work goes a long way to delighting others, which is why they continue to turn to his firm for all of their injection moulding needs. Company: Thomson Plastics, Inc. Name: Steve Dyer Email:
[email protected] Web Address: www.thomsonplastics.com May21073 Best Brand Marketing & Advertising CEO (London): Matt Jennison Marketing is one of the biggest challenges facing businesses today, especially SMEs that only have capacity for smaller operations. The teambehind One Zebra has committed itself to making life easier for owner-operated companies. Founder and CEO, Matt Jennison, has been the driving force behind this incredible phenomenon. We take a closer look following his success in the Global CEO Excellence Awards 2021 When Matt Jennison started One Zebra, it was on the back of years of experience in senior and commercial roles for three different owner-operated companies. He had achieved extraordinary success, building up the brand and sales functions of one until it was acquired by a global brand, growing the second from a team of zero consultants to twenty and quadrupling revenue at the third while launching a new digital business. One Zebra was his chance to take these experiences and build something of his own. With such a strong history in marketing, Matt knew that a universal challenge for organisations is the need to get a return on investment in marketing. Too many businesses put their faith in methods that simply don’t have a sustainable return or fail to push a company in a clear brand direction. From the very first meeting, Matt and his team have made it their mission to clarify a business’s messaging and value proposition, before building the required marketing assets to consistently create demand for products and services. In short, One Zebra can act as your marketing director, designing, building and executing incredible marketing campaigns. For Matt, the foundation for successful marketing begins with a deep understanding of how an individual company makes money. This involves exploring what products and services are the primary revenue stream, and what makes their customers want to buy their products. From this information, Matt is able to review every aspect of a company’s messaging, such as how they talk about their business on social media when compared to proposals or websites. By taking a holistic view of proceedings, One Zebra can offer a holistic solution, identifying gaps in the sales funnel and scoping out ways of driving lead generation for the business. Every project is lead by a Growth Marketing Director, namely an experienced marketeer who is able to commit themselves to the individual needs of the business at hand. This means that companies can grow at a fraction of the price of hiring full-time. Each of these is trained to the One Zebra methodology, allowing for a consistent and high level of service for those business owners who need help quickly. The team have worked online throughout the pandemic, offering far greater flexibility to clients. While there is nothing that can quite compare with an in-person meeting, the opportunity to save time and money for all concerned is also important. When Matt launched One Zebra in 2019, he couldn’t have imagined the challenges that 2020 would bring. Businesses paused, uncertain of whether they should invest in marketing or wait it out. It’s thanks to his leadership during these uncertain times, his commitment to a flexible, virtual business, that has made it such a success. While many have struggled, he and his team have thrived, and supported others to thrive too. Now, they operate beyond London’s limits, with an international audience that has clients in the USA, Canada and Europe. The value of marketing has yet to be fully exploited by many businesses, but thanks to the team at One Zebra, more and more organisations are taking advantage of what they have to offer their customers. Building his own business has allowed Matt Jennison to make a real dent in the universe, pushing people forward into a bold new world. With exciting plans for the future, including online learning for clients who want their teams to be better marketers, it seems like Matt has only just gotten started. Name: Matt Jennison Email:
[email protected] Web Address: www.onezebra.com