Borderless Executive Live: The Podcast
Candid conversations with business leaders on their respective industries, including Life Sciences, Chemical Value Chain, and Food & Drink. Hosted by Andrew Kris, Founding Partner of Borderless.
Borderless Executive Live: The Podcast
Shaping the Future: How Borderless Finds Visionary Leaders Who Transform Industries
What if finding the right leader could transform an entire industry? Discover the secrets behind Borderless, a firm that has placed over 1,500 executives who have become industry visionaries. Join us for an engaging exploration of how Borderless goes beyond the resume to identify leaders capable of navigating complex global regulations, market shifts, and major corporate transformations. We reveal the nuances of their candid, trust-based relationships and how these connections foster sound, empathetic advice that elevates high-level executives to new heights.
Meet the dedicated team that makes this magic happen, from passionate consultants like Brian Hughes to committed partners like Els De Cremer. Learn about their relentless pursuit of top talent and what drives them to find those hidden gems who inspire, lead with integrity, and drive meaningful change. Don't miss out on understanding how Borderless is not just filling positions but developing relationships that shape the future of business leadership.
You know, I've always found it fascinating those companies that don't just fill jobs, you know, but really find the leaders, the people who shape the industries that we all rely on.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:And that's what really drew me to this deep dive today Borderless. They're all about executive search and leadership advisory, working with some pretty big names, especially in energy and life sciences working with some pretty big names, especially in energy and life sciences.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's a very specialized field and it's not just about, you know, finding someone with the right qualifications on paper. It's really about understanding the nuances of these different sectors. The challenges these companies face and the kind of leadership that's really going to thrive in that kind of environment. Yeah.
Speaker 1:And their website uses some phrases that at first glance seem pretty standard. You know, deeply invested in your business, sound advice.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But then you see candid, trust-based relationships, and that to me signals something deeper than just your average consultant relationship. What do you think?
Speaker 2:Yeah, absolutely. I mean, when you're talking about high-level executives, the sound advice they need. It's rarely a simple solution. Right, these are people dealing with. You know global regulations, market shifts, maybe even you know steering a company through a major merger or acquisition. The stakes are incredibly high.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:So that element of trust is absolutely paramount.
Speaker 1:So it's more about being a trusted advisor, not just a consultant who comes in.
Speaker 2:Precisely. They need someone they can confide in, someone who understands the immense pressure they're under and can offer advice not just with expertise, but with empathy as well. That's where that candid, trust-based relationship really comes into play.
Speaker 1:It makes you wonder who are these people at Borderless who have actually earned that kind of trust.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:That's not an easy thing to just step into.
Speaker 2:No, it's no small feat and, you know, when you consider that over 1,500 executives placed by Borderless have actually become leaders in their industries, that's not a coincidence.
Speaker 1:Wow.
Speaker 2:That really speaks to their ability to identify individuals with not just the right skills for the job but also the right character, the right vision to really lead.
Speaker 1:It's like a ripple effect. When you think about 1,500 leaders, that's huge, absolutely. These are the people who could influence whole industries.
Speaker 2:Think about the impact those 1,500 leaders have had on their companies, their employees, even their competitors. That's the kind of influence Borderless helps to cultivate, you know it underscores the importance of what they do.
Speaker 1:So how do we get a glimpse into the minds of these, these matchmakers, the people making these placements?
Speaker 2:Well, that's where the meet our team section of their website gets really interesting. It's like a behind the scenes look at their process.
Speaker 1:And they have a really diverse team from you know partners and consultants, all the way to like their finance administrator.
Speaker 2:Right, it takes a village.
Speaker 1:And one thing I noticed a lot of their bios mention a passion for people. You wouldn't think that'd be the driving force behind like these, these high level corporate placements.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's not what you typically associate with with the corporate world.
Speaker 1:Exactly, but it seems to be a common thread with this company.
Speaker 2:And I think it's telling it suggests that Borderless understands that true leadership goes beyond profits. It's about people.
Speaker 1:OK.
Speaker 2:Building strong teams, fostering innovation, creating a positive impact.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I see that reflected in a lot of their bios, like take Brian Hughes, for example. He's a consultant there and he says he's devoted his career to finding and attracting talented executives. It sounds so simple when he puts it that way.
Speaker 2:It does, but it speaks volumes, doesn't it? They're not just filling positions, they're really actively seeking out talent.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:They recognize the value of it and understand that the right person can make all the difference.
Speaker 1:It's almost like they're talent scouts for the business world, always on the lookout for those hidden gems.
Speaker 2:Precisely, and it's not just finding someone with a shiny resume. They're looking for individuals who can inspire, who can lead with integrity and who can drive real, meaningful change.
Speaker 1:And that actually brings us to another interesting point, linda Stone. She's a partner in executive search and in her bio she highlights her commitment to service. That's not a phrase you typically hear in like you know the corporate world.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Right, it definitely stands out. It seems like they're not just trying to put someone in a position of power yeah, you know, but really finding people who want to make a difference.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it speaks to this larger shift. We who want to make a difference. Yeah, it speaks to this larger shift we're seeing in what's expected of leaders today. Ok, it's not enough to, just you know, be profitable. Leaders are expected to be ethical purpose driven. Think about their impact on all stakeholders, and it seems like Borderless really gets that.
Speaker 1:And Els De Krimmer, one of their founding partners. She actually says in her bio and Els De Krimmer, one of their founding partners. She actually says in her bio unlock the power of exceptional talent.
Speaker 2:Oh, I like that.
Speaker 1:With an unwavering belief in the importance of people as the cornerstones of competitive advantage, I have dedicated my career to partnering with and then she cuts off.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But I mean you get the picture.
Speaker 2:Yeah, absolutely, it's all about, you know, collaboration. And again, it really reinforces this idea that they're facilitators, they're connectors, they're trying to really understand the needs and the culture of their clients to find the right fit.
Speaker 1:It's like they're crafting a team, not just filling a position.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:So we've talked about who Borderless is their approach, but what are they seeing out there?
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:What's on the radar for these top executives?
Speaker 2:Well, their sector news section is where things get really interesting. It gives you a peek into the trends and the challenges that are shaping these industries right now.
Speaker 1:So first up we've got BASF. They're a chemical company and they're planning an IPO for their agricultural business Huge. Now, I'm not a finance person. What does that actually mean?
Speaker 2:So an IPO, initial public offering it's basically when a company goes public, they're offering shares of their stock on the stock market. Okay, and for BASF to spin off their agricultural business like this into a separate publicly traded company, that's a pretty big deal.
Speaker 1:What kind of impact does that have then?
Speaker 2:It usually means there's a major strategic shift happening. Companies spin off divisions for all sorts of reasons you know, to unlock a value. Maybe they want to focus on their core business streamline operations, but in the agricultural sector, for BASF to do this, it could really shake things up.
Speaker 1:So it's not just internal, it affects the whole industry.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and for a company like Borderless, this is like prime time for them.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:They would be analyzing this, they'd be advising their clients on how to respond and, of course, they're going to be looking for the leaders who can navigate this new landscape.
Speaker 1:They're the ones who can like get ahead of it.
Speaker 2:Exactly. They're crucial because it's all about anticipating that change and making sure you have the right people in place to handle it.
Speaker 1:Makes sense. Ok. So next we have Novo Nordisk and Nanovation and they're teaming up a $600 million deal focusing on rare and cardiometabolic diseases. Big money. Had to look that one up. We're talking about heart disease, diabetes, things like that, right.
Speaker 2:Yeah, Conditions that put you at a higher risk for those things. And this deal is huge because it shows you just how much focus there is on these specialized areas within life sciences. Gene editing, targeted therapies, personalized medicine it's all about treating these complex diseases in a more precise way.
Speaker 1:So this partnership is kind of like a symptom of a much bigger trend in healthcare.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and for executives in this industry, it's a clear sign.
Speaker 1:Of what?
Speaker 2:That to stay competitive, you have to embrace these advancements, you need to be collaborative and you need to find those leaders who can really drive innovation, because it's changing so rapidly.
Speaker 1:It makes you wonder what kind of person can even handle that. It's gotta be someone who's not afraid of like a challenge.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. Someone who is adaptable, who can think strategically, embrace new technology and create a culture that's open to innovation. Someone who's not afraid to challenge how things have always been done.
Speaker 1:So you need someone who's like really special to be in that world Pretty much Well speaking of leadership. Kind Snacks just named a new CEO.
Speaker 2:Oh, interesting, curious to see what direction they take. It's always interesting to see how these leadership transitions play out, especially in an industry, as you know, fast paced as consumer goods. Kind Snacks has done a good job building a brand around healthy and pasty snacks.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:So they need someone who can not only maintain that but also deal with a super competitive market where consumer preferences are constantly changing.
Speaker 1:It's a tough balance. You want to be healthy, but it still has to taste good.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and let's not forget about sustainability and ethical sourcing. That's huge right now in the food industry. These are all things a new CEO has to consider.
Speaker 1:That's a lot of pressure.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Okay, last one. This is for the Advanced Industrial Solutions fans out there. London Packaging Week just finished up and they were all about luxury packaging and inclusive connectivity.
Speaker 2:Interesting combination.
Speaker 1:Seems like kind of two different things.
Speaker 2:It might seem that way at first, but they actually reflect some trends that are very much connected.
Speaker 1:How so.
Speaker 2:Well, luxury packaging isn't just about a fancy box anymore. It's about sustainability, it's about ethical sourcing, it's about the whole experience. You know, it's not just the product.
Speaker 1:So it's like telling a story.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Think about those unboxing videos everyone loves. It's all about that. You know what you experience with your senses, the feeling you get, and that actually ties into this whole inclusive connectivity idea. Okay, I see that. So, as technology gets better, packaging is becoming more than just a container. Right, it's a way to interact with people. You've got your QR codes linking to more info, augmented reality, even smart packaging that can like track freshness or tell you how to use something.
Speaker 1:Wow, it's pretty amazing. That's making sure that everyone can like connect with the packaging, no matter how old they are, how tech savvy they are.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's about creating a seamless, inclusive experience from the second you see the product on the shelf to when you're completely done with it.
Speaker 1:It's interesting how all these different things we've been talking about food packaging, even life-saving treatments they're all dealing with similar issues Sustainability, how to use technology, how to really connect with people on a deeper level.
Speaker 2:It's all connected and that's why I think Borderless is so interesting, because they're at the heart of it all. Yeah, they're linking together the need for incredible leadership with the people who have those skills. It's a big job it is, but it's also really important work.
Speaker 1:It's like we've been peeking behind the curtain. A little bit Seeing how these huge industries are being shaped.
Speaker 2:And it just shows you how interconnected everything is.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:We talk about these things as if they're separate, but they're all part of this, like big, complex system.
Speaker 1:And the leaders are the ones, you know, making the big decisions, the ones that affect all of us.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and that's what I think makes this so fascinating, this whole deep dive. It's not just about understanding one company. It's about understanding what it even means to be a leader in a world that, like, never stops changing.
Speaker 1:It really makes you think about that. You know what does it even take to be a leader these days. It's not just about like climbing the ladder.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:It's so much more than that.
Speaker 2:It's about navigating all these different forces, being willing to change, you know, having a real sense of purpose.
Speaker 1:And being able to bring people along with you.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. You have to be adaptable, a strategic thinker, but also like a good human being. That's a lot to ask.
Speaker 1:It is a lot, but it's also kind of exciting, oh for sure.
Speaker 2:It's an amazing time to be someone who can really make a difference.
Speaker 1:So big picture, it seems like borderless. They're not just headhunters, right, they're kind of like I don't know talent cultivators.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Industry analysts. They're advisors. Advisors, that's it. They're advising the people who are shaping the future.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:And that's a big deal.
Speaker 2:It is a big deal, it's high stakes, but the impact is huge. It really is. Well, as we wrap up this deep dive into the world of borderless I don't know about you, but it's given me a lot to think about. Oh, absolutely, and I think for anyone listening who's like intrigued by this whole world, by these big changes happening, keep your eyes open. What kind of leadership will it take to handle all of this? What skills will matter most?
Speaker 1:It's a question worth asking yourself, even if you're not, you know, gunning for the C-suite Right, just thinking about how to make a difference. We can learn a lot from a company like Borderless and the leaders they're looking for.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Well, on that note, thanks for joining me on this deep dive. Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning and we'll see you out there.