In this second installment of our podcast, “Innovation and the Digital Enterprise” Shelli and Pat welcome Christian Anschuetz to talk about his role as UL’s Chief Digital Officer, having courage in the face of uncertainty and the criticality of trust in all relationships. UL is a global independent safety science company.
Christian is responsible for embedding innovative technology and digital trends in operations to accelerate growth and enhance clients’ ability to predict and address regulatory and safety considerations in their value chains. He is passionate about the value trust brings to modern supply chains and the role data plays in delivering that trust. Christian is also a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the founder of the innovative nonprofit, Project RELO.
Episode Highlights:
- [01:25] Christian on how being an American citizen shaped his life and experience
- [02:53] The winding path: “No plan survives its first contact with the enemy”
- [05:29] Having faith, confidence, and courage when you don’t know how things are going to turn out
- [06:10] Transitioning from marine officer to entrepreneur to corporate executive
- [10:31] Employing veterans as an entrepreneur and at UL
- [13:26] How being a mission-based person led Christian to UL, the kind of company seeking to make a difference in the world
- [16:37] UL’s history of moving with innovation
- [18:37] Challenges in transitioning from CIO role to Chief Digital Officer
- [21:39] Hiring based on the substance of a person’s character
- [24:31] Trust as the most essential ingredient for any relationship, including between companies and their customers
- [27:12] Trust vs Loyalty
- [29:06] Specific challenges, risk, and opportunities at UL
- [33:37] Considering mentors outside the typical conception of mentorship
- [37:03] Starting Project RELO
- [45:20 ] The “Plastics Question” - Christian’s one word is trust
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Episode produced by Dante32.
