This month, the Leadership in Commodity and Trade Networks programme kicked off in Rotterdam. Here's a summary of the week:
Introduction
The 2024 edition of the Leadership in Commodity Trade and Supply Networks programme began with three engaging introduction days designed to foster connections, explore leadership concepts, and prepare participants for the journey ahead.
The first day focused on orientation, with Wouter Jacobs guiding participants through the programme structure. Tanja Vlug facilitated a personality assessment to help students understand themselves better, while Dr. Hannes Leroy delivered an insightful lecture on the "Big 4 of Leadership." The day concluded with a discussion led by Wouter Jacobs and Maarten Frowein on cultivating a leader's mindset.
On the second day, participants faced Marine’s Courage, a dynamic team-building challenge. Guided by trainers Thijs van der Drift and Roderick Smeijers from the Unbreakable Academy, this exercise tested their resilience and teamwork.
The final day introduced scenario planning, with expert insights from Vincent Oomes on translating scenarios into actionable choices and Jeremy Bentham on the evolution of scenario planning. Wouter Jacobs rounded off the day by moderating a thought-provoking discussion on strategizing within different cultural contexts, featuring Andreas de Vries.
With a strong start to the programme, participants were ready to embark on the European leg of their leadership journey the next week.
Day 1: Technology & Innovation
The European segment of the Leadership in Commodity Trade and Supply Networks programme began with a focus on technology and innovation. Dr. Stefano Tasseli delivered a compelling two-part lecture, first exploring how to organize innovation during times of uncertainty and then delving into network and ecosystem analysis as tools to navigate such challenges effectively.
Following this, Neil Webers led a session on human dynamics and the processes involved in people transformation, offering valuable insights into managing change within organizations. The day concluded with a thought-provoking conversation on leadership, featuring Leo Brand and Wouter Jacobs, where participants reflected on key qualities and strategies for effective leadership.
Day 2: Geopolitics
The second day of the European segment of the Leadership in Commodity Trade and Supply Networks programme focused on geopolitics and leadership in a complex global landscape. Dr. Wouter Jacobs opened the day with an insightful lecture on international relations theory, geopolitics, geoeconomics, and the evolving world order, providing a strong foundation for understanding global dynamics.
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, former Secretary General of NATO and Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, followed with a compelling discussion on leading through geopolitical turbulence, sharing his experiences and strategies for navigating uncertain times. Mark Stoop and Dr. Cyril Widdershoven then explored current geopolitical scenarios, offering a nuanced perspective on the forces shaping international trade and relations.
The day concluded with a conversation between Dr. Wouter Jacobs and Piet van den Brink, delving into the practical implications of leadership in today’s geopolitical context.
This intellectually stimulating day deepened participants’ understanding of global challenges and the leadership required to address them.
Day 3: Sustainability
The third day of the Leadership in Commodity Trade and Supply Networks programme was hosted at Cefetra and centered on sustainability and leadership in the commodity transition. The day began with a warm welcome from Daan Vriens, CEO of Cefetra Group, setting the stage for insightful discussions.
Dr. Steve Kennedy delivered a thought-provoking lecture on planetary boundaries, business sustainability, and the development of effective sustainability strategies, emphasizing the role of companies in addressing global challenges. This was followed by Robert Horster, who provided practical insights into the implementation of sustainability strategies within organizations.
The day concluded with a dynamic leadership conversation on value creation and capture in the commodity transition. Dr. Wouter Jacobs, Ted Swinkels, and Audrey Rensen – van Lijden shared their expertise, offering participants a deeper understanding of the intersection between sustainability and leadership.
This enriching day highlighted the critical importance of sustainability in shaping the future of the commodity trade sector.
Day 4: Risk & Compliance
The fourth day of the Leadership in Commodity Trade and Supply Networks programme focused on Risk and Compliance, offering participants a deep dive into managing challenges in the commodity trade sector. The day began with a two-part lecture by Walter Vollebregt on risk management and Michelle Fisher on compliance, providing essential frameworks for navigating these critical areas.
Ivo Sarjanovic followed with an insightful session on designing and implementing a Strategic Enterprise Risk Management (SERM) system in a commodity trading firm, emphasizing the practical aspects of risk management. Later, Dr. Wouter Jacobs and Wildrik de Blank led a leadership conversation on the differences between managing risk and uncertainty, offering participants valuable strategies for decision-making in complex environments.
The day concluded with excitement as students attended the ECTC Networking Annual Event at the Wereldmuseum in Rotterdam, providing a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders and peers in an inspiring setting.
Day 5: Trading Asset Acquisition
The fifth and final day of the Leadership in Commodity Trade and Supply Networks programme concluded with a focus on strategic decision-making and leadership in a rapidly evolving world. The day began with Dr. Michael Orlando leading an engaging case study on the acquisition of a mining asset, providing participants with practical insights into the complexities of such transactions.
This was followed by a thought-provoking discussion on the changing landscape of leadership, featuring Dr. Wouter Jacobs, Ito van Lanschot, and Karel Valken, who shared their perspectives on adapting leadership strategies to meet contemporary challenges.
The programme concluded with a session by Dr. Hannes Leroy, who returned to deepen participants' understanding of effective leadership.
As the programme came to a close, participants reflected on a transformative week of learning and networking. The Leadership in Commodity Trade and Supply Networks programme will return in June with its North American segment, promising more impactful experiences ahead. Stay tuned!
