From strategy to sneakers: A decade of Eric's journey

Regarding your current work, do you feel proud and satisfied? And if yes: why is it so?

Yes, this is perhaps my favorite aspect of working in the consumer goods business. Take our product Vestamid® E40, a thermoplastic elastomer polyether block amide (PEBA) for example. You can see top long-distance runners and running enthusiasts wearing shoes that feature our midsole material. It's a great to say to your family and friends, “Look, our product is in these shoes.” That gives me a real sense of pride and accomplishment.

I recently returned from the Evonik product show and I had such a great time there! I presented how High Performance Polymers is applied in the footwear industry and shared some tips on choosing the best running shoes. The response from everyone was incredible! It was truly refreshing to see how much people care about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Helping others understand our products and the incredible benefits they offer makes me genuinely proud of what I do. There are exciting times ahead with our innovative solutions!

What is the major motivation that you have for working in a commercial role for almost ten years?

For me, the greatest motivation comes from the direct sense of achievement that commercial work brings. Developing business strategies, leading teams to implement them and continuously solving challenges to drive the business forward has given me both, confidence and personal growth, throughout this journey.
 
How do you handle upcoming challenges?

Sales performance challenges are certainly intense, especially in today's uncertain and highly competitive environment. However, I firmly believe that with the right strategies and a strong team collaboration during execution, challenges can be transformed into something essential, like a motivating driver of success. I break down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps for the team and make sure to relieve stress through regular breaks and physical activity.

Since your work is mostly affiliated with clients in the sports industry, did that somewhat influence your daily life?

Definitely. Most of our clients in this industry are running enthusiasts, which has inspired me to adopt healthier exercise habits for myself. Everyone on our team regularly engages in physical activities, it became a natural part of our daily lives.