ECR AP - GS1 Hong Kong Supply Chain Management

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60 Seconds with Alex von Behr -
former Co-chair of ECR Asia Pacific
Alex tell us
more about
yourself and
your role at
ECR AP.
I have spent a
fascinating two
years as Manufacturer
co-
Chair for the
ECR Asia Pacific
Council.
After a year on the Council representing Unilever I took on the cochair
role as I wanted to play my part in building real collaboration
between retailers and FMCG manufacturers in AP. I had also previously
-in an earlier role- spent a year on the Operating Board on
ECR Europe so had a pretty good idea of what could be possible if
we could get things organized. In my first year I focused on agreeing
a framework for operating with my fellow council members,
and in my second year I have been focused with my retailer cochair
Anthony Rose of Wal-Mart in, firstly, building representation
on the council from retailers and manufacturers, and secondly
on encouraging the undertaking of collaborative projects. Of
course this was “topped off” with a successful execution of the
recent ECR AP Conference in Singapore, which coincided with
the ending of my two year term as co-chair…it would be remiss of
me not to also mention the drive and passion brought to the ECR
AP movement by our Director Ivett Nagy who has been a close
ally to Anthony and myself in taking things forward on all of these
fronts, and to the ECR Singapore team for the very successful organization
of the recent conference. And the advice and support of
Jean- Marc Saubade, the Managing Director of our global umbrella
organization Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) has really helped.
What are your “legacies” as the out-going co-chair
Over the last two years I do think we have made progress in establishing
a clear way of working in line with our new charter and the
strategic framework mirroring the CGs’ 5 pillars. As a council we
have built additional participation for retailers and manufacturers
but there is still some way to go and I would have liked to have
seen more active participation from a couple of other major retailers
operating in Asia Pacific. Big thanks in particular to Wal-Mart
and Metro for the active and positive contributions, and the representatives
from Coke and P&G have been particularly active,
along with Unilever of course! It was a source of great pride to see
much of our reason for being coming together over those few days
in Singapore in May, with a vibrant Council Meeting reviewing
good progress across a range of collaborative projects, followed by
our two day conference attended by nearly 400 delegates, and
showcasing keynote speeches by senior leaders from our members
and the sharing of some terrific collaborative initiatives across the
region, including awards for the best.
What would be your advice for the person who will succeed
you
He will need, and I know he has, a passion for taking forward the
ECR AP agenda, with plenty of patience in getting the best out of
very busy council members. We have built a strong platform and I
feel very confident that under new, refreshing leadership the ECR
AP movement will go on to even greater things!
What are things you wished you had done differently
The killer has always been time. All council members are doing
their roles in addition to their very busy day jobs, so finding the
time has always been the biggest challenge. I am proud of what we
have achieved despite this huge constraint.
I have loved the opportunity to interact in a collaborative way with
manufacturers and retailers across the Asia Pacific region – ECR
AP Council is probably the unique forum in our part of the world
for doing this, and has been an inspiring and enjoyable experience.
I have always been keen to learn and build my experience and this
role has really contributed to that. I am very grateful to have had
the opportunity
What are you most proud of
Facilitating dynamic collaborative enjoyable ECR AP Council
Meetings with good committed attendance
How would sum up yourself
strategic, considerate, driven
What are your favorite places
3 S’s of Singapore, Switzerland and Sydney
Who is the person you most admire and why
Charles Darwin as he worked out and explained the puzzle of life!
What is your favorite quote
“If it’s to be it’s up to me”
What trait you most value in people
Integrity
ECR AP COUNCIL MEETING UPDATE
In May 2012 ECR AP Council member attended in our 47 th
council meeting. 30 participants were presented from 16 companies
and from 10 different Country ECR organizations .Alex
von Behr opened the meeting with a special welcome to our 2
new ECR AP members– British Telecom and SAP. This meeting
was the last for Alex as manufacturer co-chair. Francois
Gay-Bellile, Coca-Cola Pacific’s Vice President Customer
Leadership is to become ECR Asia-Pacific’s new manufacturers’
cochair.
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