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- "Volatility is the new normal," BASF executive says
Economic demand will be sluggish in 2013, said Hans-Ulrich Engel, head of BASF's North American operations. "We will have to get used to the fact that volatility is the new normal. The best expression is that we are living in a world of 'vuca' -- volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity," Engel said. "Overall, chemicals activities are weaker overall than they were last year, but oil and gas and our agriculture-solutions unit are significantly better than last year," he added. The Wall Street Journal
(12/5)      
- Dow Chemical expects Asia to drive growth
Dow Chemical is looking to increase its focus on Asia. "At Dow Asia-Pacific, we are driving 'New Dow, New Asia', a business portfolio strategy focused on expanding our market reach and penetration into high-growth markets in which we can be a preferred partner of innovative solutions in the region," said Dow Asia-Pacific President Pat Dawson. The company earned 18% of its $60 billion in 2011 revenue from the Asia-Pacific region. China Daily (Beijing)
(12/5)
- Why America's manufacturing jobs are coming home
Companies such as General Electric are pivoting away from offshore manufacturing and toward a revival of U.S. factories, Charles Fishman writes. Cheap Chinese labor hasn't delivered the broader economic advantages some firms had sought, and local manufacturing can allow companies to operate more nimbly and with increased quality control. "Jobs are coming back not for a single, simple reason, but for many intertwined reasons -- which means they won’t slip away again when one element of the business, or the economy, changes," Fishman argues. The Atlantic
(12/2012)
- Smart bosses take their enemies to lunch
Every business professional winds up making enemies, so the real test is how you respond to conflict, Mike Figliuolo writes. It's usually better to take the high road, responding to workplace slights by inviting your enemy for lunch or buying the person a beer. "You kill them with kindness. ... if you're being nothing but professional, it's hard for you to look bad," Figliuolo writes. ThoughtLeaders blog
(12/3)
- 9 ways employers can keep the best talent
Promoting from within, providing stimulating work and linking employee work to bottom-line success are all ways that companies can hang onto the best talent, Samuel Bacharach writes. "Employees won't stay because of the size of the paycheck. They'll stay because they feel they are recognized, engaged, challenged, and part of a team," he writes. Inc. online (free registration)
(12/5)
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Plastics associations report progress on global marine litter commitments
The world's leading plastics associations announced a "Progress Report on the Global Declaration of the Plastics Associations for Solutions on Marine Litter," originally announced in March 2011 at the 5th International Marine Debris Conference. The Progress Report identifies more than 140 projects to prevent marine litter that are completed, underway or planned -- a substantial and significant increase from the 100 projects announced in Dubai in November 2011. In addition, the Progress Report provides case studies and detailed insights into preventing marine litter that can be expanded in other regions. Read the full news release or view the report.
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Energy-efficient building technologies will drive long-term energy savings in U.S.
The American Chemistry Council touted projections in a new report by the International Council of Chemical Associations showing that combining building efficiency improvements -- made possible by innovations in chemistry -- with lower-carbon fuels could lead to a 41% reduction in energy use and a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Read the full release.
 | To change one's life: Start immediately. Do it flamboyantly. No exceptions."
--William James,
American psychologist and philosopher
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