Joining Nu-Insight
Read Time: 4-minutes
Happy Saturday.
Now, if you follow me on LinkedIn, you will have noticed that I recently joined a new partnership called Nu-Insight, alongside the brilliant Alison Taylor and Tienie Laubser. Before I get started, it’s important to mention that Alchem Trading will not be going anywhere and is still my main priority…
So, this week I wanted to explain a little what Nu-Insight is to see how it could be of use to your business.
Two things I have been inherently aware of over my years in the chemical industry is, that there is a complete lack of prioritisation towards learning and development (L&D), and a complete lack of L&D options specifically for the chemical industry.
I always compare it back to athletes, musicians, military personnel, who spend more time training than performing. Yet, in the chemical industry, we do the reverse. People simply “do the thing” without much, if any, L&D, leading to complacency, stagnation, frustration, and bad habits.
Which means the potential for improvement and differentiation in the market is immense. When teams train, they not only perform better, they build better habits, adapt to new challenges, and create healthier, more fulfilling work environments too.
If professional athletes, artists, military personnel, you name it, all dedicate time to perfecting their craft, why shouldn’t the people in our industry do the same?
Key takeaways
The problem(s)
Our idea
Why it matters
My inspiration
Our philosophy
"If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got."
– Henry Ford
The Problem(s)
The chemical industry, particularly within the EU, faces intense pressure from multiple fronts. Stricter regulations, costly compliance requirements, and mounting competition from international markets have created a challenging environment for growth and innovation.
Adding to this complexity is a widening generational divide. While seasoned professionals often rely on traditional sales methods and established practices, younger generations are embracing technology and reimagining how work gets done. This shift, coupled with increasing staff turnover, makes it harder to onboard new employees effectively and build cohesive, skilled teams. Younger professionals, prioritising work-life balance and meaningful roles, are less inclined to follow conventional, travel-heavy, face-to-face sales models, further reshaping the industry’s dynamics.
Meanwhile, consumer expectations are evolving rapidly. Sustainability and ethical practices have moved from being optional to essential. Companies that fail to adapt risk losing not only their competitive edge but also their talent—and eventually, their place in the market.
To make matters more challenging, buyers are becoming harder to reach. They are more cautious, increasingly resistant to change, and often default to the status quo. In such a landscape, how can businesses hope to thrive without a modern, adaptable approach to sales and training?
The answer is simple: they can’t.
Our Idea
Why do we believe we have the authority to share our insights?
Between Alison and me, we bring over 40 years of experience in the chemical industry (and counting), while Tienie adds more than 30 years of expertise in Learning & Development, specifically within the engineering and chemical sectors. Together, we truly understand this industry from the inside out.
Nu-Insight was created to address the very challenges we’ve outlined. We provide specialised training tailored specifically for the chemical industry, avoiding the pitfalls of generic programmes that often miss the mark.
Our approach is collaborative. we work with clients to design training programmes that directly address the unique needs of their business and the sector they operate in. This ensures we’re not just creating generic solutions, but delivering focused, relevant content that eliminates unnecessary fluff. Our clients know exactly what to expect when they partner with us, and they gain training that makes a real impact where it matters most.
Why it Matters
The measurable results will naturally vary from company to company, depending on their specific objectives. For some, success might look like increased revenue and higher profits. For others, it could mean improved employee retention, faster onboarding, streamlined processes, or enhanced internal communication.
Whatever the goal, one thing remains consistent: well-trained employees are more engaged, more effective, and more likely to foster a positive company culture. This creates a powerful ripple effect, driving benefits that extend across the entire organisation.
My Own Inspiration
My passion for Learning & Development has always been a driving force in my career. I’ve consistently prioritised my own growth, learning through hands-on experience and practice. However, since launching Alchem, it quickly became clear how much more there was to learn. That realisation led me to invest heavily in my continued education.
What frustrates me most is the lack of industry-specific training available and the prevalence of trainers who don’t truly understand what we do. Too often, they rely on generic methods that simply don’t fit the unique needs of our industry.
Having witnessed the transformative impact of well-designed training, I believe the chemical industry deserves better—something tailored to its specific challenges and intricacies. So, when Alison and Tienie approached me about teaming up with them, the decision was an easy one. It was the perfect opportunity to create something meaningful and impactful for an industry we’re all deeply connected to.
Our Philosophy
Nu-Insight is founded on the principles of ethics, integrity, transparency, and growth. We believe that learning should be engaging and enjoyable, with no room for ego—just genuine, honest training designed to empower people to excel in their roles and find fulfilment in their work. Our commitment lies in fostering loyalty, trust, and a culture of continuous development.
By staying true to these values, Nu-Insight seeks to positively impact not just individual employees but also the broader culture of the organisations we partner with. Our mission is to bring a fresh, dynamic approach to an industry that is in greater need of innovation and support than ever before.
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So, there you have it.
A brief introduction to Nu-Insight.
If you’d like to learn a little more, please take a look at the website: www.nu-insight.com
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Thanks for reading, and see you next week.
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