Target Companies And Industries

Major North American automotive suppliers, including Lear Corporation, Dana Incorporated, Magna International, and BorgWarner, are reducing engineering and R&D expenditures and eliminating thousands of jobs to maintain profit margins. This strategic shift responds to anticipated sluggish growth in new-vehicle sales, uncertainties in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, and the impending U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from #Canada and #Mexico, set to commence in March 2025. Lear Corp. terminated approximately 15,000 positions globally in 2024, a reduction it plans to replicate in 2025. The company also closed or sold 13 factories in 2024, with intentions to divest five more in 2025, while enhancing automation and artificial intelligence in its remaining facilities. These measures aim to improve operational efficiency amid a highly uncertain market. Dana Inc. announced a $300 million cost-reduction plan through 2026, with $175 million expected in 2025. A significant portion of these savings stems from adjustments in the company's EV strategy, reflecting a cautious approach to capital investments due to lower-than-expected EV production and high labor costs. This plan has been positively received by Wall Street, with Dana's shares rising nearly 40% this year. Magna International is targeting substantial cuts, particularly in engineering, eliminating about $124 million in engineering spending in 2024, with plans to increase this figure to around $500 million by 2026. The company is also preparing for the impact of U.S. tariffs and potential retaliatory measures by other countries, expressing concerns about the sustainability of higher costs associated with these tariffs. BorgWarner aims to save $100 million through job cuts and reduced spending in its e-products division, partly due to weaker-than-expected sales of EV parts. These moves are designed to maintain profit margins even as the company anticipates a decline in sales in 2025. The upcoming U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico, effective March 12, 2025, are expected to exacerbate cost pressures on suppliers. These tariffs could add $22.4 billion to the cost of steel and aluminum products imported into the U.S., significantly impacting manufacturing costs and supply chains across various industries, including automotive. https://lnkd.in/dYdb7C3m #automotiveindustry #electricvehicles #batteries #china #europe Tesla MG Motor Europe BYD XPENG

Given the plan to have the steel & aluminum tariffs jump to 50% this week, I wanted to share data on the downstream industries whose cost structures are most impacted by this action. I've done this by using the latest benchmark use table from the input-output accounts (https://lnkd.in/eQdPji9) and calculated each industries' combined use of (i) Iron and steel mills and ferroalloy manufacturing [331110]; (ii) steel product manufacturing from purchased steel [331200]; (iii) Alumina refining and primary aluminum production [331313]; and (iv) Aluminum product manufacturing from purchased aluminum [33131B]. I then summed the use across these four commodities and divided this sum by each industries' total intermediate inputs (which includes all goods, utilities, and services). Below are the top sectors. Thoughts: •For many industries in fabricated metals (starting with NAICS 332), we see steel and aluminum make up more than 40% of the cost structure. If we assume that domestic prices ultimately rise something like 35% from a non-tariff scenario, that would represent a 15% increase in costs. This is a conservative estimate because I'm using all intermediate inputs as the denominator; if I used only goods and utilities, this figure would be much higher. •As expected, we see substantial impacts on transportation equipment (the major impact on military armored vehicles is a bit ironic) and machinery. Transportation equipment and machinery are two sectors where the USA is very globally competitive; these tariffs make us less competitive by raising producers' costs. For example, the last thing John Deere needs is to be paying higher prices for steel and aluminum as it tries to compete with European rivals for business in Australia. •It's worth again stressing these affected downstream industries employ far more people than employed in making steel and aluminum. This is why tariffing upstream industries has been termed "Self-Harming Trade Policy" (see https://lnkd.in/gWgxQjtY). Implication: many industries will be starting this week with the reality that they are looking at their costs rising substantially due to POTUS's steel and aluminum tariff escalation. This is precisely the type of action that makes the FOMC less likely to reduce interest rates anytime soon. #supplychain #economics #shipsandshipping #manufacturing #freight

I get a lot of DMs from people looking for jobs. I posted this last week, and I don't think enough people saw it. Here's my advice to ALL job seekers. First, don't apply to a job posting. It doesn't work. You are competing against 100s or 1,000s of other resumes. Being the few resumes that make it through recruiters & AI screeners is a long shot. Here's what I recommend instead: Run your job seeking process like a top 1% sales person. 1. Build a target companies list (aka ICP) Identify 30-50 companies / organizations that fit within your skill set, passion, industry, geography, etc. 2. Identify key people at each company Use Linkedin to find 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level connections, especially decision makers (VPs, Directors, C-level). A note from a CEO to a hiring manager like "Take a look at this person" is a huge leg up. 3. Get cell numbers, personal emails, & work emails Use free trials of tools like ZoomInfo, Apollo, Lusha, Rocketreach, Seamless Ai, Kaspr, Lead IQ, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, etc. Pay for a month if needed. 4. Craft killer cold outreach Write 3-5 cold email, DM, and call scripts. Test them outside of your ICP. Once you find a winner, go HAM on your list. Something like this: "Hey {name}, I'm Matt. I'll help 3x your retention if you give me a chance at this customer success director role. I was one of the first employees at SimpleCitizen (YC W16), which was acquired by Fragomen, the largest immigration law firm in the world. I led Customer Success there—we kept a 4.9+ TrustPilot rating the entire way. Here’s how I’ll drive impact at {company}: • {Tailored point 1} • {Tailored point 2} • {Tailored point 3}" Most won’t reply. But 10–20% will. And when they do, you’ll skip the resume pile entirely. Even recruiters won’t have that kind of pull.

8 Step Dream Job Scoring System (Do This First!): Every job search should start with this step. But 99% of job seekers skip it. It’s called the “Dream Job Scoring System” Here’s how it works in 8 simple steps: 1. Why Start Here? Too many job seekers waste time considering roles that aren’t actually good fits. If you have a system for scoring each opportunity? That allows you to proactively seek out the ones that closely align with your goals. Then you can invest more deeply in those roles. 2. Start With Umbrella Categories What areas are impacted when you get a new job? Make a list of all the high-level categories: - Salary - Management - Culture - Impact Of Work - Etc. Aim to have 7-10 of these. 3. Define Examples Of "Great" For each category, brainstorm 3 examples of what "great" looks like for each. Be as specific as possible. Ex: ❌ I want a company where I can grow. ✅ I want a company that rewards effort via proactive internal promotions and raises so I can invest there long term. 4. Identify Actions To Validate Criteria For each example of "great" above, think about an action you could take to verify if a company did or did not meet that criteria. For example: Criteria: I want a company that rewards effort via proactive internal promotions and raises so I can invest there long term. Action: Review LinkedIn profiles of at least 10 employees. Minimum 30% should have seen a promotion at the company. Repeat for each criteria on your list. 5. Distill Into A Repeatable System Start by reviewing your list of criteria. Work to prioritize the criteria until you have a set of 8-10 that cover 80% of the most important things to you. Next, review the actions you brainstormed for those criteria. Identify the ones that apply to the most companies, that you can also complete the most quickly. 6. Set Up Your Scoring System Create a spreadsheet with each criteria. When you find a new company, take all of the actions and mark if they do or do not meet the criteria. When you're done, use this formula: Criteria Met / # Total Criteria = Company Match Score 7. Set Your Minimum Threshold You're going to be most effective when you focus all of your energy on value-aligned companies. To determine what "value-aligned" is for you, set a minimum score. My recommendation is 70-75%. Boom! Now you have a system for identifying companies that are worth a deeper investment. 8. Score Companies Before Pursuing Whenever a new company pops onto your radar? All you have to do is run them through this set of actions and give them a score. This way you can ignore companies that aren't a good fit. And invest 100% of your time and energy into ones that are.

If you have 20 plus years of experience, how are you planning your next role in today’s market? Over the past week, I had a few conversations with professionals who have 20 plus years of experience and are thinking about their next move. Most of them are in mid management or leadership roles and are finding that the market is very different from what it was ten years ago. At this stage, changing jobs is not a one or two month exercise. Expectations are higher, salaries are higher, and companies want clear evidence of value before hiring. It is practical to give yourself a six to nine month window to find the right role. Also, your aspirational title alone is not enough. The market must see a strong and logical fit between your past experience and the role you are targeting. To bring structure to this process, I usually suggest a simple matrix approach. First, list the domains where you have real expertise. There will be one or two core domains where you have deep experience, and a few adjacent domains that you have worked in along the way. For example, someone may have started in cloud computing and later worked on analytics, artificial intelligence, security, or data center initiatives. Next, list the roles you have performed over the years. These are your horizontal capabilities, such as product management, program management, presales, sales, or solution consulting. Some of these will be strong areas where you have led teams and delivered outcomes. Others may be areas where you have partial exposure. Now create a simple matrix with domains on one axis and roles on the other. At each intersection, assess your strength. Where both your domain expertise and role experience are strong, treat that as your primary target. Where you have moderate overlap and can reasonably stretch, treat that as a secondary option. Where the fit is weak or unrealistic, do not spend time targeting those roles. After this, validate demand in the market. Check job portals and company career pages to see which combinations are actually hiring. This step prevents you from applying randomly and helps you focus your networking and referrals on roles where you have both strong fit and visible demand. If you are planning your next move at a leadership level, take the time to build this matrix. Spend a few weeks refining it. Give yourself a six to nine month window. The clarity you gain will reduce anxiety and improve your hit rate significantly. I write about #artificialintelligence | #technology | #startups | #mentoring | #leadership | #financialindependence   PS: All views are personal

The Emergence of Global Indian Multinational Companies in the Agriculture Sector!! The landscape of global agriculture is witnessing a remarkable transformation, driven by the rise of Indian multinational companies that are making significant strides in this vital sector. These companies are not only enhancing India's agricultural capabilities but are also becoming key players on the international stage, contributing to global food security and sustainable farming practices. One of the foremost examples of this trend is UPL Limited, a leading global provider of agricultural solutions. UPL has established itself as a major force in the agrochemical industry, offering a wide range of products including crop protection solutions, seeds, and post-harvest technologies. UPL's mission to make every single food product more sustainable is reflected in their extensive global footprint, which spans over 130 countries, providing innovative and sustainable agricultural solutions to farmers worldwide. Another prominent player is Tata Chemicals, which has diversified its portfolio to include a significant presence in the agriculture sector through its subsidiary, Rallis India Ltd. Rallis India is known for its comprehensive range of crop protection products, seeds, and plant growth nutrients. The company’s commitment to research and development ensures that they remain at the forefront of innovation, helping farmers enhance productivity and profitability. Similarly, INERA™, part of the Absolute®, is making waves in the agriculture sector. Known for its robust biological inputs based on innovations in biotechnology and digital technology INERA focuses on leveraging technology and research to position itself as a key player in both the Indian and global markets. The impact of these companies extends beyond mere business growth. They are actively involved in transforming agricultural practices through sustainable initiatives. For instance, UPL’s 'OpenAg' initiative, and INERA's 'Upaj" initiative are aimed at creating an open network for agriculture, uniting stakeholders to drive sustainable growth and innovation in the sector. This initiative highlights their commitment to fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing to tackle global agricultural challenges. The emergence of Indian multinational companies like UPL, Tata Chemicals, and Absolute in the global agriculture sector underscores India’s growing influence in this critical industry. Their commitment to innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility not only drives their business success but also contributes significantly to global agricultural development and food security. As these companies continue to expand their global presence, they are set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of agriculture.

How I figured out exactly who I can reach on LinkedIn (and built a 2,000-person target list in 20 minutes): Last week I needed to scope a new market for notus: construction companies in DACH. I wanted clarity on who I'm trying to reach, whether they actually spend time on the platform, and how to get more touch points with them through content, ads, network expansion, and DMs So I opened LinkedIn Sales Nav and ran this process: 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟭: 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 (𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲) Most people go straight to Lead Search. I did the opposite. I filtered for construction companies with €100M+ revenue in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. LinkedIn gave me around 700 relevant companies. I saved them all to an account list. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟮: 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 I saved that general list first. Then created a second list filtering for companies showing buying indicators: → Department headcount = internal team composition → Growing X team (pick the function) = signal for certain offers → Job postings = active hiring (perfect if you're selling HR/recruitment) → Funding rounds = signals growth (great for selling to SaaS) 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟯: 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲𝘀 I took my saved company list, went back to Lead Search, and filtered for people working at those accounts. 12,000 people appeared. I added one more filter: "Posted on LinkedIn" in the last 30 days, which put me at around ±2000 people. It's the only filter we have to get closer to active users. I'd rather have a smaller list than a bunch of inactive accounts. I can always expand from there if needed. This gives me cleaner data to work with. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟰: 𝗦𝗲𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 ±2000 was the total. But I focused on decision-makers. So I ran more filters: → 300+ were Director level or above → 700+ sat in operations roles → 60% were based in Germany, 25% Austria, 15% Switzerland This helped me know exactly who I was writing for. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟱: 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 Now comes the actual "outreach". I can do this manually or with a tool. I ran campaigns for the decision makers in Switzerland and decision makers in Austria/Germany, which let me A/B test acceptance rates across audiences. Swiss decision makers hit 27% acceptance rate → Austria and Germany only got 10%. Clear signal that my profile resonates better with Swiss executives. As these campaigns ran and my network grew with these target personas, I sprinkled in some niche-relevant content such as a construction case study with Hubert. Still tied to my core service, but showing I’ve operated in their world. The goal was to make sure they know I exist and start building the relationship. Next up will be running targeted thought leadership ads to this audience. Let's see how it goes. P.S. Want a vid walkthrough? Comment "TAM" and we’ll DM it to you.

🎯 Spraying your resume across job boards isn’t a strategy—it’s a guessing game. The best job seekers? They build a targeted company list—and use it to unlock the hidden job market. Here’s why this works: ✅ It keeps your job search focused ✅ It helps you network intentionally ✅ It gives you clarity and momentum ✅ It increases your chances of getting referred So how do you build a great target list? Try this simple, 4-step process 👇 1️⃣ Start with what matters to you Don’t just chase logos. Ask yourself: • What industries energize me? • Do I want remote, hybrid, or in-office? • What company culture or values are non-negotiable? • What size of company feels like a good fit? This will give your list more meaning—and help you spot the right roles faster. 2️⃣ Reverse-engineer your dream job Use LinkedIn to: 🔎 Look at profiles of people in roles you want 🔗 See where they work now—and where they came from 📌 Note companies that show up more than once You’ll start to spot patterns—and companies you hadn’t even considered yet. 3️⃣ Build a “Tiered” List Not all target companies are equal—and that’s okay. ✨ Tier 1: Your dream companies 👍 Tier 2: Solid fit, interesting opportunities 👀 Tier 3: Backup or exploratory options A good target list includes ~20–40 companies across all tiers. 4️⃣ Use Your List to Network Smarter Don’t just apply—connect. ✔ Find people in your target roles or teams ✔ Reach out with genuine curiosity, not desperation ✔ Share your interest in the company (not just the job) 💡 Example: “Hi [Name], I’ve been following [Company] for a while—I’m really drawn to your [product/culture/mission]. I’d love to hear a bit about your experience there if you're open to a quick chat.” That’s not a pitch—it’s a conversation starter. 🔥 Final Thought: A targeted company list is more than a spreadsheet. It’s a compass for your job search—and a powerful tool to build real connections. 🔁 Found this helpful? Repost to help other job seekers stop guessing—and start targeting. #jobsearchstrategy #targetcompanylist #hiddenjobmarket #networkingtips #careerclarity #jobhunt #careercoach

On March 12, the U.S. will expand 25% tariffs on a much wider range of steel and aluminum products, removing all country exemptions and eliminating individual exclusions for importers.   These sweeping changes will significantly impact costs and supply chains:   ▪️ Steel imports affected will rise from 7M to 26M metric tons, with derivative products (elevator parts, prefabricated buildings, etc.) pushing the total tariff impact to $72B. ▪️ Aluminum imports affected will jump from 2.3M to 3.5M metric tons, with derivatives (aircraft parts, appliances, baseball bats, etc.) bringing the total to $132B. ▪️ The cost burden on importers will total $22.4B for steel and aluminum, plus up to $29B more for derivative products—over $51B in total. ▪️ Industries most affected: The automotive, construction, and machinery sectors—which rely heavily on imported metals—face significant cost increases and supply chain pressures. ▪️ Key trading partners impacted: Canada, the EU, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Brazil, and Argentina—who account for approximately 75% of U.S. steel imports—will now be fully exposed to these tariffs.   Unlike in 2018, there will be no carve-outs or exclusions. The previous system allowing U.S. companies to apply for tariff exemptions has been shut down. Potential retaliation is looming. The EU and Canada have already signaled possible countermeasures, though details remain unclear. US Tariffs are unfolding in multiple chapters, each impacting a different group of trade partners and sourcing nations. Potentially no major trade partner will be wholly exempt. It is important for businesses to plan ahead and develop scenarios to understand key risks they might face.   Would love to hear from leaders in manufacturing, metals, and trade—how are you preparing for these shifts? https://lnkd.in/gC9jhC-A.  

🌉 Cargill: The Bridge That Doesn’t Brag Quiet Giants | Part 2 Some companies build empires. Others build bridges. Cargill does both—but without spectacle. Founded in 1865, Cargill is one of the largest privately held companies in the world. It operates across 70 countries, employs 160,000+ people, and generates over $165 billion USD in annual revenue. Yet it remains largely invisible to the public eye. Why? Because Cargill doesn’t sell to consumers. It enables ecosystems—connecting farmers to markets, manufacturers to ingredients, and communities to daily essentials. 🧭 What Cargill Actually Does Agriculture & Trading: Originates, stores, and trades grains, oilseeds, cotton, and more Food Ingredients: Supplies starches, sweeteners, oils, cocoa, and proteins to manufacturers Animal Nutrition: Formulates feed and health solutions for livestock and aquaculture Industrial & Bio-Based Products: Crafts nature-derived solutions for packaging, fuel, and chemicals Risk Management & Logistics: Offers financial tools and global transport infrastructure Cargill is responsible for: 25% of U.S. grain exports 22% of U.S. domestic meat supply All eggs used in McDonald’s U.S. restaurants Major poultry operations in Thailand and Latin America 🇮🇳 Cargill in India: Strategic, Not Spectacular Cargill began Indian operations in 1987. Today, it operates: 13 manufacturing facilities 6 leading edible oil brands: NatureFresh, Gemini, Sweekar, Leonardo Olive Oil, Rath, and Sunflower Animal nutrition brands: Provimi, Purina, EWOS Grain origination: Up to 1 million metric tons/year Headquarters in Gurgaon, with 5,000+ employees across the country It serves both rural resilience and urban demand—without chasing attention. 🧠 Lessons for Founders and Stewards Be the bridge, not the billboard. Cargill’s strength lies in connecting others—farmers, producers, retailers—while staying structurally sound itself. Scale quietly, serve deeply. Its reach is global, but its ethos is local. It adapts to geography, not just market trends. Legacy is built in layers. From animal nutrition to marine fuel logistics, each layer reinforces the whole. 🪞 A Mirror for Our Models Cargill reminds us that architecture matters more than applause. It’s a model worth studying—not for its size, but for its substance. As we mentor founders, protect family legacies, and advocate for dignified business models, Cargill offers a quiet blueprint: Serve what sustains. Let scale follow stewardship.