Tobias Sternbeck
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Tobias Sternbeck
@tobiassternbeck.bsky.social
3 followers 6 following 100 posts
CEO at Beaver Paper | Transforming the Printing Industry | Eco-Friendly Innovation & Sustainability | Global Executive Leadership
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The hard part of talking about climate and sustainability is understanding that two things can be true at the same time.

Our planet is rapidly heading in the wrong direction - and at the same time, there is incredible (and often quiet) work being done to save it.
Surprise: Corporate Sustainability Isn’t Dead | Andrew Winston
The mood at the recent climate gathering was sober, but evidence of ongoing progress worldwide offers hope.
sloanreview.mit.edu
We could make the biggest environmental impact if manufacturers prioritized near-shoring.

That is why the #textile industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world. Excessive global shipping is a hurdle we have to get over.
If your startup wants to get into printing, here's my advice: You get what you pay for with cheap equipment.

It's tempting to go with the $10k heat press when you want to start quickly. But you'll pay for it with low-quality results. Do your research, and invest in quality that lasts.
If you work in an intercultural company, remember to adapt to the culture next to you.

Different languages and cultures can make misunderstandings inevitable. But how you choose to handle those misunderstandings can make the difference between a happy team and a tense one.
There's a big gap between the risks people feel like they should take at work, and the risks they do take.

As leaders, it's our job to help our teams bridge that gap with consistent feedback and accountability. Because when everyone plays it safe, innovation dies. #Leadership
Leadership through fear may impress Wall Street, but inside companies it backfires. Managing a team in Japan taught me trust drives performance: employees innovate when they feel safe. Fear moves the needle short-term. Trust is what sustains impact.
Fear-Based CEOs Versus Trust-Based Leaders: Who Actually Wins?
In this video, Brian Elliott reveals why a tough-talk leadership style is less effective than one built on trust.
sloanreview.mit.edu
That’s why professionals rely on Beaver Paper’s TexPrint® and ProTex™ papers across applications—from sportswear to soft signage—achieving reliable, small-run or industrial results with minimal waste.
The result: high-res images that won’t peel, crack, or fade, even with regular use or washing. Unlike surface-level printing, sublimation infuses the color into the substrate itself, giving prints sharp detail, consistent color, and enduring quality.
The process is simple: solid dye turns directly into gas under heat and pressure, bonding at the molecular level with synthetic fibers or coatings. Sublimation inks are first printed onto specialized transfer paper—like Beaver Paper’s TexPrint®—and then heat-pressed onto the final product.
Dye-sublimation isn’t just digital printing. It’s a way to fuse color directly into polyester and polymer-coated substrates. From apparel and banners to mugs, glass, and metal plaques, it delivers vibrant, durable prints that last.
Managing teams across cultures taught me that defensiveness can quietly erode trust. In Japan, I had to listen carefully, ask clarifying questions, and show humility—not just to learn myself, but to make sure my team felt safe sharing honestly. Coachability really is a multiplier for growth.
If you think about it, every business is simply a network of relationships between teams, clients, and leadership. We tend to think of building relationships at work as secondary to "doing business", but it should actually be the other way around.
The relational field—the levels of connectivity across your organization—is most predictive of organizational success. f-st.co/rtWKnrl
How a relational approach to leadership works
The leadership paradigm of the future is the measurement and management of relations.
f-st.co
I can 100% confirm that the stress I felt navigating moving to work in Japan (and then the US) helped me adapt and thrive much quicker than if I had simply "gone with the flow."

If you're hiring for cross-cultural teams, look for the people who care about getting it right. #Talent
Why Stressed Candidates Make Better Cross-Cultural Hires
Research shows that people who experience more stress when exposed to an unfamiliar culture learn social norms faster.
sloanreview.mit.edu
The Beaver Paper team is headed to PRINTING United Expo 2025 next month! Come visit us at Booth #1261 to see TexPrint® XP 80 in action.

Sign up to join us for free with code 87275: https://lnkd.in/ePfb6KQx

#PRINTINGUnited2025
Exactly. I used to think leadership was being the 'hero' for your company. I quickly learned that people don't want a hero; they want someone who helps them learn and grow.
When I moved to the US, I found it weird how much praise was given to people in service. In Germany, that's not really a part of our culture.

After hearing people's experiences of 9/11, it connected much more. Today, I'm honored to share a moment of silence to mark this 24th anniversary.
The biggest piece of advice I can give to leaders early in their roles is to get comfortable embracing ambiguity.

The old playbooks/rules are outdated, and if you're only relying on them, you'll be in over your head sooner rather than later. Just focus on making the best decisions for your team.
Four Traits of Forward-Looking CEOs | Lynda Gratton
An emerging cohort of leaders has the cross-sectoral work experience needed to adapt to today’s complexity.
sloanreview.mit.edu
When it's possible, it's certainly a great way to make people feel valued and engaged. The challenge is making sure there's sufficient leadership training beforehand to set internal promotions up for success.
Conference season is here, and if you need great signage, look no further than TexPrint® XP.

Whether you're producing soft signage or vibrant display panels, it can perform under high ink loads without cockling, so every piece turns out just right.

Connect with us at BeaverPaper.com to learn more
I've gained more from being honest with my team (and from them being honest with me) than I ever have trying to avoid conflict.

Honesty may feel uncomfortable at first, but it's priceless. #Leadership
In unhealthy relationships, people walk on eggshells to avoid conflict. They tell you what you want to hear.

In healthy relationships, people have the courage to address conflict. They tell you what you need to hear.

Silence protects fragile ties. Candor strengthens real bonds.
Unfortunately, many 'luxury' brands have more in common with fast-fashion than they'd like people to believe. That's why it's important to look beyond the brand name and look at sustainability and ethics ratings.

The apparel industry won't change until more people are aware.
Are you an accidental fast fashion brand?
A slew of supply chain scandals have called the distinction between fast fashion and luxury into question. It turns out, brands across the board have more in common than they want consumers to believe.
www.voguebusiness.com
I couldn't agree more. I think businesses miss out when they only hire for niche expertise. There's power and adaptability in being a jack-of-all-trades.
Sublimation is everywhere, but most people have never heard of it. If you've ever wanted to dive into sublimation printing, we've got a good resource center that explains the basics

The most important thing? Make sure you have high-quality transfer paper, like TexPrint®.
What do you need for Sublimation Printing? - Beaver Paper
To enter the world of sublimation printing you will need the following items: Digital sublimation printer Sublimation inks RIP software for your printer Quality transfer paper (TexPrint®) Protective tissue (ProTex™) An appropriate heat press Substrates to print on
www.beaverpaper.com