Rethinking Starts Small

A Simple Object, Reimagined

Some of the most meaningful shifts don’t start with complex systems, they start with simple things being reconsidered. Recently, we came across a reimagined coffee cup. Not our product, and not something we sell, but something that made us pause. It challenged a basic assumption: that something so familiar, so widely accepted, shouldn’t be made differently. And it raised a bigger question: how many things around us fall into that same category?

The industrial landscape is full of these overlooked opportunities, processes, materials, and systems that have worked well for years but may not be designed for today’s realities. With new technologies, shifting geopolitics, and increasing complexity, there’s a growing need to not just optimize what exists, but to rethink it entirely.

That’s the mindset behind the conversations we’re looking to have across our industry: looking beyond the obvious, questioning long-held assumptions, and uncovering where meaningful change is possible. If something as simple as a coffee cup can be reimagined, what in our industry could be next?

Let’s Explore It Together

We’d love to hear your thoughts, what you’re seeing, what you’re questioning, and where you think change is coming next.
Book a 20-minute meeting to explore how we can collaborate.

From Observation to Action

Seeing things differently is where it starts

Rethinking a coffee cup is nice but it is not the whole point. It’s simply a reminder of how easily assumptions take hold and how much untapped opportunity can sit behind them. This is the kind of thinking that shaped the early days of GCP Industrial Products.

Gary Mottershead, then-owner of Recovery Technologies, pursued an opportunity to sell tire-recycling equipment into China. After several visits, it became clear the market wasn’t interested, however, instead of forcing a solution, he stepped back and rethought the opportunity. recognizing a gap in materials suited for the North American sheet rubber marketplace Gary shifted focus and set out to develop a superior, long-lasting sheet rubber material. What began as a single SBR offering has since grown into a portfolio of over 2,400 SKUs, three trusted brands, and global production capabilities all rooted in a willingness to challenge assumptions and rethink what’s possible.

Nimble Future Thinking

The past few years haven’t just introduced uncertainty, they’ve exposed how quickly long-held assumptions can break down. The real challenge isn’t predicting what’s next, but deciding how to respond when the familiar no longer holds. progress depends on how you interpret change, where you choose to act, and how deliberately you move forward.

Gary Mottershead believes in a better future for your business. From launching and building a multi-million dollar venture to coaching and advising successful entrepreneurs for more than twenty-five years, Gary has discovered the simple yet profound approach to help entrepreneurs learn from their past, confidently adapt their mindset, and experience massive success as they move forward in an ever-changing world. Nimble Future builds on that idea: turning awareness into action, and helping leaders navigate uncertainty with greater clarity, intention, and confidence.

Is the Future of your Business Driven by Fear or Faith?

Nimble Future will teach you how to:

  • Create clarity of purpose and an effective communication strategy to ensure your business’s success.
  • Learn to transition your fear to facts so you can experience success in any environment.
  • Learn from your failures to unlock new possibilities in creativity and innovation.
  • Build value through mutually beneficial long-term relationships.
  • Protect and nurture your greatest asset: your belief.

The difference in living a life or creating a business marked by failure or success has much to do with how we think about the challenges we face. Are you ready to face your adversities and succeed?

If something as familiar as a coffee cup can be reimagined
what else in your business could be done differently?

Help Us Make a Difference!

For every book sold in the U.S., $10 will be donated to GeniusRecovery.org.
For every book sold in Canada, $10 will be donated to KidsAbility.ca.

About Gary

With over 30 years of experience working with recycled rubber and industrial products, Gary is leading his industry to new ways of doing business with manufacturing partners around the globe. Not only has he managed to mitigate the risk from using international sources, but he’s also shifted these imports from being perceived as “bargain goods” to being proven as reliable, quality materials used in critical applications. With a background in manufacturing and chemical engineering, Gary ventured into entrepreneurship in his mid-30s by pioneering cryogenic tire recycling with the establishment of Recovery Technologies Inc. This marked the beginning of Gary’s entrepreneurial journey, eventually leading him to Strategic Coach®, an organization committed to mentoring entrepreneurs. Shortly thereafter, Gary transitioned into a coaching role himself, continuing to guide entrepreneurs globally for over 25 years. His current company, GCP Industrial Products, is the leading vendor of Industrial sheet rubber (made from recycled rubber) in North America. Residing in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, Gary shares his life with his wife, Karen. They are proud parents of two married children and loving grandparents to two grandchildren. Gary is also the author of “Guanxi: The China You Never Read About” and “The Right-Shoring Advantage.” Additionally, he hosts a bi-weekly podcast titled “Clarity Generates Confidence,” offering insights and inspiration to his listeners. Whether he’s coaching, writing, or podcasting, by asking questions about what’s most important, Gary helps create a motivating picture of the future and a plan for transcending your past.

Gary Mottershead is Always Looking Toward The Future.

Podcasts with Gary

AI in the Human World – Friend, Foe or Teammate

AI in the Human World is a practical, no-hype podcast for leaders and teams navigating AI in the real world. Gary Mottershead and Evan Ryan explore what actually works, what fails, and how to adopt AI without chaos or fear. Learn how to use AI to solve real problems, free up time, and elevate human judgment, trust, and leadership. Walk away with clear thinking, better questions, and tools to make AI a teammate – not a threat.

Clarity Generates Confidence

Join host Gary Mottershead on the CGC Podcast for thought-provoking discussions blending technology, culture, and innovation. Each episode delves into cutting-edge trends and ideas, featuring insights from industry leaders and trailblazing startups.

This season, titled “Thriving in Uncertainty – Preparing for a Nimble Future,” highlights how companies in industrial sectors, marketing, and sales can adapt and stay agile in today’s fast-changing landscape. Explore strategies for meeting the evolving needs of teams and customers to thrive in uncertain times.

Nimble Future Podcast

Dive into the wisdom of Gary Mottershead’s new book Nimble Future. In this exclusive series, Gary switches roles from interviewer to interviewee as he’s joined by Brent Jensen – founder of Storyphora and a seasoned author, speaker, and podcaster.

Together, they break down each chapter, offering fresh perspectives and actionable insights to help you thrive in an ever-changing world. Don’t miss this engaging exploration of what it truly means to stay nimble in today’s landscape.

Nimble Future Endorsements

A must-read

“In the more than 30 years I’ve known Gary Mottershead as both a client and associate coach for Strategic Coach®, I’ve observed his rare ability to adapt to new circumstances, gain lessons from his unique experiences, use those lessons to achieve tremendous success, and transmit his wisdom to Strategic Coach’s® entrepreneurial clients to help them grow and navigate through an ever-changing world. With Nimble Future, Gary consolidates his insights into a clear and simple guide that encourages the reader to think about their thinking, prepares them for what’s coming over the next two decades in terms of technology and new complexities, and provides the keys to future-proofing their business and overcoming fears and obstacles. A must-read for the future-focused, always-growing entrepreneur.”

Dan Sullivan

Co-Founder & President, Strategic Coach®

Highly recommend

“I highly recommend Gary’s new book, ‘Nimble Future.’ With over 30 years of friendship and a decade under his mentorship at Strategic Coach®, I’ve firsthand experienced his profound wisdom and guidance. This book encapsulates his insights, empowering us to thrive in an unpredictable future. Reflecting on my own experience leading the first team to sail the Northwest Passage, the concept of nimbleness was key to our success. Gary, an exceptional coach, emphasizes the importance of a nimble mindset to face the challenges of an ever-changing world. Dive into ‘Nimble Future’ to craft a better, more adaptable future for yourself.”

Jeff MacInnis

Explorer and Entrepreneur, First Person to Sail the 4,000km Northwest Passage, Author of the best-selling book “Polar Passage,” Founder and President at WIN Thinking.

Will help sharpen your thinking

“Gary Mottershead has a great talent at cutting through the noise and getting to the root of issues. I always appreciate his insights and his deep thoughtfulness. Nimble Future will help sharpen your thinking of what really matters in our future. Sharpening your thinking will create clearer options, and that will generate confidence in how best to face whatever the future holds.”

Daniel Hammond

Business Interrogation LLC / Customer Driven Leadership  LLC. Author of “Customer Driven Leadership“, “The Disciplined CEO“, and “Success Secrets Of Disruptors

Other Books By Gary Mottershead

Guanxi: The China You Never Read About

Guanxi is an insightful exploration of business and personal growth within the context of Chinese culture and global entrepreneurship. Through personal anecdotes, Gary delves into the concept of ‘guanxi’—the system of social networks and influential relationships critical to business practices in China—and its impact on success. Sharing his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the ups and downs of navigating the Chinese market, and the profound impact the country and its people have had on his life both personally and professionally. This book offers valuable perspectives on building relationships, adapting to cultural differences, and the importance of trust and integrity in international business.

Contact Us for Purchase Options and Availability

The Right-Shoring Advantage

“The Right-Shoring Advantage” presents a systematic approach to global procurement and product commercialization. Drawing from over 30 years of experience, the book outlines the Right-Shoring Advantage process, designed to help businesses minimize risks and increase success rates in product sourcing. Gary shares insights, real-world examples, and practical advice to navigate the complex landscape of global manufacturing, highlighting the importance of strategic sourcing, clear communication, and thorough planning. This guide is invaluable for entrepreneurs, businesses, and anyone looking to bring a new product to market effectively.

Contact Us for Purchase Options and Availability

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