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Ron
Wagner
President
ACTE |
Ron
Wagner's Speech |
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When it comes to setting values, too many organizations have values that
end up in some lobby as just a list of words on a chart. But organizations
that translate their values into their day-to day operations seem to separate
from the pack.
A good example of living by values is demonstrated by a story about AES,
a global electrical power company. They felt so strongly about their values
that when they went public back in 1991, the SEC required AES to list
its values as a 'risk factor' in the IPO prospectus.
It read 'If the Company perceives a conflict between its values and profits,
the Company will try to adhere to its values - even though doing so might
result in diminished profits or foregone opportunities."
Now, that is a refreshing approach is today's profit driven environment!
I wonder if that power company would like to move to California?
ACTE also feels very strongly about its values, which include:
• Encouraging
Creativity
• Promoting Open Communication
• Respecting Global Diversity, and
• Equal Membership
Your values create
your culture and your culture differentiates you from everyone else.
Never underestimate the power of networking and the value of relationships.
We come into contact with people everyday who can help us with their
experience and that we can often help in return.
This is especially true for all of us, the corporate travel professionals.
The bulk of the knowledge in this industry is in the collective minds
in this room not in volumes of reference books.
Each of us have unique industry backgrounds and experiences. We all
have unique opinions on the issues facing the industry. This knowledge
has true value - but only if we share it. Our global conferences and
Executive Forums are excellent examples of this.
Here's an example: When you're working on a Word or Excel document and
run into a problem, how many of you actually read the manual when you
get stuck trying to figure something out? If you're like me you just
look for someone in your office that's a whiz at it and ask him or her
for help. That's networking for success.
When things are on the line, what really matters are the relationships
that leaders have created, relationships with employees, business partners,
suppliers and customers.
The next time you have a problem on the job, try calling a fellow association
member from ACTE.
If Mark William's from Price Waterhouse Coopers in Florida, is trying
to deal with MIS issues in Europe, he may pick up the phone and call
Marilyn Clifton at Oracle in the UK and find out how she deals with
MIS issues in EMEA.
As we head into that long, hot summer we will begin to face some of
the tough industry issues ahead.
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