Ittakesalotofworkandisnotfortheweak-willedto runabusiness.Thecapacitytoovercomeobstaclesand learnfromerrorsisfrequentlywhatdistinguishes successfulbusinessesfromthosethatfail,aswellas exemplaryentrepreneursfrom"ordinaryJoe."Even thoughitisgreatlywantedandaspiredto,becominga chiefexecutiveofficer(CEO)involvesmorethanmerely "callingtheshots."Nobodywillsucceedonthatby itself.Itinvolveshavingadistinctvision,apurpose, beingpersistent,andbeingawareofyourstrengthsand flaws.
Andcontrarytopopularbelief,notalllessonscanbe acquireddirectlyfromexperience.Sometimesstudying greatleadersandtheirinteractionswithclients,staff,and investorsisallittakestosucceedinthebusinessworld. Andtoassistyouwiththat,we'veputtogetheralistof someofthemostmotivatingbusinessfiguresofthe contemporaryera,togetherwiththemostimportant lessonslearnedfromtheirgreatcareers.
HereisWorld'sLeaderslatestedition “World's 10 Iconic Business Leaders of the Decade, 2022” which featured10businessgamechangerswhoareactively leavingtheirimprintonthecorporateworld.Thepeople onthislistcomefromavarietyofbackgrounds,have pushedtheenvelope,andhavedevelopedinnovative strategiesforfirmstoadvance.
ThecoverfeaturesDeniseSangster,President&CEO ofGlobalTouch,Inc.®.Sheworkshardtomeether
objectivesanddealwitheverydaychanges. Denise graduatedfromCal,theUniversityofCalifornia, Berkeley.ShebeganherstudiesatCalasamathmajor beforeswitchingtoabusinessadministrationand computersciencemajor.Shealsoreceived"varsity" lettersintwoNCAADivision1sports,rowingand swimming.Shefinishedherpostgraduatestudiesinthe US,Europe,andAsia.
DeniseSangsteradvisesfemaleleaderstoalwaysattend everymeetinganddiscussionsuperblypreparedandto dazzlecolleagues,supervisors,andclientswiththeir strategicthoughtsandreadinessforanythingthatwould advancethecompanyorclient.
Also,whileyouflipthroughthepages,don'tforgetto readthearticlescreatedbyourin-houseeditorialstaff andindustryexperts.
Happy Reading!
Everyday,physicalandchemical changestakeplaceallaroundyou. Changeenablesustoadvanceinlife andtakepartinnovelandinteresting experiences.Lifemightbecome stagnantifyoudon'tactivelystriveto grow.Changesthatyounever realizedwerepossiblecanbebrought aboutbybeingopentochange, pickingupnewtalents,orworking onyourinnerself.Making substantialchangestothewaya corporationororganizationoperates isreferredtoas"business transformation."Personnel, procedures,andtechnologyareall includedinthis.Organizationsthat undergothesechangesarebetterable tocompete,becomemoreefficient, orcompletelychangetheirstrategic direction.DeniseSangster, President&CEOofGlobalTouch, ®Inc. ,workshardtomeether objectivesanddealwitheveryday changes.
FromtheBeginning DeniseSangstergraduatedfromCal, theUniversityofCalifornia, Berkeley.Shebeganherstudiesat Calasamathmajorbeforeswitching toabusinessadministrationand computersciencemajor.Shealso received"varsity"lettersintwo NCAADivision1sports,rowingand
swimming.Shefinishedher postgraduatestudiesintheUS, Europe,andAsia.
Denisedidn'twanttojustworkfor onecompany;shewantedtodo somethingalittledifferent.Building aconsultingfirmthatwasatthe forefrontoforclosetomarketshifts wassomethingshewantedtodoin ordertoparticipateinthelarger market.Havingin-depth,first-hand marketknowledgeandextensive industryrelationshipsthatfactorinto numerousindicatorswithafocuson growth,profitability,andpartner leveragearetheonlywaystospot theseshifts.Manyofherformersales colleaguesinEuropeandAsia encouragedhertostartaconsultancy companytoaidthemwiththeir companieswhenshewasconsidering switchingtoapostatMicrosoftor Apple.
Deniseseizedthischancewithboth handsandneverlookedback.She hascounselledthemostcutting-edge technologycompaniesintheworld formorethan25years,assistingand motivatingthemtocreatedisruptive next-generationpartnerecosystems thatproducepredictableand sustainablerevenue,growth,and profitabilitythatareinlinewith necessarycustomerbusiness outcomes.
GlobalTouch,Inc.
GlobalTouchisastrategyandgo-tomarkettransformationconsulting companyforthehybridand consumptionerasthatfocuseson partners.Theytakegreatsatisfaction inthefundamental"step-ahead" concept,whichisinfusedwith ground-breakinginnovation.Denise
helpstheclientspushtheenvelope anddeliveronconsumptionera readinesssotheycanaccomplish theirmostambitiousgoalswiththe helpoftop-tier,lucrativepartners.
GlobalTouchlauncheditsblogseries ITWondrousWomen™inFebruary 2021withthegoalofshowcasingthe manyoutstandingwomenwhowork intheITsector.Ithasbeenso successfulathighlightingwomen withavarietyoftalentsand showcasingtheplethoraofrising femaleabilitiesinamale-dominated industry
DeniseandherteamatGlobalTouch aretruepartners!Theycaninteract withthemandcomprehendtheir issuesandnewprospectsthanksto theirextensiveindustrycontacts.As CEO,itisherresponsibilitytomake surethebusinesskeepssupporting thesuccessofitsclients,andshe keepsthemonestepaheadofthe dynamicmarketcompetition. Additionally,Deniseconsistently looksforwaystobringvaluetothe clients'businessesandtreatsthem likelifelongcustomers.
Hervastfieldexpertiseinmorethan 100nations,herglobalcontact network,andhernaturalcuriosityare someofherstrongestsuits.Themost crucialaspectofeachcustomer engagementisinformationtransfer.
Therehavebeenalotofsurprises, detours,andturnsthroughout Denise'spath.Themostsignificant lessonshehasgainedfromher journeyisthatchangeisagiven;asa result,it'snecessarytokeepyour eyesonthehorizon.Futureleaders
needtodevelopthehabitofcelebratingtheir staff'smodestvictorieseveryday.The performanceoftheteamandthebusinessis boostedbymeaningfullyrecognizingdaily accomplishments.Besidesherpetsand appointmentsthatareparticulartoatimezone, changeisrequired.Sheenjoyshowquicklythe ITsectorischanging.Rapidchangewithrising uncertainty,complexity,andvolatilityhas becomethenewnormaschangeoccursevery day.Inmanyrespects,shebelievesthatifyou wanttosucceedinthisindustry,youneedtobea thrillseeker.
Theabilitytoassistclientsinfine-tuning programstoachieveplannedandopportunistic successsetsDeniseapartfromthecompetitors, despitethefactthathercompanyhasaproven trackrecordofsuccess.Deniseandherteamtreat clientsaslifelongcustomers,sothattheycan assisttheclientsinnavigatinganynew challengesthatmayarise.
Thecompany'sthreedecadesofsuccesshave beenbasedontheabilitytoworkcloselywith customerstobalanceincreasingrevenuethrough afruitfulglobalpartnerecosystemandassisting theirpartnersinrealizingsubstantialprofit marginsforgoodsandservices.
Inadditiontosharingtheknowledgeofhowto supportpartnerswiththeportfolio,programs,and benefitsneededtofuture-proofoutcomesthat customersneedandwant,Deniseachievesthisby leveragingherextensiveglobalfieldexperience andoperatinginadata-centricculturewrappedin datastorytelling.ThemajorityofIT organizationsstillinteractwithandvaluetheir partnersinthesamemannerastheydid15years ago.
“Instead, we find success by treating customers as customers for life and devising ways to interact with them, even when they don't have the budget to make short-term purchases. "–says Denise
DeniseSangsteradvisesfemaleleaderstoalways attendeverymeetinganddiscussionsuperbly preparedandtodazzlecolleagues,supervisors, andclientswiththeirstrategicthoughtsand readinessforanythingthatwouldadvancethe companyorclient.Bydoingthis,oneshould raisetheirownprofileinaprofessionalmanner withoutcomingacrossascockyorconceited.She alsoencouragesemergingleaderstohave confidenceintheirbusinessacumen, interpersonalskills,andetiquette.Manywomen areunawareoftheimportanceofafirm handshakeandhowitmaymakealastingfirst impressionwithbothmenandwomen.Oneneeds toimprovetheinnerdialogueandactivatethe innercoachinstead.
Tomaximizeone'sprofile,contactandsocial relationshipsarecrucial.AsDenisesays, “Leverage or build a tool to continually nurture your network around the world. LinkedIn is a great tool for tracking contacts, but adding value to them is the hard part. I am lucky that many in my network around the world have turned into personal friendships.”
Tokeepthecompanyrelevantandinfrontof shiftingmarketconditions,clientsconstantly updateandtakeonnewrequirements.Theteam continuestousedataanddatastorytellingasa frameworktoproactivelyidentifyshiftingpartner andconsumerissues,includingtheareaswhere theclients'shiftingstrategiesmaysucceedthe mostorencounterunforeseendifficulties.How canacompany"raise"theservicesandhelpthe partnerssucceedevenmore?Thisisaquestion companiesaskconstantly.Deniseandherteam areworkingonacoupleofconceptsthatwon'tbe availableuntilthesecondhalfof2022.
With a background working in startup contexts and a focus on technical pre- and post-sales assistance, Cathy Paraggio is an accomplished business development manager. She oversaw complicated projects with a broad scope that needed original thinking. Her sales abilities include RFP submissions, demonstrations, proofs-of-concepts, presentations, and architectural design. She established the retail business NoNetz, Inc. with the goal of resolving clothing issues through technology and sustainability. She also formulated the company's purpose and strategic vision, as well as acquired the necessary skills in a new industry to produce new goods.
Belowarehighlightsoftheinterview conductedbetweenWorld'sleaders andCathyParaggio:
Describewhoyouareasaperson, insideandoutsideofthe workplace.
Iamahardworking,thoughtful,and creativeindividualwhoenjoysthe processofbuildingandmaintaining inallareasofmylife.
Describeyourbackgroundand whatdidyoudobeforeyou started/joinedthecompany?
Mybackgroundisincomputer science,asIspentmostofmycareer designingandinstallingglobal networks.Beginningmycareerin early-internet-focusedstartups,I eventuallymovedtocorporate. However,afterIwasdiagnosedwith cancer,Iwasforcedtoleavemyjob entirely.Itwasthisthatallowedme tofindmyselfasanartist;Ispent yearsdrawinganddoingstainedglasscommissionsuntilNoNetz began.
Tellusabouttheinceptionofthe company.Howdiditallstart? Agroupofneighborhoodwomenhad approachedmetostartananti-chafe swimwearbusiness.Notonlywasthe ideagreat,aimingtosolveacommon problem,butitwouldgoontobethe perfectmarriageofmyartistic, entrepreneurial,andtechnicalskills. Afterassumingsoleownershipofthe companyandbringinginmyteenage son,weexpandedourmission towardsdesigningsustainable problem-solvingclothingaswellas partneringwithreforestationand plasticreclamationgroups.
Whathasmadeyousuccessful? Whatdoyouvalue?
Aboveallelse,wevalueconsistency,
transparency,andcare.Ourhigh standardsofproductdesign, customerservice,andhonestyduring difficultperiodshasmaintaineddeep trustwithourconsumers.
Whicharethemajorservicesof thecompanyandhowdotheythe companytogetaheadinthe competition?Whatvalue-added servicesdoesthecompany provide?
NoNetzclothingpreventsskin rashes,lowersbodytemperature, and,asaresult,makeslifebetter
Eachdesignistestedwithtexturesensitivepeopletoensurethisisthe mostcomfortableactivewearever. Byreplacingthemeshnetbrief foundinmostswimtrunkswitha water-resistantanti-chafeliner,our bathingsuitspreventtheinnerthigh rashthatruinssummerfun.
Ouranti-chaferashguards,made fromreclaimedfishingnets,arealso waterresistantandfeatureaskin-safe zippertoensurefitcontrolandtotal comfort.
Asidefromswimwear,ourpolos employsofttemperaturemanagingfabricthatconstantly maintainsacoolandrefreshing skintemperature.Also,our customerserviceisoverthetop–allemailisansweredwithin24 hours;tailoringreimbursementup to$20iftheydon'tfitjustright; forgotyourNoNetzonvacay? We'llsendyouanewonetoyour destination.
Whatarethemostimportant aspectsofacompany'sculture? Whatprinciplesdoyoubelieve inandhowdoyoubuildthis culture?
Ourcompanyisverysmall,soany "officeculture"isreallyjustour close-knitrelationshipswithone another.Onceagain,itallcomes downtotrustandtransparencyin ordertocreatethemosteffective unitpossible.
Whatisthesignificanceof innovativeideasinthe company?
Asacompanythatsolves commonclothingcomfortissues increativeways,innovationisour numberonefocus.Weare constantlyattemptingtoinnovate intermsofwhatclothingis,what itshouldachieve,andhowit shouldbeproduced.Our innovativeideasnotonlyleadus towardsbetter,morecomfortable clothingdesigns,butalsotowards
environmentally-friendlywaysto operateonalargescale.
Giveusyouropinionon;do organizationsrelyheavilyon individualheroicsorteam processes.
Asolidfoundationrelieson collaborativeandefficientteam processes.However,whatmakesa reallygoodorganizationisthe abilitytopivot,andsometimes, thatreliesonindividualactions thatgoagainstestablishedteam processes.
Whatareyourresponsibilities astheFounder/CEOofthe company?Whatisthehappiest partofyourdailyroutine?
Idefinerunwaysforallkindsof growth,whetheritbeproduct growth,technicalgrowth,or capitalgrowth. Igetalotof personalsatisfactionoutof solvingproblems;nomatterhow largetheobstacle,puttingtogether thepuzzlepiecesandfindingthe wiggleroomisoneofthethings thatkeepsmemotivatedandgives metheconfidencetoapproachthe next(bigger)challenge.
Whatadvicewouldyougive someonegoingintoaleadership positionforthefirsttime?
Tolisten.TheworstleadersI've workedunderarethosewhojust comeinwiththeirpreconceived ideas.Thehistoryofproblems willleadyoutomoreefficient solutions.Themostsuccessful leadersarethebestlisteners;you havetocomeinquiet.
CEO & Founder CEOAccel
Christine Rose is a member of the Forbes Coaches Council and a Certified Value Builder Advisor. In order to help CEOs and founders of firms with $1 million or more in annual sales advance their big visions, simplify their growth plans, and create enduringly high-value businesses, she launched CEOAccel.
Christine started Christine Rose Coaching & Consulting in 2015 and worked with CEOs and small company owners to assist them accelerate growth before launching CEOAccel. As the author of Life Beyond #MeToo: Creating a Safer World for Our Mothers, Daughters, Sisters & Friends, which was highlighted in the United Nations #EqualEverywhere campaign and was a finalist for the 2021 International Book Awards Top New Nonfiction Book, she has also spent time at the computer. She shares, "My mentor and coach Jack Canfield, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, says Managers and leaders should all be required to read this book! She also co-authored two bestselling books during the pandemic.
Prior to coaching, Christine had a career in business and non-profit development, and has done and hopes to continue to do lots of volunteering.
Belowarehighlightsoftheinterview conductedbetweenWorld'sLeaders andChristineRose:
Describewhoyouareasaperson, insideandoutsideoftheworkplace. BeforeeverbecomingaCEO/Founder, businessandexecutivecoach,speaker, andinternationallybestsellingauthor, I'vebeenandstillamthemotherand friendtomytwoadultdaughters,a sister,andafriend,andIamagrateful person.AndnowI'magrandma!Atmy core,Iamapersonwhoenvisionsa betterworldandencouragespeopleto createtheirbestfuture.Mycornerstone corevalueislove,andbythat,Imean seeingthebestinothersandnurturing ittohelpthemgrow.Ibuild relationshipsandseektoknowand understandthetruthaboutmyselfand others,andtousethisknowledgeto
energizeandmotivateotherstosee opportunitiestolivetheirbestlifeand maketheirhighestandbest contribution.
Tellusabouttheinceptionofthe company.Howdiditallstart? In2020,Ihadtheopportunitytositin andobservesomebusinesspeer advisorygroups.Theywerecreatedin thepre-pandemicworld,anditwas painfullyobviousthattherewas considerableroomtoadaptand improvethisofferingforthevirtual world.
IresearchedandinterviewedCEOs andlearnedthattheyreallywantedto beingroupswithpeerswhose companieswereatthesamelevelas theirs,astheyfaceddifferent"growing pains"thattheyhadtoovercome
beforemovingontothenextlevel. Theyalsowantedtobepartof somethingthataddedmorevalueto theircompanies,asmuchofthetime theywerelisteningtoothers'concerns whiledelayingaddressingtheirown. AndIlearnedthatCEOsneedmore flexibilitythantraditionallyofferedand neededtosavetime.
Duringthepastdecade,Ihavealso beenpartofcommunitygroupsand socialmediagroupsthatfelt "spammy,"providedlittlevalue,and weremoreaboutmarketingthehost's businessofferingsthananythingelse.
IbelievethatCEOsdeservebetter.I decidedtoputwhatIlearnedtowork forCEOsandcreateacommunitythat isasafe,non-salesyenvironmentfor learning,buildingvalue,and
collaboratingwithotherCEOs. CEOAccelisthatcommunity.I'm excitedthatweareopenforbusiness, addingnewmembersandlaunching newValueBuilderGroupsandoffering tieredCEOMastermindGroups,in additiontoflexiblecoachingthatmeets CEOsattheirpointofneed.
Byprovidingbusinesscoaching, whatarethethreethingsyouwould liketoimproveinpeoples?
Asacoach,Iworkwithbusiness ownersandCEOstobecomemore effectiveleaders,tocreatebetter culturesintheirorganizationssothat teamscanbemoreinnovative,andto growhigh-valuebusinessesthat contributepositivelytothenewnormal inourfast-changingworld.
Whicharethemajorservicesofthe companyandhowdoesthecompany plantogetaheadofthecompetition? Whatvalue-addedservicesdoesthe companyprovide?
CEOAcceloffersaprivate,invitationonlycommunityofCEOsat$1M$150Mrevenuecompanies.Members choosefromthreelevels.Value Builder™Membersgainaccesstothe ValueBuilder™learningplatformand groupcoaching;PremiumMembers alsohaveaccesstoavarietyof assessmentsandleadership/executive coaching,businessstrategycoaching, andteamcoachingwithhighlytrained, certified,andexperiencedprofessional coaches;andPlatinumMembershave allthosebenefitsplusavirtualCEO Mastermindgroupwithstrategically chosenpeersfromnon-competing industriesattheirlevel,expertly facilitatedbytrainedcoacheswhowill ensureallmembers'concernsare addressedmonthlyandhave accountabilitytotakeactionto acceleratechangeeverymonth,while savingCEOshourspermonthina virtualenvironment.
Inadditiontotheseservices,members haveaccesstoliveandrecorded networkbuildingeducationsessions withnationallyknownexpertsanda widerangeofpartnerbenefitsfrom
reputablecompaniesthatserveSMEs, includinghealthandfitness,tax credits,executiverecruiting,executive travel,andmore.Onceayear, membersareinvitedtojoinother CEOsatanexclusivedestinationfora weekwherephonesandemailsare turnedoffandtheygettorelax,enjoy, andhaveafewlearningand communityexperiences(attendanceis alwaysoptional).
AsaFounder/CEO/BusinessCoach, howwouldyoudescribeyour coachingstyleandphilosophy? WhileadheringtoICFcore competenciesandethicalstandards,I adapttomeettheneedsofeachclient. Clientstellmemystyleislike"aniron fistinavelvetglove."Theydrivetheir ownsuccessandgrowth,withradical accountabilityandunconditional acceptancefromtheircoach.Mysixwordphilosophyis:"Compassionately coachingleaderstoFullyLive.”
Giveusyouropinionon;do organizationsrelyheavilyon individualheroicsorteam processes?
Eachcompanyhasitsownflavor,and leadershipandteamprocessesare basedontheculturesetbythe executivelevelleaders.Fartoooftenin smallbusinesses,toomuchiscentered aroundtheowners,preventinggrowth andeffectiveness.Aworthygoalisto havealltheconversationsneededatall levels,startingatthetop,toallowfor
leaderstoriseandengageteamsto adoptthepromises,processes,and conversationsneededtosuccessfully deliver
Accordingtoyou,whatisthemost significantbarrierforbusiness leadersintoday'scorporate environment?
Increasingly,Iamnoticingashift happeningwhereemployeeswould ratherleavethanstayinaworkculture thatisnothonoringofthemasa humanbeing,regardlessofpay There hasneverbeenagreaterneedtoget leadershipandcultureright.
CEOAccel.comisheretohelpCEOs adapttoshiftingnormsinthecorporate worldsotheycanhire,engage,and retaintopperformersandgrowvalue beyondjustprofits.
Whatadvicewouldyougive someonegoingintoaleadership positionforthefirsttime?
First,learnhowtocenteryourselfso youcanrespondtoeverysituation fromaplaceofstrengthand confidence.Second,practicedeeply listeningtogettotheheartofwhat othersaresaying.Third,connectwith thecaresofthoseyoulead.Because ultimately,allleaders,bothwithformal positionsofleadershipandthose leadingfrombelow,mustbeskilledat engagingpeopletotakeactiontotake careofwhatyouallagreeyoucare about.Thatistrueleadership.
OverthecourseofEmmaBanks' career,shehasseamlessly transitionedfromindependentsto largeglobalhospitalitycompanies. ShejoinedHiltonin2019witha missiontomakethecompanythe clearleaderinF&B.Inthisshort time,shehasmadeabigimpact, bringingexceptionalF&Btalentinto thebusinesswhilebeingactively involvedinHilton'svariousdiversity initiatives.
Emmarecognizesthecritical responsibilitythatF&Bplaysin protectingtheplanetandhasbeen involvedininitiativestoreduce single-useplastics,trackfoodwaste, andsourceingredientslocally.Emma isalsoarolemodeltowomeninthe industry,ranking#1inCaterer MiddleEast's"2020Womenin F&B"PowerList.Attheendof 2020,EmmawaselectedaMember oftheBoardofGovernorsand MemberoftheBoardofthe AcademicCommitteeofDubai CollegeofTourism(DCT)andin 2022,shewasselectedtobeoneof HSBC's"75FacesoftheUAE".
EmmaholdsaBachelor'sDegree fromLeedsUniversity.
OBelowarethehighlightsofthe interviewconductedbetweenWorld's LeadersandEmmaBanks:
Canyoutellusalittleaboutyour journeypriortostartingyour professionaljourney?
IwasborninMalaccaandraisedin Malaysia,attendingboardingschool inPenangatsixyearsofage.Iwas anall-rounderratherthanan academicatschool,excellingin sportswithaparticulartalentfor tennis.Summerswerespentvisiting familyinruralWales,whereIlearnt to'graft'throughaseriesof hospitalityjobswhichtaughtmethe valueofmoney.Irecallmy excitementwhenIcouldeventually affordtobuymyselfanArthurAshe aluminiumtennisracket,andmy delightoncourtwhenallmy opponentsusedwoodenones.I supportedmyselfthroughuniversity inLeedswiththreejobs:cocktail bartending,pullingpintsinapuband waitressinginacafé.Sufficeittosay thatmyexperience"atthecoalface" ignitedmypassionfortheindustry.
TellusaboutHilton.
Hiltonisaleadingglobalhospitality companywithaportfolioof18 world-classbrands,comprising nearly6,900propertiesandnearly 1.1millionrooms,in122countries andterritories.Dedicatedtofulfilling itsfoundingvisiontofilltheearth withthelightandwarmthof hospitality,Hiltonhaswelcomed morethan3billionguestsinitsmore than100-yearhistory,earnedatop spoton Fortune's 100Best CompaniestoWorkForlistandbeen recognizedasagloballeaderonthe DowJonesSustainabilityIndicesfor fiveconsecutiveyears.
Whatarethecompany'sprimary offerings?
WhileHiltonisprimarilyknownfor itsrooms,foodandbeveragearean importantpartofthecompany's operations,andwehavea103-year historyofpioneeringculinary innovations,fromtheinventionof theWaldorfsaladtotheworldfamousRedVelvetCake.
Whataboutthesectorinspiredyou tojoiningit?Andhowdoyou continuetogrowanddevelopasa leader?
Thereisasenseofsatisfactionand camaraderiefromalongday"onthe floor"thatonlycertainindustriescan giveyou.Whenyouworkina restaurantorabar,youplayapivotal roleinyourcommunity—andmy passionwasignitedbythewaythat youcanchangesomeone'sday throughofferinggenerous,heartfelt hospitality Whenyouchoosethe trade,orratheritchoosesyou,you automaticallybecomeapartofa globalcommunity.Ipersonally choosetoworkwithfellowindustry peerstoadvanceimportantinitiatives forthebettermentofthewhole–valueswhichinformmyleadership style.Inmystrategyand developmentrole,Iconstantlydraw frommyyearsofoperational experiencetohelpinformcreative andempathicthinking;the resourcefulnessthatyoulearnina dynamiccustomer-facing environmentiseminently transferable,especiallywhen managingmultiplestakeholders.I voraciouslyconsumeourtradepress, Itakeanaviddailyinterestinthe marketandwhatourcompetitorsare upto,especiallyintheareaof
innovationandsustainability.Ilean onindustryexpertstooutlinefuture trends,andIalwaysmakesureItake myteamalongfortheride.
Describewhoyouareasaperson, insideandoutsideofthe workplace.
Iamabigbelieverinnotbeing afraidtobeyourself,andIamvery luckytoworkforacompanythat encouragesyoutobringyour "authenticself"towork.Itis acceptabletohaveyourownstyle andapproachaslongasitis respectfulofyourenvironment,
culture,orworkplace-infact,I believeitfrequentlycommands respect.
Oneofmyfavouritesayingsis"be thepersonyourdogthinksyouare'–soIstrivetobefair,fun,kind, caring,hard-working-Iguessmy dogswillhavetobethejudgeof that!
Tellusaboutyourroleand responsibilitiesasVicepresident?
IambasedatHilton'sMEAArea OfficeinDubai,whereIleadF&B strategy,aswellasconceptand
productsolutiondevelopmentand implementationacrossEurope, MiddleEast,andAfrica.Inaddition, Ioverseethesourcingand managementofthird-partyrestaurant brandandoperatorrelationshipsto supportHilton'stradingandfuture pipelineofhotelsacrosstheregion.
Whataboutthecultureandvalues resonatewithyou?
Hiltonisdrivenbyamissiontobe themosthospitablecompanyinthe world—bycreatingheartfelt experiencesforguests,meaningful opportunitiesforteammembers,high valueforownersandapositive impactonthecommunitiesinwhich theyoperate.Itisitsculturethat drivesitsgrowthanditsimpactworkingforacompanythatplaces people,planet,andprofitonanequal footingisadailyinspirationforme.
Whathasbeenthemostsignificant barrierinyourcareer?
Likemanyotherpeople,adjustingto andleadingmyareaofbusiness throughthepandemicwas immenselychallenging.Ihadtodig deepandempowermywonderful team.
Whatisthehappiestpartofyour dailyroutine?Howdoyoubalance workandprofessionallife?
IamveryluckyinthatIbothworkto liveandlivetowork.IlovewhatI do,andIderivegreatjoyfrom workingwithmyfantasticteamand thewidernetworktodrivethe company'svision.
Thatsaid,IamatmyhappiestwhenI amwithmydaughterLilyandmy husbandJon—andourever-growing menagerieofrescuecatsanddogs. Asforbalance,anyonewhoknows
meknowsthatIfindmyinner'chi' onaspinbikeatahundredmilesan hour.
Whatarethemostimportant attributesofsuccessfulleaders?
AsWarrenBennisfamouslysaid, "Leadershipisthecapacitytoturna visionintoreality".Youcan'tdothat unlessyousurroundyourselfwith toptalentandallowittoflourish.The qualityofyourleadershipisthen determinedbythestandardsyouset foryourself;youhavetowalkthe walkasarolemodel.Aleadershould notdictate,butratherprovidea cultureofsupport,encouragement,
recognition,and,ofcourse,discipline –governedbyempathyandthe desiretodotherightthing.
Whatadvicewouldyougivetothe nextgenerationoffemaleleaders? Haveconfidenceandtrustthatyou haveearnedyourseatatthetable-if youaregivenanopportunity,grabit, youwereofferedtheopportunityfor areason. Surroundyourselfwith greatpeople,empowerthemand alwayshaveaplan.
Gavin shared that his parents were the single largest influencers in his life and career. He states that they not only taught him but showed him how to work hard and smart and if one does the right thing, right things will be done in return.
Gavin also refers to his college professors that taught him constraint theory through the book “The Goal” and pushed to make it through aerospace and packaging engineering coursework. “They took chances on me in running an entrepreneurial lab, one of the very first manufacturing university to industry technology transfer projects in the US,” says Gavin.
GavinQuinniesistheCEOand co-founderatUSHealthCenter, Inc.Mr.Quinnieshas collaboratedwithorganizationsto discoverhealthandproductivityrelatedpossibilitiesforover25 years.Hefirstestablishedhealth riskmanagementsystemsathis manufacturingfirmintheearly '90s,producingareturnof4:1, andsubsequentlybroughthis knowledgetootherorganizations suchasIBMLifeSciences.
Sinceitsinceptionin2003,the USHealthCenterInc'steamhas focusedonprocessandpeopleto supportthemissionofindustryleadingscience,technologyand advocacytopreventandmanage disease.Gavinsays, “As such the quality and consistency of our TEAMates is of my utmost concern. We have had 100% employee retention since our founding, which has made the TEAM highly productive and our processes mature and everimproving.” Hefurtheraddsthat thisisuncommoninthepost2000techbubbleforaselffundedhealthcarestartup. Becauseofthis,thecompanyhas accomplishedsomefeatssuchas
threedistinctthird-partyvalidations;foritspredictivemodelling,care navigationandpopulationhealthmanagement.Themanagementexpects anothervalidationofthecompany'scostpredictivemodellaterthisyear
AnAdvancedHealthMonitoringSystem
ThePredictiMed™healthmanagementsystemiscomprisedofa PersonalHealthDashboard™(PHD),HealthCoachTracker,Corporate HealthProfile,HealthCounts™engagementandrewardsengine, Sweeper™medicalandpharmacyclaimsanalyticstool,HealtheMall™ marketplace andcontentmanagementsystem.ThePHDisadynamic
Solomon Partners, a prestigious financial advisory company with a history as one of the earliest independent investment banks, is led by Marc S. Cooper as its CEO.
Solomon Partners received a strategic investment from Natixis in 2016, the worldwide corporate and investment banking, asset management, insurance, and financial services branch of Groupe BPCE, under the leadership of Mr. Cooper. Solomon Partners' clients have expanded access to global advisory services and exclusive financial resources across Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and the Americas thanks to the partnership with Natixis.
Under Mr. Cooper's leadership, Solomon Partners has experienced significant growth and diversified sector coverage and today serves clients across a broad range of industries, including Consumer Retail; Financial Sponsors; FinTech; Grocery, Pharmacy & Restaurants; Healthcare; Infrastructure, Power & Renewables; and Technology, Media & Telecommunications.
Belowarehighlights oftheinterview conductedbetween World'sLeadersand MarcS.Cooper: Describeyour backgroundand whatdidyoudo beforeyou started/joinedthe company?
WhenIwasajunior inhighschool,Itoldmyfather,whobecameastockbroker laterinlife,thatIwantedtofollowinhisfootsteps.He suggestedIbecomeaninvestmentbankerinstead,andI decidedtopursuethatpath.
AfterobtainingbothmyBAandMBAfromNewYork University,IbeganmyinvestmentbankingcareeratKidder Peabody.Fromthere,Ico-foundedandservedasVice ChairmanofBaringtonCapitalGroup,whereIoversawthe firm'sinvestmentbankingoperations.
AfterjoiningSolomon23yearsagoasapartnerand managingdirector,IservedasViceChairmanforthree yearsbeforebeingappointedCEOin2016.Earlierthat year,IledatransactionwithNatixis,whichispartof GroupeBPCE,atop10Europeanbank,inwhichNatixis madeastrategicinvestmentinSolomon.Thepartnership
hashelpedussignificantlyexpandthefirmsince2016,from 35bankerstomorethan140,andthenumberofindustries weservefromtwoto14.
Tellusabouttheinceptionofthecompany.Howdidit allstart?
SolomonPartnersistheoldestprivateindependent investmentbankingfirmstillinexistenceandwascreated toincorporatetheethosandcultureofthetraditional investmentbankswiththeentrepreneurialspiritofa collectivepartnership.
Thefirmwasfoundedin1989asthePeterJ.Solomon CompanybyMr.Solomon,andhecontinuestoserveasthe firm'sChairman.Previously,Mr.SolomonwasVice ChairmanofLehmanBrothers,wherehewasChairmanof itsMerchantBankingDivisionandCo-Chairmanofthe InvestmentBankingDivision.
Whataretheprimaryserviceofferingsofthecompany andhowdotheyhelpthecompanygetaheadofits competition?
Weadviseclientsonmergers,acquisitions,divestitures, restructurings,recapitalizations,capitalmarketssolutions, andactivismdefenseacrossarangeofindustries.These include: Ÿ BusinessServices Ÿ ConsumerRetail Ÿ FinancialSponsors Ÿ Grocery,Pharmacy&Restaurants Ÿ Healthcare Ÿ FinTech Ÿ Infrastructure,Power&Renewables Ÿ Technology,Media&Telecommunications ThroughourpartnershipwithNatixis,wecanalsoprovide clientswithglobaladvisoryservicesandproprietaryaccess tofinancingcapabilitiesthroughoutEurope,AsiaPacific, theMiddleEast,andtheAmericas.
Wegetaheadofthecompetitionbyofferingunmatched industryknowledgeinthesectorswecover,creating superiorvaluethroughunrivaledwisdom.
Whatarethemostimportantaspectsofacompany's culture?Whatprinciplesdoyoubelieveinandhowdo youbuildthisculture?
SolomonPartners'cultureisbuiltonhonesty,integrity,and acollectivecommitmenttoprovidingclientswithsound, unbiasedadvice.Weareguidedonadailybasisbythese valuesandpursuetheminacollaborativeenvironmentthat promotesexcellenceandcreativity
Formanyyears,ourfirmhasfocusedoncreatinganopen, collaborative,andeducationalenvironment,andwework hardtomaintainaworkplacewhererespectand professionalismarenotjustvaluedbutexpected.Solomon
hasbuiltthisculturebyseekingoutemployeeswithstrong ethicalfoundations.Wetreatourcolleaguesthewaythey deservetobetreated,andwedon'ttoleratebadactors.
Whatisthesignificanceofinnovativeideasinthe company?
I'mabelieverintheoldadage,innovateordie.Iamalways onthelookoutforwaystoimprovethewaywedothings, andthatincludesstayingabreastofthelatestinnovationsin everythingfromtechnologyandofficedesigntothewaywe interactwithclients.That'sledustooverhaulour workspacestocreateanofficedesignedforthefutureand makesureouremployeeshavethetraining,resources,and technologytoworkattheirfullcapacitywherevertheyare.
Ialsoinviteinputfromstaffatalllevels.Akeydriverof Solomon'ssuccessisthatwe'renotonlyopentoinnovation, butweactivelyencourageit.
Giveusyouropinionon;doorganizationsrelyheavily onindividualheroicsorteamprocesses?
AsmycolleagueJoeStein–whohasbeenwiththefirmfor over20years–likestosay,"there'snoIinteam."Solomon Partnersisverymuchwhatournameimplies:apartnership. Wesupportoneanotherbecausethat'swhat'sbestforour staffandforourclients.
Solomonhasaverycollaborativeenvironment.Ourhardworkinganalystsareasmuchapartofoursuccessastheir moreseasonedteammates.Frommyperspective,everyone whogivestheirverybestisaherohereatSolomon.
WhatareyourresponsibilitiesastheFounder/CEOof thecompany?Whatisthehappiestpartofyourdaily routine?
AsCEOatSolomon,Iamresponsiblefornotonlyleading thefirm,butalsosettingthestrategicdirection.Giventhat weareingrowthmode,Iamastewardofthefirm's expansion.Ialsobelieveit'svitaltoserveasarolemodel bysettingagoodexample,strivingtodomybestand makingmyselfavailabletoassistcolleagues.Ifasenior bankerasksmetomeetwithaclientorprospect,I'mthere. Ifajuniorbankerasksforguidanceontheircareerpath,I provideit.IfourChiefPeopleOfficerwantsmeto volunteerwithourinternsonaparkimprovementproject,I rollupmysleeves.
Thehappiestpartofmydailyroutineismentoringmy colleagues.Itgivesmegreatpleasuretoseethemgrowand succeed.
Whatadvicewouldyougivesomeonegoingintoa leadershippositionforthefirsttime?
ThetoptipsIwouldprovidetopeopleintheirfirst leadershippost–aswellassomeonejustgettingstartedin banking–istosucceedyouhavetolovewhatyoudo,and youshould"worktolive,notlivetowork."It'svitaltotake careofyourselfandkeepthingsinperspective.Tobe successfulinbanking,it'scriticaltostrikethatbalanceand thosethatdon'tgenerallyflameoutfast.
MichaelA.Collura,thefounderofIn HomePersonalServices,beganhis careerineldercare.Hewas unintentionallyplacedonacoursethatwould influencehislifeandthelivesofmanyotherswhen hewasjust15yearsold.Michaelstartedhisfirst employmentinanursinghome,whereheworked alongsidehismother Whilethere,Michaelformedan immediatedesiretoaccomplishsomething meaningfulandtohelppeoplewhilehewasthere. Compassion,respect,decency,andadesireto sincerelyservepeopleweretaughtandfosteredin him.Itwasintheseearlyyears,andhowhewas raisedcorrectly,thattheInHomePersonalServices brandwouldbeformedandstrengthenedsomany yearslater.
Sinceitsinception,InHomePersonalServiceshas fulfilleditsmissionbycaringforcountlesselderly peopleandtheirfamilies.Ithasareputationforbeing morethanjustagoodcaregiver.Itisamulti-awardwinningbrandthatiswidelyregardedasarealleader ineldercare.Thispathhasnotbeenwithoutitsshare ofdifficulties,butitjustaddstothecompany's strengthasaserviceandabrand.
FOUNDER&CEO INHOMEPERSONALSERVICES
InHomePersonalServiceswas foundedinearly2004.Michael foundedthecompany,andhe onceagaincollaboratedwithhis mother.InHomePersonal Serviceswouldfulfillits commitment,asstatedinits missionstatement. To provide quality homecare with high standards that promote independence at a low cost.
Michael'svisionwasstraight forward:tomakeadifferenceby doingsomethingthatbenefits manypeopleratherthanjusta few.Itwouldbemorethana company;itwouldbeamission withthegoalofnever diminishingandonlygrowing.It wastogrow,notforthesakeof riches,buttomakeadifferencein acommunityandindustryin desperateneedofassistance.
Michaelasserts, "We are often asked, "How did you start the business?". Our answer: we never tried to start a business. We set out to do something that mattered. The business was a vehicle to get us there. In that, the mission was born. “
“For me, it's not a measurement of success that many would think is conventional. I am blessed for everything life has provided. The good, the bad and the ugly have all shaped my life and where I
stand today, I say thank you for it all. Without the challenges, the failures, and the struggles, there would be nothing worth celebrating and life would be boring. My life is anything but unfulfilled. I have the privilege of doing what I love... making a difference in the lives of others. My journey is far from over, and that, too, is a blessing. Because of all the lives I have yet to reach and impact for the better. “
Michael'sdailytaskswillinclude, firstandforemost,ensuringthat theteamiscapableofbeing challenged,growing,and becomingmorethanthey imagined.Hebelievesthatitis hisprimaryresponsibilityasa leadertodevelopothersaround himtothepointwhereheisthe leastimportantpersoninthe room.Today,Michaelhasproven tobethebrand'sleastuseful individual.
AccordingtoMichael,honesty willbeyourgreatestallyandthe mosthighlyprizedhumanvirtue onearth.Respecteveryone,listen withanopenheart,andnever abandontheobjective,headvises. Headds, "Embrace failure because it is required to achieve success. Do what you love or do something else. Leadership isn't about being perfect, popular, or "the best". It's about being the person who can inspire, lift up, and make others better than yourself. "
TheTeamofProficientand SignificantAchievements
NothingaboutwhatInHome PersonalServicesistodaywould exist,accordingtoMichael,ifit weren'tforthefantasticteamof devotedprofessionalswhodrive thebrand'sdeliveryand innovationofcare.
MichaelA.Collura,Presidentand CEO,hasfrequentlyidentified himselfastheleastsignificant personinthecompany'ssuccess asafounder.Because,whileheis adrivingforcebehindthe company'sgrowthandoperations, itisthefrontlineemployeeswho followthroughonthepromises madeandthetrustplacedinIn HomePersonalServicestobethe careproviderofchoiceforthe vulnerablelovedoneswhohave entrusteduswiththeircare.
AccordingtoMichael,the organizationandtheteammaybe proudofthreemajor accomplishments:
1. Thebrand'smissionandhow ithasdeliveredonits promise.
2. Theteamofprofessionals thatgotthecompanyhere willensurethosepromisesare upheld.
3. Thefutureofwhatisinstore forusallandthemonumental amountofqualityoflifeand qualitycarethatwillbe deliveredwillhaveareal worldimpactonthelivesof others.
AsperMichael,thecompany's innovationcomeswiththe understandingthatitmust improvethelivesofothers,orit isjustnothingmorethanaclever ideanovelinitsconception.He says, "There must be real substance to any innovation we develop that provides a benefit to others, not just the brand.”
MichaelseesInHomePersonal Servicesasitsbiggestcompetitor. "Nothing else should, will, or
would ever matter. We work to continue to innovate and grow, and we are only chasing ourselves. Let the others running a rat race look over to see what we are doing. It won't matter. We're too busy doing what is right, what is needed, and what is expected to pay attention to anyone else." Michaelcomposes.
Being a part of In Home Personal Services, I can honestly say I never felt like I had a "job". I
have a mission, a drive, and a life that gives me the chance to be a positive force for others in countless ways I never even imagined. Find that in your life. It may actually be the true secret to happiness. It certainly is for me. “
Futurecitiesandconurbationsneed tobesustainable,adaptive, inclusiveandresilientcities.The complexityofthatchallengecalls forinnovativenewcityplanning methods,toolsandapproaches.A newurbanscienceapproachin urbanplanningandurbandesignis amust,onethatcansimulateand visualisevariousscenariostofind thebestsolutionsforasustainable andliveablecity.MeetDrTigran Haas,whoisanAssociate ProfessorandDirectorofCentre fortheFutureofPlacesCFPat KTHRoyalInstituteof Technology.
DrTigranisarenownededucator ofUrbanDesignandPlanningand hasbeeninvolvedinteachingin morethan35coursesand developingInternational educationalprogramssuchasReal EstateManagement,Environmental EngineeringandSustainable Infrastructure,ProjectandStrategic Management,SpatialPlanning, UrbanPlanningandDesign, SustainableUrbanPlanning& DesignandUrbanismStudies.
FDrTigranstatesthatleadershipis definitelyacomplexjourneyof self-transformation,ajourney travelledbyanindividualwhohas beenhandedovertheresponsibility ofguidingpeopletowards achievingacertainbusiness objective.Heasserts, “Teaching Project and Strategic Management and Project Leadership for over 8 years have to help me understand some of these things much better and the period of 5 years running a research Lab plus being director of three educational programs has also helped immensely.” Hefurther addsthatgettingthingsdonefrom theteamisjustonepartofthejob ofaleaderandtheteamhastobe assembledinthebestpossibleway wheretheissuesofcompetence, equalityandprofessionalismare crucialbutalsothefinessetoknow whereeachpersoncancontribute
themost.Heseesattheoutsetof hisleadershiprole,hestartedto expandandbuildnewnetworks.
DrTigranfindsthatconnectionon allphysicalandvirtualplatforms wasamustandcontinuestogrow; wheretheinnergreatrelationship withtheteamandemployeesis crucialandisthesinequanonfor thesustainablelongevityofthe enterprise.Also,winningtheir trust,gaininghonestfeedback, achievingfriendshipsand developingmutualrespectis crucial.
CombiningCityDevelopment withAdvanceTechnology
Inordertocreatenewintelligence (smart,data-drivenhi-techspaces offloes)inthecities,modern architectureeducationneedsto combinesoftwareanddigital telecommunicationsnetworksatits disposal,ubiquitouslyembedded intelligence,andsensorsand identifiers.Allofthishasandwill penetrateurbanismofthefuture andthecitiesthatwillhavetobe hi-techresilienttoclimatechange andresponsivetotheneedsof differentstrataofsocietyaswellas preparedtoanticipatethepossible transformationsandnegative changes(liketheCOVID-19 pandemic)incitieswithprescient foresighturbanism.
