Tom Peters’ Excellence NOW NOW Innovate or Die World Innovation Forum/Leon/24 May 2012 World Innovation Forum/Leon/24 May 2012 (Slides at tompeters.com/Also.

Tom Peters’Tom Peters’

ExcellenceExcellence

NOWNOWInnovate or DieInnovate or Die

World Innovation Forum/Leon/24 May 2012 World Innovation Forum/Leon/24 May 2012 (Slides at tompeters.com/Also see excellencenow.com)(Slides at tompeters.com/Also see excellencenow.com)

Excellence1982: The Bedrock “EiExcellence1982: The Bedrock “Eigght Basics”ht Basics”

1. A Bias for 1. A Bias for ActionAction2. Close to the 2. Close to the CustomerCustomer3. 3. AutonomAutonomyy and and EntreEntreppreneurshireneurshipp4. Productivity Through 4. Productivity Through PeoPeopplele5. 5. Hands OnHands On, , Value-DrivenValue-Driven6. 6. Stick toStick to the Knitting the Knitting7. 7. SimSimpplele Form, Form, LeanLean Staff Staff8. Simultaneous 8. Simultaneous Loose-TightLoose-Tight Properties” Properties”

““Breakthrough” 82*Breakthrough” 82*

People! People! CustomersCustomers

! ! Action! Action! Values! Values!

**In Search of ExcellenceIn Search of Excellence

Why in the Why in the

World did World did youyou

go to go to SiberiaSiberia??

EnterpriseEnterprise* (*at its best):* (*at its best): An An emotionalemotional, , vitalvital, , innovativeinnovative, , jojoyyfulful, , creativecreative, , entreentreppreneurialreneurial endeavor that elicits endeavor that elicits maximum maximum

concerted humanconcerted human potential in thepotential in the wholehearted pursuit of wholehearted pursuit of EXCELLENCE inEXCELLENCE in serviceservice of others of others.****Employees, Customers, Suppliers, Communities, Owners, Temporary partners**Employees, Customers, Suppliers, Communities, Owners, Temporary partners

People People FirsFirst!t! People People SeconSecond ! d !

People People Third!Third! People People Fourth!Fourth!

People Fifth! People Fifth! People Sixth!People Sixth!

““Business has to give people enriching, Business has to give people enriching,

rewarding lives … rewarding lives … or it's or it's simply not simply not

worth worth doingdoing.”.”

——Richard BransonRichard Branson

““You have to You have to treat your treat your

employees like employees like customers.”customers.” —Herb —Herb

Kelleher, upon being asked his “secret to success”Kelleher, upon being asked his “secret to success”

Source: Joe Nocera, Source: Joe Nocera, NYTNYT, “Parting Words of an Airline Pioneer,” , “Parting Words of an Airline Pioneer,” on the occasion of Herb Kelleher’s retirement after 37 years at on the occasion of Herb Kelleher’s retirement after 37 years at

Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines (SWA’s pilots union took out a full-page ad in USA (SWA’s pilots union took out a full-page ad in USA Today Today

thanking HK for all he had done) thanking HK for all he had done) ; across the way in Dallas, American ; across the way in Dallas, American Airlines’ pilots were Airlines’ pilots were picketingpicketing AA’s Annual Meeting)AA’s Annual Meeting)

"When I hire "When I hire someone, that's someone, that's when when I I ggo to o to

work for work for themthem.”.” —John DiJulius,—John DiJulius, "What's the Secret to Providing "What's the Secret to Providing

a World-class Customer Experience"a World-class Customer Experience"

"If you want staff to "If you want staff to give great service, give great service,

you must give great you must give great service to staff."service to staff."

—Ari Weinzweig, Zingerman's

““People People leave leave

managers not managers not companies.”companies.”

——Dave WheelerDave Wheeler

If the regimental commander lost most of his If the regimental commander lost most of his 2nd lieutenants and 1st lieutenants and 2nd lieutenants and 1st lieutenants and

captains and majors, it would be a tragedy. captains and majors, it would be a tragedy.

If he lost his If he lost his serserggeants it would eants it would be a catastrobe a catastropphehe. . The The

Army and the Navy are fully aware that Army and the Navy are fully aware that success on the battlefield is dependent to an success on the battlefield is dependent to an extraordinary degree on its Sergeants and extraordinary degree on its Sergeants and Chief Petty Officers. Does industry have the Chief Petty Officers. Does industry have the

same awareness?same awareness?

In the Army, In the Army, 33--star star ggeneralsenerals worry about worry about

training. In most training. In most businesses, it's a “ho businesses, it's a “ho hum” mid-level staff hum” mid-level staff

function.function.

““The The fourfour most most imimpportantortant wordswords in any in any

organization are …organization are …

The four most important words in any organizationThe four most important words in any organization

are …are … “What “What do do youyou think?”think?”

Source: courtesy Dave Wheeler, posted at tompeters.com Source: courtesy Dave Wheeler, posted at tompeters.com

““Employees who Employees who don't feel significant don't feel significant

rarely make rarely make significant significant

contributions.”contributions.” —Mark Sanborn—Mark Sanborn

Oath of Office:Oath of Office: Managers/Servant Leaders Managers/Servant Leaders

Our goal is to serve our customers brilliantly and profitably Our goal is to serve our customers brilliantly and profitably overover the long haul.the long haul.Serving our customers brilliantly and profitably over the longServing our customers brilliantly and profitably over the long haul is a product of brilliantly serving, over the long haul, haul is a product of brilliantly serving, over the long haul, thethe people who serve the customer.people who serve the customer.

Hence, our job as leaders—the alpha and the omega andHence, our job as leaders—the alpha and the omega and everything in between—is abetting the sustained growth everything in between—is abetting the sustained growth andand success and engagement and enthusiasm and commitment success and engagement and enthusiasm and commitment toto Excellence of those, one at a time, who directly or indirectlyExcellence of those, one at a time, who directly or indirectly serve the ultimate customer.serve the ultimate customer.

We—leaders of every stripe—are in the “Human Growth andWe—leaders of every stripe—are in the “Human Growth and Development and Success and Aspiration to ExcellenceDevelopment and Success and Aspiration to Excellence business.”business.”““We” We” [leaders][leaders] only grow when “they” only grow when “they” [each and every one of our colleagues][each and every one of our colleagues] areare growing.growing.““We” We” [leaders][leaders] only succeed when “they” only succeed when “they” [each and every one of our [each and every one of our colleagues]colleagues]

are succeeding.are succeeding.““We” We” [leaders][leaders] only energetically march toward Excellence when only energetically march toward Excellence when “ “they” they” [each and every one of our colleagues][each and every one of our colleagues] are energetically marching are energetically marching toward Excellence.toward Excellence.Period.Period.

7 Steps to Sustaining Success7 Steps to Sustaining Success

You take care of the people. You take care of the people. The people take care of the service. The people take care of the service. The service takes care of the customer.The service takes care of the customer.The customer takes care of the profit. The customer takes care of the profit. The profit takes care of the re-investment.The profit takes care of the re-investment.The re-investment takes care of the re-invention. The re-investment takes care of the re-invention. The re-invention takes care of the future.The re-invention takes care of the future.(And at every step the only measure is EXCELLENCE.)(And at every step the only measure is EXCELLENCE.)

7 Steps to Sustaining Success7 Steps to Sustaining Success

You take care of the people.You take care of the people. The people take care of the service. The people take care of the service. The service takes care of the customer.The service takes care of the customer.The customer takes care of the profit. The customer takes care of the profit. The profit takes care of the re-investment.The profit takes care of the re-investment.The re-investment takes care of the re-invention. The re-investment takes care of the re-invention. The re-invention takes care of the future.The re-invention takes care of the future.(And at every step the only measure is (And at every step the only measure is EXCELLENCEEXCELLENCE.).)

TP: TP: “How to throw

$500,000 into

the sea in one easy

lesson!!”

< CAPEX< CAPEX> People!> People!

Luiza Helena, Luiza Helena, Magazine LuizaMagazine Luiza

Our Mission

To develop and manage To develop and manage talent;talent;

to apply that talent,to apply that talent,throughout the world, throughout the world,

for the benefit of clients;for the benefit of clients;to do so in partnership; to do so in partnership;

to do so with profit.to do so with profit.

WPP

Conrad Hilton’s Conrad Hilton’s MessageMessage

ConradConrad HiltonHilton, at a gala celebrating his , at a gala celebrating his career, was called to the podium and career, was called to the podium and

asked,asked, “What were the most important

lessons you learned in your long and

distinguished career?” His answer …His answer …

““remember remember to tuck the to tuck the

shower curtain shower curtain inside the inside the bathtubbathtub.”.”

You get ‘em You get ‘em inin the the door with “location, door with “location,

location, location”—and location, location”—and a terrific architect. a terrific architect. You You keep ‘em keep ‘em comincoming g backback

with the tucked in with the tucked in shower curtain!shower curtain!**

*Profit rarely comes from transaction #1; *Profit rarely comes from transaction #1; it is a byproduct of transaction it is a byproduct of transaction #2, #3, #4#2, #3, #4 … …

““Execution Execution isis strategy.”strategy.”

—Fred Malek—Fred Malek

WOWWOW!!!!Observed closely: The use ofObserved closely: The use of

“I”“I” oror “we”“we” during aduring a

job interview.job interview.

Source: Leonard Berry & Kent Seltman, chapter 6, “Hiring for Values,” Source: Leonard Berry & Kent Seltman, chapter 6, “Hiring for Values,” Management Lessons From Mayo ClinicManagement Lessons From Mayo Clinic

The The “Innovate“Innovate

or Die”or Die” 88

#1#1

Lesson46:Lesson46: WTTMSWTTMS

WW

WhoeverWhoeverTriesTriesTheTheMostMostStuffStuffWinsWins

Lesson46: Better yet:Lesson46: Better yet: WTTMS(TF)WWTTMS(TF)W

WhoeverWhoeverTriesTriesTheTheMostMostStuffStuff((TheTheFastestFastest))WinsWins

READY.READY.FIRE!FIRE!AIM.AIM.

Ross Perot (vs Ross Perot (vs “Aim! Aim! Aim!”“Aim! Aim! Aim!” /EDS vs GM/1985 /EDS vs GM/1985)

““You miss You miss

100100%%

of the shots of the shots you never you never

take.”take.” —Wayne—Wayne GretzkyGretzky

““Fail .Fail . Forward. Forward.

Fast.”Fast.”High Tech CEO, Pennsylvania

#2#2

We We areare the the companycompany we keepwe keep

““You will become You will become like the five people like the five people you associate with you associate with the most—this can the most—this can

be either a blessing be either a blessing or a curse.”or a curse.” —Billy Cox—Billy Cox

The “We are what we eat”The “We are what we eat”

axiom: axiom: At its core, At its core, evereveryy (!!!) (!!!) relationship-partnership decision relationship-partnership decision

(employee, vendor, customer, (employee, vendor, customer, lunchmate, etc) is a lunchmate, etc) is a stratestrateggicic

decision about:decision about:

“Innovate,“Innovate, ‘Yes’ or ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ ” ”

Doug C’s full-timeDoug C’s full-time

craigslist craigslist guyguy

#3#3

““The doctor The doctor interruptsinterrupts after …*after …*

*Source: Jerome Groopman, *Source: Jerome Groopman, How Doctors ThinkHow Doctors Think

18 18 ……

18 … 18 … secondsseconds!!

[An [An obsessionobsession with] Listening is ... the ultimate mark with] Listening is ... the ultimate mark

of of RespectRespect..

Listening is ... the heart and soul of Listening is ... the heart and soul of EngagementEngagement..Listening is ... the heart and soul of Listening is ... the heart and soul of KindnessKindness..Listening is ... the heart and soul of Listening is ... the heart and soul of ThoughtfulnessThoughtfulness..Listening is ... the basis for true Listening is ... the basis for true CollaborationCollaboration..Listening is ... the basis for true Listening is ... the basis for true PartnershipPartnership..Listening is ... a Listening is ... a Team SportTeam Sport..Listening is ... a Listening is ... a Developable Individual SkillDevelopable Individual Skill.* .* (*Though women (*Though women are are farfar better at it than men.) better at it than men.)

Listening is ... the basis forListening is ... the basis for CommunityCommunity..Listening is ... the bedrock of Listening is ... the bedrock of Joint Ventures that workJoint Ventures that work..Listening is ... the bedrock of Listening is ... the bedrock of Joint Ventures thatJoint Ventures that growgrow..Listening is ... the core of Listening is ... the core of effective Cross-functional effective Cross-functional CommunicationCommunication* * (*Which is in turn Attribute #1 of (*Which is in turn Attribute #1 of organizational effectiveness.)organizational effectiveness.)

[cont.][cont.]

#4#4

“I am often asked by would-be entrepreneurs seeking escape from life within huge corporate structures, ‘How

do I build a small firm for myself?’ The answer seems

obvious: Buy a very Buy a very largelarge

one and just one and just waitwait.”.” —Paul Ormerod, Why Most Things

Fail: Evolution, Extinction and Economics

““Data drawn from the real world Data drawn from the real world attest to a fact that is beyond attest to a fact that is beyond

our control:our control: Everything in existence tends to deteriorate.”

—Norberto Odebrecht, —Norberto Odebrecht, Education Through WorkEducation Through Work

Mittelstand!Mittelstand!

Small Giants: Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Companies That Choose to Be

Great Instead of BigGreat Instead of Big

Retail Superstars: Retail Superstars: Inside the 25 Best Inside the 25 Best

Independent Independent Stores in Stores in

AmericaAmerica —by George Whalin—by George Whalin

Jungle Jim’s International Market, Jungle Jim’s International Market, FairfieldFairfield, , OhioOhio:: “An “An

adventure in adventure in ‘‘shoshoppppertainmentertainment,’,’ as as Jungle Jim’s Jungle Jim’s calls it, begins in the parking lot calls it, begins in the parking lot and goes on to and goes on to

1,600 cheeses1,600 cheeses and, yes, and, yes, 1,400 varieties of 1,400 varieties of hot saucehot sauce —not to mention —not to mention 12,000 wines 12,000 wines priced from $8 to $8,000priced from $8 to $8,000 a bottle; all this is a bottle; all this is

brought to you by brought to you by 4,000 vendors4,000 vendors.. Customers Customers come from every corner of the globe.” come from every corner of the globe.”

Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, FrankenmuthFrankenmuth, ,

MichiMichigganan, pop 5,000:, pop 5,000: 98,000-square-foot98,000-square-foot

“shop” features the likes of “shop” features the likes of 6,000 Christmas 6,000 Christmas ornaments, 50,000 trimsornaments, 50,000 trims, and anything else , and anything else you can name if it pertains to Christmas.you can name if it pertains to Christmas.

Source: George Whalin, Source: George Whalin, Retail SuperstarsRetail Superstars

““Be the best. Be the best. It’s the only It’s the only

market that’s market that’s not crowded.”not crowded.”

From: From: Retail Superstars: Inside the 25 BestRetail Superstars: Inside the 25 Best Independent Stores in America,Independent Stores in America, George Whalin George Whalin

The Red The Red Carpet Carpet StoreStore(Joel Resnick/Flemington NJ)(Joel Resnick/Flemington NJ)

#5#5

Little =Little =

BIGBIG***Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister*Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister

Big carts =Big carts =

1.5X1.5XSource: Wal*MartSource: Wal*Mart

#6#6

Conveyance: Kingfisher Air Conveyance: Kingfisher Air Location: Approach to New DelhiLocation: Approach to New Delhi

““May I clean May I clean your your

glasses, glasses, sir?”*sir?”*

*Kingfisher Air*Kingfisher Air

<TG<TGWWand …and …

>TG>TGRR[Things Gone [Things Gone WRONGWRONG-Things Gone -Things Gone RIGHTRIGHT]]

#7#7

““We don’t have a good language to talk about this kindWe don’t have a good language to talk about this kind of thing. In most people’s vocabularies, design means of thing. In most people’s vocabularies, design means veneer. … But to me, nothing could be further from the veneer. … But to me, nothing could be further from the

meaning of design.meaning of design. Design is Design is the the fundamentalfundamental

soulsoul of a man-made of a man-made

creation.”creation.” —Steve Jobs*—Steve Jobs*

*Apple*Apple > > ExxonMobil ExxonMobil

Hypothesis:Hypothesis: DESIGNDESIGN is is the pthe principalrincipal

differencedifference between love between love

and hate! and hate!

Message (?????): Message (?????):

Men Men cannotcannot design for women’s design for women’s

needs.needs.

#8#8

““Forget Forget ChinaChina, , IndiaIndia and the and the InternetInternet: :

Economic Growth Is Economic Growth Is Driven by Driven by

WomenWomen.”.”

Source: Headline, Economist

““Women areWomen are

thethe majority majority market”market”

—Fara Warner/—Fara Warner/The Power of the PurseThe Power of the Purse

W W > > 2X2X (C + (C + I)*I)*

**“Women now drive the global economy. Globally, they control “Women now drive the global economy. Globally, they control about $20 trillion in consumer spending, and that figure could about $20 trillion in consumer spending, and that figure could climb as high as $28 trillion in the next five years. Their $13 climb as high as $28 trillion in the next five years. Their $13 trillion in total yearly earnings could reach $18 trillion in the trillion in total yearly earnings could reach $18 trillion in the same period.same period. In aggregate, women represent a growth market bigger than China and In aggregate, women represent a growth market bigger than China and India combined—more than twice as big in fact. Given those numbers, it would be foolish to India combined—more than twice as big in fact. Given those numbers, it would be foolish to

ignore or underestimate the female consumer. And yet many companies do just that—even ones ignore or underestimate the female consumer. And yet many companies do just that—even ones that are confidant that they have a winning strategy when it comes to women. Consider Dell’s that are confidant that they have a winning strategy when it comes to women. Consider Dell’s

…”…”

•Source: Michael Silverstein and Kate Sayre, “The Female Economy,” Source: Michael Silverstein and Kate Sayre, “The Female Economy,” HBRHBR, 09.09, 09.09

Can you pass the …Can you pass the …

“Squint “Squint test”?test”?

ExcellenceExcellence

NOWNOW

EXCELLENCEEXCELLENCE is is notnot an "aspiration.”an "aspiration.”

EXCELLENCE is EXCELLENCE is notnot an "aspiration.”an "aspiration.”

EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE isis … … THE NEXT FIVE THE NEXT FIVE

MINUTES.MINUTES.

EXCELLENCE is not an "aspiration." EXCELLENCE is not an "aspiration." EXCELLENCE is … THE NEXT FIVE MINUTES.EXCELLENCE is … THE NEXT FIVE MINUTES.

EXCELLENCE is your next conversation.EXCELLENCE is your next conversation.Or not.Or not.EXCELLENCE is your next meeting.EXCELLENCE is your next meeting.Or not.Or not.EXCELLENCE is shutting up and listening—really listening.EXCELLENCE is shutting up and listening—really listening.Or not.Or not.EXCELLENCE is your next customer contact.EXCELLENCE is your next customer contact.Or not.Or not.EXCELLENCE is the saying “Thank you” for something “small.”EXCELLENCE is the saying “Thank you” for something “small.”Or not.Or not.EXCELLENCE is the next time you shoulder responsibility and apologize.EXCELLENCE is the next time you shoulder responsibility and apologize.Or not.Or not.EXCELLENCE is waaay over-reacting to a screw-up.EXCELLENCE is waaay over-reacting to a screw-up.Or not.Or not.EXCELLENCE is the flowers you brought to work today.EXCELLENCE is the flowers you brought to work today.Or not.Or not.EXCELLENCE is lending a hand to an “outsider” who’s fallen behind EXCELLENCE is lending a hand to an “outsider” who’s fallen behind schedule.schedule.Or not.Or not.EXCELLENCE is bothering to learn the way folks in finance [or IS or HR] EXCELLENCE is bothering to learn the way folks in finance [or IS or HR] think.think.Or not.Or not.EXCELLENCE is waaay “over”-preparing for a 3-minute presentation.EXCELLENCE is waaay “over”-preparing for a 3-minute presentation.Or not.Or not.EXCELLENCE is turning “insignificant” tasks into models of … EXCELLENCE. EXCELLENCE is turning “insignificant” tasks into models of … EXCELLENCE. Or not.Or not.

EXCELLENCEXCELLENCEE is … is … THE THE NEXTNEXT FIVE FIVE MINUTESMINUTES..

Or not.Or not.

Avoid Avoid Moderation Moderation

Kevin Roberts’ CredoKevin Roberts’ Credo

11. Ready. Fire! Aim.. Ready. Fire! Aim.2. If it ain’t broke ... Break it!2. If it ain’t broke ... Break it!3. Hire crazies.3. Hire crazies.4. Ask dumb questions.4. Ask dumb questions.5. Pursue failure.5. Pursue failure.6. Lead, follow ... or get out of the way!6. Lead, follow ... or get out of the way!7. Spread confusion.7. Spread confusion.8. Ditch your office.8. Ditch your office.9. Read odd stuff.9. Read odd stuff.

10. Avoid moderationAvoid moderation!!