Conrad Hilton …Conrad Hilton …

Tom Peters’Tom Peters’

Excellence!Excellence!

NOW!NOW!Deloitte Tax/North American Global Employer Services ConferenceDeloitte Tax/North American Global Employer Services Conference

Arizona BiltmoreArizona Biltmore/12 September 2011/12 September 2011(Presentation/Presentation (Presentation/Presentation LONGLONG @ tompeters.com) @ tompeters.com)

NOTENOTE:: To appreciateTo appreciate this presentation this presentation [and ensure [and ensure

that it is not a that it is not a messmess],], you need you need Microsoft fonts:Microsoft fonts:

“Showcard Gothic,”“Showcard Gothic,” “Ravie,”“Ravie,” “Chiller”“Chiller”

andand “Verdana”“Verdana”

Conrad Hilton, at a gala celebrating his Conrad Hilton, 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.”.”

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! Customers! Customers!

Action! Action! Values!Values!

Excellence!Excellence! **In Search of ExcellenceIn Search of Excellence

REALLY First REALLY First Things Before Things Before First ThingsFirst Things

#1#1

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?

““People leave People leave managers, not managers, not companies.”companies.”

——Marcus BuckinghamMarcus Buckingham

#2#2

XFX = XFX = #1#1**

*Cross-Functional *Cross-Functional eXcellence eXcellence

Never Never waste a waste a lunch!lunch!

““Allied commands depend on Allied commands depend on mutual confidence mutual confidence

and this confidence is and this confidence is gained, above all gained, above all

through thethrough the

develodeveloppmentment ofof friendshifriendshippss.”.”

——General D.D. Eisenhower, General D.D. Eisenhower, Armchair GeneralArmchair General* *

*“Perhaps his most outstanding ability [at West Point]*“Perhaps his most outstanding ability [at West Point]

was the ease with which was the ease with which he made friends and earned he made friends and earned the trust of fellow cadets who came from the trust of fellow cadets who came from

widelwidelyy varied back varied backggroundsrounds; it was a quality that would pay ; it was a quality that would pay great dividends during his future coalition command.”great dividends during his future coalition command.”

XFX/XFX/SocialSocial Accelerators Accelerators

1. EVERYONE’s [more or less] JOB #1: Make friends in other 1. EVERYONE’s [more or less] JOB #1: Make friends in other functions! (Purposefully. Consistently. Measurably.)functions! (Purposefully. Consistently. Measurably.)2. “Do lunch” with people in other functions!! Frequently!! 2. “Do lunch” with people in other functions!! Frequently!! (Minimum 10% to 25% for everyone? Measured.)(Minimum 10% to 25% for everyone? Measured.)3. Ask peers in other functions for references so you can 3. Ask peers in other functions for references so you can become conversant in their world. (It’s one helluva sign become conversant in their world. (It’s one helluva sign of ... GIVE-A-DAMN-ism.) of ... GIVE-A-DAMN-ism.) 4. Religiously invite counterparts in other functions to your 4. Religiously invite counterparts in other functions to your team meetings. Ask them to present “cool stuff” from “their team meetings. Ask them to present “cool stuff” from “their world” to your group. (Useful. Mark of respect.)world” to your group. (Useful. Mark of respect.)5. 5. PROACTIVELY SEEK EXAMPLES OF “TINY” ACTS OF “XFX” PROACTIVELY SEEK EXAMPLES OF “TINY” ACTS OF “XFX” TO ACKNOWLEDGE—PRIVATELY AND PUBLICALLY. (Bosses: TO ACKNOWLEDGE—PRIVATELY AND PUBLICALLY. (Bosses: ONCE A DAY … make a short call or visit or send an email of ONCE A DAY … make a short call or visit or send an email of “Thanks” for some sort of XFX gesture by your folks and “Thanks” for some sort of XFX gesture by your folks and some other function’s folks.)some other function’s folks.) 6. Present counterparts in other functions awards for 6. Present counterparts in other functions awards for service to your group. Tiny awards at least weekly; and an service to your group. Tiny awards at least weekly; and an “Annual“Annual All-Star Supporters [from other groups] Banquet” All-Star Supporters [from other groups] Banquet” modeled after superstar salesperson banquets. modeled after superstar salesperson banquets.

#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

Complain allComplain all you want, but you want, but

meetinmeetinggss are what you are what you [bosses] [bosses] dodo!!

Meeting:Meeting: EverEveryy meetin meetingg that that does not stir the imadoes not stir the imaggination ination

and curiosity of attendees and and curiosity of attendees and increase bondinincrease bondingg and co- and co-

oopperation and eneration and enggaaggement ement and sense of worth and and sense of worth and

motivate ramotivate rappid action and id action and enhance enthusiasm is a enhance enthusiasm is a

ppermanentlermanentlyy lost o lost opppportunitortunity.y.

Meetings = Meetings = leadership leadership

opportunity #1opportunity #1

Stuff Your Stuff Your Grandmother Grandmother

Taught You That Taught You That Somehow Got Somehow Got

Lost in the Lost in the [Frenetic] [Frenetic]

ShuffleShuffle

““Courtesies of a small and Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating grateful and appreciating

heart.”heart.” —Henry Clay,American Statesman (1777-1852)

"Let's not forget that small "Let's not forget that small emotions are the great emotions are the great

captains of our lives."captains of our lives." –—Van Gogh–—Van Gogh

"Appreciative words are "Appreciative words are the most powerful forcethe most powerful force

for good on earth.”for good on earth.”——George W. Crane, physician, columnistGeorge W. Crane, physician, columnist

““The two most powerful The two most powerful things in existence: things in existence: a kind word and a a kind word and a

thoughtful gesture.” thoughtful gesture.” ——Ken Langone, co-founder, Home DepotKen Langone, co-founder, Home Depot

““I regard I regard aappoloologgizinizing as the g as the most magical, healing, most magical, healing,

restorative gesture human restorative gesture human beings can make. It is the beings can make. It is the

centercenterppieceiece of my work with of my work with executives who want to get executives who want to get better.”better.” —Marshall Goldsmith—Marshall Goldsmith, What Got You , What Got You

Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People BecomeHere Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful. Even More Successful.

With a new and forthcoming policy on With a new and forthcoming policy on apologies … Toro, the lawn mower apologies … Toro, the lawn mower folks, reduced the average cost of folks, reduced the average cost of

settling a claim fromsettling a claim from $$115,000115,000 in in

1991 to1991 to $$35,00035,000 in 2008 in 2008 …… and and the companthe companyy hasn’t hasn’t been to trial in the been to trial in the

lastlast

1515 y yearsears!!

THE PROBLEM IS THE PROBLEM IS RARELY/RARELY/NEVERNEVER THE THE

PROBLEM. THEPROBLEM. THE

RESPONSERESPONSE TO THE TO THE PROBLEM INVARIABLY PROBLEM INVARIABLY ENDS UP BEING THE ENDS UP BEING THE

REAL PROBLEMREAL PROBLEM.***PERCEPTION IS ALL THERE IS!PERCEPTION IS ALL THERE IS!

Relationships (of all varieties): THERE THERE ONCE WAS A TIME WHEN A ONCE WAS A TIME WHEN A

THREETHREE--MINUTEMINUTE PHONEPHONE CALLCALL WOULD HAVE AVOIDED WOULD HAVE AVOIDED

SETTING OFF THE DOWNWARD SETTING OFF THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL THAT RESULTED IN A SPIRAL THAT RESULTED IN A

COMPLETE RUPTURE.COMPLETE RUPTURE.**

*divorce, loss of a BILLION $$$ aircraft sale, etc., etc.*divorce, loss of a BILLION $$$ aircraft sale, etc., etc.

“‘“‘hard’ is hard’ is ‘soft.’ ‘soft’ ‘soft.’ ‘soft’ is ‘hard.’”is ‘hard.’”

People 1People 1stst

People 2ndPeople 2ndPeople 3rdPeople 3rdPeople 4thPeople 4thPeople 5thPeople 5thPeople 6thPeople 6th

““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)

"If you want staff to "If you want staff to give great service, give great service, give great service to give great service to staff."staff." —Ari Weinzweig, Zingerman's

"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"

… … no less than no less than CathedralsCathedrals

in which the full and in which the full and awesome power of the awesome power of the

Imagination and Spirit and Imagination and Spirit and native Entrepreneurial flairnative Entrepreneurial flair

of diverse individualsof diverse individuals is is unleashed in passionate unleashed in passionate pursuit of … pursuit of … ExcellenceExcellence..

11/45/45

Lesson45:Lesson45: WTTMSWTTMS

WW

Whoever.Whoever.Tries.Tries.The.The.Most.Most.Stuff.Stuff.Wins.Wins.PERIOD.PERIOD.

““We have a We have a strategic plan. strategic plan. It’s called … It’s called …

doindoing tg thinhinggss.”.” —Herb Kelleher—Herb Kelleher

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

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

““We made mistakes, of course. Most of them were We made mistakes, of course. Most of them were omissions we didn’t think of when we initially wrote the omissions we didn’t think of when we initially wrote the

software. software. We fixed them by doing it over and over, We fixed them by doing it over and over, again and again.again and again. We do the same today. While our We do the same today. While our competitors are still sucking their thumbs trying to competitors are still sucking their thumbs trying to

make the design perfect, we’re already on prototype make the design perfect, we’re already on prototype

versionversion ##55.. By the time our rivals are ready By the time our rivals are ready

with wires and screws, we are on version with wires and screws, we are on version

##1010.. It gets back to It gets back to planning versus actingplanning versus acting: : We act We act from day onefrom day one; ; others plan how others plan how

toto planplan——for monthsfor months.”.”

——Bloomberg by BloombergBloomberg by Bloomberg

““Fail.Fail. Forward. Forward.

Fast.”Fast.”High Tech CEO, Pennsylvania

““You miss You miss

100100%%

of the shots of the shots you never you never

take.”take.” —Wayne—Wayne GretzkyGretzky

We Are We Are What What

We Eat We Eat ……

““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

Measure/Manage: Portfolio “StranMeasure/Manage: Portfolio “Stranggeness”/Qualiteness”/Qualityy

StaffStaffConsultantsConsultants

VendorsVendorsOut-sourcing Partners Out-sourcing Partners (#, Quality, Diversity)(#, Quality, Diversity)

Innovation Alliance PartnersInnovation Alliance PartnersCustomersCustomers

Competitors Competitors (who we “benchmark” against)(who we “benchmark” against)

Strategic Initiatives Strategic Initiatives Product Portfolio Product Portfolio (Line extension v. Leap)(Line extension v. Leap)

IS/IT ProjectsIS/IT ProjectsHQ LocationHQ LocationLunch MatesLunch Mates

LanguageLanguageBoardBoardEtc.Etc.

The “We are what we eat”/ The “We are what we eat”/ “We are who we hang out with”“We are who we hang out with”

Axiom: Axiom: At its core, At its core, evereveryy (!!!) (!!!) relationship-partnership decision relationship-partnership decision (employee, vendor, customer, etc, (employee, vendor, customer, etc, etc) is a etc) is a stratestrateggicic decision about: decision about:

“Innovate,“Innovate, ‘ ‘YesYes’ ’ oror ‘No’ ” ”

WeWe Are Are the the companycompany we keep!we keep!

ManageManage it! it!

““TGR”-TGR”-power!power!

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

““May I clean May I clean your glasses, your glasses,

sir?”sir?”

““Let me help Let me help you down you down

the jetway.”the jetway.”

<TG<TGWWandand … …

>TG>TGRR[Things Gone WRONG-Things Gone RIGHT]

2,000,0002,000,000

WOMEN WOMEN BuyBuy! !

WOMEN WOMEN RoarRoar! !

WOMEN WOMEN RuleRule!!

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

**“Women now drive the global economy. Globally, they control about “Women now drive the global economy. Globally, they control about $20 trillion in consumer spending, and that figure could climb as high as $20 trillion in consumer spending, and that figure could climb as high as

$28 trillion in the next five $28 trillion in the next five yyearsears. Their $13 trillion in total yearly earnings could reach $18 . Their $13 trillion in total yearly earnings could reach $18

trillion in the same period.trillion in the 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 ignore or underestimate 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 that are confidant that they have a winning 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 …”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

““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

““Home Depot is still very much a guy’s Home Depot is still very much a guy’s chain. But women, according to chain. But women, according to

Lowe’sLowe’s research, initiate research, initiate 8080 ppercentercent of all home-improvement of all home-improvement

purchase decisions— purchase decisions— esesppeciallecially y thethe bibig g ticket ordersticket orders like kitchen like kitchen

cabinets, flooring and bathrooms. ‘We cabinets, flooring and bathrooms. ‘We focused on a customer nobody in home focused on a customer nobody in home

improvement has focused on. improvement has focused on. Don’t get Don’t get me wrong, but women are far me wrong, but women are far

more discriminating than men,’more discriminating than men,’

says CEO Robert Tillman.”says CEO Robert Tillman.” —Forbes.com—Forbes.com

Sales/Aftersales ProcessSales/Aftersales Process

1.    Kick-off  – 1.    Kick-off  – womenwomen2.    Research – 2.    Research – womenwomen3.    Purchase  – 3.    Purchase  – menmen4.    Ownership – 4.    Ownership – womenwomen5.    Word-of-mouth – 5.    Word-of-mouth – womenwomen

Source: Marti BarlettaSource: Marti Barletta

““AS AS LEADERS, LEADERS, WOMEN WOMEN

RULERULE:: New Studies find New Studies find

that female managers outshine their male that female managers outshine their male counterparts in almost every measure”counterparts in almost every measure”

TITLE/ Special Report/ TITLE/ Special Report/ BusinessWeekBusinessWeek

““Headline 2020:Headline 2020: Women Women

Hold Hold 8080 Percent Percent

of Management and of Management and Professional Jobs”Professional Jobs”

Source: Source: The Extreme Future: The Top Trends That Will The Extreme Future: The Top Trends That Will Reshape the World in the Next 20 YearsReshape the World in the Next 20 Years, James Canton, James Canton

““Power Women 100”/Power Women 100”/ForbesForbes 10.25.10 10.25.1026 female CEOs of Public Companies:26 female CEOs of Public Companies:

Vs. Men/Market: Vs. Men/Market: +28%+28% ** (*Post-appointment) (*Post-appointment)

Vs. Industry: Vs. Industry: +15%+15%

7/17/133

1/8/201/8/20

$8.4$8.4TT

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!““People turning 50 People turning 50

today have today have more more thanthan halfhalf of of their adult life their adult life

ahead of them.”ahead of them.” —Bill

Novelli, 50+: Igniting a Revolution to Reinvent America

44-6544-65:: “New “New Customer Customer Majority”Majority”

Source: Source: Ageless MarketingAgeless Marketing, David Wolfe & Robert Snyder, David Wolfe & Robert Snyder

7/17/133

3030!!

14,00014,00020,00020,000

3030

14,000/14,000/eeBayBay20,000/Amazon20,000/Amazon

3030/Craigslist/Craigslist

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!!

No peacetime generals in No peacetime generals in the history books:the history books: War. War.

Business. Life. Response Business. Life. Response to chaos is what to chaos is what definesdefines

the the ppersonerson//ororgganizationanization in in terms of terms of charactercharacter and and

comcomppetenceetence … … andand breeds breeds lion’s share of lion’s share of innovationinnovation..