The Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company

On February 14, 1924, the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company changed its name.  International Business Machines Corporation was born that day.

IBM.  Big Blue.  Was here to stay.

From that point on … with big dreams, strong principals, and a belief in the future, Thomas Watson with his “THINK” mantra ushered in an AMBITION OF POSSIBILITIES. 

This ambition and belief in the future grounded Watson to meet disruption like the Great Depression head on, during which he continued to focus on the long-term by investing in people, manufacturing, and technological innovation.

In the midsts of disruptive times, this leader of leaders was committed to sustain generational results.

While unemployment in the U.S. rose to 25% for example, Watson continued to hire and against prevailing doctrine opened the IBM Schoolhouse providing education and training for IBM employees. Leadership is about decisions.  And certain decisions like those made by Watson, have generational results.

Long-Term Thinking In A Short-Term World

Elisha Gray and Enos Barton formed Graybar in 1869.  Maybe not coincidentally, one of this distributor’s core values is … Long-Term: View believing that long-term success is more important than short-term gain. 

This is a great principal for a Fortune 500 company like Graybar and independent tightly held businesses.

Managing for today’s results, while insuring lasting success and stability for future generations is what leaders are called upon to do.

Graybar CEO, Kathy Mazzarella puts it this way:  “Our objective as an organization is really to make sure Graybar is around for another 100 years plus.”

Can you think of other leaders who think like Kathy? 

Thinking of your life’s work for the long-term, in a short-term world really does set you apart.

The Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company

On February 14, 1924, the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company changed its name.  International Business Machines Corporation was born that day.

IBM.  Big Blue.  Was here to stay.

From that point on … with big dreams, strong principals, and a belief in the future, Thomas Watson with his “THINK” mantra ushered in an AMBITION OF POSSIBILITIES. 

This ambition and belief in the future grounded Watson to meet disruption like the Great Depression head on, during which he continued to focus on the long-term by investing in people, manufacturing, and technological innovation.

In the midsts of disruptive times, this leader of leaders was committed to sustain generational results.

While unemployment in the U.S. rose to 25% for example, Watson continued to hire and against prevailing doctrine opened the IBM Schoolhouse providing education and training for IBM employees.

Leadership is about decisions.  And certain decisions like those made by Watson, have generational results.

While unemployment in the U.S. rose to 25% for example, Watson continued to hire and against prevailing doctrine opened the IBM Schoolhouse providing education and training for IBM employees.

Leadership is about decisions.  And certain decisions like those made by Watson, have generational results.

Long-Term Thinking In A Short-Term World

Elisha Gray and Enos Barton formed Graybar in 1869.  Maybe not coincidentally, one of this distributor’s core values is … Long-Term: View believing that long-term success is more important than short-term gain. 

This is a great principal for a Fortune 500 company like Graybar and independent tightly held businesses.

Managing for today’s results, while insuring lasting success and stability for future generations is what leaders are called upon to do.

Graybar CEO, Kathy Mazzarella puts it this way:  “Our objective as an organization is really to make sure Graybar is around for another 100 years plus.”

Can you think of other leaders who think like Kathy? 

Thinking of your life’s work for the long-term, in a short-term world really does set you apart.

Sustain Generational Results

Sustaining your life’s work requires that your business is strategically committed to the long-term and is making decisions and investments accordingly.

From the very beginning as he was creating Amazon for example, Jeff Bezos has continually spoken of and led by the virtues of long-term thinking.  In his original 1997 Letter To Shareholders he planted his flag with this main point – we can’t realize our potential as people or as companies unless we plan for the long-term.

A group of distribution CEO’s I am working with have called this thinking … FOREVERNESS.

Foreverness is a mindset that insures leadership is focused on continuing the business forever.  As such they are not simply focused on the next 12 months or even 3 years, but are continually setting the conditions for the next generation’s success.

So how do you set these conditions?

Your Life’s Work Success Path Includes Sustaining Generational Results

As you lead your organization to sustain generational results, here are some key milestones you’ll want to pursue:

1. Define the inherent inertias holding your company back from needed change
   
2. Identify your organization’s ambition for the future
   
3. Define your company’s Brave Point of View
   
4. Redefine your value proposition to break the sameness trap
5. Innovate your business model to meet the changing needs of the market and customers

Your life’s work … you’ll even want to write a manifesto for your company’s next 50 – 100 years.  That’s where Kathy is thinking.

The distribution leaders I have been hanging with lately – those that have some form of transition to the next generation in sight tell me they will be fulfilled knowing their life’s work has had meaning during their tenure, but … importantly will live on … way beyond their retirement party.

As parents and business leaders I guess … Having that AMBITION of POSSIBILITIES … wanting those who follow us to have a better life.  Well, that’s My Life’s Work in perspective.