One common characteristic many CEOs display in rough times is to focus inward instead of looking outward. It is easy to ignore the plight of others during this economic recession, especially when we all have our own challenges. However, counterintuitive thinking sets the stage for success when everyone else is doing the "expected".
Take for example, Darryl Rosser. Perhaps you may not be familiar with him, so I'll introduce you. Darryl Rosser is the CEO of Sagus International, a corporation whose stationery's tag line reads "Transforming Environments, Improving Results". You might wonder then what kind of company this is. Sagus International provides high quality furniture to classrooms, science research facilities and special event and conference facilities.
The day after President Obama delivered his first address to Congress on February 24, 2009, Darryl Rosser knew he had to do SOMETHING to help. In President Obama's speech, he read a plea letter from an eighth grade student from J.V. Martin Junior High School in Dillon, S.C, asking Congress for help for her school which had nasty and dilapidated furniture. Darryl Rosser's response was to take action, but he did it without a lot of fanfare. His corporation and a host of volunteers surprised the students and faculty at this school by donating, delivering and setting up close to 2,000 new pieces of furniture on tractor-trailors and putting finishing touches of paint over the weekend so that the kids would arrive on Monday to a virtually new school. The total cost for the furniture, shipping and labor setup is estimated at $250,000.
The students were elated when they came to school that following Monday! One math teacher at J.V. Martin Junior High School said the new furniture transformed her classroom, and the band teacher was excited because the ergonomic chairs would improve students' posture and sound.
Mr. Rosser and Sagus International received numerous accolades for this generous contribution. The exposure to his company has grown immensely. In a reply letter that I received from Mr. Rosser, he said that Sagus International, like most companies is feeling the impact of the economy, particularly with reduced furniture purchases resulting from slashed educational budgets. However, in the spirit of a much bigger cause, he felt compelled to help those in need when he heard the plea for assistance from that eighth grader, in the President's address. Now that's what I call an Executive Example!
Until next time,
Laura
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