as seen in KSU’s The Sentinel
By Karen Pressley
Kennesaw State University students and faculty who heard the UPS executives speaking at Coles College of Business recently learned more than just “What can Brown do for you?” In this standing-room only lecture on Jan. 17, 2007, two Vice Presidents shared significant steps that enabled UPS, the world’s largest package delivery company, to be recognized in the “100 Best Corporate Citizens of 2006” by Business Ethics Magazine. Companies are ranked on performance in eight categories including share-holders, community, governance, diversity, employees, environment, human rights, and product.
Vice President for Organizational Development, Amy Whitley, and Vice President for Compliance, Steve Donovan, offered strong insights to Business majors on building a successful corporation. The two VPs, who started out as UPS drivers 23 years ago, are representative of UPS philosophy where employees are considered the greatest asset. “We emphasize talent management—and give our staff exposure to all aspects of the business so they can discover their strengths and achieve their full potential within UPS,” Whitley said. “Honesty, integrity, and mutual respect is what keeps UPS competitive,” Donovan said.
It’s easy to see why UPS is acknowledged as a leader in “corporate citizenship.” Their desire to help people start and expand businesses stems from their humble beginnings in 1907 when they began delivering packages by bicycle. Today, with the global objective of ensuring that “no one in the world is isolated unless they want to be,” Donovan and Whitley showed how UPS puts the power of their global network to work for the people. UPS delivers 14.8 million packages and documents to 7.9 million customers daily, which adds up to 3.75 billion packages and documents delivered in 200 countries annually, yielding a $42.6 billion annual revenue. With more than 427,000 employees, UPS is the world’s third largest employer. Even while operating at such a huge scale, they focus on expanding their capabilities to help people grow their businesses, from home-offices run in the basement, to employing musicians to tune the Fender guitars they ship for their manufacturers.
Donovan described UPS’ unique “corporate sustainability report,” the only one of its kind in their industry, which contributed to their recognition. “It informs our customers and shareholders what we do for our public and the environment. We share things like facts about our safety record, our use of fuel-alternative vehicles, and what we do for our employees.” Copies were provided to every attendee as a model for successful communication.
Since package transportation is a male-dominated industry, Whitley helps employees expand through the “Women’s Leadership Initiative.” Women are networked together through a sisterhood-type system of mentors and buddies. Employees draw support and encouragement from panel discussions which help with things like work-life balance and gender role issues. Whitley believes employees grow from discussing problems common to all of us, and the unity that comes from working together in a common effort. “Men benefit from attending our panel discussions too, because this helps them deal with work-related issues they face with their wives, daughters, and mothers.”
Whitley observes characteristics and trends in today’s work force, like the role that courage plays in making ethical decisions. “The college-age generation today is idealistic, and wants to make a difference in the world. They’ve grown up hearing about terrorism, and they’ve seen their parents get terminated after years of service to a big company. They’re courageous about questioning authority, and are more likely to become entrepreneurs and leaders who won’t settle for circumstances that dictate their lives.” Whitley encourages students to work with mentors or follow role models that encourage growth and success through ethical choices.
The Siegel Institute for Leadership, Ethics and Character co-sponsored Whitley and Donovan as featured guests in the Coles College of Business Tetley Speaker Series to provide leadership models for KSU students. Dean of the Coles College of Business, Dr. Timothy Mescon, created the Tetley Series 17 years ago. Whitley’s appearance at KSU holds the distinction of being the ninth woman in 117 Tetley speakers over its 17-year history.
The Tetley Lecture featuring the UPS executives can be accessed at: http://coles.kennesaw.edu/KSUColes/
CurrentStudents/TetleyLecture/tetleyStreaming.htm.
The Siegel Institute Newsroom
Kennesaw State University
The Siegel Institute for Leadership, Ethics and Character
1000 Chastain Road
MD 5500 – House 55
Kennesaw, GA 30144-5591
www.siegelinstitute.org
Phone: 678-797-2000
Fax: 678-797-2205
Karen Pressley, Institute Relations
Email: Karen_Pressley@kennesaw.edu
Phone: 678-797-2000
