Henkel Corporation | Culture

Culture >
Community Partnership Day Greeting Cards Send a Card Receive a Card Quotes Duck Tales Spirit
History >

Duck Tales

March/April 1998

Moving to a Bigger Pond

We´ve done it, folks. Manco, Inc., has moved to a far bigger pond - and the temperature´s great, so come on in! In January, The Henkel Group of Germany acquired a majority interest in Manco.

With over 245 companies in 60 countries, The Henkel Group is the world leader in adhesives, oleochemicals, and surface pre-treatment technologies--not to mention a leader in detergents, consumer personal care, and cleaning products. The company proves that you can be successful and still not lose sight of what´s important in life. During my visit to Düsseldorf, the Henkel leadership exhibited a genuine warmth and humanity that allowed this bird to fly home with fire in his belly.

Imagine a $13 billion corporation with the same sense of community and commitment to values as a $170 million company. What makes Henkel such a success is not just its annual revenue, but its ability to balance its global outlook with its sense of self. Which leads me to the next topic:

A Balancing Act
Stress is inescapable. Especially these days, when technology, restructuring, increased competition, and globalization come flying at you faster than you can say Duck Tales.
Consider that the average software program is used to only 35 percent of its capacity. So many new technologies and tools enter the workplace that no one can possibly master them entirely, and that causes even more stress. How do we handle the daily pressures of work? How do we connect with our human and spiritual sides and not feel like we´re stuck on a treadmill? Balance.
Napoleon said, "Morale is to material as three is to one." Maintaining your morale is the most important thing you can do for your well-being. When stress emerges, you might try to work smarter or delegate more. But the best thing you can do is pause. Listen to your thoughts and your heart before taking any action. Whether you pause for 10 minutes or go on a 10-day vacation, you need that time to renew your sense of self and purpose.
When our days overflow with obligations and we rush from one appointment to another, we only make matters worse. We need to slow down, take a deep breath, and listen to the voice within.
The Time Squeeze
Many Americans say managing their time is more challenging than managing their money. The Sunday drive, chats with the neighbors, and leisurely swims in the pond (for those of us with feathers) seem to be things of the past. Part of the problem actually stems from our increasing reliance on technology. All the pagers, e-mail, voice mail, and fax machines make it possible for us to work around the clock. And many of us hard-working souls feel guilty when we don´t do precisely that.
Consider that the average American puts in an extra 163 hours per year today than in 1969. Part of that rise in hours can be attributed to more women in the work force; still, 32 percent of us, according to a Wall Street Journal survey, work 50 hours or more each week.
But the way the Duckster sees it, many of us buy into the myth that we can have and do it all. "People are just going to have to make some decisions about what they´re not going to have in their lives," says one time-management expert. Once we acknowledge that we´ve got to let some things go--that we don´t have to be super heroes--we actually can reduce the stress associated with "having it all."
Serving the Community
If we ask ourselves what is worth doing in life, surely one answer will include giving back to the community. A new study finds that a resounding majority of U.S. business executives say that volunteering in their community is a way of life. Sixty-five percent of respondents aged 25 to 29 say they participate in community work, with 10 percent serving on nonprofit boards. Of those between 50 and 54 years old, 85 percent are involved in their communities, with 70 percent serving on boards. Overall, 81 percent of business executives and managers surveyed say they are significantly involved in the nonprofit sector.
Why are so many business leaders adding extra obligations to their already-hectic schedules? The major reasons, they say, are because they believe in the nonprofit´s mission and they feel a sense of responsibility to the community. In addition to personal satisfaction, some volunteers report that they also gain professional benefits from their volunteer work. Their participation exposes them to new contacts and ideas, allowing them to enhance their leadership skills in ways that are not possible on the job.
In fact, many businesses are encouraging their junior and senior managers to become involved in nonprofit organizations. Senior executives say that managers can develop not only leadership and management skills, but also expertise in mission and policy development and interpersonal skills. "Volunteering in the public sector is a win-win-win situation for managers, their companies, and nonprofits," says the study´s head researcher.
Silence is Golden
The ability to listen is the most important communication skill of all, say Stuart Levine and Michael Crom, authors of The Leader in You. It is also the one communication skill most people employ the least often. To be an effective leader, however, and to truly place people first, few techniques work as well as these listening skills:
Asking questions. Exploring an idea is often more important to people than hearing answers. Even if you are an expert in something, don´t give in to the temptation of telling people everything you know--try asking questions instead. People need to think through a problem and arrive at their own conclusions.
Encouraging others to talk. If you´d like to get to know someone--be it a new acquaintance, a fellow employee, or a customer-let them do the talking. What better way for you to learn what´s really on their minds? Listening is not only the first step toward learning people´s needs, it´s also a step toward winning their trust.
Letting them disagree. When you don´t share someone´s opinion, it´s tempting to jump in and give your own viewpoint. But don´t--not yet, at least. Listen closely to what the other person is saying and wait for the speaker to finish. Not only does this show the proper respect, but it encourages the other person to listen to your point of view.
Managing Technology
In many businesses today, technology is in the driver´s seat, creating opportunities and information at an unprecedented pace. How do managers lead these information- and technology-driven organizations? "Management as usual" no longer applies.
As technology speeds by, managers must become more disciplined. The sheer volume of information produced by technology can be daunting. Managers must decide what to review and what information should become someone else´s responsibility. Leaders should focus most of their energy on building customer relationships--not only because people should come first, but because solid customer relations is one of the most effective tools for gaining competitive advantage.
Technology also demands more "by-the-seat-of-your-pants" decision making. Managers who are used to basing decisions on forecasts find rapidly changing technology often makes that impossible. "In many instances, these are things for which it is very hard to predict the return on investments," says one expert. "You have to believe in the concept." Managers must be transformers, leaders who can take a company through changes at a rapid pace. Technology is advancing so quickly that the results are often unpredictable, thereby rendering many long-term strategic plans ineffective. The best-performing companies are those that build strategies for several scenarios. They also move quickly to exploit technology that will give their organization a competitive advantage.
Lessons From a Dog´s Life
Life doesn´t have to be overly complicated. Dogs have the right idea. They know how to enjoy life and they appreciate the simple things, like good food and a cozy place to sleep. Consider a few more things that the rest of us might improve on if we follow a dog´s example:
Offer comfort to those in need. Sit next to them silently and listen to what they have to say. Go outside at least once a day and let the fresh air rejuvenate you. Run and play every day. Find joy in taking a long walk, perhaps with a friend. Eat when you´re hungry, sleep when you´re tired, and stretch before you rise.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. Be loyal to people you love. Be true to yourself. When loved ones visit, rush to greet them at the door. Take every opportunity to do something that brings joy to others.
How´s that for learning from another friend from the animal kingdom?

Sincerely, Your Friend
Manco T. Duck