THURSDAY HIGHLIGHTS: How to Become an MVP in Business
In business as in sports, the MVP of an organization is the one who contributes the most to helping the team win. In the Thursday morning general session "How to Become an MVP in Business," a pair of successful corporate executives shared their views about the most valuable qualities in the workplace. The panelists were Mel Parker, general manager and vice president, consumer and small office for Dell, and Michael Quigley, vice president, business development and multi-platform distribution for Turner Broadcasting. Marilyn Johnson, vice president, market development for IBM Corporation, moderated the session, which was sponsored by Dell. Noting that he has no background in information technology, Parker said: "Depth, leadership and a lot of other qualities we’re looking for today have little to do with what you’ve done and a lot to do with what you can do." For both Parker and Quigley, your value in the workplace depends on more than more than just your personal accomplishments. "Being an MVP is more than just about achievement, it’s also about your ability to impact," Quigley stated, noting that being able to bring out the best in your team is key. Asked what he considers the qualities of a successful team member, Quigley said: "I want people who can solve problems. If you come into my office and tell me we have an issue, you had better have a recommendation for how to solve it." When he evaluates a recruit, Parker said he looks first for "intellectual horsepower," along with passion, adaptability and integrity. Regarding the latter attribute, Parker is a big believer in the Wall Street Journal test: Can the action you are about to take be reported on the front page of the Wall Street Journal without embarrassing you or your family? |
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