Creating Exceptional Value

I’m currently enrolled in a class called Creating Exceptional Value: Performance Without Compromise. The class is co-taught by Professors Anjan Thakor and Chuck Knight. Knight is the former CEO of Emerson, a St. Louis-based company that experienced tremendous, sustained growth during his 20+ years at the helm and continues to do so today. While various Emerson executives guest lecture to teach various lessons, the highlights of the course thus far have been the guest CEO speakers.  The list is impressive:

• Charles F. Knight, Chairman Emeritus, Emerson
• Andrew C. Taylor, Chairman and CEO, Enterprise Rent-a-Car Company
• August A. Busch III, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc.
• Sir Robert Horton, former Chairman and CEO, British Petroleum
• Philip J. Purcell, President, Continental Investors LLC and former Chairman and CEO, MorganStanley
• David Farr, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Emerson
• Edward E. Whitacre, Chairman and CEO, AT&T Inc.

So far we’ve heard from everyone but David Farr and Ed Whitacre, both of whom will be speaking in the next two weeks.  While each speaker’s comments have been about creating exceptional value at a business issues like sustainability and the environment have been discussed. In a series of posts over the next few weeks I hope to summarize the various comments made by each of these speakers and share my thoughts. Stay tuned.