ISM opens 93rd Annual Conference
By Purchasing Staff -- Purchasing, 5/5/2008 1:36:00 PM
More than 2,000 attendees are here in St. Louis this week to attend the Institute for Supply Management’s 93rd Annual Conference. They are here to attend workshops on topics such as Green purchasing, spend management, ethics, negotiations, forecasting and more. Additionally, they are here to network and take certification exams.The opening keynote address was Sunday. The mission of an opening keynote address is to charge up conference goers for the events ahead. Who better to do that at the 93rd Annual International Supply Management Conference than Brigadier General Nick Halley?
Halley, whose 30-year career in the military includes three combat commands (Vietnam, Grenada and Iraq), first reminded attendees of the importance of their mission: “Supply management may be the most critical part of the operations at your company.”
Such a critical operation calls for good leadership, he said. And “leadership determines your future and your company’s future. If your company’s strong, then your country’s strong. That helps ensure prosperity for the future.”
Drawing on his combat experience, Halley recommended that supply management pros be dedicated, study accepted principles of leadership and apply them to their own situation. To do that, he offered up these three tips:
1. You have to be able to control your ego. (It’s okay to have one.) There are people to help you control your ego. When they do, try to have a sense of humor about it.
2. Be a good listener, and be open to unsolicited advice. Have your antenna out for advice from unexpected sources. You will learn a lot.
3. Lead by example. People are watching to see if you do this. They need to see you as a leader in their hearts and minds.
For more coverage direct from the show floor at Institute for Supply Management meeting in St. Louis, go to the landing page for Purchasing.com’s coverage here.
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