Xerox president stresses importance of great leadership
Burns had a hand in turning an almost bankrupt company around - restoring its global status
Lauren Dillard
Issue date: 1/11/08 Section: Diversions
Those who were at the LaSells Stewart Center last night might never think the same way about a Xerox machine again.
Ursula M. Burns, the president of Xerox Corporation, visited OSU Thursday to give the College of Business Dean's Distinguished Lecture.
"Ursula started at Xerox as a student intern 28 years ago," said Ilene Kleinsorge, Dean of the College of Business. "This is a perfect example how you can get a leg up in a company."
Titled "Lessons of Leadership: Bold Bets and Back to Basics," Burns' lecture described lessons learned from Xerox, in addition to focusing on specific things people should remember to do in their careers, whether business related or not.
"What I say relates to businesses and any other institution that applies to people," Burns said.
The Xerox company went from being extraordinarily successful in 1998 to almost bankrupt in 2000 due to a combination of negative factors.
Since then, however, Xerox has made a complete turnaround, and is now back to being a globally successful innovative company.
"In 2000, we were hemorrhaging on every single front," Burns said. "Every one of us had to roll up our sleeves and save Xerox, and after that journey make sure that we were set up for success."
In this journey back to success, Burns learned six key things that she explained to audience in detail.
The power of communication, culture, the importance of having a simple vision, the power of people, putting the customer at the center of everything and valuing leadership.
Burns especially stressed her last point about leadership.
"You don't know how important leadership is until you come face to face with a terrible leader," Burns said.
"Bad leadership can cause serious damage almost overnight. Business author Jim Collins looked at companies that had great success, and found that the thing all of them had in common was great leadership, no matter what they were selling."
Ursula M. Burns, the president of Xerox Corporation, visited OSU Thursday to give the College of Business Dean's Distinguished Lecture.
"Ursula started at Xerox as a student intern 28 years ago," said Ilene Kleinsorge, Dean of the College of Business. "This is a perfect example how you can get a leg up in a company."
Titled "Lessons of Leadership: Bold Bets and Back to Basics," Burns' lecture described lessons learned from Xerox, in addition to focusing on specific things people should remember to do in their careers, whether business related or not.
"What I say relates to businesses and any other institution that applies to people," Burns said.
The Xerox company went from being extraordinarily successful in 1998 to almost bankrupt in 2000 due to a combination of negative factors.
Since then, however, Xerox has made a complete turnaround, and is now back to being a globally successful innovative company.
"In 2000, we were hemorrhaging on every single front," Burns said. "Every one of us had to roll up our sleeves and save Xerox, and after that journey make sure that we were set up for success."
In this journey back to success, Burns learned six key things that she explained to audience in detail.
The power of communication, culture, the importance of having a simple vision, the power of people, putting the customer at the center of everything and valuing leadership.
Burns especially stressed her last point about leadership.
"You don't know how important leadership is until you come face to face with a terrible leader," Burns said.
"Bad leadership can cause serious damage almost overnight. Business author Jim Collins looked at companies that had great success, and found that the thing all of them had in common was great leadership, no matter what they were selling."
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