Categories: Leadership/Management

Dow CEO Andrew Liveris Discusses How Companies Can Adapt to the Speed of “Live”

On Thursday, Dec. 4, Andrew Liveris, CEO of Dow Chemical, flew in from Washington, after meeting with President Obama and other members of the U.S. Business Council, to open Chief Executive Group’s 2014 CEO2CEO Summit at the New York Stock Exchange.

As the keynote speaker, he had some very insightful things to say to our mid-market CEO audience. Here is a round-up of his comments:

“We are traveling at the speed of ‘live’.” Companies must be flexible enough and open-minded enough to keep up.

Since the changing of the Senate guard, “the tone in Washington has changed. If we could get some of the initiatives in Washington going in the right direction we could really grow the U.S.”

“If you don’t protect your future earnings, there will be no future. We’re ‘short-term’ to a fault in this country. My advice: Go private.”

“The common denominator [to success] is always the people quality.”

“We’re setting the highest standard now because, in the future, there will be even higher standards.”

“High school diplomas for assembly lines are so yesterday.”

“If you can’t innovate faster than [your competitors] are commoditizing your products, you’ll get run over….  Manufacturing is an innovation-centric activity.”

“Productivity is great, but it kills innovation.”

 

 

 


Chief Executive

Chief Executive magazine (published since 1977) is the definitive source that CEOs turn to for insight and ideas that help increase their effectiveness and grow their business. Chief Executive Group also produces e-newsletters and online content at chiefexecutive.net and manages Chief Executive Network and other executive peer groups, as well as conferences and roundtables that enable top corporate officers to discuss key subjects and share their experiences within a community of peers. Chief Executive facilitates the annual “CEO of the Year,” a prestigious honor bestowed upon an outstanding corporate leader, nominated and selected by a group of peers, and is known throughout the U.S. and elsewhere for its annual ranking of Best & Worst States for Business. Visit www.chiefexecutive.net for more information.

Share
Published by
Chief Executive

Recent Posts

Beyond The Buzz: How The Mid-Market Can Unlock AI Outcomes Not Hype

In today’s economy, speed wins. Insight wins. Execution wins. And the companies that can’t deliver…

4 hours ago

Doing Deals In Times Of Turbulence

Why now is the moment to act.

4 hours ago

How CEOs Are Redefining Success In Their Second Act

The University of Chicago Leadership & Society Initiative offers a bold new path—helping leaders harness…

4 hours ago

A CEO State Of Mind—In County Government

Why companies like Nokia are betting on Middlesex County, New Jersey—where smart governance meets private-sector…

3 days ago

How Kardex Remstar Is Working To Build American Automation

The warehouse automation equipment maker is investing in a strong supply chain by building production…

3 days ago

Six Questions To Bring Insight Back To Strategy

Strategy processes are getting squeezed. Answering these questions will set you up for building and…

3 days ago