Tech Data
On Friday, we visited the Fortune 200 company, Tech Data. Tech Data is a wholesale distributor of technology products and enjoyed over $24 billion in net sales for 2011. Coincidentally, Tech Data is headquartered in Clearwater, Florida. At the Tech Data facility in San Jose, Costa Rica, we learned about the Costa Rican culture and more do’s and do not’s, as well as, some interesting managerial concepts from our presenter Greg, the General Manager of this operations center.
Costa Rica’s culture offers many unique aspects that make it a breathtaking country to visit and carry out business with. Greg provided a variety of fast facts of the culture. For instance, due to the population explosion over the recent few decades, residents cannot drive their car for one day a week, which helps reduce congestion and pollution. Secondly, Costa Rica has a high regard for the right of employees as it is illegal to fire employees who begin to date each other (it is all about the love). In addition, a person who is from the USA should not refer to oneself as American because if they are America then who is a person from Peru, Belize, or Canada. It is wise for a person from the USA to refer to themselves as a “Gringo/Gringa.” One last do not, is to do not bring calla lilies to a meeting or a greeting as they represent funerals. In Costa Rican culture, there are many, many more do’s and do not’s. All of these are equally important to a person who is not aware and help oneself become more respectful and respected, which is everything in the international business environment.
Greg also shared some of his managerial philosophies that he has put in place to help motivate his team. The first concept is actually the borrowed catch-phrase from Lou Holtz, former Norte Dame football coach, ”Play like a champion today.” This is a sign that Notre Dame football players were to touch before taking the field. Lou Holtz used this sign as a reminder that every player (or TechData employee) is where they are because someone supported each individual to allow them to become the person they are now and has the responsibility to give every ounce of effort and “play like a champion.” Greg has placed this same sign up next to the time-clock, which helps every employee work with determination, focus, and effort. As we toured the facility, we got the goose bumps as we observed all the employees walking by, touching the sign. Another amazing philosophy was Greg’s idea of 212 degrees. He explained that the difference of one degree or one percentage of effort can be the difference of success and failure. In more depth, water does not boil at 211 degrees, it boils at 212. At 212 degrees, water turns into steam, and it is steam that powered trains as countries, like the USA, entered the industrial age and became a world economic power. These two concepts can move mountains and helps companies like Tech Data continue to grow on a global stage.