Adriano to students: Follow your passion
When Kim Adriano compares her new job as corporate controller at Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world, which is based in Bermuda, with her former position as corporate controller at SC Johnson in Racine, several cultural differences stand out. Bacardi Limited's headquarters are considerably smaller (75 people as opposed to SCJ's 1,000); parking is more communal--assigned spaces at SCJ, a small garage at Bacardi (leave your keys in the car, please), and lunch in Bermuda is a group affair.
"A company's culture is shaped by many things, big and small," Adriano said.
Learning the culture of a company, as Adriano is in the process of doing, is one of the eight principles of success she shared with University of Wisconsin-Parkside students during her recent Executive in Residence session on campus.
Saying it was "humbling to come back to the same halls I walked years before many of you were born," Adriano ('79, Business Management) spent 22 years with SC Johnson before joining Bacardi in 2008.
She said the eight principles, which she characterized as "intangible skills," complement what the students learn in class.
"I imagine your professor and advisors have told you that the technical knowledge you acquired during your UW-Parkside years is only a portion of what you'll need to succeed. I'd like to reinforce that message. That knowledge only gets you into the game," Adriano stated.
The eight principles--integrity, culture, opportunity, expertise, initiative, humility, the ability to distinguish yourself from the pack, and passion--are the difference makers between two equally qualified job candidates and apply "in any company, at any job, at any time," she said.
Quoting Dwight Eisenhower's assertion that the supreme quality for leadership is unquestionable integrity, Adriano said "Integrity provides the framework for all that you will do. It will be present in every act, every decision, every thought. Integrity guides you to do the right thing."
She encouraged students to seek a mentor when learning the culture of a company. She said someone who has "been there" can explain to a new employee whether a company is formal or informal, relationship based or accomplishment driven, whether it takes a team approach or values individual contributions and more.
"Make friends," Adriano advised, "they are invaluable coaches and resources."
While admitting that a little luck never hurts, Adriano said opportunity is often a matter of making the best of your work situation, seeing tough assignments as a chance to excel and raise one's personal stock in a company.
Expertise, Adriano said, ties into the expression "you're the expert."
"It actually isn't when you think you've mastered your job; it's about when others think you have mastered your job! There's a point in time when you pass from being new in the job to being the expert."
Taking the initiative is another success word to Adriano. Taking the initiative means taking the lead and making something happen. She said initiative takers show they are committed, that they are self starters, and that they are thinkers.
"Take my advice," she advised, "take the initiative."
In explaining humility, Adriano urged students to celebrate their successes but also to learn from their mistakes. "The only mistake you can truly make is to not learn from your mistakes," she said.
While being humble, Adriano told students they must distinguish themselves from the people they work with in order to succeed. "You need to set yourself apart from other employees. Develop your 'product plus;' why you are different and best for the job," she said.
As for her eighth key to success, Adriano said passion is what separates people who have jobs from people who have careers.
"Simply said, as you embark on your careers, you need to follow your passion," Adriano said. "Don't select a career for the money; don't select a career because it's what your parents want you to do. Select a career because it gives you purpose and defines who you want to be."
Adriano was the latest major business figure to present an Executive iIn Residence (EIR) program. Administered by Dr. Fred Ebeid, dean of the university's School of Business and Technology, the EIR strives to give UW-Parkside students the opportunity to learn from and question business leaders.