CVS Caremark executives and NEW discuss best practices
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
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Posted by: Rob Wray
More than 100 CVS Caremark executives discussed leadership opportunities, career development and networking best practices with representatives of the Network of Executive Women June 29 at the firm’s Woonsocket, Rhode Island, headquarters.
CVS Caremark CEO Tom Ryan opened the event and greeted NEW’s representatives, who included Bobbie O’Hare, vice president of new business development for Johnson and O’Hare Companies, and Anne Fink, vice president and general manager of PepsiCo Sales.
Ryan focused on talent development and the value of cross-functional experience. "Leaders play a critical role in talent development by providing open, honest and frequent feedback, " he said. He challenged the group to reflect during their annual performance review on the three things they did well and three things they could have done better. "Ask your supervisor to answer these same questions about your performance, compare notes and you will gain valuable insights,” he said.
Joan Toth, the executive director of NEW, explained how the Network’s programs and resources could help employees build new skills, learn best practices and expand their influence within the company and the industry. She introduced panel leader and long-time NEW supporter Barb Hartman, a retired P&G executive and founder of GoBeyond, LLC.
Hartman began the panel discussion with a story about the value of networking. After being tapped to manage the drug store channel at P&G, Hartman was excited to make her first sales call. All did not go smoothly, she recounted. When she met with Tom Ryan, he spent two hours telling her what was wrong with P&G’s business. "I learned I would have been much more effective if I had networked internally to learn the business issues before the meeting.”
Advice from the front
The panel represented multiple functions and divisions at CVS Caremark, and included one guest, Anne Fink of PepsiCo. CVS Caremark panelists included: Lisa Bisaccia, vice president of human resources; Sara Finley, executive vice president and general counsel; Bari Harlam, vice president of customers, interactive marketing and signature services; Diane Nobles, senior vice president of compliance and integrity and chief compliance officer; Natalie Pons, assistant general counsel; and Donna Sams, vice president of corporate systems.
"Leaders know their strengths and what they like to do,” Harlam said. "They put people in positions around them that complement their strengths and maximize the team’s ability to win. Strong leaders reach out to others to connect and learn from their experiences and discuss best practices.” Nobles said, "It is very important to build relationships before you attempt to build engagement around your business initiatives.” Finley added that "to build relationships, be visible, be consistent and make it clear what you expect.”
Strong leaders help their companies navigate through change, noted Fink. "Great leaders are change agents and they focus on driving continuous improvements to keep their organizations strong and competitive. Get everyone on your team to be as passionate about change as you are. Communicate the compelling reasons for change and then capture both the minds and hearts of employees to sustain and execute it.” Bisacci advised the audience to "prepare for difficult discussions and recognize what you can control.” Sams remarked that "Difficult discussions require more listening than talking. If you are not being heard, change your approach.” Underwood reflected on her career and said, "Take calculated risks and don’t let geography limit your career. Pons talked about the impact of mentoring relationships. She said, "Look for mentors that act like good therapists — they don’t provide the answers but ask good questions to help you formulate your own opinions and answers.”
Janine Dempsey from CVS Caremark’s office of diversity and inclusion managed the event along with K.J. Payette, vice president of organizational development and talent management and NEW Client Services Director Nancy Krawczyk. Dempsey closed the event by thanking the panelists and asking everyone to network actively during the reception. Priscilla Eskridge, the director of diversity and inclusion said, "We plan to execute other networking events at our other locations to build our internal network across divisions and support the evolution of 'one culture' here at CVS Caremark. We plan to leverage the Network of Executive Women’s resources and valuable connections to help us strengthen our industry reputation as leaders of diversity and inclusion.”
Julie Hamilton (left) shares a laugh at the NEW Executive Leaders Forum with Network President Alison Paul, past presidents Kim Betts and Helayne Angelus and President-Elect Michelle Gloeckler. More
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