Leadership Convention or how to weather the storms

Delegates at the Leadership Convention got a taste of the ‘Windy City” after experiencing a memorable 1st night in Chicago with rain, thunder, lightening and tornado warnings! After the storm sirens stopped, participants awoke to a sunny 2nd day, ready to focus on Sales and Marketing, Customer Service and Human Resources.

In a compelling keynote address, one of ArcelorMittal’s top customers, Sergio Marchionne, CEO, Fiat Group Automobiles, explained lessons learned from the regeneration of the auto company. Marchionne attributes much of Chrysler’s, a subsidiary of Fiat, journey from “chapter 11 in 2004 to chapter 1 in 2010” to a profound cultural change. He also expressed confidence in building a future with Fiat’s partners like ArcelorMittal that is based on respect and mutual esteem.

Showing the diversity of ArcelorMittal’s products, the conversation turned from cars to appliances, as Mike Rippey, President and CEO, ArcelorMittal USA, presented a video about our global partnership with Whirlpool. “The approach we have with ArcelorMittal and the global partnership, is unique within the steel industry,” said Steve McLaughlin, General Manager, Raw Materials Procurement, Whirlpool Corporation. “Together, we have been able to weather some very trying economic times for both companies.”

During the afternoon session, attention was centered on Human Resources (HR) with the panel fielding questions from the audience about HR strategy. “It’s very simple – in 1 sentence – we have to be better than our competitors,” said Gerhard Renz, Executive Vice President and CEO, Long Europe. “I would like to have a new set of 3Cs (formerly Cash, Costs and Customers) as a slogan for our people to build motivation – Cash, Climate and Career.”

Day 2 closed with the visit to the Field Museum where guests learned about climate change and the importance of alternative fuels, recycling and nature conservation. These initiatives reflect ArcelorMittal’s commitment to protecting the environment and also offered food for thought as the delegates wait to hear which sector wins the Environment and Corporate Responsibility Performance Excellence Award on the 3rd and final day of the Leadership Convention.

By Candice Olson, Communications, ArcelorMittal USA