 "Photo: Photo courtesy of Daniel Holloway")
BB&T Corporation spoke at the Lewis College of Business as part of the BB&T Discussion on American Capitalism Lecture.
John Allison, chairman and former CEO of BB&T, talked to Marshall students, faculty and members of the BB&T West Virginia Group about BB&T’s community missions, principles and values.
“Our No. 1 mission is making the world a better place to live in,” Allison said. “You do not have to do this by feeding kids in Africa; you can do this by providing quality products and services.”
According to Allison, BB&T’s principles driving employees include the capacity to think, belief in authority, productivity, honesty, integrity, teamwork and self esteem.
“These core values can dramatically improve decisions that you make,” Allison said. “You have to have principles in means to success and happiness.”
Allison said students must develop concepts and commit to learning.
“People are missing what life is if work is a burden for them,” Allison said. “You need a sense of purpose in your work and ask yourself are you really helping the world.”
Allison said some of the banks fail because they are not abiding by values and principles and are becoming greedy.
“Lots of companies want to be able to say my bank is bigger than your bank,” Allison said. “It’s their bad behaviors that drive their results. When you have a purpose it drives beliefs, which will drive good results.”
Allison said he admits to making mistakes while working for BB&T, but he wouldn’t change anything he has done.
“I have made many mistakes and misjudgments, but it is what you do with your mistakes that makes you successful,” Allison said. “Admitting to your mistakes helps you to stay in focus.”
Students said they enjoyed the lecture and thought it was insightful.
“I felt that his speech was cohesive and that it actually made sense to students,” said Brandon Smith, freshman undecided major from Huntington. “It wasn’t just another boring lecture about business values that no one could relate to.”
“He stressed the value of ethical values of running a business that’s what I really liked about it,” said Tyler Rowland, senior finance major from Ashland, Ky. “He seemed to run a very structured organized bank.”
Chong Kim, dean of the Lewis College of Business, thanked Allison for taking the time to talk on Marshall’s campus.
“We are very grateful Allison spoke to Marshall students and faculty today,” Kim said. “Everyone can walk away learning something.”
Deanna Bailey can be contacted at bailey360@marshall.edu.
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