Posted on 05/18/2005 12:55:52 PM PDT by My Favorite Headache
A message from PepsiCo’s President & CFO, Indra Nooyi
I recently had the privilege of speaking to the 2005 graduating class of Columbia University’s Business School in New York City.
Recognizing that these talented new leaders will influence both America and the world, I tried to provide some advice as they embark on their careers.
I chose to speak about the powerful role that America, and we as Americans, hold in the world today. I hoped to encourage these graduates to be sure they make a positive and personal difference as representatives of our great country.
In my comments, I used the analogy of a human hand to illustrate that people in countries around the globe need to join together to make the world work in harmony – just as all the fingers of a hand work together. It is an illustration that I learned when I was a student, and that I have shared with others on many different occasions.
As part of this illustration, I assigned five of the world’s continents to the different fingers and thumb. I refer to North America and particularly the U.S. as the middle finger because it is the longest and anchors every function the hand performs. The middle finger also is key to all the fingers working together effectively. That is how I view America’s place of importance in the world.
The point of my analogy was to emphasize America’s leadership position. Equally critical is the need for each of us as citizens to take a constructive role in whatever we choose to do in life to ensure the U.S. continues as the world’s “helping hand.”
Unfortunately, my remarks at Columbia University were misconstrued and depicted in a different context as unpatriotic. Although nothing could be further from the truth, I regret any confusion or concern that I may have inadvertently created. As I shared with the audience at Columbia, this country that I am proud and honored to call home is a “promised land” that I love dearly. I would never say or do anything to detract from our great nation and its people who have done so much for so many, including myself.
Thank you for your understanding and allowing me to set the record straight.
Indra K. Nooyi President & CFO, PepsiCo
If this person thinks we're all so stupid to fall for this, then Pepsi needs a wake up call. I bought a bottle last night; it's my last one.
mebbe when her apologies approach those of the president of harvard, we'll listen. but for now, i don't do pepsi.
http://pepsico.com/Speech-ColumbiaBusinessSchool.pdf
This link has the full text of her speech.
Right, she still hasn't release the transcript.
http://pepsico.com/Speech-ColumbiaBusinessSchool.pdf
To be fair yes she has....it is right here
Coke sure is tasting better all the time.
I prefer RC..
Opps. Thanks, I withdraw my prior post.
Opps. Thanks, I withdraw my prior post.
IKN -- Columbia Business School Graduation 1
5/15/05
Columbia Business School Graduation Remarks
Indra Nooyi, President and CFO, PepsiCo
May 15, 2005
---Snip ----
This analogy of the five fingers as the five major continents leaves the long, middle finger for North America, and, in particular, The United States. As the longest of the fingers, it really stands out. The middle finger anchors every function that the hand performs and is the key to all of the fingers working together efficiently and effectively. This is a really good thing, and has given the U.S. a leg-up in global business since the end of World War I.
However, if used inappropriately –just like the U.S. itself -- the middle finger can convey a negative message and get us in trouble. You know what I’m talking about. In fact, I suspect you’re hoping that I’ll demonstrate what I mean. And trust me, I’m not looking for volunteers to model.
Discretion being the better part of valor … I think I’ll pass.
What is most crucial to my analogy of the five fingers as the five major continents, is that each of us in the U.S. – the long middle finger – must be careful that when we extend our arm in either a business or political sense, we take pains to assure we are giving a hand … not the finger. Sometimes this is very difficult. Because the U.S. – the middle finger – sticks out so much, we can send the wrong message unintentionally.
***Unfortunately, I think this is how the rest of the world looks at the U.S. right now. Not as part of the hand – giving strength and purpose to the rest of the fingers – but, instead, scratching our nose and sending a far different signal.***
I think she's especially fond of her middle finger.....
I often misconstrue someone giving me the finger. I think they are saying something nasty, but in reality they are saying, "You are Number One with me! I am proud to be your friend."
Pepse tastes icky anyway. Real men drink Coke.
How does such a fool become President and CFO of Pepsi? Does this mean that I'm being patriotic when I give her the finger?
Same here - never could stand that other stuff.
How bout' a Fresca!
To say nothing of the most rudimentary of biological knowlege.
I assume every knows that the opposable thumb is the main and unique feature of the human hand; and hence the most important finger. Without it, the hand is useless.
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