Mark Hurd

Mark Hurd is a seasoned leader who became President of NCR Corporation in 2001, before joining Hewlett-Packard in 2005. Under Mark Hurd’s leadership, both companies began turning profits after he improved efficiency, built stronger business leaders, and eliminated waste. He was named one of Fortune Magazine’s 25 Most Powerful People in Business in 2007.

As an individual, he is well-known for his cost-cutting capabilities and ability to shore up inefficiencies, all while embracing innovation and modernization. Before Mark Hurd designed alternative business methods, he first had to identify what about was inefficient about current processes.

Businesses aim to run flawlessly with no wasted opportunities. The symptoms of an inefficient business include, but are not limited to the following:

• Complaints from customers about poor service or poor product quality
• Frustration and negativity within the work environment
• Work being neglected or duplicated
• Work bottlenecks
• Increased business cost and/or wasted resources

Mark Hurd provides these tips for replacing some of Seattle’s biggest business inefficiencies:

1. Document the current processes and analyze it to understand the purpose it was designed to serve.
2. Design several new process alternatives, evaluating each one for continued improvements.
3. Develop the case for how the alternative is better and develop plan for its approval and implementation.
4. Continue to look at alternative processes and remain receptive to the innovative ideas of others.

As a CEO, Mark Hurd appreciates analytical data. Identifying inefficiencies are difficult when processes are not properly documented. This is a greater problem when work is complex and has remained the same for long periods of time. However, Mark Hurd believes this is one of the largest mistakes companies can make because there is no way to quantify the process’s efficiency. Additionally, if businesses do not follow the documented processes then data is unreliable and possibly outdated. This can be very wasteful explains Mark Hurd, because there may be unseen redundancies in a business.

When redesigning processes to increase efficiency, eliminate waste, and cut costs, it helps to speak to people directly involved in the process. Mark Hurd believes it is important to incorporate their ideas and insights into new process designs. After brainstorming and hearing from personal insight, analysis into risks, costs, and effects can be examined.

In the end, resolving inefficiencies may mean cutting labor, changing the roles of management, incorporating technology, or eliminating entire processes completely. Mark Hurd stresses the importance of continued monitoring. The process may take a while to adapt to and further changes may still be necessary.

Many teenagers and young adults watch successful businessmen and businesswomen wear fancy clothes, drive in expensive cars, and go to upscale parties. They imagine what the high life would be like as a successful executive. They dream of money and all of that money can buy, and wish for the success that has been bestowed upon others. What many of them never recognize is that those successful people once had the same dreams before turning them into realities.

Mark Hurd was one of those dreamers. So were many of the famous figures of business technology. They worked hard, had an idea, and then discovered how to turn that idea into a profit. They saw needs in society that others missed, and they found themselves able to fill those niches. Mark Hurd and others like him followed the examples and advice of those that came before them, the men and woman whose faces could be found on the covers of Fortune and Forbes Magazines.

For Mark Hurd, the journey to success was not short, and it was not easy. He put in a lot of long hours and had some unsatisfying days before making his dreams come through. But Mark Hurd and others like him have long known that in order to make your dreams come true, you have to work as hard as you can and never give up. That is why Mark did not quit his job as junior salesman at NCR when he likely deserved a much higher position.

Instead, Mark Hurd worked to become the best at the job he was given, and once he had done that he was promoted, and given a new challenge. With every new position and new responsibility, Mark could feel himself getting closer and closer to his dreams. Those dreams were still a long way off, it was true, but Mark Hurd was not going to give up.

In 1994, after 14 years of performing in various sales, marketing, and management positions, Mark Hurd was promoted to Vice President of one of NCR Corp’s larger divisions. He performed well, as he had always done, and was named COO of the division and President of NCR Corp as a whole. His dreams were finally coming to fruition.

Mark Hurd was named the COO of NCR Corp in 2002, and after only a year was named CEO, making him the President and CEO of the company where he had worked for 23 years. In 2005, Mark Hurd had led NCR Corp to incredible success and growth. The company grew nearly $300 million dollars (up 6%). A few years later he was offered a position at Hewlett-Packard as President and CEO. He took the position. Even at HP Mr. Hurd was able to increase their revenue nearly 63%!

When the name Mark Hurd began to show up in the lists of Fortune, Business 2.0, and Forbes, it was evident that his dream had been realized. Mark Hurd at last attained success. He worked hard, he worked long, he devoted his life to the business of technological advances, and he became successful.

Many people would consider this to be the culmination of his dreams. But the thing about dreams is that they must always evolve. Success is a great dream to have, but far better than success and wealth is excellence. Mark Hurd led HP with an attitude of excellence, and continues to do so as the President of Oracle Corporation today. It can only be assumed that Mark Hurd will continue to pursue excellence for a long time to come.

Overall, one the best businessman working today. We are including his revenue performance chart below. As you can see it’s impressive work.

**Inspiration piece submitted to inspire Seattle residents to make big moves in their careers. Dream big and be your best at everything you do.