SPRINGDALE, Ark., Sept. 29, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The leadership principles that transformed a small northwest Arkansas feed and hatchery business into the world's largest poultry company is the subject of a new book.
The publication is a collection of research-based stories and information that identify the leadership qualities of former Tyson Chairman and CEO Don Tyson, as well as other former and current Tyson leaders. The title of the book is "I Refuse to Have a Bad Day," which is one of Don's favorite sayings.
"Don's road to success... was not a freeway of inherited wealth or years of post graduate work..." wrote Paul Whitley, author of the book and former Tyson vice president who now lives in Texas. Don is someone "who learned experientially and by a lifelong pursuit of knowledge. He became one of the foremost effective and results-driven transformation leaders in the food industry."
Tyson Feed & Hatchery generated sales of $1 million when Don Tyson joined the board of directors of his father's company in 1952 and reached $11 million two years after Tyson opened its first poultry plant in 1958.
The company's most dramatic growth in the poultry business took place in the 1960s, 70s and 80s when Don led the company through a series of acquisitions as well as the development of new products, capitalizing on growing consumer demand for chicken. As a result, company revenues exceeded $5 billion by the time Don stepped back from day to day management in 1995.
"My philosophy was simple," Tyson wrote in the foreword of the book. "Satisfied workers satisfy customers and satisfied customers satisfy shareholders."
Don Tyson was not alone in his efforts to successfully create a fully integrated poultry company. As noted in the book, now retired Tyson executives Leland Tollett and Buddy Wray each had important roles. "They had skills and abilities I didn't have, but knew we needed to grow the business," Tyson said.
"For most of forty years, these three men from Arkansas merged their unique and diverse leadership and management skills to grow a small chicken company into a global giant," Whitley added.
The book covers a variety of key principles and practices Don Tyson and others at the company successfully used over the years. They include some of the following subjects:
* Learning to learn, work and lead
* Finding the talent to build a great organization
* Building customer loyalty
* Developing organizational integrity
* Designing a growth strategy
* Investing in science and technology
* Focus on training and development
Whitley's new book can currently be purchased through www.Amazon.com and is expected to be available for sale at select bookstores within the next few weeks.
Because the Future Farmers of America (FFA) helped prepare Don for his career in agri-business, 1,000 copies of the publication are being donated to FFA chapters in Tyson plant communities across the country. Don, Leland Tollett and Buddy Wray were each active members of the FFA in high school.
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and food service markets it serves. Tyson provides products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries. The company has approximately 104,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.
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