An Inspiring Talk by Christopher Hyman

On the 26th of February (Tuesday) 2013, Epsom College invited the Chief Executive of Serco, Mr. Christopher Hyman to talk to us about the company he works in as well as his views and opinions towards having a vision, a strategy and a clear set of values in a business. 

It all started in 1994 where Mr. Hyman was headhunted by Serco to become the European finance director, and in 1999 he was made group finance director. In 2002, his hard work has paid off, allowing him to become the chief executive of Serco. Serco improves the quality and efficiency of essential services that matter to millions of people around the world. The work they do for national and local governments involves  the most important areas of public service, including health, education, transport, science and defence.

In his speech, Mr.Hyman started off with the importance of having a vision and a strategy. He mentioned that the difference between the two is that a vision is a focus, or an aim; whilst a strategy is how you're going to achieve that aim. He mentioned that in every business it is very important to have a vision and a strategy, and somewhere along the lines he seems to be hinting that having a vision and a strategy in life is also as important. In my opinion, the talk given by Chris Hyman was very inspiring in a sense that he was very passionate for the company that it came through his speech. He was willing and able to stick to his values and principles and at the same time encouraging social responsibility and leadership. He also picked up on teamwork and how the people around him helped and supported him to where he is today, and he mentioned: "If you want to go quickly, go alone; if you want to go far, take someone with you."

To me, he was very intellectual, opinionated and ambitious man with a right mindset in which he made me reflect on how I carry out the things I do in my life. For example, he talked to us about knowing how to choose between the wrong and the right, and having the integrity in yourself to make the right decision. He told us the difference between honestly and integrity in which honestly is telling the truth to others, whilst integrity is about telling the truth to yourself.  By doing so, we are able to look at negative situations with a positive outlook. In business, it is very important to have the right intentions as well as making the right and honest decision in which it may affect the people around you including our own self.

Overall, it was a fantastic night with an inspiring speaker, Mr. Christopher Hyman, who left me motivated to learn to look at situations in a different perspective as well as understanding that there is no substitution for hard work. I believe that Mr.Hyman has taught us all to be more responsible, self-motivated and passionate in the things we do. By doing so, we are able to channel that passion and motivation towards our careers in the future.