Nov 25, 2017
Phil Friedman was a Soviet Union refugee who arrived in the U.S. back in 1976, speaking almost no English but well-versed in computers. He searched the ‘Help Wanted’ section of the newspaper and lands a job at one of the oldest manufacturing companies in NYC, where he is praised and consulted for his computer skills.
Against his wife’s advice and knowing he might be fired, he
wrote a four-page memo and pitches his new boss on backing a
computer outsourcing company called CGS.
Today, Phil is still the CEO of CGS, a global provider of business
applications, enterprise learning, and outsourcing services, but
the company now employs more than 7,500 professionals across the
world.
We talk about his inspirational immigrant entrepreneur success story but also tackle the following topics:
- Why you shouldn’t hedge your bets on one product or service
M&A deals. - Why success lies in finding a leadership fit over a technology fit.
- The CEO’s role in recruitment: how to avoid bad hires that can make or break businesses.
- The top five skills you need to be an entrepreneur that no business school can teach you.
- Why STEM education will be critical for future U.S. business leaders