Balfour Beatty Construction
Company founded in 1909. Balfour Beatty is a world-class engineering, construction, services and investment business. They create and care for essential assets: hospitals, schools, road, rail, utility systems and other major structures.
Balfour Beatty is a world-class engineering, construction, services and investment group.
They employ nearly 35,000 people, who deliver projects that directly improve lives and communities – from hospitals to highways, from railways to water supply systems, schools to power generation and transmission.
They also build, upgrade and manage major road systems in the UK, US, Dubai and Asia.
Balfour Beatty is a major player in the development and maintenance of major and regional airports.
They are also the UK’s leading building and building services company, a leader in the US building market for programme and construction management, and play a key part in the delivery of affordable housing.
Additionally, Balfour Beatty provides facilities management for governmental and private customers and have long-term partnerships with a number of utilities companies to upgrade electricity, gas and water systems.
Their rail business provides high speed electrification and power supply systems, track systems, track components, signalling and plant for network owners across the world.
They are a leading participant in the UK’s privately financed project market, financing, building and operating roads, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure.
I met Jack 20 years ago when he spoke to our company for the first time. At that time I was a Vice President managing around 20 people in our company of 300. A lot of things change in 20 years. Today, I am the CEO of our company, now known as Balfour Beatty Construction, with over 400 full-time salaried employees. Although great leadership and great culture in a company has always been important, the need is far more important to succeed and excel in today’s environment.
One thing that has not changed in 20 years is Jack’s enthusiasm and inspiration. In fact when Jack recently dropped by to spend 15 minutes introducing his new book, People First®, we actually talked for 2 hours catching up on 20 years of experiences. By the end of our meeting I was feeling truly honored by Jack. Jack invited me and several of my executives and key clients to the kick off of his "People Firstt®" seminar. Inspired and honored by Jack, I was determined not to let him down. Little did I know his technique was already working. By the time of his seminar, I was halfway through his book.
Reading his book and being there that day, combined with our companies vision to "Dedifferentiate ourselves so significantly that we change the industry" has brought my focus on leadership and culture to our number one priority. If you want to make a difference, do not miss reading People Firstt® by Jack Lannom. Thank you, Jack, once again for stepping into my life.
Raymond C. Southern, Division CEO
Dear Jack, I want to thank you for sharing your knowledge on how to be happier in life, both at home and work. I have always thought of myself as a person who appreciates even the smallest things, but I didn’t even realize that I didn’t show my Thankfulness for them. I have been blessed with 4 children between the ages of 6 and 31 years old. I believe that I have truly instilled the wisdom of "Yes, I Believe in you, Thank you, I need you and I am Proud of you" to them. Obviously, my teaching of these necessary "sayings," has impacted their personal lives as my two oldest have imparted that wisdom on my 4 grandsons as this knowledge was passed on to myself and my siblings. I can hear my mother, even now, saying "Do Unto Others as You’d have done unto you." If want to be told you are needed, be needed. If you want to be told "Thank-you", do something thankful. If you want someone to be proud of you, Do something to be Proud of. That is just the way I was brought up. However, I have been somewhat neglectful in carrying this knowledge into my "outside of the home" environment. I do, however, without even thinking about it Thank people for their efforts or knowledge. But I neglect most of the other important encouraging words such as, "I need you," "I am proud of you," and "I believe in you." This is not to say that I don’t feel that way, but it has not been vocalized by me. After attending only 3 of the People First® classes, I now know that Everyone needs to hear those words! Lately, I have been training myself to say these words, and with the knowledge received in the People First® book, the Leadership Manual, and the information received during the classes. In time, these words will become as natural to say as the simple "Thank you" has been for me. If only everyone, everywhere, could read your book, or attend one of your seminars the entire world would be a nicer and happier place to live. Things would be just how children see the world -- It’s fun to go to work! People are really good inside! I want to help people! If I make a mistake, I will learn from it and try again. Thank you is such a small word to say how much "People First®" has and will have on my journey through life, but I truly do mean it, THANK YOU! Now let’s Celebrate Life!
Lynda Langhoff, Project Accountant
Here is one of my favorite lines of the book (starts on page 68): "If you want your Purpose Partners® to operate at maximum effectiveness, you must not allow them to view their jobs in isolation; they must understand how they contribute to the big picture. There should be no ‘little people’ and no ‘little places’ in your company. Show each individual how his or her job contributes to the success of the organization. Give meaning to what they do! The operative word is connection." As someone who is a "big picture" thinker, this line really clicked with me. Thanks for writing the book! Regards.
Jennifer Randall, CRIS, Risk Manager- Florida Division
I wanted to take the time to say "Thank you" for what historically you have always done. The Message that Jack is getting out with his People First® approach is something I truly feel upper management has conveyed since my very first day with this company. You guys have always done an amazing job at making me feel like I matter. I couldn’t imagine working for any other company.
I am excited to put into practice this approach and really look forward to see the results of all of us getting on board.
Tiffany Smith, Sr. Project Accountant
Thanks again for your introduction to "People First®" ... I look forward to reading your book as well as attending the future training courses. From the feedback of some other people I think this will be a great benefit to our company and, more importantly, each other.
Bruce Capon, LEEDd AP, Chief Estimator
When life presents difficult or challenging situations, a negative attitude never helps or improves the outcome. However, having a positive attitude most certainly will" I believe this is the context of the quote we spoke about today. The quote is certainly not the most eloquent but it’s basic essence is very true and one I can attest to over my 20 plus years of business experience.
Kent Long, Senior Vice President - Business Acquisition Group
I found the book not only pertinent to business but to all other aspects of life. The concept of seeing people with MMFI (Make Me Feel Important) written across their foreheads is revolutionary. If everyone had this attitude that they were going to treat other people with significance, respect, and kindness, it would change the world.
James Turner, Senior Project Manager
I have to start with saying just how much I enjoy being witness to you express your exuberance for life and passion for this initiative at these classes. Admittedly, I was skeptical when I first heard about the People First® initiative. I/we are now half way through the People First® series of classes. It has had a tremendously positive impact on my relationship with my wife and children. Simply put….We are having meaningful conversations again, not just taking to one another! I truly believe that if you take the People First principles to heart the same will be true with you.
Chris L. Long, Operations Director
Thanks again for your introduction to "People First®" ... I look forward to reading your book as well as attending the future training courses. From the feedback of some other people I think this will be a great benefit to our company and, more importantly, each other.
Bruce Capon, LEEDd AP, Chief Estimator
Good afternoon Jack: I was thinking of you this afternoon as I arranged my Certificate of Completion on another wall in the office. I am so proud to know you, and the experience that you gave not only me, but Ray and our company. I cannot begin to tell you the differences I see everywhere now. Even if someone has not had the class, there are those of us that have and it is working for them through all of us. I hope there is another time when I will get the chance to see you so I can thank you in person myself.
Thank you for giving us permission to be ourselves.
Sandra Kyser, Project Accountant
Samuel Veersamy
When I first met Veer in Ft. Myers and saw the love he openly demonstrates for all of his co-workers, I thought this guy is a People First® person and I want to showcase him on our website as a great example of the People First® Philosophy at Balfour Beatty.
Jack Lannom, CEO, Lannom Worldwide
