So on Thursday, 26th July on the Universal Studios lot in LA, we have this event, the Executive Lunch & Learn, featuring Ron Myers who is the current president of Universal Studios and COO.
Here's a little something about him:
RON MEYER
President and Chief Operating Officer
Universal Studios
Ron Meyer was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of Universal Studios on August 1, 1995.
Prior to joining Universal Studios, Mr. Meyer was President of Creative Artists Agency, Inc., which he founded in 1975 with four fellow agents from the William Morris Agency. Over the years they built the company into the preeminent talent agency, representing many of the industry's most influential and talented people, and later expanding its range of services to include consulting with leading American and international corporations.
Previously, Mr. Meyer was a television agent with the William Morris Agency from 1970 to 1975. Prior to that, he worked as a messenger at the Paul Kohner Agency in Los Angeles from 1964 to 1970. Before joining the Paul Kohner Agency, Mr. Meyer served in the United States Marine Corps.
He lives in Malibu, California with his wife, Kelly Chapman, and has three daughters and a son..
There are many things to learn from this Q&A Session. We are basically served Subway sandwiches, while waiting for him to arrive. Then once he sat down, it is a Q&A format.
He dropped out of school at the age of 15.
Believes that in current times, education (college, grad school) is important and is used as a floor for employers to assess you.
He is a believer that things will happen if you try to make it happen.
He believes in empowering the people who works for him. He trusts them with key decisions, and if they make the right decisions, he lets them have the credit. If they make a wrong decision, he takes the blame.
His duty as a President is in making sure the enviroment of the company is right for people to work in. A simplified view would be, he would come early in the morning to make sure the office is proper, has everything needed and open the doors for his people to come in and work.
He believe in team work. I asked him a question about his leadership philosophy. He believes that you have to be with your team to show them you are in it together with them. Be the one that talk the talk and walk the walk.
Early on in his career, he has to strive hard for success. Important qualities to have include being dependable. For example, once you said you will do something, make sure you do it. Don't tell someone you will call and don't end up calling. Also, if you tell someone, you will take care of something, make sure that it is taken care of.
Also, always be available. Many people would want to get out of doing crappy and useless chores. He would always think of getting in. Therefore, saying yes to people is the best answer you can give. Be available 7 days a week for people to be able to approach you. Get into situations that others do not want.
One of the biggest mistakes he made during his tenure was to say no to Titanic. He took a few years to get over it.
Overall, in my opinion, Ron Myers is an approachable and likeable guy. He has no airs, and seems like someone who would get his hands dirty together with you. Of course, I have no doubts the amount of hard work needed for success. Also, the kind of shit you would have to take to reach a position as high as his.
