Ivan Seidenberg: Biography

Ivan Seidenberg has been in a key leadership role at Verizon since 2000 (Anonymous, 2011). While in his leadership role, Ivan Seidenberg has led Verizon into a global network and Verizon has built out their network into a nationwide industry (Anonymous, 2011). Ivan Seidenberg is sixty-three years old and has a bachelor’s degree in math and a master’s degree in business administration (Anonymous, 2011). Prior to working with Verizon, Ivan Seidenberg was a chairman and chief executive officer of NYNEX and Bell Atlantic (“2010 Fortune 500”, n.d.). Ivan Seidenberg created Verizon by combining Bell, NYNEX, GTE, and MCI. He also created Verizon Wireless by combining Bell Atlantic, GTE, and Vodafone Air Touch (Anonymous, 2011). Ivan Seidenberg was the Co Chief Executive Officer in 2000, then in 2002 he became the Chief Executive Officer, and then Chairman in 2004. In 2007, Former President G.W. Bush appointed Ivan Seidenberg to the National Security Telecommunications Committee (Anonymous, 2011). In June 2010, President Obama appointed Ivan Seidenberg to the President’s Export Council (Anonymous, 2011).

The export council advises the President on how to promote U. S. exports, jobs and business growth. Status of Diversity within the Organization DiversityInc. rated Verizon Communications number one in diversity for 2009 (“Corporate responsibility”, n.d.). Verizon was also recognized for their recruitment and retention which ranked 2nd of the businesses that participated in DiversityInc’s survey. In 2010 Verizon dropped to 11th in diversity from Diversity NC’s survey (“DiversityInc top 50 companies for diversity”, 2011). DiversityInc reviews 4 categories for their ranking of companies. Those categories are; CEO commitment, Human Capital, corporate and organizational communications, and supplier diversity (“DiversityInc top 50 companies for diversity”, 2011). DiversityInc began their list in 2001. The review of diverse companies is subjective and only applies to those companies that participate in their survey. Verizon has attempted to distinguish themselves from other companies by being an inclusive company that supports their employees, and expects tolerance of differences. Verizon’s successful culture and business model is attributed to the top down leadership style that Ivan Seidenberg has enforced at the organization. Philosophy Ivan Seidenberg has created an organizational philosophy of; what we do makes a difference (“Corporate responsibility”, n.d.).

Ivan Seidenberg believes his organization should use technical, financial, and intellectual resources to make a difference in communities (“Corporate responsibility”, n.d.). The current organizational philosophy is to expand their accessibility, and deploy faster and better broadband connectivity in our communities. Ivan Seidenberg has created a philosophy at Verizon that technology and innovation will transform communities, and even individuals (“Corporate responsibility”, n.d.). Strategies The strategy that Verizon has used is very simple and basic. They believe that investing will create opportunity. Investing not only in capital product, broadband, and secure fiber, but also investing in the employees. Verizon has a diverse employee base, low turnover, and excellent benefits for their employees (“Corporate responsibility”, n.d.). Ivan Seidenberg supports his active military employees and if they are deployed, Verizon will pay the difference of their salary (“Corporate responsibility”, n.d.).

The strategy to invest in your employees has paid off for Verizon as they have reported positive growth in the 4th quarter of 2010. Verizon is working on expanding their 4G network as well as increasing their business market (“Corporate responsibility”, n.d.). Ivan Seidenberg believes that by developing all areas of Verizon’s footprint, they will continue to dominate the market and use the momentum to show gains through 2011. Ivan Seidenberg is also conscientious about the interest of consumers to have greener products and less of a carbon foot print. Verizon has worked on reducing their impact on the environment and they use greener products (“Corporate responsibility”, n.d.). Goals Ivan Seidenberg, as the leader of Verizon, has ensured the company has a strong ethical code and governance. Verizon has a human rights policy and they encourage full transparency with all companies they partner with, and with their employees (“Corporate responsibility”, n.d.).

Ivan Seidenberg’s goals for Verizon are to continue forward with their current momentum and increase their earnings from 4th quarter 2010. Verizon has also established a Verizon Foundation. This foundation helps provide scholarships, grants, and education to the community. Ivan Seidenberg would like to continue this program and ensure that Verizon continues to work on the social issues that impact their communities (“Corporate responsibility”, n.d.). Current Status Business week ranted Verizon number 4 for top performing companies, return of investment, and sales growth in 2009 (“Corporate responsibility”, n.d.). Verizon is continuing to excel has a company as they recently increased their broadband footprint, won the negotiations to offer the IPhone4 to their customers, and they reported a positive growth in their cash flow for the fourth quarter of 2010 (“2010 Fortune 500”, n.d.) .

Verizon has continued to push forward with positive gains even when many other companies are showing a loss in revenue, minimal gains or even having to close their doors. Verizon is an exception to most large organizations. Verizon focuses on pleasing their customers to create customer loyalty and to attract new customers to their products. With this type of success the leader of the organization must be recognized. Ivan Seidenberg has created an environment at Verizon that is welcoming to all. This has allowed for better recruitment and retention of minorities. He has also supported family and military deployments by paying the difference in salaries on deployed military employees. Ivan Seidenberg also believes in ethics and integrity at all levels in his organization. Ivan Seidenberg’s investment in his people has created a return in company profit and while he is leading the company, Verizon will continue to soar.