The Renaissance Corporation

September 5, 1997

Dear friend:

An old memory has come back to mind.

The memory comes from my days at KPMG Peat Marwick. I had been invited by a colleague to join her in a most intriguing assignment - one of the region's largest law firms wanted us to help them know why so few women and minorities got to be partners.

As was our custom, we interviewed lots of people - partners, associates, support staff (who often had great insights about corporate life) and a handful of folks who had left the firm. One of those persons - a young Asian-American man - cut to the core of the issue with a single statement.

Each of these partners prides himself on being a Renaissance Man - and maybe he is. But when they come together in the firm they are nothing but a Money Making Machine.

Law firms can be just Money Making Machines. I guess any corporation can. But the truly great ones become much more. They become Renaissance Corporations.

In my work I always try to work with the spirit of the organization. It is amazing how people respond to the opportunity to think not only of themselves, and not only of their departments or their work teams, but of the character of the entire organization.

Sincerely,

Bill