In Conclusion:
The story of Nicolas Estrella and the Estrella Insurance Group is a powerful illustration of the application of authentic leadership in the business environment. Nicolas has built a company focused around a clear value proposition---delivering insurance with respect. Priorities are set within an unambiguous mission to deliver this value. The company attends to doing things right and the numbers follow as a natural consequence of the power of Nicolasīs business idea. While Nicolas has never "launched a company-wide initiative" to build customer loyalty, he has never had to. The entire company is focused on keeping the promise of the brand. That promise, in turn, is so fundamentally important that when customers get a taste, loyalty ensues.
At the Estrella Insurance Group, there is an authentic application of their key values. Those values werenīt selected as an intellectual exercise, after the fact. They arenīt spouted because they make good marketing copy. The vision wasnīt developed as the result of a management retreat. The vision is lived, even when it makes doing the job a little more difficult. Itīs lived in tough times as well as in good times. That is what gives it its power. That is its authenticity. You donīt find cynicism and poor morale at Estrella. You wonīt find a sense of entitlement among the "old hands." People are drawn to the opportunities and to the integrity of the business.
Nicolasīs vision prepares the company to make sound long-term choices. The company doesnīt act to hit short-term targets at the expense of tomorrow. They donīt fight the same fires over and over. People donīt sandbag results this month to gain an edge for next month. His vision of the business as a marathon provides the right perspective for success. People run hard to win this marathon, but they donīt burn themselves out after the first quarter mile.
Finally, success is achieved through exceeding the expectations of the customer. By providing genuine help – giving people what they need without taking advantage, whether they are customers or employees---Nicolas has created a competitive advantage that could never be matched by gimmicks or promotions. During a lifetime in business, he has demonstrated the value of authentic leadership .
Estrella Insurance can be reached at
http://www.estrellainsure.comFBNews.net.
