Graduate Delivers First Hallene Lecture

"Being on this side of the class is certainly different than sitting out there," said Mark Hogan, the inaugural Alan M. Hallene Lecturer in the Technology & Management Program and a graduate of the College of Business . And change was the theme through out his speech, "Awakening the General: A Passion for Being the Best-Again."

The "general" that Hogan referred to is the General Motors Corporation, for whom the Illinois alum is now Group Vice President for advanced motor vehicle development. And the awakening referenced both the struggles that GM experienced during the 1980s and early 1990s, and their current market resurgence.

Hogan's speech capped the first day of his two-day visit as the first Alan Hallene Visiting Executive/Scholar. The annual Hallene Program provides T&M students and faculty with the opportunity to discuss real-world application of their studies with experienced professionals.
Among the ideals Hogan said he has learned through his experience with GM, is that, while the market is as risky as it was "100 years ago…you need a willingness to take risks." And, noted Hogan to the audience of approximately 250 students, faculty, and university administrators, "an even greater risk is not pursuing the risks."

Hogan also offered a list of 10 qualities that make a great leader, including the real-world philosophy that, "getting everyone to like you breeds mediocrity," as well as simple, yet overlooked, qualities like "challenging the old ways of doing things."

The latter quality is one the executive has come to value most in his current position with GM. According to Hogan, his department is currently producing new concept vehicles for GM-the industry volume leader-in as little as 18 months. Since entering advance vehicle development, the new Hummer H2 is one of many vehicles on which Hogan has worked.

In revitalizing the company, Hogan said GM has made a conscious effort to change their public image. Among the changes still to come will be six new cars on the Chevrolet line and an all-new Buick line. Hogan believes the new design and attitude of the company have helped overcome their shortcomings of the 1980s, when he said the company was "blind to the changing environment."

" We're all judged on how we're perceived, which trails reality," said Hogan, explaining the importance of changing the public's perception of GM.

During a closing question and answer session, Hogan imparted a last piece of advice about business that cannot be stressed enough.

"The most important lesson I learned from Illinois was interpersonal communication," said Hogan. "[Executives] ultimately succeed or fail because of their ability to communicate with their employees and consultants."