Gore... You’ll Want to Work Here
by Neil Sandler
neil@spokesmagazine.com
Bob Gore stretches PTFE
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Bob and Vieve Gore
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Warning: Do not read this story unless you are willing to give up your job, sell your home and move to the north eastern corner of Maryland that abuts Delaware to go to work for one of the world’s most innovative companies.
Almost invisibly housed in 17 mid-sized comfortably crafted buildings, some almost hidden from the main roads in wooded parkland settings the "corporate campus" of W.L. Gore & Associates is not a campus at all but rather a corporate culture spread out over a 10 mile radius in and around Elkton, Md., and Newark, Del.
Spending a day in one of these campus buildings a visitor quickly learns that Gore works hard at cultivating an environment where creativity can flourish. How does this happen?
Bosses? There are no bosses here at Gore. Instead just 200 co-workers or associates (hence the company name W.L. Gore & Associates) who you get to know on a first name only basis. Titles, senior vice president of this, executive VP of that, not here. No job titles. Okay not entirely, there is a company president and CEO. Open and honest, one-on-one communications is the key to W. L. Gore’s success.
Gore works hard at maximizing individual potential. With the guidance of "sponsors" not bosses, associates commit to projects that match their skills. Sponsors help associates chart a course in the organization that will offer personal fulfillment while maximizing their contribution to the enterprise.
Leaders at Gore may be appointed, but they are defined by "followship." More often, leaders emerge naturally by demonstrating special knowledge, skill, or experience that advances a business objective.
Your boss? No boss. Just 200 co-workers or associates (hence the company name W.L. Gore & Associates) who you get to know on a first name only basis. Titles, senior vice president of this, executive VP of that, not here. No job titles. Everyone is "an associate." Okay not entirely, there is a company president and CEO. Open and honest, one-on-one communications is the key to W. L. Gore’s success.
(for more, click on "Current Issue," top left)
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Associates at W.L. Gore in Elkton, Maryland
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Pro racer Levi Leipheimer autographed Lois' prized bike jacket
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TRISPOKES
by Lisa Kilday
D.C. Triathlete Aims for 2012 London Olympics Via Egypt
“The only way to find out if you’re the best is to go to the Olympics in 2012.”
Thirty-year-old D.C. resident Omar Nour declared his intentions to compete in the Olympics despite being an amateur triathlete without a single podium win. Nour only has two seasons of triathlon under his belt, but he hopes that he can “walk on” the Egyptian National team. Nour is a native of Egypt who lived for several years in Lausanne Switzerland before moving to the United States as a teenager for high school in suburban D.C. His track record, although short, is impressive.
Omar told SPOKES that his philosophy is to go “All Out All The Time.” His 2009 results include: 2nd Amateur Male at Eagleman 70.3, 3rd Overall Dextro Energy Triathlon (Age Group), and 6th Overall Male at Nation’s Triathlon. He received a 2-minute penalty during the bike that knocked him off the podium at Nation’s. Omar reflected on his Nation’s performance positively and stated that he would rather go fast than be cautious. Omar’s Nations Triathlon time is also noteworthy because he spent the entire month of September fasting for Ramadan. Omar worked out at 3:00 a.m. because he could not eat or drink during the day.
Although Omar has a background in high school cross country and one year of collegiate running at Johns Hopkins University, he was relatively sedentary until three years ago. In 2006, his friend challenged him to compete in a triathlon while both were smoking a shisha, a flavored tobacco pipe from the Middle East. Being a risk taker, Omar agreed to race in the Nation’s Triathlon. At the time, Omar was 6’3” and weighed 220 pounds. Nour told SPOKES that he had not worked out since his freshmen year as a cross-country runner at Georgetown Prep High School.
(for more, click on "Current Issue," top left)
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Team In Training
Cyclists members of Team in Training of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society are training locally for upcoming rides in Tucson, Arizona and the SeaGull Century in Salisbury, Md., this October. This group did the "covered bridges" ride in northern Maryland recently. For details on how to get involved contact Ben Clausen of TNT at ben.clausen@lls.org.