 Lou Pritchett is one of corporate America's living legends--an acclaimed author, dynamic teacher, and highly rated speaker. He is recognized worldwide as the foremost leader in change management. As the individual who created the concept of "Partnering," he revolutionized the way America does business. His boundless emphasis on putting people first and other down-to-earth values helped Lou rise from traveling soap salesperson to Vice-President of World Sales at corporate giant Procter & Gamble. Over the course of 36 years, he became the "Agent of Change," making sure P&G's success would continue in the future. He even spent three years in Manila as President of the corporation's Philippines subsidiary. In 1987, Lou boldly engineered an adventuresome partnership between two corporate titans. He talked Sam Walton, founder and chairperson of Wal-Mart, into a canoe ride on the rapids of the Spring River in Arkansas. By the end of the ride, they agreed to change the way America did business. Pritchett believes that the absence of customer-supplier trust and integrated systems will be the leading cause of business failure and bankruptcy. In the new game, which will be played in the new century, companies that continue the traditional 'we sell & you buy' relationship will find costs soaring and difficulties gaining an audience with future decision makers. After his retirement in 1989, Sam Walton and a New York agent encouraged Lou to begin spreading the Gospel of Change. Since then, he has become one of America's most popular speakers on customer partnering, change management, the impact of information technology, and the importance of a strong work force. In addition, he authored the acclaimed book, Stop Paddling & Start Rocking the Boat (Harper Collins, 1995). His presentations, always delivered with humor and enthusiasm, have inspired long-established Fortune 500 companies and upstart entrepreneurs alike. Ralston Purina, Anheuser-Busch, Whirlpool, and The Harvard Group are just a few of the many that have learned from Lou how to survive and succeed in this world of global economic revolution.
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