Wednesday in Atlanta

Here is my schedule for training in Atlanta for Wednesday:

7 AM - 8 AM - Breakfast

8 AM - 9 AM - Overview of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability given by John Downs, Vice President of Public Affairs & Communication

Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability benefits the business by:
1. capturing operational efficiencies, innovate, & eliminate waste
2. drive employee engagment
3. exceed customer expectations
4. meet new trends in business
5. enhance the company's image and reputation
6. please shareholders

There are 5 parts to Coca Cola's Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability program:
1. Energy conservation
2. Packaging and package recycling
3. Water stewardship
4. Promote a balanced and active lifesty through a diverse product portfolio
5. Provide a diverse and inclusive culture in the workplace

When we met for big presentations, we met in the ballroom pictured below. The stage was decorated with coke cases. The table clothes changed everyday. Today was green because we learned about recycling. On the table, there are empty coke bottles filled with jelly beans. Instead of applause, we were suppose to shake the bottles of jelly beans. Today we all wore matching t-shirts. They are red, have a Coca Cola bottle on the front and say "give it back."

9 AM - 12:15 PM - CRS Sessions -We had sessions for each CRS "initiative." In the water stewardship session we learned that 1 Liter of Coca Cola takes 1.7 Liters of water to produce. The goal is to reduce that number to 1.3 Liters. In packaging, we learned that last year the company took out a few grams of aluminum in the can lids, saving 500 Million pounds of aluminum. In the Balanced and Active Lifestyle session, we learned that Coca Cola voluntarily pulled soft drinks with sugar and calories out of high schools and junior highs. So the only Coca Cola products in schools are water, juice, and diet drinks. In elementary schools, there is only water and juice. Also, the company is about to launch a "clear on calories" campaign by putting the number of calories on the front of all packages, on vending machines, and on soda fountains in order to help consumers make healthy choices. In the diversity session, we learned about "affinity groups" that we can join in the workplace: Enterprising Women, Gay & Lesbian @ CCE, African American Business Organization, CHISPA (hispanic group, I don't remember what it stands for), and Young Professionals.

12:15 PM - 1:30 PM - Lunch - today everyone in the South Business Unit (Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas) ate at the same table because the Business Unit Sales Manager of the South Unit was in Atlanta, and he ate with us. Just to give you an idea, here is how the chain works:

1. Truck Driver - delivers the coke

2. Merchandiser - delivers coke, sets up coke displays, makes sure all the signs are correct

3. Account Development Manager - sells coke to businesses

4. Market Development Manager - sells coke to businesses, brings in new business *this is what my position is equal to

5. District Sales Manager - brings in new business, manages other managers, has a few cities in territory *this is what I will be in 2 years

6. Sales Manager - District Sales Manager's boss, in charge of multiple areas, has many cities in territory

7. Business Unit Manager - in charge of an entire business unit - this is the man who met with us - he is in charge of all sales for Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado

Above this point, you become a Vice President. He had some great words of wisdom for us. He told us to always ask for more responsibility and volunteer for special projects in order to gain more experience/knowledge.

1:30 PM - 5 PM - Service Project - We went to Freedom Park to clean up the area. Freedom Park is a HUGE park that runs along one of the major highways in Atlanta. We split up into groups. I was in the mulching group. My group shovels mulch onto the base of trees. In Atlanta, after it rains, the moisture evaporates quickly. So we put mulch at the base of trees to absorb and hold water for the trees. Other groups painted light posts, cleaned up trash, and cleared out burrows created by homeless people.

5 PM On - We had free time the rest of the night. Dinner wasn't provided. Some people went out to eat, but our group was working on our presentation at 7 PM. So most of us ordered room service and showered. We met from 7 PM - 11 PM to work on our presentation. Each group had a different topic to present. Our topic was the company's Operating Framework. The Operating Framework includes the vision statement, values, and goals & objectives. There were about 15 members of our group....it was hard to reach consensus because we are all leaders. Too many chiefs....not enough indians.