Lookin' Good

The view of 2002, opportunities for 2003

A new year has begun – a fresh start from what has proven to be a challenging time in the business world. For many, it's a chance to start anew … a chance to establish ethical, manageable and sensible corporate objectives; to learn from the past and flourish in the new year.

For others, it's a chance to build upon an already solid foundation. For SAS, it's a foundation forged out of the best business intelligence software ever written, decades of double-digit growth and an unmatched commitment to customer success. We think we can safely say that our foundation is as strong as any – built by leadership that continues to inspire innovation and creativity in the workplace.

But don't take our word for it. In its 35th anniversary issue, Computerworld magazine heralded SAS co-founder Dr. Jim Goodnight as a pioneer and visionary, interviewing him about the future – and benefits – of data analytics. The magazine calls him an "IT headliner."

On television, too, SAS' Goodnight recently appeared as a pioneer. Said Morley Safer as he introduced a segment for 60 Minutes, "In a time of outrage over corporate greed, we found a place where the CEO treats his staff like royalty." The story covered SAS' workplace benefits and the resulting low turnover rates that save the company millions of dollars every year. Unlike many corporate executives, Goodnight is free to invest in a workplace that fosters loyalty. "As a founder of a privately held company, he answers to no one… no shareholders, no board of directors, no clutch of Wall Street analysts," explained Safer.

The SAS "culture" that 60 Minutes captured so well also earned recent coverage in the UK's Sunday Telegraph, Canada's Financial Post, on CNBC Europe, CNN and others.

To Goodnight, there is a clear connection between a satisfied work force and a contented customer base. As he summarized in the 60 Minutes interview, "If employees are happy, they make customers happy. If customers are happy, they make me happy."

That mindset is what makes SAS such a great place, for employees and – we hope you'll agree – for customers alike. We hope you, too, are enjoying the view of 2002, and are looking forward to the opportunities of 2003.

Diana M. Levey
sas com Editor-in-Chief

Matthew Barnason
sas com International Editor