Don’t quit
Stroup has received confirmation as to the success of his plan each year at the company’s annual board meeting.
“Every year, we’ve revisited the list of strategic issues and opportunities,” Stroup says. “We have not changed any of our issues and opportunities. We have exactly the same list. It gives our associates confidence that we are working on the right things. And if we continue to execute well on those things, we’ll continue to deliver the kind of improvement we have over the last three or four years.”
Under Stroup’s guidance, Belden’s revenue has risen from $1.25 billion in 2005 when he took over to $2 billion in fiscal 2008.
Even though the company has made great strides, Stroup says you have to always be pushing for more.
“We can only declare victory if two things happen,” Stroup says. “One, there is really a process that has been developed that is sustainable. And secondly, it’s in fact delivering the expected result. You cannot have just one. If you get the results without the sustainable process, you haven’t really done what you needed to get done. And if you develop a process, but it’s not giving you the desired results, then again, you’re not going to be happy.”
How to reach: Belden Inc., (314) 854-8000 or www.belden.com