Time out with … Terry Ball

The pace at which business is conducted seems to be accelerating every year. How do you manage your time in order to stay effective?

I have frequent conversations with my plants that focus on the three key items: operations, sales and marketing, and technology/innovation. I make rotational visits to each of the plants and visit with the General Managers. On a quarterly basis, Plant Operating Reviews update key priorities and initiatives.

It is important to manage your time and not let it manage you. I empower and surround myself with good, capable people, always taking the team approach rather than an autocratic one.

What do you do to relax?

Spend time with my family and spend time outdoors hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling.

Every one says people are key to the success of their businesses. Is it getting tougher to hang on to good workers? What are you doing to keep them around?

It is very hard to find good technical people, but Decoma has many programs for the development of engineers, skilled tradesmen, and managers. We sponsor many different kinds of training including tool and die, electrical, and maintenance. The speed of our company’s growth has provided many opportunities for people and allowed them to move up quickly in the organization. I look at myself as a growth provider. I make sure the opportunities are there and support the growth of careers from the individual’s perspective.

If you could meet one person, who would that be and why?

Bill Ford. I’d like to understand his long-term strategies and give him the supplier’s perspective for future growth.

Magazines/newspapers: Automotive News, Plastics News

What has been the most important change in the industry a) for the worse?; b) for the better?

a) The relentless pressure on price. Placing top priority on pricing compromises innovation, quality, and technology. On the other hand, it does create opportunities for suppliers who are fast on their feet and understand customer needs like Decoma.

b) Focus and reliance on suppliers to be pro-active in vehicle design, innovation and styling has been a great change. Vehicles are faster to market, which has clearly given us an advantage because of our technical design and engineering depth. The integrator role for an exterior supplier creates a competitive advantage.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career?

Never forget where you came from. Always relate to the people that make the parts; put yourself in their shoes.

I started on the plant floor as a tool and die maker and served as an apprentice. It allowed me to understand a lot about adversarial relationships between management and employees that can cause certain failure. It helped me to understand what’s good for the employee and good for the business. Motivation of employees and a team approach are the most important keys to success.

Who’s had the biggest influence a) on your life; b) on your career? Why?

a) On my life, it was my grandfather. I worked for him for years. He provided direction and life’s lessons. He gave me responsibilities long before I should have had them.

b) On my career, it was Al Power, President and CEO of Decoma. Al has given me many opportunities and support. He believes in my capabilities, focuses on the positive, and stands behind you.

Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the prospects of the plastics industry in this country?

I am very optimistic about the plastics industry. Its uses will continue to grow. I have concern about whether the growth will happen in Canada or elsewhere though. Incentives and support for the industry are important. The Canadian government should provide these incentives and be aggressive in the international market.