Spring Break
Newspaper publisher motivates future entrepreneurs
Sienna Mae Heath
Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: News
|
The event was preceded by a dinner in the UBC room, where invited students mingled with professionals, who advised students on their future plans. Many students left the meeting and following event with a couple business cards at hand, searching for internship and job opportunities.
Till was honest and confident as he connected with his audience. He spoke about how he motivated an unenthusiastic team at "The Express-Times," and turned the publication around into "a truly good paper." As of 1998, Till became CEO, president and publisher of Easton Publishing. The group includes "The Express-Times," a 50,000-circulation daily, four weekly newspapers and several specialty products. He is often a discussion leader at conventions for the American Press Institute.
According to Till, being a motivating leader does not require having everybody like you. It does not require having everybody dislike you. It requires, rather, a balance between the two. His writers have received offers to write for other publications, and yet they stick with him. Mr. Till relentlessly pushes his employees to do better and better, with every issue, with every day.
"I never fail big, only small," Martin Till said, "I love to fail." Every time a person, especially in a leadership position fails, they learn not to fail like that again.
The speaker was surrounded by writing and the media for all his life. Still, he joined the army and was a Green Beret, so, as he put it, he could postpone college a few years. Born in England, he has lived in France, Belgium, Germany, and the United States. His travels and experience in the army have undoubtedly influenced his ardent approach in business.
During the reception, Martin Till was refreshingly approachable, as he earnestly got to know quite a few of the students who came to meet him. "I was deeply impressed by Mr. Till's ability to communicate his leadership and personal experiences in such a dynamic way," said Corey Koenig, Vice President of USG and one of several student government members present at the event. Certainly, Mr. Till's keen sense of communication towards a variety of people and ages is a trait we can all strive to attain.
Many students and faculty left "An Evening with Martin Till" with a renewed sense of confidence in their own unique ways of motivating others to always try for more every day. A few new business cards in their wallets didn't hurt either.
The event was sponsored by the Leadership Center and the Career Center, along with the Moravian College Business and Industry Council.
Be the first to comment on this story