It is one thing to say that ethics are essential in the business world, but it is another to put that concept into practice. In an environment where ethics are under constant attack, there are still some who strive to uphold high moral standards.
Among those ethical leaders, two Brazilian businessmen stand out: Danilo Talanskas and Manoel Amorim. Talanskas works as managing director of Otis, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of elevators, escalators, and moving walkways. Amorim is chief executive officer of Telefonica, a leading South American telecommunications provider. Both men overcame obstacles to get an education and were quickly promoted to executive positions due to their strong business principles.
In each case, these men found great influence and guidance within their own families. “My parents’ overriding concern was that I get an education,” says Talanskas, a 1986 MBA graduate. “Despite little formal education and few financial resources, they made so many sacrifices to provide me with educational opportunities.”
Amorim’s family played a large role in his career path as well, being the son, grandson, and great-grandson of military men. Amorim, who earned his undergraduate degree at the Military Institute of Engineering in Rio de Janeiro, says his career benefited greatly from the strict discipline he learned at home.
Throughout his career, Talanskas worked for many reputable companies with strong ethics such as GE, BASF, and Black & Decker. He says being employed by those corporations made it easier to practice high standards, although compromising opportunities still arose.
“I know I have lost several contracts because of my position, but I have closed so many more as a trusted businessman,” Talanskas states. “The balance is much more favorable with ethics. I have received many promotions because I would not compromise my standards.”
Both Talanskas and Amorim benefited from the Marriott School’s Cardon International Scholarship program, which was designed for international students seeking higher education within the United States. Since its inception in 1986, students from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific Islands have benefited from the program. CIS participants receive a graduate management education and preparation for leadership roles when they return to their native countries.
After Talanskas completed an undergraduate business administration program at Sao Paulo’s McKenzie School he obtained CIS finances, allowing him to earn his MBA from BYU. An article describing the Harvard MBA program piqued Amorim’s interest in business school, and he began applying for a number of scholarships. In addition to the CIS funds, he was awarded a scholarship by the National Council of Technological and Scientific Development. Amorim earned his MBA from Harvard in 1990.
All the hard work and lessons learned helped these men become some of today’s top executives in Brazil. As managing director of Otis, Talanskas oversees the operations of a Fortune 500 company with a 28 percent share of the world’s elevator market.
Since joining Telefonica as general director in 2000, Amorim helped it become the third largest corporation in Brazil. Telefonica Sao Paulo has a customer base of more than twelve million clients, with leading shares in the data, residential, and business voice markets.
Talanskas and Amorim supported families while attending school and both agree it was difficult balancing time between school and family. But neither one let financial obstacles deter them from their goals, nor did having high moral standards dissuade them from enjoying success in the business world.