DEARBORN, MICH. Jan. 22 -- The Detroit Economic Club (DEC) hosted international telecommunications leader, Ben Verwaayen, chief executive officer, BT Group (British Telecom). BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries, including the United States. Its principal activities include networked IT services, local, national and international telecommunications services, and higher-value broadband and internet products and services. The meeting was held at the Dearborn Inn Marriott.

His remarks, titled "Gaining a Competitive Edge in the 21st Century - A Global Perspective," dealt with the need to adapt to the changes brought by globalization.

Verwaayen talked about how globalization can help create economic opportunity for people around the globe.

"Hundreds of millions of people that did not have the opportunity to participate in economic wealth creation, nowadays have that opportunity. And they take it with both hands, and they are right to do that. And by the way, that's a fantastic opportunity for all of us. Because we create a larger pizza. The pizza is growing and growing. But there is no birth certificate [required] for your share of it. You have to earn it. And how do you earn that? Well, to be smarter and better. And to look at your business model. And to look to the way that you go to the market and to look at the value you bring, and do it slightly different than you did before. Just hoping it will pass is not a strategy. You need to change. You need to embrace. You need to get globalization and all its aspects into your system."

Download a broadcast-quality audio file of the above selection from Verwaayen's remarks. Size: 2.3 Mb. Duration: 59 seconds.

Verwaayen said that global companies should encompass a global team.

"We have people from all over the globe, from all over. People with different backgrounds, different experiences. We have both in diversity terms as in experience terms. People who had nothing to do with telecommunications, coming into the business just to give us a different perspective. It helped tremendously to think differently."

Download a broadcast-quality audio file of the above selection from Verwaayen's remarks. Size: 860 Kb. Duration: 21 seconds.

Download a print-quality photograph of Ben Verwaayen at the Detroit Economic Club on January 22, 2007. Photo credit: Jeff Kowalsky.

The Detroit Economic Club was formed in 1934 as a platform for the discussion and debate of important business, government and social issues. It is known internationally as a top speaking forum for prominent business and government leaders, who address members and their guests at the Club's 35 meetings a season. With more than 3,000 members, the DEC is about vital issues, prominent voices, a commitment to education and inspiring leadership. The Club is proud to have hosted every sitting U.S. President since Richard Nixon and proud to have been ranked among the top speaking platforms for CEOs.