Nick Shepherd, executive vice president of Blockbuster, Inc. and president of Blockbuster North America, spoke to students Wednesday. Shepherd was brought to campus by business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi. (Sarah Acosta)
Nick Shepherd, executive vice president of Blockbuster, Inc. and president of Blockbuster North America, spoke in George’s Auditorium yesterday to a full house of business fraternity students and other members of the SMU community.
Delta Sigma Pi (DSP), the largest professional fraternity at SMU with more than 90 active members, welcomed Shepherd as a part of its recruitment program for new members.
Shepherd spoke with wit and a British accent of the unpredictable path that led him to his current position at Blockbuster. A former pub owner and aspiring hotel owner, the corporate executive never imagined that he would end up in Dallas managing a $5.7 billion corporation operating in 27 countries worldwide.
“If someone asks you what business you’re in, you should say that you’re in the money-making business,” said Shepherd. “You’re not there to make whoopie!”
But for Shepherd, lessons learned from serving people and from interacting with employees on a personal level have influenced his leadership style today. His experiences from the bar to the boardroom have given Shepherd some useful, and humorous, advice to bestow upon business students.
Shepherd is currently responsible for marketing, product merchandising and distribution efforts, and he oversees global studio relations. He has served as Blockbuster’s chief marketing and merchandising officer, chief concept officer, senior vice president of international and vice president and managing director of its United Kingdom business – a far cry from serving brewskies.
“Mr. Shepherd was very informative,” sophomore Katie Drablos said. “Blockbuster is a company that we all know well, and it is really helpful to learn how this company’s leaders have effectively adapted their business model to a continually changing environment.”
In addition to his antics, the corporate exec stressed the importance of not necessarily establishing a predetermined goal immediately after college – a mindset many students today adopt – but instead to establish a framework. Mantras like focusing on what your journey can teach you, doing what is not necessarily wanted to be done, knowing yourself and loving what you do all embody Shepherd’s foundation for success.
“One of the most important traits of successful businesspeople is the desire to keep working until its right.”
DSP promotes four professional speakers each semester in an effort to provide aspiring corporate professionals with guidance and advice for their future endeavors in the business world.
“Although he never set out to become the president of a worldwide retail organization, the foundation for his success had already been laid,” said Chad Berg, Junior and executive vice president of DSP. Shepherd’s successful approach to business includes going above and beyond one’s job description by always adding value, thought and creativity to the workplace.
“We are honored that Mr. Shepherd took the time to share his expertise with us this evening,” said Berg, as he presented the speaker with a plaque on behalf of DSP. “His advice teaches both useful business and life lessons.”
Applications to join DSP are due today. For more information visit www.people.smu.edu/dsp.
