Somebody once told Sharp President, Doug Albregts, to “try to be remarkable in everything you do.” When you ponder the job he’s done over the past few years, transforming the company and improving profitability during some very tumultuous times, it’s safe to say he’s a good listener.
Doug Albregts
For Albregts, the current frenetic state of industry means that no day is typical, and he’s more than happy with that. He said that when he’s actually in the office, usually meeting with staff and co-workers for most of the day, he’s trying to address long and short-term business challenges. When he’s not traveling, he’s either at a partner location, industry event or another Sharp meeting in Japan. He said that every day is pretty fast-paced and not always predictable. One thing is a given though: “I love coffee, so it always starts with that,” he joked.
As far as being recognized as a Difference Maker by his peers, Albregts remarked that positive recognition is always welcome news. He was quick to credit his team however.
“It makes me feel good about what we’ve accomplished at Sharp over the past four plus years,” he said. “I live by the idea that if I’m putting people in a position to succeed, and that happens, we all benefit.”
Added Albregts; “I was very pleased to see that many of my Sharp colleagues garnered a lot of recognition from ENX peers this year as well.”
Albregts cited many people who have made a difference in his life. He noted that he’s had a chance to spend some time with Richard Branson over the past few years and he’s picked up a great deal of wisdom about life and work from his perspective.
From a pure business standpoint, he recognized his former CFO colleague, Kathy Dvorak, and author and marketer, John Ellett, who rank high on his mentoring list. Specific to the industry, he noted, the Sharp Advisory Council members have been a tremendous resource to him both personally and professionally.
“In addition, I would be remiss not to mention my current team,” he said. “This is the best management team that I’ve had the pleasure to work with. I learn from them every day and they’ve certainly made me a better leader in many respects.”
Added Albregts: “From a personal stand point, my wife, Lisa, gets all of the credit. She’s an incredible human being.”
Albregts sees a positive future for the industry, citing the opportunities that change inevitably creates. He predicts the further expansion of more sophisticated collaboration tools into the office and network environment.
“Document management has become much more about readily available information that’s easy to access and use over a network — anywhere, anytime,” he stated. “Devices, just like the office environment itself, are thought of differently in this new day and age of ubiquitous computing. Sharp will be the catalyst in shaping and facilitating the future of this new office environment.”
What does Albregts hope to accomplish in 2016?
“For us, this year – and the next – is all about hyper-growth and building upon our promise of being a great partner,” he said. “It follows the strategic plan and the path we laid out a few years back.”
Albregts takes nothing for granted though. He said that he is very fortunate to work in a thriving industry for a great company.
“I pinch myself every day when I think about the alternative,” he mused. “The best thing about my job is working with a great group of people with whom I’ve had the opportunity to share some tremendous success over the past four years. What more could you ask for, right?”
