“Striving for perfection every day is
one of our fundamental goals here at M&M Mars” proclaims Mike Pursall, the
head of sales support in Hackettstown, New Jersey. Mike’s been working for
M&M Mars for nearly 13 years now, and he’s followed that goal every day
since he’s been a part of the company. Mike a college graduate from Rutgers University,
was hired back in 2001 as a financial consultant. Since then, he’s worked his
way up and now sits as the head of sales support for the largest confectionery
company in the world. Mike remarked, “I feel like a little kid who got the keys
to toy store or something like that – but instead of being a little kid, I’m a
grown man who’s one of the heads for the biggest candy company”!
Founded back in 1920 by Frank C. Mars,
M&M Mars a division of Mars, Incorporated is the largest confectionery
company in the world today and one of the largest private and family owned
companies. Currently, the third largest candy company in the US behind only
Hershey and Nestle, Mars is known for a plethora of products. Most commonly
known for “M&M’s”, Mars also produces products such as Snickers, Milky Way,
Twix, Skittles, Starbursts, Life Savers, Juicy Fruit, Eclipse and many more. These
products are what helped propel this confectionery giant to the forefront of
the world, and are what help to maintain its company’s steady growth. Growing
at annual rate close to 2%, the Mars candy division employs over 17,000
employees in 21 countries. Headquartered out of Hackettstown, New Jersey this
company serves as an inspiration to entrepreneurs and competitors alike.
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| The front doors to "M&M" Mars, Chocolates |
When you first arrive at M&M Mars
located on 800 High Street, you notice the immense M&M statuette characters
who welcome you with open arms into the building. You first walk in through
large, heavy glass doors, and you’re instantaneously blasted with an aroma of
sweet milk chocolate. The sensation is so overwhelming and intoxicating it
makes you crave chocolate and brings back memories of all the times you’ve had
the sweet, deliciousness. The black marbled floors, glisten and shine so much
you can make out your own reflection within them. At the head of the front
lobby and reception desk reads “Mars Chocolate North America” which signifies
this being the global headquarters for their candy division. Immediately to
your right of the lobby, down a small staircase there lies large glass walls
which allow you to peer into part of the factory located there. This factory
produces M&M’s and other chocolates used for a variety of different
products that will be eaten and distributed throughout the world.
Following suit to the small staircase to
catch a glimpse inside of what goes on inside the factory you arrive upon four
elevators that transport you to the upper levels where management and different
business sect’s work. Taking the elevator here is a pleasant surprise, instead
of the often tacky and outdated elevator tunes that generally play, you’re
greeted by the sound of pleasant and upbeat music. Something the company uses
to help support the overall moral and attitudes of employees. When you exit the
elevator, depending upon which floor you get off at, you may be somewhat
surprised by the layout. Each floor is constructed and set up differently for
the different business sect’s such as marketing, finance, or sales. They all
have their own dedicated floors to keep everyone coherent. In the center of
each floor, there is a buffet of every candy that the company produces open to
be consumed by all employees, at whatever time of the day.
Mike Pursall, being the head of sales,
is located on the top floor, in a large, luxury office suite. When he sits
behind his large cherry oak desk, one can only get the feeling he is all about
business. He looks more like a NFL player than one of the top executives at a
fortune 500 company. Mike stands nearly 6’4” and weighs close to 300 lbs, he’s
made out of muscle and from the way he stands practically anybody would be
intimated. His bald head glistens under the ceiling spotlight, giving his head
and neck a pinkish hue and his booming voice echoes throughout the room. Although
he may seem like a brute, Mike’s all brains when it comes to business. From the
way he conducts himself with clients, fellow employees, and visitors, you can
see he is a true professional and extremely business savvy. Being fortunate enough
to sit down with Mike, you can really get an inside look at the company and the
professional world of employees and employers alike. The company has five
principles that they conduct themselves by, and Mike personally shared how he
lives by a few of them. They are: Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality,
Efficiency, and Freedom.
“Living by these principles and using
them in my everyday life has been something I’ve grown accustomed to” explains
Mike, “They are a fundamental part sustaining a successful life and business”.
He went on to explain some of the principles to me, and how he tries to live
them out. He started off each by giving his own definition of the words.
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| The signature M&M characters. |
“Quality, is knowing that the consumer
was satisfied, and felt that we did everything we could to make their
experience the best it could be.” Mike says he lives out the virtue of quality
by applying it outside of the office. “Having a quality product is what we
strive for at Mars, and it makes me want quality in my life. This is why I
believe quality and efficiency go hand in hand. If you put forth 110% you will
get a quality product. Efficiency is always putting forth your best effort and
never wasting any energy or time on unimportant or unnecessary matters. Hard
work always pays off and I can tell you that first hand.” He recalled upon
spending time and playing with his nephew. He said it’s not always about necessarily
spending lots of time with someone, but rather spending quality time with them,
that leaves long and lasting memories. Mike went on then explain that he not
only puts forth his best effort in the office, but also at home, whether its
cutting the grass or fixing the leaky sink, Mike puts forth 110%. Efficiency
leads to quality. All in all, it shows that M&M Mars and Mike personally
are both “striving for perfection every day”.
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