The Art of the Deal: How Business and the Arts Can Join Forces to
Create Long-Term Economic and Cultural Value
By Eli Broad, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer,
SunAmerica Inc.
"A key reason SunAmerica has been able to outpace our competition is because we have a unique corporate culture. I'm a great admirer of people who can 'think outside the box' -- people who have a unique vision of the world and are able to create something valuable from that vision. Artists, as well as talented business people, have that quality.
By incorporating art into our work environment, we're providing employees with the opportunity to explore a new arena. They have a chance to consider ideas that may be unfamiliar. Through my interest in art, I'm exposed to new ideas, new people and unique concepts that would have totally eluded me if I had never looked beyond the spreadsheets on my desk.
We've also gained benefits regarding our image in the business community. Our culture encourages independent thinking and prudent risk-taking, and I think that our corporate art collection helps us convey that. You know immediately when you walk through the doors of our headquarters that you're not at a typical financial services company.
The merging of arts and business represents an opportunity that can produce
significant benefits for us collectively and as individuals now and in
the future."