People don’t believe what you say, they believe what you do
People don’t believe what you say, they believe what you do. And Erica B., Executive Director for Global Sales and Service at Cummins Inc., does a lot.
She is responsible for functional excellence in her professional role, which she takes extremely seriously. As the executive sponsor of engineering projects, Erica examines global enterprise business risk strategies. She reviews the capabilities of sales and service employees to ensure they have the proper training and tools to succeed.
"When our technicians have the right tools, training and compensation, it creates consistency which allows for the best forecasting accuracy, inventory management and customer relationship management," Erica says. "If we do this right, we will be the best distribution center for the best engines in the world."
Across the mining segment, we're one of the top engines for copper, gold, and coal - everything we need to run this world." To Erica, this is a source of pride and a way she is making an impact on the world through her work.
"I love that I touch everything in my job," she says. And when she says everything, she means everything.
In addition to the work she does day to day, Erica is involved in multiple employee resource groups (ERG), mentorships, sponsorships, and volunteer efforts.
She digs into the Cummins community wholeheartedly because she believes the success of a company can change just by "seeing" the people who work there. To her, people are the most valuable investment companies can make because "when you push for excellence in profitability, growth, customer uptime, cost-savings and more, none of that happens without people."
According to Erica, the most important legacy one can leave is to help the people behind you understand their value and what they bring to the table. Erica is intentional about pouring her energy and resources into people via real accountability, authentic coaching, and advocacy. She mentors women and minorities through her work with Cummins Advocating for Racial Equity (CARE), the Cummins Black Network (CBN) and the Women's Empowerment Network (WEN). Her goal is to help them shine and get to the next level while ensuring they receive fair pay, equity, and a seat at the table when they get there.
"I'm proud of the legacy of people in positions because of a small role I may have played," she says. "People removed obstacles for me to be here. I'm ensuring someone passes that baton."
In Peoria, Illinois, where she's from, Erica is a legend: she's won the 25 Women in Leadership award; she's in the African American Hall of Fame; she's been recognized in 40 Leaders Under 40 listings; and she sat on the United Way board. She also actively works in her community for police reform, clean water and funding for legal services that protect people from homelessness.
Making a difference in the lives of people for whom she's responsible, at home, at work or in her community, is paramount to Erica. In addition to lifting many mentees at work, she has raised 18 foster children. Caring for children in her community is another way she can leave a legacy of people who know their worth.
"There's clearly a correlation between being seen, being loved and having someone who doesn't give up on you," she says. "I believe you can change the world one life at a time."
Erica feels personally connected to Cummins because she sees that the company, like her, places value on the future, especially when it comes to creating diverse and equitable environments where underrepresented communities can thrive.
"Every culture is driven from the top down," she says. "Other companies talk about diversity. Cummins is diversity. Our leaders are committed. They train. They have uncomfortable conversations. They are adamant that employees are "safe" to say, 'As a woman, I feel that I'm being ignored in this room, and I need that to change.' And if it doesn't change, there's a leader somewhere who gives a darn and will come in and change it."
Being a part of the Cummins community and having a leadership role with what she calls “one of the best companies in the world” is one of the things Erica is most proud of in her professional life thus far.
"When you look back over your life, it won't be the length that matters, but the width," she says. "It's not how long your life is, but what you did with it. I can name every person in my life who had a hand in developing the person I am today. When I'm gone, will there be someone to say, 'Erica had an impact on me?'" Something tells us, there will be many.
Cummins Inc.
Cummins, a global power technology leader, is a corporation of complementary business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions. The company's products range from internal combustion, electric and hybrid integrated power solutions and components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, electric power generation systems, microgrid controls, batteries, electrolyzers and fuel cell products.
