3M 2005 Annual Report Download - page 6

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unique strengths
ingenious solutions
4
Similarly, I am a strong advocate of clear, short lines of sight to all of our
constituencies, and especially to customers. All of our businesses will
benefit from a close examination of the way we go to market and the way
we service our customers. The company can, over time, realize significant
gains from improvement in these key areas.
Ethics and integrity. 3M is a dynamic and changing enterprise in many
ways. Among the elements that will not change, however, is 3M’s
commitment to achieving results ethically, with honor and with integrity.
The trust of our customers, employees and shareholders is of paramount
importance to me and to the entire leadership of 3M. We will continue
to dedicate ourselves to operating in the right way, and any behaviors that
blemish our brand or tarnish 3M’s hard-earned reputation will not be
tolerated. Vigilance is always required in this area.
Creating the future. At the top of the list of reasons that I left a
wonderful company to join 3M is the tremendous promise of 3M’s future.
Many would take the path of least resistance and wait for 3M’s promising
future to arrive. But I am a believer instead in the George Bernard Shaw
principle that “the people (companies) who get on in this world are
those people (companies) who look for the kind of circumstances they
want, and, if they can’t find them, go out and create them.” So, I am
excited to be part of a team committed to creating that future – not in the
“long term,” but committed to making the promise of the future a reality
as soon as we can. I am convinced that through the imagination of our
people, combined with the dedication and hard work for which 3Mers
are known, we can drive the company to new levels of success. That is my
commitment and the commitment of all 3Mers.
In closing, I would like to thank 3M Board member Bob Morrison, who
served as interim chairman of the board and chief executive officer, for
his outstanding leadership over the six months leading up to my
appointment. Bob helped keep 3M on course after the change in 3M
leadership last July and continues to make many important contributions
to our company.
George W. Buckley
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
Feb. 13, 2006