Reader comments
From Mrs. to CEO: Former BYU student has become a successful entrepreneur
29 comments | Read story
Chris J | 4:48 a.m. July 13, 2008
What an inspiring story. To the Deseret News, please please, keep up writing
stories like this in the future.
Brynn | 8:05 a.m. July 13, 2008
Fantastic story. Way to go Amy!
Craig | 9:45 a.m. July 13, 2008
I agree w/ Chris J. Thanks to the D-News for highlighting a talented and vibrant
member of our community.
Comments continue below
High School Teacher | 10:52 a.m. July 13, 2008
This should be required reading for every young woman in the area. She really
tells it like it is. Congratulations, Ms. Rees!
Yeah Right | 12:59 p.m. July 13, 2008
I was going to say that situations like this is EXACTLY why we have many of the
troubles we have in our economy today. Like a true CEO she'll have you
believe that her outsourcing to India is for the good of America and not just to
line hers and the other "suits" pockets. Hmmm, no mention of who and
where those higher paying jobs are that she's created with her outsourcing.
Those who say this is such a pretty little picture painted here by the DMN must
be among those who have never tried to carry on a telephone conversation with a
help desk employee from India!!! English speaking my eye!
Isn't it a little hypocritical to say "I hope my daughter is a stay at home mom, even though I'm not"? It's not like she doesn't have that choice at this point in her life. You know, the life of the rich and famous..."Do as I say, not as I do."
I was going to say that but I didn't want to ruin the group hug from the first several commenters so I'll just keep it to myself.
Isn't it a little hypocritical to say "I hope my daughter is a stay at home mom, even though I'm not"? It's not like she doesn't have that choice at this point in her life. You know, the life of the rich and famous..."Do as I say, not as I do."
I was going to say that but I didn't want to ruin the group hug from the first several commenters so I'll just keep it to myself.
Nescau | 2:23 p.m. July 13, 2008
Having worked at the company that she sold (or that is what someone told you) in
2002 you might want to check your facts. There are some other missteps in the
article but hey it is a feel good story the way it is written. Amy has
strengths and is a good person but no one should want to emulate her and I could
never work for her again.
Anonymous | 2:38 p.m. July 13, 2008
To Yeah Right.....I agree. "English speaking my eye!"
Laura | 2:47 p.m. July 13, 2008
Either I'm clairvoyant, or this article has been done before. The only
thing about this story that I didn't already know was her propensity to
"cry" as a strategic initiative. I hope that doesn't become a
trend in the business world for women to emulate.
Ken Goddard | 4:41 p.m. July 13, 2008
Terrific. Send out sensitive medical records to India when we can hardly access
them ouselves due to privacy laws. I personally am going to make sure my medical
records are not involved with this outfit. And where are the Utah jobs. Oh they
are in India where they have so many people they will work for cheap. Great.
What's in it for Utah. Is this the kind of people we want on the
Governor's Ecomonic Council. And who does she know at the Deseret News
since this is the second article in the last couple of Sundays.
Sammy | 5:18 p.m. July 13, 2008
How do you sell a company when it is bankrupt? Even in 2002 that wasn't
happening.
I'm sure what she DID in her meeting for the money is confidential.
This is the same attempted feel good story that her PR machine gets placed in the paper.
Are there no other women leaders we can hear about? Her self promotion is tiring us out. thanks.
I'm sure what she DID in her meeting for the money is confidential.
This is the same attempted feel good story that her PR machine gets placed in the paper.
Are there no other women leaders we can hear about? Her self promotion is tiring us out. thanks.
Charles | 6:52 p.m. July 13, 2008
good to see that the boo-birds are out in force today. I wonder if there is
anything, anywhere that makes some of you smile, appreciative, energetic or
positive.
This lady is working hard to provide a service but all that anyone can say on here is nasty stuff.
There are many people I'd never work for again. I'm sure if you are a manager there are people who work for you that hate you and think you are the worst person ever.
So before you fall off your high and mighty horse, you might want to take a look in the mirror.
This lady is working hard to provide a service but all that anyone can say on here is nasty stuff.
There are many people I'd never work for again. I'm sure if you are a manager there are people who work for you that hate you and think you are the worst person ever.
So before you fall off your high and mighty horse, you might want to take a look in the mirror.
Maria | 7:17 p.m. July 13, 2008
Great! A CEO that cries in the conference room when she is having trouble
closing a tough deal. Not to mention she admits to flattering men with a little
sex appeal to advance the company. How�s that for setting
back women�s respectability in the workplace 50 years?
Good thing she saved the company by outsourcing everyone�s
confidential records to India. I suppose names, addresses, birthdates,
insurance information, and social security numbers are floating around the black
market. Wonder how many higher paying upper management jobs in the US she was
able to create by this outsourcing stroke of genius? One? Two? None?
Totally not impressed with this story. Let�s see some stories on women CEO�s who are held in high regard by their peers, and are positive role models for the many young women entering in the corporate world.
Totally not impressed with this story. Let�s see some stories on women CEO�s who are held in high regard by their peers, and are positive role models for the many young women entering in the corporate world.
Other than the fact | 8:31 p.m. July 13, 2008
she is a pretty face. What does she offer the Utah business community?
Admitting to crying during negotiations does not impress.
Outsourcing jobs for "english speaking" workers is a joke. I currently work with about 50 of these so called english speakers from India. They can't express or articulate themselves the vast majority of the time.
Its all about bucks.
I would have been more interested in why she got divorced rather than this article.
Admitting to crying during negotiations does not impress.
Outsourcing jobs for "english speaking" workers is a joke. I currently work with about 50 of these so called english speakers from India. They can't express or articulate themselves the vast majority of the time.
Its all about bucks.
I would have been more interested in why she got divorced rather than this article.
Chris | 8:36 p.m. July 13, 2008
Not impressed with this story even when its told over, and over, and over again.
She sold her company in 2002? Not true, but perhaps honesty isn't
necessary when crying and flirting seems to work.
Frustrated | 8:48 p.m. July 13, 2008
Do the means justify the ends? Three years ago my husband lost his high tech job
to outsourcing in India. We spent 6 mos. unemployed and ended up in debt...When
will making money above all else in Utah always be the first priority. Read Ben
and Jerry's Ice Cream Bio and learn how it doesn't have to be that way
to succeed.
TKH | 9:36 p.m. July 13, 2008
You people need to get your facts straight before you rush to judgement. Does
MediConnect outsource it's call center - sure. But the tech jobs are still
stateside, and escalated call center(s) are maintained in the U.S. too: they
are smart enough to use outsourcing only when it truly makes sense. And by
doing so, they saved a company that was frankly on the way out, and have grown
it leaps and bounds (including the number of jobs Utahns have with it - for all
those thinking this does nothing for Utah.) Can blind outsourcing be bad? Sure
- but this actually exemplifies how it can be done right: and you might want to
check your facts before you cry about it.
Oh - and privacy-wise - I've worked with HIM for over a decade now, (including some time, though not currently, with Mediconnect.) I've seen the other side of the equation, and frankly, I think you need to worry (a lot) more about what the hospital does with your records and private info, more than anything MediConnect does with it (at least with MediConnect, your permission is asked first, and your signature obtained, before they do ANYTHING...)
Oh - and privacy-wise - I've worked with HIM for over a decade now, (including some time, though not currently, with Mediconnect.) I've seen the other side of the equation, and frankly, I think you need to worry (a lot) more about what the hospital does with your records and private info, more than anything MediConnect does with it (at least with MediConnect, your permission is asked first, and your signature obtained, before they do ANYTHING...)
Mariposa | 10:01 p.m. July 13, 2008
MediConnect employs over 200 hundred employees in Utah thanks to Amys hard work
and dedication! She has amazing business skills and is an outstanding example to
anyone who has the entrepreneurial spirit. Congratulations Amy on your awards!
You are an inspiration.
Cincinnatus | 10:28 p.m. July 13, 2008
The means don't need to be justified.
If she doesn't deserve praise? | 11:30 p.m. July 13, 2008
Ben and Jerry's Please is killing everyone w/ heart disease while we are on
social responsibility. Maria would have this woman wear a burlap sack to work
where the men where designer suits and the glass ceiling is alive and well, but
maybe Chris would promote a female who doesn't care how they look at work
and lacks interpersonal skills. Let's be the judge of someones moral
character based on an excerpt. Fact, looks help people get ahead and
Outsourcing sucks but it is business and drives wall street for a reason IT
SAVES $$ so may make sense for a private company.
You Betcha... | 12:18 a.m. July 14, 2008
To Frustrated,
Absolutely! There ARE successful companies that are committed to social responsibility and boast CEO�s who care about the local community, employees, and the environment (Ben & Jerry's for one). This article was a huge disappointment. Ms. Rees-Anderson falls back on questionable negotiating tactics. In addition, it takes no skill to make the decision to outsource. It�s the quickest, easiest solution to the problem all companies face of turning a profit. I would much rather read about those CEO's that work to succeed in business without compromising their social and moral conscience.
Absolutely! There ARE successful companies that are committed to social responsibility and boast CEO�s who care about the local community, employees, and the environment (Ben & Jerry's for one). This article was a huge disappointment. Ms. Rees-Anderson falls back on questionable negotiating tactics. In addition, it takes no skill to make the decision to outsource. It�s the quickest, easiest solution to the problem all companies face of turning a profit. I would much rather read about those CEO's that work to succeed in business without compromising their social and moral conscience.
Re: Those irritated about India | 8:51 a.m. July 14, 2008
The reason companies outsource to India isn't to line their own pockets
it's to compete for customers. You same people who have posted about how
terrible it is to outsource jobs are also the same people who demand cheap
service, as does everyone. Not one of us would be willing to pay a higher price
for the sames service. If most people were willing to pay more for their
service for the ability to speak to an American citizen when they dialed
customer services, I guarantee companies would keep the jobs here.
You can't cheat the law of supply and demand. Everyone must follow it, or go out of business. (except the government.)
You can't cheat the law of supply and demand. Everyone must follow it, or go out of business. (except the government.)
Outsourcing... | 9:51 a.m. July 14, 2008
First of all, let me say I am proud of our nations history. However, it is
embarassing what we have become.
I worked in a tourist area on the east coast. I was at the front desk of a nice hotel. We had housekeepers who refused to vacuum, some refused to dust, others refused to work with cleaning solution. They were always provided with the tools to make working with these things safe, earning over $10/hr. As a result, we had guests wait in the lobby for hours to get to their rooms. A few years ago, they starting importing housekeepers. Yeah, sounds funny, huh. Quite often they are students from other countries getting degrees in hospitality, sometimes just workers looking for money. Thier visa is short, staying there for 4 months. They work hard & the work gets done better than any local would do it.
Call centers are similar situations. Americans in call centers are rude and uncaring. Work ethic is dying. Sending these jobs over to other countries where people value a job should not be frowned upon. If you're unwilling to do a job, don't get upset when a foreigner does.
I worked in a tourist area on the east coast. I was at the front desk of a nice hotel. We had housekeepers who refused to vacuum, some refused to dust, others refused to work with cleaning solution. They were always provided with the tools to make working with these things safe, earning over $10/hr. As a result, we had guests wait in the lobby for hours to get to their rooms. A few years ago, they starting importing housekeepers. Yeah, sounds funny, huh. Quite often they are students from other countries getting degrees in hospitality, sometimes just workers looking for money. Thier visa is short, staying there for 4 months. They work hard & the work gets done better than any local would do it.
Call centers are similar situations. Americans in call centers are rude and uncaring. Work ethic is dying. Sending these jobs over to other countries where people value a job should not be frowned upon. If you're unwilling to do a job, don't get upset when a foreigner does.
Good PR | 1:57 p.m. July 14, 2008
This is a great example of how the politically correct hype machine at Desnews
can be leveraged for PR - especially if you are a female CEO! My oh my!
What a great country! | 2:19 p.m. July 14, 2008
I'm glad we've gotthe opportunity to be what we want. It sounds like
Ms. Rees-Anderson has made a life for herself that greatly pleases her.
That's what "women's rights" are all about.
As for me, I too am a BYU graduate, earned a graduate degree, and had a fulfilling career relating to my degree which I enjoyed very much--a different chapter of my life. Currently, I'm having the time of my life; I'm married to a wonderful guy, Ihave terrific children who are best friends with each other and with my husband and I. I'm what you'd call a stay-at-home mom. Yeah, I do bake bread. But I read, write, laugh, sew, and have a ball. I'd lie if I said it's perfect--of course not. We get sick, stressed, grumpy etc. But I'm learning to be kind and love those around me. I'm taking piano lessons, and continually further my education in many areas. I teach my children the Gospel of Jesus Christ and hopefully how to live it all day long. I hope they come away from our home feeling like I've been a good example of some of the possibilities life has to offer. Life-offers-more-than-money.
As for me, I too am a BYU graduate, earned a graduate degree, and had a fulfilling career relating to my degree which I enjoyed very much--a different chapter of my life. Currently, I'm having the time of my life; I'm married to a wonderful guy, Ihave terrific children who are best friends with each other and with my husband and I. I'm what you'd call a stay-at-home mom. Yeah, I do bake bread. But I read, write, laugh, sew, and have a ball. I'd lie if I said it's perfect--of course not. We get sick, stressed, grumpy etc. But I'm learning to be kind and love those around me. I'm taking piano lessons, and continually further my education in many areas. I teach my children the Gospel of Jesus Christ and hopefully how to live it all day long. I hope they come away from our home feeling like I've been a good example of some of the possibilities life has to offer. Life-offers-more-than-money.
Ken Goddard | 7:39 p.m. July 14, 2008
I wonder why neither article in the News mentioned over 200 Utahans are employed
by Mediconnect. If this is true she deserves the credit. Anybody know for sure
and what kind of wages are paid. Are the jobs telemarketing related. That is
what Utah is known for. Maybe housewives working at home.
Ed Meyer | 11:29 p.m. July 14, 2008
I've known Amy for years and behind her pretty face and upbeat, machine gun
voice is a hardcore businesswoman. She outsources because that is what she has
to do to be competitive. By being competitive, she also provides jobs here in
Utah. We are no longer in a "Made in America vs. Made in Japan"
world. Today we live in a global economy and those who understand how to
function in that environment will thrive while those who are locked into old
school practices based on solutions from three decades ago will wither and die.
Utah needs successful companies and Amy has found a way to succeed. Good for
her and good for Utah.
Ed Clinch | 12:32 a.m. July 15, 2008
Safe to say that it is impossible to please everyone. It seems to me this is a
good article, and more personal stories need to be shared like that of Claralyn
Hill of Provo, running for office as a mother of five and grandma of many
more...
Peace and good luck. I always hope the best for Utah. 5 year resident, lifetime fan.
Peace and good luck. I always hope the best for Utah. 5 year resident, lifetime fan.
Kumar | 2:14 a.m. July 15, 2008
I am not from Utah but I perhaps know Amy more than many from Utah know her. I
have worked very closely with her in many assignments. She truly deserves all
the praises, not because she is a successful woman CEO or she has turned around
a dying company but largely because she has a vision to serve the society and
bring changes for simplification of work for the larger intrest of people. If
few people are not happy because of outsourcing by Mediconnect, please note that
before outsourcing started happening, Mediconnect had hardly created 30 jobs for
Utah and after outsourcing, Mediconnect had created more than 200 jobs in Utah.
Why? Because, the moment low paying jobs were outsourced, money which company
made was reinvested to grow the company and when this happened, many high paying
jobs were created in Utah by Mediconnect. And the woman who can conceptualize
and implement this dream definately deserves the credit which this Desertnews
article has provided to her.
Jealous | 12:08 p.m. July 16, 2008
Like any successful CEO, they have many critics. It's probably just a bunch
of male CEOs who are jealous of the attention she receives.
Everyone's a critic...
Everyone's a critic...
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Amy Rees Anderson is CEO of MediConnect Global Inc., which last year ranked No. 311 among the 500 fastest-growing private companies in America.
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