A couple of years ago at Christmas time, Columbia Ultimate CEO Fred Houston received a joke in his Christmas stocking, a quick read book titled The Fred Factor by Mark Sanborn. Being the avid reader that he is, Fred placed the book in his briefcase and planned to read it during a future trip.

Shortly thereafter, finding himself on a flight, Fred pulled the book from his case and started to read. By the time the plane touched down, Fred knew he had found a gem.
Today, The Fred Factor is an integral part of the core curriculum at Columbia Ultimate.
The entire company has gone through training on The Fred Factor principles. Each new associate is introduced to The Fred Factor during the associate on boarding process. The principles taught in the book are a part of who we are as a company and what we strive to do each and every day.

These principles are not new concepts-we already know them to be true. The Fred Factor simply reminds us:

• Everyone makes a difference
• Success is built on relationships
• You must continually create value for others
• Reinvent yourself regularly

As part of our Learn to Live process at Columbia Ultimate, we are constantly on the lookout for “Freds”. We appreciate associates and clients who are “Freds”. We remind one another to be a “Fred”. Anyone can be a “Fred”. Begin by asking yourself: “Have I changed the world for anyone today?” If so, congratulations, you are a “Fred”!

What started out as a Christmas gag gift has become anything but a joke, it has become a fundamental part of the Columbia Ultimate Way. ”