Who Cares? TI-CARES

How do you know what brand a company has? Mike Wagner says a company’s brand is a mark of their ownership and is reflected in every aspect of their business.

One company I interact with on a regular basis is the Texas Instruments Education & Productivity Division. Over the years all TI employees with whom I have interacted - from Help Desk personnel to Melendy Lovett, Senior Vice President - have exemplified that TI-CARES.

Last week in Atlanta, I teamed up two other TI National Instructors, Jane Barnard and Jim Haskins. to pilot a new TI course: Foundations of Algebra. Jane and I are on the writing team for this course designed to present mathematics to alternatively certified teachers – those who are teaching mathematics but do not have an undergraduate degree in either mathematics or mathematics education.

So, how does this course reflect TI’s brand?

First, they invested in the development of the workshop. Four mathematics educators spent three days designing, writing, and editing the materials that are being piloted with three workshops around the country.

Second, they brought Jane, Jim, and me to Atlanta for a week. Our time and expenses plus materials to help us present this first pilot workshop is paid by TI and offered free to the teachers.

Third, Melendy and four other TI representatives were there to observe and answer questions from the workshop participants. They were there because TI-CARES what teachers think about the new workshop. How many times have you seen the Senior Vice-President at a workshop?

So – how did TI benefit from this week? Of course they are interested in sales and marketing but more importantly, TI showed they care about increasing student mathematical achievement by helping teachers reach their full potential. Throughout the week instructors showed they care. The teachers saw this and now, they will take that caring brand back to their students where it really counts.

What is TI Education’s brand? It’s in their phone number: 1-800-TI-CARES!

Tags: Technology, Texas Instruments, Mathematics Education

Comments

[Michael Wagner]

There is an old saying that goes like, "people don't care how much you know, till they know how much you care."

I'd say TI gets that basic principle of human communication.

Having lived in Dallas for four years and known a good number of people that worked for TI - the company's brand has always been high in my book.

Thanks for including me in your posting!

Keep creating ... and evangelizing for math, Mike

[pfagan]

How true - knowledge can open the door but caring will keep it open. I remind all of my workshop participants that the best way to remember TI's phone number is to remember their brand. Thanks, Mike, for your comment.

[panasianbiz]

I stumbled across your blog while I was doing some online research. As an educator myself, I am always open to any new and innovative ideas on how to become a better teacher and also how to enable students to reach their full potential. Most teachers I know feel the same way.