MasterCard 2010 Annual Report Download - page 9

www.mastercard.com 7
help us develop innovative, market-specifi c payment solutions
that deliver value to people everywhere. And, I know our
employees are passionate about this.
Of course, innovation also requires a tolerance for failure.
That’s why our leaders are focused on supporting a culture
that encourages collaboration and the sharing of lessons learned.
Strong leadership is critical to our future — not just at the
executive level, but throughout MasterCard. I believe that part
of a manager’s role is to drive change, give people hope and
inspire them to do things they wouldn’t otherwise do. I want all
of our employees to have the conviction and courage to take on
diffi cult tasks while maintaining accountability — and a healthy
dose of competitive paranoia.
That latter point is something that can’t be ignored. In fact, over
the last year or so, our internal mantra has been “Competing to
Win.” Everyone is behind it. We’re well aware that technology is
driving shorter product life cycles and reducing barriers to entry for
others. That’s why we’re staying on top of our game and keeping
a watchful eye on our competitors, both traditional and emerging.
Looking Ahead
In summary, I’m thrilled about what we achieved in 2010 and
enthused about what tomorrow will bring. Our business is
growing, our bottom line is strong and our global resources —
both fi nancial and intellectual — are formidable.
Each day, we put our advantages to work. We’re in the enviable
position of being able to draw upon our assets to make the
most of opportunities and trends shaping the industry. More
importantly, by bringing together the best people, insights
and innovations, we’ll continue to create meaningful solutions that
benefi t consumers, businesses and governments all around the
world. That’s what being at the heart of commerce is all about —
and that’s why I’m excited to be part of this great company.
Ajay Banga
President and Chief Executive Offi cer
Making a
difference
every day
(1) McKinsey & Company, 2010.
(2) MasterCard Advisors, 2010.
(3) Packaged Facts, 2009.
(4) Glenbrook Partners, 2009.
(5) GSMA & Bank of America Merrill Lynch, 2010.
Making a difference is why our company
is committed to furthering fi nancial
inclusion for everyone through the power
of entrepreneurship.
We believe fi nancial inclusion increases the
prosperity of communities and ensures that
people have an opportunity to achieve their
full potential. Programs like Consumo Inteligente
in Latin America help us achieve this goal. By
focusing on entrepreneurship, we aim to fuel
innovation, employment and economic growth
to help people around the world build stronger
futures for themselves, their families and
their communities.
Through our philanthropic efforts, we strive
to help people overcome barriers to fi nancial
inclusion. By supporting educational and
skill-building initiatives, we aim to develop a
generation of educated and motivated young
people poised for career success, enable the
creation of new enterprises and help small
businesses thrive and generate long-term
economic growth.
Employees demonstrate their civic spirit
by generously lending their time and talent
to support local communities. They teach
basic business skills to schoolchildren, lead
fi nancial literacy workshops for parents,
mentor students and plan projects to help
nearby residents.
They support other causes as well, including
disaster relief efforts. In 2010 and early 2011,
MasterCard donated to numerous disaster
relief efforts, responding to tragedies that
occurred in Chile, China, Haiti, New Zealand,
Russia, Australia and Japan.
Making a difference is, without question, the
most important MasterCard Advantage of all.