Quest Diagnostics 1998 Annual Report Download - page 7

Meeting the Challenges of 1999
The four quality challenges represent
an ambitious agenda. We are fully
committed to meeting these new
challenges, while continuing to
build on the initiatives that gained
momentum in 1998.
During 1999:
• We will begin the process of
bringing Quest Diagnostics and
SBCL together;
• We will maintain and intensify
our efforts to standardize practices,
policies and priorities across the
company;
• We will continue to manage costs
aggressively;
• We will complete preparations to
ensure our information technology
systems are Year 2000-ready;
• Despite a difficult environment
characterized by ever-changing
government regulations and
requirements, we remain committed
to maintaining our status as the
industry leader in compliance;
• We will maintain our focus on
raising revenue per requisition by
providing higher value to cost-sensitive
customers in a highly fragmented,
competitive environment;
• We will continue to seek out
profitable partnerships with large
buyers of health services as we
pursue new growth opportunities
to offset continuing declines in
our traditional markets; and
• We will reestablish top line
growth at Quest Diagnostics and
continue strong cash generation.
In short, 1999 promises a year full
of challenges for your company, but
one in which we have the opportunity
to move far beyond the solid record
of accomplishments wehaveestablished
during our first two years as a public
company. We are convinced that
our attention is focused on the right
goals: providing quality services for
our customers and patients, an
exceptional working environment
for our dedicated employees, and
a strong return on our shareholders’
investment. By maintaining an
unswerving focus on these critical
areas, we can look forward to
reporting another year of strong
performance improvement in the
new year.
7
Kenneth W. Freeman
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer