The Brundidge Rotarians were honored to have Rotary District Governor Michael Chambers as the keynote speaker at their Wednesday meeting.

Chambers has been a Rotarian since 1989 and has held various club and district offices and received several prestigious Rotary awards and citations. He founded and serves as president and CEO of Swift Biotech, a company developing screens and diagnostics for endometrial and ovarian cancer.

Chambers told the Rotarians that he is proud to be a Rotarian but he was not going to talk much about Rotary, rather the fast-changing world in which we live.

“This is the most fascinating, fast-paced time of all mankind,” he said and highlighted changes made in the last 100 years. “In 1903, Wilbur Wright flew 30 feet. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh made the first solo, nonstop flight across the Atlantic. In 2006, the New Horizons Spacecraft, traveling at 31,000 miles per hour, sent images of Pluto back to Earth, some three billion miles away. It’s amazing what has been accomplished in aviation in just 100 years.”

Chambers added the mapping of all the genes of the human genome and the 50 percent increase in the life expectancy of both men and women among other fascinating changes in this fast-paced word.

As far as the implications for business, Chambers said it’s important to understand, recognize and work with the fast-paced business climate. He gave five keys to a successful business in today’s world.

“First, a business must evolve or perish,” he said. “Then, you have to learn how to disrupt your own business.”

He said, for continued success in business, it is vital to know how the business could be disrupted. Knowing, could prevent the factors that could cause disruption. Chambers cited doing nothing as the best way to disrupt business.

“Number three is to invest in good people and treat them right,” he said. “The Millenniums, those who were born after 1985, don’t think like we do. They are interested in benefits, in training and in flexible working arrangements. If we don’t give them what they want, they will go somewhere else.”

Chambers said, on an average, the Millenniums will have eight to nine different employers during their careers.

“For business success, it is most important to set goals and establish a deadline for reaching those goals,” he said. “Set goals and them commitment to them. Even if you don’t reach the goal, you might find that the journey was worth the effort.

“And, number five, relationships matter. Communication is changing relationships but carve out time for relationships. Personal contacts are important for continued business.”

Chambers took a few minutes to thank the Brundidge Rotarians for their commitment to Rotary, to their community and far beyond and encouraged them to attract new members.

“When you do attract new members, give them relevant, meaningful work,” he said. “Rotarians are making a difference and changing lives, here and around the world. You are a part of that.”