Oliver Wight was a pioneer in planning processes. Ollie recognized the problems faced by companies and had a clear understanding of their needs. He was always looking to the future and finding ways to improve things.

Oliver Wight had two great gifts. He could take complicated subjects, unravel them, and make them simple.

More important, he had a sensitivity to people that broke down barriers. He had innovative ideas and could communicate them in a way that gained acceptance, commitment, and enthusiasm.

Somehow, in the early years of the computer revolution, the role of people was misplaced. Ollie made it his personal mission to put people back where they belong and to give them the understanding they need to use their new tools. Among his many enduring tenets is, “Computers are not the key to success, people are.” This remains a core philosophy of The Oliver Wight Companies.

Oliver Wight used his gifts to build an enduring legacy in business processes. Nearly every company using planning processes and Ollie's philosophies, passed on through teaching, writing, and consulting, experienced significant increases in productivity, inventory turnover, customer service, and growth.

His emphasis on the people side of business solutions earned him a reputation as a leading thinker in business education.

Ollie once said, quite modestly, “I've left some footprints.” Those who have chosen to follow them are better off both personally and professionally.

Oliver Wight was 53 years old when he passed away in 1983.