Comment on Node ant

John Agno — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:01:17 +0000

Blinded by CEO Disease at the top of the pyramid?

Engaging in straight talk with those who lead Corporate America is a rare occurrence.

C-level executives tend to be isolated from their corporate stakeholders because most of the information they receive is filtered by subordinates, suppliers, and consultants.

"CEO disease" is a term used to describe the isolation that envelops a leader when subordinates become reluctant to disclose bad news or worst-case scenarios that might trigger a shoot-the-messenger response.

How much should successful female executives do to help other women succeed?

John Agno — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 13:07:08 +0000

Many female executives are "getting lost in the leadership labyrinth."

Dress Code Lesson

John Agno — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:10:43 +0000

It's dangerous for men to weigh in on women's professional dress. To be sure, many people hate dress codes, no matter who imparts the information.

Comment on Node ant

John Agno — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:02:13 +0000

Companies are tapping managers from outside human resources to run their HR departments in recent years.

The shift reflects the increased importance that chief executives and boards place on recruiting, retaining and grooming employees. It also reflects a perception that some traditional HR professionals lack the deep understanding of business and financial issues that CEOs increasingly want, say consultants and recruiters.

Comment on Node ant

John Agno — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:57:33 +0000

With Baby Boomers filling most executive ranks and with qualified replacements increasingly scarce, an aggressive focus on talent management may be the only solution to an impending talent crisis.

Corporate America is top-heavy. A disproportionate amount of knowledge and leadership talent is vested with older employees who may not be with their companies for much longer. Executives will continue to retire and younger employees are insufficiently prepared to fill those vacancies.

Comment on Node ant

John Agno — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:37:26 +0000

Des Moines insurer Principal Financial Group (www.Principal.com) is ranked #21 in FORTUNE's 100 best companies to work for where the majority of employees get retirement benefits of 100% of income. Principal Financial has a long history of recruiting women: A 1996 Des Moines Sunday Register ad trumpets job openings for "mothers of schoolchildren" with part-time hours and summers off.

Comment on Node ant

John Agno — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:15:34 +0000

Of course, an alternative way to advance your career is to through a new job at a different employer.

75 percent of 150 surveyed senior executives from human resources, finance and marketing departments say they would be comfortable looking for a new job while still employed at their current position. That figure is up from 69 percent in a 2002 survey according to Accountemps, Menlo Park, CA.

When you move to a new position in a new company, expect to increase your salary by at least 10% to 15%. That can be more rewarding than a pat on the back at your current employer.

Stop dressing dead people where you work.

John Agno — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:24:02 +0000

Many praise thankless work as the right and good way to reach their concept of heaven while depleting their life-given spiritual energy.

Comment on Node ant

John Agno — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:17:04 +0000

Over the years, I have discovered success is powered by three things: know-how, reputation and a network of contacts.

The formula for success = your human capital (what you know) times your social capital (who you know) times your reputation (who trusts you).

You can take away all my money and even my customer list, but if I can keep my smarts, my business relationships and reputation, I'll get it all back and then some. Having knowledge, social capital and trust is the ultimate security blanket in good times and bad.

Comment on Node ant

John Agno — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:04:04 +0000

The continuous question every CEO asks is: How can our company continue to differentiate itself from our competition?

One answer proposed by Dave Ulrich, co-author of "Leadership Brand" and professor at the University of Michigan, is to create a leadership brand of how your company wants to be known by its customers. Translating your firm's product or service brand into a strong leadership brand can increase the market value of your corporation as reflected in the P/E (price/earnings) ratio of your company's stock.