This past month, I was invited to deliver a leadership presentation to a group of international business students at Stony Brook University at the request of a business colleague I have known for over 25 years.  These exchanges of content are an enduring commitment we make to the community.  Our hope is that the fundamental [...]

In our many years of operating a strategic planning firm, one incredible truth has emerged. The commitment to continually learn defines whether people and teams have the energy to innovate and develop strategies that achieve results. As the world continues to evolve economically and politically, global and emerging markets become more competitive. Effective leaders understand their role in stimulating discussions that [...]

Young Presidents’ Organization recently released their quarterly Global Pulse CEO Survey in April. Optimism is rising among U.S. CEOs regarding 2010 sales and business conditions, producing a 4.1 point increase in the U.S. CEO Confidence Index. However, expectations for hiring and fixed investments are more muted. Interestingly enough, 58 percent of U.S. CEOs still expect [...]

Many signs point to a turnaround for the economy. The stock market is advancing and the employment numbers appear to be improving slowly. “But what about opportunities for older workers?” people often ask me. “Are they finding jobs too?” The answer is maybe. Experienced workers are finding jobs if they have the right attitude and [...]

An often-cited marketing maxim is that women control approximately 80 percent of all consumer purchases. They are the ultimate consumer and decision-makers, and should be taken seriously. While attending a private briefing with Shimon Peres, president of the State of Israel, my wife, Harriet, asked him what he believed was the greatest achievement of the [...]

I often hear colorful stories from colleagues and clients about young people in their organizations.  In response to making copies, while wearing flip-flops, “You should hire someone to do this kind of stuff so you don’t waste my talent.’”  What about the young woman who didn’t understand why everyone kept saying she had to ‘pay [...]

There are countless books on best practices for employee motivation. An Amazon search yields more than 8,000 titles. Combined with lectures and journal articles, you could probably spend the next two years wading through all the information. Many of these writings were sound and offered excellent tools. I intentionally used the past tense “were” and [...]

As a business leader, you realize how important communication is to the success of your organization. But what is even more critical than communicating itself – particularly in today’s challenging economic climate – is the way you engage with your colleagues and team and how you present your message. It’s what I call “purposeful communication.” [...]

Chief executives are busy leading, motivating and innovating. But one of the most important things they can do is create a succession plan. Thinking about who will fill their shoes when they move on is something they may not want to do. Who wants to believe that someone else can do the job as well [...]

During the last several weeks there hasn’t been much good economic news. But the time has come for us to move forward and be hopeful that things will improve, and they will. I start every day on a positive note. I have stopped watching the news in the morning; it was starting my day with [...]