Study sees strong bottom line with women at the top
A new study of Fortune 500 companies that have women on the boards of directors or in corporate executive positions suggests women are good for business. In the study, companies with the highest representation of women in corporate-officer positions had 35.1% higher financial performance than companies with the lowest representation of women in key posts.
Financial Post (Canada) (5/14) Full Article

Author tells women entrepreneurs to think bigger
Women are starting businesses at twice the rate of men but fewer than 3% will pass the $1 million threshold, says Susan Wilson Solovic, author of "The Girls' Guide To Building a Million Dollar Business." The reason, she says, is women are "not thinking big enough."
 Seattle Post-Intelligencer (5/9) Full Article

Who's who of brilliance
Conde Nast Portfolio has assembled a list of 73 tycoons, tastemakers, influencers and rebels who it says personify brilliance. Among them: Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein, Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, and funny woman Tina Fey.
Portfolio.com (5/1) Full Article

Global billionaires ranking includes 99 women
Forbes' new list of billionaires has 16 more women on the list than it did last year -- now taking 99 spots on the male-dominated list 1,125 billionaires worldwide. Of the 99, 10 are self-made women who built their vast fortunes themselves. Financial Times highlights a dozen women whose business acumen has put them on the billionaire's list, including Oprah Winfrey, Teresa F Heinz Kerry, J.K. Rowling and Meg Whitman.
Financial Post (Canada) (4/15) Full Article

NACTA founder Ogg steps down to join Travel Counsellors
Joanie Ogg, founder and president the National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents, plans to resign from her NACTA position to become a senior vice president of global sales and industry relations at Travel Counsellors. "Joanie is synonymous with the home-based travel segment and her expertise in the field is unsurpassed," said Peter Rasmussen, president of Travel Counsellors, USA. "She is universally respected by suppliers and agents for her untiring work on behalf of her constituency." Ogg says she plans to continue an active role in NACTA.
ModernAgent.com (3/4) Full Article

Glorioso finds virtual home with MTV Networks
Christina Glorioso has been named vice president of sales and marketing partnerships for MTV Networks' Music & Logo Group. She'll be responsible for developing sponsorship deals on virtual platforms tied to TV series, such as Virtual Hills and Virtual LagunaBeach, as well as marketing opportunities with the company's video games.
 InsideBrandedEntertainment.com (3/3) Full Article

Franchise business coach promotes client well-being
Jillian Sanchez, Franchise Business Coach for Lady of America, a women's fitness company, helps franchise owners and managers succeed with a focus not only on their businesses, but their personal well-being. Sanchez holds club training seminars and visits franchises regularly to share what she's learned from her many years in the fitness industry.
Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (2/18) Full Article

Former Hershey exec to lead Giant Food's nutrition programs
Sylvia Emberger will bring more than 30 years of experience, most recently having worked for The Hershey Co., to Giant Food Stores as the new corporate nutritionist. As the head of Giant's health and wellness initiatives, she will lead Giant and Martin's Food Market's in-store nutrition staff.
Progressive Grocer (1/30) Full Article

New P&G director named
Patricia A. Woertz, chairman and chief executive of ethanol and food producer Archer Daniels Midland Corp., has been appointed to Procter & Gamble Co.'s board of directors, the company recently announced.
The Boston Globe (1/8) Full Article

Accountant makes team effort of managing her office
Allowing staff to have a free exchange of ideas empowers them and makes managing more of a team effort, says Marjorie Horwin, partner-in-charge of Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra's Boca/Palm Beach, Fla., accounting office. Horwin shares lessons she has learned about effective management in this interview.
Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (1/7) Full Article

CEO: Pepsi to launch milk-based drink
Pepsi plans to roll out a new milk- or soya-based drink in response to increased consumer demand for nutritious beverages, said CEO Indra Nooyi. She did not commit to a time frame for the launch, which would put Pepsi in direct competition with Nestle, Amul and other popular Indian companies.
Yahoo! (12/22) Full Article

Many airlines support plan to ease congestion in New York
Several U.S. airlines that fly to and from New York's Kennedy Airport and Newark Liberty Airport say they are willing to make voluntary scheduling changes and accept flight caps aimed at easing congestion. The DOT on Thursday announced a plan that calls for capping flights during peak periods. "We support the schedule reduction as a short-term fix to reduce delays, and applaud [Transportation Secretary Mary Peters] for the collaborative process she led addressing the issue in an equitable way," said Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson. The New York Times (12/21) Full Article

Report: Kraft in talks over possible Brazilian acquisition
Kraft Foods reportedly is in negotiations to acquire the Brazilian pasta and cookie company M. Dias Branco for an estimated $1 billion. Kraft officials declined to confirm the report, although CEO Irene Rosenfeld has said she plans to increase Kraft's presence in growing markets, including Brazil.
Crain's Chicago Business (12/13) Full Article

Start-up cafe dodges obstacles on hopeful path to success
Caitlin Adler, 25, has seen numerous business ups and downs since opening Sweet Bites Bakery & Cafe in West Acton, Mass. in October. Her sales are growing, but so are costs. John Foley, restaurant adviser for AllBusiness.com, says Adler has a chance at success, but should take a number of steps, including making one of her parents a partner, starting a catering division and buying a stove.
The New York Times (12/19) Full Article

PepsiCo, Kraft, P&G officials make list of top female executives
PepsiCo Chairman and Chief Executive Indra Nooyi and Kraft Foods Chief Executive Irene Rosenfeld were included among the top 10 female officials of The Wall Street Journal's "50 Women to Watch 2007." Procter & Gamble executives Susan Arnold and Melanie Healey also were included in the list of 50 women.
American City Business Journals (11/19) Full Article

Bravo President Zalaznick tapped to lead Oxygen
Now that Oxygen is officially part of NBC Universal's cable lineup, Lauren Zalaznick has been selected to lead the channel. Zalaznick, who is also president of NBC Universal's Bravo channel, is hoping that Oxygen can help bring more female viewers into the NBCU fold.
The New York Times (11/21) Full Article

Barnesandnoble.com CEO talks Web 2.0, site redesign
Marie Toulantis, CEO of barnesandnoble.com, says the goal of the company's recent Web site redesign was to make the site more interactive and engaging. She discusses the incorporation of Web 2.0 technology, how the Web site is tied in to the company's bricks-and-mortar stores and her strategies for competing with Amazon.
DMNews (10/19) Full Article

Campbell to helm ABC's flagship station
Rebecca Campbell, the general manager of ABC owned-and-operated Philadelphia station WPVI, is moving to New York to take up those duties at flagship station WABC. She takes over from J. David Davis, who was named EVP of ABC News.
Variety (10/23) Full Article

H-E-B president: "Retailing is a very competitive business"
Suzanne Wade, president of H.E. Butt Grocery Co.'s San Antonio division and a former Wal-Mart employee, is the only woman among H-E-B's four presidents. Wade recently was named one of the top 62 women in the supermarket industry by Progressive Grocer, and in this interview, she discusses how she assesses the competition and the perspective she brings to her company.
Express News (San Antonio) (10/9) Full Article

Au Bon Pain CEO: "Work for a brand that you love"
Sue Morelli was named president and CEO of Boston-based Au Bon Pain in 2004 after years in executive roles, and has since helped the company double its locations. In this interview with Fast Casual she discusses which position best prepared her for her current job, the opportunities available to women in foodservice and the differences between urban and suburban diners.
FastCasual.com (10/9) Full Article

NOW endorses Clinton for president
The National Organization for Women's political action committee has endorsed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., in her bid for the U.S. presidency.
Houston Chronicle (3/28) Full Article

Therese Murray elected to lead Senate
Sen. Therese Murray has become the first female elected to the Massachusetts office of Senate president. Murray's predecessor, Robert E. Travaglini, stepped down from the post after a four-year stent as head of the legislative body.
The Boston Globe (3/22) Full Article

Kraft Foods exec gets major role on global Wrigley team
A key executive will leave Kraft Foods to become the new group vice president and managing director of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co in North America. A spokesman for the Chicago-based chewing gum maker said Mary Kay Haben was picked because she "has a proven track record" for managing consumer goods businesses, and for "growing existing brands and developing new product and packaging innovations."
Chicago Tribune (3/8) Full Article

Women politicians ring in International Women's Day
A new generation of female leaders, including the president of Chile and the German chancellor, celebrated International Women's Day but also cautioned the world that the rights of women are imperiled around the world.
The Guardian (London) (3/9) Full Article

Michelin's highest award goes to female chef
France's Michelin Guide has bestowed its highest three-star ranking to French chef Anne-Sophie Pic, marking only the fourth time the award has been given to a female chef in Michelin's 81-year history. Her restaurant, Pic, specializes in fish, and Pic herself comes from a long family line of chefs.
BBC (2/21) Full Article

Success started early for the Sullivan sisters
The four Sullivan sisters boast such jobs as president of Campbell USA, regional vice president of sales at Expedia Inc.'s Expedia Corporate Travel, chairman and CEO of Citizens Communications Co. and former senior vice president of sales at AT&T Wireless. And while such a combined resume would be an achievement for any family, the sisters give credit to their parents for instilling them with business sense and a good work ethic early in life. 
The Wall Street Journal (2/12) Full Article

Clinton candidacy puts gender gap, women's issues on stage
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign staff expects that women voters -- considered more liberal than men and more cognizant of the historic ramifications of her candidacy -- will propel her to the White House. And although it's far from clear that the gender gap will be enough to ensure a Clinton victory, attention to the voting tendencies of women will alter the political landscape through 2008.
The Washington Post (1/28) Full Article

Female CEO steps up at Lifeway Foods
Lifeway Foods CEO Julie Smolyansky represents a growing number of top women executives whose fathers entrusted them to lead family businesses. From 1998 to 2003 the percentage of family-run firms expecting their next CEO to be a woman rose from 25% to 34%, according to research at the Center for Women's Leadership at Babson College in Massachusetts.
Daily Herald (Chicago) (1/28) Full Article

Entrepreneur names its Woman of the Year
Maureen Kelly, founder of Tarte Cosmetics, has been selected as the winner of this year's OPEN from American Express and Entrepreneur magazine Woman of the Year Contest. Kelly was cited for her vision in investing $20,000 from credit cards and savings to turn her belief in the need for down-to-earth, easy-to-use and conveniently packaged makeup into a $15 million business.
Entrepreneur (1/2007) Full Article

Women make a power surge, but many fail to reach the top
Despite a growing number of women starting their own businesses and taking on middle management positions at corporations, few are able to break through to the senior-level threshold. Among the top corporate officer earners, just 6.4% are women, research firm Catalyst says.
The Wall Street Journal (7/25) Full Article

Zale makes Burton permanent CEO
Jewelry retailer Zale Corp. announced interim Chief Executive Officer Mary "Betsy" Burton would remain in the position, launching a search to fill her recently vacated chief financial officer position. Burton was appointed to the post in January by the firm's board after Mary Forte resigned.
The Wall Street Journal (7/23) Full Article

At the helm of Four Seasons planning and procurement
In a profile, Michele Sweeting, a senior executive for Capital Planning and Procurement with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, describes her responsibilities in coordinating and approving design functions at new hotels.
Hotel Interactive (7/23) Full Article

Hilton executive leads the way for women
Rebecca Wyatt, senior vice president of brand management for Hilton Hotels and Resorts' Homewood Suites brand, is the first female SVP of a Hilton brand. The 15-year Hilton veteran says: "You have to train yourself to operate effectively in a room full of men; it is easy to be overlooked if you don't speak up."
Hotel Interactive (6/16) Full Article

The auto industry's most powerful woman
As the new COO of Ford Motor Co.'s Americas division, Anne Stevens is routinely referred to as the most powerful woman in the male-dominated automobile manufacturing industry. Forbes magazine ranked her in the top half of the 50 most powerful businesswomen.
Detroit Free Press (4/17) Full Article

New RadioShack CEO comments on turnaround plans
Acting CEO Claire Babrowski said she is confident in the electronics retailer's turnaround plans despite lower-than-expected Q1 earnings. Babrowski said the company is reshaping its strategy on wireless phone sales and plans to close 480 unprofitable stores.
The Wall Street Journal (4/21) Full Article

Q-and-A: Macy's CMO Anne MacDonald
Since Federated Department Stores acquired May Department Stores Co. in August, the combined 850-store retailer plans to transform Macy's into a national brand. Responsible for this task is newly appointed CMO Anne MacDonald, who discusses her strategy in this interview.
The Wall Street Journal (3/22) Full Article

The correlation between female CEOs and balance sheets
The lack of women on corporate boards or board nominating committees isn't just about fairness -- it's a balance sheet issue. According to Selena Maranjian of The Motley Fool, "having more women in upper management seems to boost companies' bottom lines."
The Motley Fool (3/15) Full Article

Sara Lee CEO under pressure to perform
One year into her tenure as Sara Lee Corp.'s CEO, Brenda Barnes faces the dual pressures of turning around her stalled company and carrying the torch for women business executives everywhere. But despite her position atop the largest female-led corporation, the low-key, private Barnes projects a very different image from another female trailblazer, the outspoken, media savvy Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard.
USA TODAY (2/21) Full Article

Commentary: Female economist brings new financing to Arabian Gulf
Nahed Taher is breaking new ground in Saudi Arabia, not only as a woman, but also as a financier who can bring new economic opportunity to the Gulf region, one writer asserts. Taher is head of the Gulf One Investment Bank, which is working to raise a $10 billion private equity fund.
Forbes (2/14/06) Full Article

Fortune's new rising stars
Fortune magazine looks at 12 rising stars in business, including Xerox's Ursula Burns and Coca-Cola Co.'s Mary Minnick.
CNNmoney (1/25/06) Full Article

Container Store rearranges executive office
The Container Store has promoted executive vice president Melissa Reiff to president, replacing Kip Tindell, who will remain CEO of the retailer. Reiff is the first nonfounder to serve as president of the company, which has a strong tradition of hiring female executives. The Dallas Morning News (1/4/06) Full Article

Analysis: 2005 not a banner year for women CEOs
Women comprise less than 2% of the CEOs across the biggest U.S. companies, but that exclusive group endured declining fortunes in 2005. Most prominently, Carly Fiorina departed Hewlett-Packard, Eileen Scott left Pathmark Stores and Marce Fuller left Mirant.
USA Today (12/22/05) Full Article

New president named for NBC Universal division
Beth Comstock has been named president of NBC Universal's digital media and market development group, a new position for the General Electric company. Comstock was formerly CMO at GE.
Adweek (12/15/05) Full Article

CBS News hitches wagon to Lara Logan
Lara Logan, known for her fearless reporting from the world's war zones, has become a star at CBS News in just three years. As the "CBS Evening News" tries to recover from sagging ratings and a news scandal, the network will make Logan its leading foreign correspondent. The New York Times (11/23/05) Full Article

Is basketball ready for its first female GM?
Although Kim Ng didn't get the general manager's job with the Los Angeles Dodgers, columnist David Aldridge explores several other powerful woman in sports who might break the barrier in sports, particularly pro basketball.
The Philadelphia Inquirer (11/20/05) Full Article

Fifty women to watch
EBay's Meg Whitman, Sara Lee's Brenda Barnes and Avon's Andrea Jung lead off The Wall Street Journal's list of the top 50 women executives.
The Wall Street Journal (10/31/05) Full Article

Study: Women struggle to ascend the corporate ladder
It remains difficult for women to land top jobs at big companies, nationally as well as in the state of Michigan, a 2005 Michigan Women's Leadership Index study finds. "I think it does go back to culture change and learning how to manage differently," a human resource management professor said.
Detroit Free Press (10/24/05) Full Article

Hillary Clinton inducted into Women's Hall of Fame
The National Women's Hall of Fame has honored Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., as one of this year's 10 inductees. "I don't think there has ever been a better time to be a woman than in the United States of America in the 21st century," Clinton says.
MSNBC (10/8/05) Full Article

The woman who made Target cool
As VP for trend, design, and product development at Target, Robyn Waters helped transform the retailer from a big-box discounter to a purveyor of discount chic in the mid-to-late 1990s. In an interview with BusinessWeek, Waters, now head of her own consulting firm, discusses how it was done.
BusinessWeek (10/4/05) Full Article

Bushnell is back with a corporate twist
"Sex and the City" creator Candace Bushnell's new novel, "Lipstick Jungle," follows the paths of three successful New York City women in their 40s and the choices they make. "I think what I'm really trying to say is people should do what works best for them and shouldn't be constrained by gender. If there are women who want to go out and work and be the breadwinner, that's great," says Bushnell.
CNN (9/20/05) Full Article

Carly Fiorina's lasting legacy
Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carleton S. Fiorina has signed a book deal to write about her memoirs. While officially the book will be about "what makes a leader, how women can thrive in business, and how technology will continue to reshape our world," there is speculation that it could include gossip on the company and the conditions that led to her departure. BusinessWeek (8/24/05) Full Article

BBC features women in traditionally male jobs
BBC World Service's "World Today" program talks with Marin Alsop, music director of the Baltimore Symphony. "Being the boss is never about being loved - it's about being respected," she says.
BBC (8/3/05) Full Article

Condoleezza Rice tops most powerful women list
Forbes' second World's Most Powerful Women list ranks the 100 most powerful women in terms of their resume, economic impact and global media visibility.
 MSNBC (7/28/05) Full Article

Analysis: O'Connor coverage focused on legacy, not gender
Coverage of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's retirement marked a breakthrough in media coverage because most of the stories focused on her performance on the bench and not her gender, writes Sheila Gibbons in Women's eNews.
Women's eNews (7/20/05) Full Article

Management and Leadership

Create a wellness program for next to nothing
Workplace wellness programs can give you a better ROI than disease-management programs -- every $1 you invest can return $3 in three to five years, says a health education specialist. You can hire an outside firm to design a program or get loads of inexpensive ideas from various Web sites. Just remember that it will need support from the top execs to be successful.
New Hampshire Business Review (8/29) Full Article

There are many steps before first face-to-face interview
Smaller organizations can benefit from a well-planned strategy when they are hiring. A clear, accurate job description helps, as does having an idea of whom or what you are looking for. Then, careful phone screening can help you determine which candidates to follow up with.
Financial Post (Canada) (8/25) Full Article

Be a successful mentor
Several highly successful executives credit part of their success to having excellent mentors. Such relationships can't be forced, but there are steps you can take to be a successful mentor to others.
CIO (5/2) Full Article

Improve your "functional intelligence"
Want to be smarter at work? Then learn new things, temper your stress and exercise. Afterward, take a quick nap to improve your memory and top it all off with a cup of tea.
The New York Times (registration required) (5/10) Full Article

Leadership lessons from the Virginia Tech tragedy
The lessons learned from the tragedy that took place on the Blacksburg, Va., campus of Virginia Tech one year ago this month vary for all involved. Teachers and school administrators across the country have taken to formulating teams to assess how they manage students with mental issues. "We are seeing the campuses really trying to understand who needs help ... so they don't fall through the cracks," one official said.
 The Christian Science Monitor (4/16) Full article

HR expert: Cultivate diversity in work force
The best way for a business to cope with an increasingly diverse environment is to "embrace" it, says human relations consultant Bob Kustka of TheFusionFactor.com. Companies need to lay out a strategic plan for accessing the diversity in their work force and create an atmosphere that values diversity.
 BusinessWeek/Today's Tip (4/3) Full article

Business owners can prep successors before retirement
Business owners who plan for the future of their company following their retirement often nurture their own successor. To do this, the owner may set up an informal review period to test the person's skills before making a commitment, increase the successor's benefits to retain him or her until the time is right, and put the buy-sell agreement in writing.
The Advertiser (Lafayette, La.) (3/3) Full article

The traits of a good manager
Seven attributes, or "saving graces," are essential for good, balanced management. They are listening; approachability; boss relationships; integrity and trust; humor; interpersonal savvy; and understanding others.
BusinessWeek (2/14)  Full article

Investment in retention as important as hiring
Companies typically invest plenty of resources in terms of hiring the right people, but fail to put nearly enough energy into creating and sustaining a company culture that encourages these workers to stay for the long term. Talented employees should be provided with challenges to push their potential and a support system to help them through adversity. tompeters.com (2/15) Full article

Analysis: Cubicle culture hinders collaboration
Although there are economic efficiencies associated with "Cubedom," such benefits may be offset by the losses associated with poor communications and a lack of collaboration and teamwork that a cubicle setting may engender among staff.
American City Business Journals (1/21) Full article

Employee misuse of cell phones can lose sales
Misuse of cell phones is driving a new frenzy of online complaints about poor customer service. Businesses should establish protocol for use of cell phones at work, based on the No. 1 rule that if a customer takes the time to visit your business, at least give him your attention.
USA TODAY (1/30) Full article

CEOs need to master skills of public speaking
Public speaking is a skill that CEOs need to learn, as they are often called upon to represent their organization or brand, says one communications coach. However, even charismatic CEOs bomb at public appearances if they fail to prepare what they're going to say; don't tailor their comments to match their audience; keep making the same tired speech; or use their time to make a pitch.
WomenEntrepreneur.com (1/14) Full article

Expert: "Re-recruitment" retains employee morale, attentiveness
Employees need to be "re-recruited" after they have been working for a company for a period of time so they still feel valued, human resources consultant Sue Romero writes in this column. She recommends re-recruitment interviews several times during the first year for new employees, and annual interviews for more experienced employees.
Advance for Health Information Professionals (1/14) Full article

Staff chaplain speaks to employees as well as bottom line
As one of 10 or so paid chaplains on the staff of the Loop Pizza Grill in the Southeast, the Rev. Becci Curtis says she is an advocate of what Martin Luther called "the priesthood of all believers." The co-founder and chief executive of Loop, Mike Schneider, says having a chaplain "improves the chemistry of the restaurant, gives us better guest-focus and problem-resolution" and leads to "lower turnover rates, less absenteeism."
The New York Times (12/29) Full article

Let honesty, candor rule in employee dismissals
Employers need to be cautious and honest when firing employees to avoid costly lawsuits and legal rulings, says Canadian employment lawyer and author Howard Levitt. Employees should be informed as soon as possible of termination decisions and severance negotiations must be reasonable and without taking advantage of employee vulnerability.
Financial Post (Canada) (1/2) Full article

Love leadership moves family practices to workplace
A new book called "Love Leadership -- What the World Needs Now" reflects a philosophy women have embraced more easily than men, says MarketWatch's Jennifer Openshaw. Men are catching up, however, and she points to Warren Buffett and Jimmy Carter as examples of love leadership.
MarketWatch (12/11)  Full article

Women leaders of MotorCity Casino Hotel get hands-on with planning
The two women who are at the helm of the new $300 million MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit, owner Marian Ilitch and COO Rhonda Cohen, put their personal touch on nearly every aspect of the facility. Cohen said the process "was like designing a house." The women helped decide on details from bed linens to breakfast potatoes at the 400-room luxury hotel. Detroit Free Press (11/28) Full article

McDonald's president-COO touts employee diversity
McDonald's has been lauded by numerous organizations and publications for its diversity-friendly employment policies -- women and minorities make up 41% of the company's owner-operators, The Plain Dealer reports. In this interview, President and COO Ralph Alvarez says McDonald's has benefited from minority representation among employees and restaurant owners because they are "really the engine of growth for us."
The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) (10/27) Full article

Neiman Marcus CEO drives trends, stays grounded
Karen Katz has kept two rejection letters she received over the years: one from Harvard Law School and one from Neiman Marcus. Now that she travels the world, oversees Neiman Marcus Stores as CEO and is credited with driving trends in handbag sales and e-commerce, she still feels strongly about balancing work and her life as a wife and mother.
The Dallas Morning News (10/26) Full article

"Every customer counts" in startup
Marketing a business is necessary for finding customers, even for people who don't like marketing, says Cynthia McKay, a business growth consultant and entrepreneur. McKay's column in WomenEntrepreneur.com describes how she built her company simply by letting the people she met know she would like to have their business.
WomenEntrepreneur.com (10/10) Full Article

Advice: Key traits of a superior franchisee
Jennifer Openshaw, radio advice host and author of "The Millionaire Zone," says she learned from one successful franchiser that ability to perform well under stress and be a follower before being a leader are signs of a good franchisee. In her column at MarketWatch, Openshaw says five keys to a franchisee's success are commitment, learning attitude, willingness to work with others, patience and perseverance and willingness to assume responsibility.
MarketWatch (10/8) Full Article

Kinney to oversee integration of NYSE and Euronext in Paris
John Thain, CEO of NYSE Group, is planning to relocate Big Board President Catherine Kinney to Paris to oversee the merger with Euronext. The deal between the NYSE and Euronext closes next week and will create the biggest market operator on the globe by stock market capitalization.
The Wall Street Journal (3/29) Full Article

Stress-reduction methods managers can implement at work
The type of stress employees feel at work determines whether they hate their job or love it. Managers who take the initiative to reduce energy-draining stress in the office are more likely to have productive and satisfied workers. Try arranging enjoyable group activities that allow workers to break away from everyday work while encouraging teamwork and building unity.
 American City Business Journals (3/26) Full Article

Power of persuasion in the business world
Learning to be a skilled persuader is vital in today's workplace. Many offices now have less hierarchical management structures, so getting what you want done might mean getting approval from an entire team of people.
The Washington Post (3/18) Full Article

Benefits value, not cost control, tops managers' challenges
Benefits value has surpassed cost control as the uppermost challenge confronting employee benefit managers, thanks to rising health care costs, employee cost shifting and a maturing work force, a new MetLife study says. "For the first time in the five years since we started doing this study, retaining employees has surpassed the cost of containing health and welfare programs as the No. 1 benefits objective," said Ronald Leopold, MetLife's VP of employer sponsored benefits.
BenefitNews.com (3/12) Full Article

Simple ways to generate productivity
Educate employees on company goals, try to understand their feelings and listen to their suggestions, so they feel more engaged and encouraged to work and contribute to the success of the business or organization.
Manage Smarter (3/5) Full Article

Why accounting rules shouldn't drive strategy
When changes in accounting rules provide no new information, they don't register with investors. Nor should they lead managers to shift focus.
The McKinsey Quarterly (2/28) Full Article

From logistics worker to executive: Navigating upward mobility
Supply management is tough, and skilled logistic workers are more frequently being promoted to management positions, yet they are often not given the proper training to make the transition. The key aims for these workers-turned-managers should be building a good team through systematic recruiting, keeping workers motivated and acting as an empathetic and positive leader.
DC Velocity (2/2007) Full Article

Make a seamless switch to new management position
There are pros and cons to taking on a new management position, whether you are promoted internally or brought in from the outside. If you are an outsider, get to know your new employees and co-workers by talking with them and your clients and offer an objective opinion on current office situations or issues. On the other hand, it's important to take charge in your new leadership position, and don't be afraid to let go of former responsibilities if you move up from within the company.
American City Business Journals (2/26) Full Article

Take inventory of your psychological capital
Psychological capital is a relatively new concept that takes human capital a step further. Take a person's personality into account when determining his or her fit for the company, as opposed to just filling the opening with a warm body.
The Gallup Organization (1/11) Full Article

Don't let one employee dominate your time or other's
The best way to handle an employee who frequently sits down in your office for heart-to-heart conversations is to listen and offer some simple, sound advice. You may be able to avoid these persistent chats, and save other employees from listening to the small talk, by periodically reaffirming their work and contributions.
The Washington Post (1/14) Full Article

Self-reflection important part of improving leadership
Becoming a better leader often has to do with changing some of your interpersonal traits, ones that others may find annoying or even offensive, says executive coach Marshall Goldsmith. Listen to other's opinions of you, and let go of annoying habits in order to increase your credibility as a good manager.
 BusinessWeek (1/8) Full Article

Little things count in employer-employee relationships
Acknowledging employees in direct ways for their daily efforts is a smart management move that keeps staff engaged and feeling valued. A simple "thank you" can go long way in showing employees they hold positions of meaningful contribution.
American City Business Journals (1/8) Full Article

Q-and-A: What it takes to be a good leader
Leading a business effectively is tough during good times and rough ones. Paul Taffinder, author of "The Leadership Crash Course: How to Create Personal Leadership Value," answers questions on new perceptions of leadership as well as how to teach it.
CareerJournal (The Wall Street Journal) (7/17) Full Article

What executives are asking about China: From entry to execution
The head of McKinsey's offices in China answers the questions that senior managers of multinational companies are asking.
The McKinsey Quarterly (7/1) Full Article

Entrepreneur or leader, which one are you?
Deciding whether you are a leader or entrepreneur is an important step in helping your business grow. Each has characteristics that affect how a business is run and should be seriously considered when searching for new hires.
BusinessWeek (6/27) Full Article

Exec search firm helps women balance family, corporate lives
Like many other women, Kate Grussing experienced difficulty balancing her professional obligations with her personal and family responsibilities. After an 18-year corporate career, she founded Sapphire Partners, an executive search firm that focuses mostly on matching experienced women executives seeking flexible positions with appropriate companies. International Herald Tribune (6/16) Full Article

Survey: Failure to listen a top mistake leaders make
A study of more than 1,400 leaders and managers found that more than 41% of those surveyed said they felt the biggest mistake leaders make when working with others is the failure to communicate or listen. Under- or over-supervising people or providing either too much or too little direction was listed by a quarter of leaders as a major failing.
Management-Issues U.K. (6/20) Full Article

Five tips for management cohesiveness
A list of five tips to boost cohesiveness in a management team includes assigning accountability and ownership for strategies; brainstorming; asking for solutions; challenging the team; and coming together to address common issues.
CEO Strategist (4/1/06) Full Article

Negotiate like a pro
Master negotiators know when to employ certain facial expressions, the silent treatment and the bait-and-switch technique. This article explains when to turn to these, and seven other, crucial negotiation tactics.
Entrepreneur (3/2006) Full Article

Books to help win at business
Two new business books can help with management strategies for inspiring and working alongside employees, whether it's to win a big account or a do-or-die battle. "The Wizard and the Warrior: Leading with Passion and Power," by Lee G. Bolman and Terrence E. Deal, and "Must-Win Battles: How to Win Them, Again and Again," by Peter Killing, Thomas Malnight and Tracey Keys, earned high marks from this Miami Herald review.
 The Miami Herald (4/17/06) Full Article

Books for aspiring leaders and those with office issues
Authors present their solutions for dealing with difficult co-workers and offer ways to "accomplish anything you can dream" in two new business books. A Harvard-trained psychotherapist, a management consultant and an 80-year-old entrepreneur and former Hanes Cos. CEO offer their insights.
Houston Chronicle (3/11/06) Full Article

Mentoring losing its luster with managers
Company managers are forgoing mentoring young employees, as managerial styles shift to a teaching-by-example approach. Managers are given more employees to supervise and often see it as too risky to link their success to that of other employees.
The Wall Street Journal (3/13/06) Full Article

Ten CEOs share their leadership secrets
Fortune surveys 10 chief executives, including the CEOs of Procter & Gamble, Merrill Lynch and Best Buy, on the secret of making your way to the top and staying there.
Fortune (12/21/05) Full Article

Using an IQ test to predict executive success
While IQ tests have some practical drawbacks in helping to gauge executive performance, companies can formulate an assessment tool that can glean executive intelligence from a candidate by posing questions that put the candidate in unfamiliar situations, one professor says.
HBS Working Knowledge, 12/5/05 Full Article

Employers strive to retain less-loyal workers
With many employees always on the lookout for something better, companies are looking beyond just salary as a retention booster and focusing on flex time, work-life balance and an emphasis on teamwork. "Constant churn will create a drain on companies and problems for clients if they must, for example, constantly deal with a new account manager," one consultant says.
Forbes (11/24/05) Full Article

Business leaders share their "golden rules"
Business 2.0 magazine asked 49 leaders to share their secrets to success -- the single philosophies they adhere to most.
CNNmoney (11/29/05) Full Article

Body language can make or break a leader
Great leaders ooze confidence, not only in their speech, but in their body language as well, one communications coach explains. Managers can tailor their body language to help them develop a command presence by moving with purpose and using appropriate hand gestures during their delivery.
BusinessWeek (11/17/05) Full Article

Female management style creates a whole-picture scenario
Research indicates men and women have different management styles, with women focusing on team goals and short-term objectives. In key management positions, both men and women perceive men as the better decision-makers, Catalyst president Ilene H. Lang says. Fortune (11/14/05) Full Article

Remembering Peter Drucker
In light of the management guru's recent death, The Wall Street Journal notes everyone in business could benefit from re-reading some of Drucker's work. "The business world would surely be a better place if every manager were required to read his 1966 classic, 'The Effective Executive,' " the newspaper writes.
The Wall Street Journal (11/14/05) Full Article

Bosses often infringe on workers' personal lives
The majority of U.S. workers are unhappy with their bosses, according to industry statistics. Employees should be proactive by documenting incidents or offering a compromise to their bosses to resolve conflict, a career and psychology expert says.
The Miami Herald (10/19/05) Full Article

The Atlanta Braves: A model for a winning team
The foundation of a company's success is built on the ability to "create a level of confidence and reliability and trust," says Atlanta Braves general manager John Schuerholz, whose "Built to Win" book will be released this spring. Developing talent from within and effectively managing change also are essential, Schuerholz says.
The Wall Street Journal (10/5/05) Full Article

Leading through tough times
Because corporate transitions are difficult, transitional leaders must motivate employees to embrace new corporate visions and help engender a new organizational process, according to Richard L. Daft. Leaders should rely on four key principles when steering their employees through a restructure.
CEO Strategist (9/16/05) Full Article

Companies contend with Web-surfing employees
Employees who use work hours to surf the Web or send personal e-mail not only reduce worker productivity but also can open a company up to malicious code or a potential lawsuit. Many companies have opted to monitor employees' online activities.
CFO (9/1/05) Full Article

Corporations and the art of decision-making
With a good portion of payroll dollars being directed to managers and other decision-makers, corporations need to give as much credence to decision design as they do to products and services, one writer contends. Greater input from employees within the company who are directly affected by these decisions can help increase the quality and creativity of decision-making within the organization.
BusinessWeek (8/30/05) Full Article

Resolving workplace conflicts
Forbes.com offers managers seven tips on how to effectively smooth over disputes between workers. It is essential for a manager to stay neutral and be assertive when working toward a positive resolution.
Forbes (8/25/05) Full Article

Boredom in job can undermine company
Lack of stimulation in a job leaves workers bored and unsatisfied, according to industry research. "[Boredom] blocks creativity, which can undermine any company, which can keep it from staying abreast of the marketplace, competition," a business psychologist says.
The Washington Post (8/10/05) Full Article

Companies factoring strategy into budgets
Corporate budgeting and planning is more effective when companies can get both the higher-ups and managers involved in the process, one writer says. Tying budgeting into corporate strategy can help facilitate long-term success.
CFO (7/1/05) Full Article

Become a better manager today
Many times becoming a better manager has to do with learning new skills and putting them to use. Some tips to making yourself a highly regarded manager include hiring people that are good for the company, being a motivator and leader and less of a manager and doing your best to communicate clearly and openly.
About (2/13) Full Article

Marketplace

Callaway asks: Why aren't more women playing golf?
The company is making a concerted effort to go after the female demographic and is taking lessons they are learning about women's buying habits and their interaction with the game and implementing them into new products, such as the entry-level Gems set. Callaway has also designated 50 female PGA professionals as brand ambassadors to help promote the game to more women. Golfweek (4/14) Full article

CFOs in the hot seat
CFO turnover in the first quarter was up 21% over the same period last year, says Liberum Research. The firm counted 593 changes of finance chief at publicly traded U.S. companies in the first three months of 2008. "If performance is suffering, as it has been for many companies lately, oftentimes the CFO will take it on the chin before anyone else," said Richard Jacovitz, a senior VP at Liberum. FinancialWeek (4/14) Full article

Worn-down dress codes have led to sloppiness
Many experts believe that casual dress, or at least sloppy dress, in the workplace has crossed a line. "We're seeing flip-flops, low-cut tops, unshaven looks and holes in jeans," says Shannon Smith, author of "Power Manners," who is hired to shore up company dress codes. "The sloppier the dress, the sloppier the attitude and the sloppier the work ethic." Financial Post (Canada) (3/1) Full article

Sleep deprivation has become costly, risky work issue
Sleepiness costs billions of dollars in lost production and puts workers at risk driving to and from work, according to a new study on sleep and the workplace. Of the respondents polled for the research, 39% had nodded off or fallen asleep while driving, almost 30% had fallen asleep at work or become very sleepy and 12% had arrived late for work because they were sleepy. USA TODAY (3/3) Full article

SBA will probe $1.2 million contract given to Bush appointee
The Small Business Administration, under fire with allegations of Republican cronyism from the House Small Business Committee, has agreed to investigate an inexperienced company that received a quick certification waiver and the lion's share of funding for a key SBA program. VBP Group, owned by former Agriculture Department appointee Vernon B. Parker, received a $1.2 million SBA grant to to help minority- and women-owned businesses compete for government grants. The New York Times (2/19)  Full article

Online shoppers drive their own luxury trends
A new type of consumerism marked by online shoppers who create and pass on their own trends has been dubbed "Web 3.0" by Dawn Bebe, managing director of Osoyou.com, Britain's first social-shopping site for women. "The next evolution for the web is social networks that have a purpose -- vertical social networks ... This is where social shopping comes in. The thing that bonds these people is shopping and fashion," she said. Financial Times (free content) (2/19) Full article

Internet breaks business-entry barriers
Young people with entrepreneurial spirits are starting a trend that spans the globe. Because the Internet has lowered barriers to business entry, even entrepreneurs from developing nations are finding success with their small-business ideas, including e-commerce sites, blogs with paid ads, business consulting, graphic design and software development. E-Commerce Times (1/26) Full article

Peer-to-peer lending expanding quickly
Peer-to-peer lending is gaining steam as an increasing number of borrowers find they can get loans without having to apply to tight-fisted banks reeling from the subprime credit crisis. With so few innovations in lending, when something like peer-to-peer lending catches on, it "has a high probability of being what academics refer to as a 'disruptive innovation,' " says George Hofheimer of the Filene Research Institute in Wisconsin. The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) (1/28) Full article

Critics: SBA still keeps government contracts from Women
Rules announced by the Small Business Administration in December still fail women-owned businesses because they give preference to women in only four of of 140 industries, say critics. "The government says it champions women, but it continues to lock us out," says Margot Dorfman, who heads the Women's Chamber of Commerce. The New York Times (1/16) Full article

Female homeowners feel sting of subprime crisis
An analysis by nonprofit Reinvestment Fund found that more than half of the foreclosures in Baltimore's Belair-Edison neighborhood have been on homes owned primarily by women. Subprime mortgages with adjustable rates can leave borrowers vulnerable to payments that increase substantially over time. Women are 32% more likely than men to receive subprime loans, according to the Consumer Federation of America. The New York Times (1/15) Full article

Site to use coupons to attract female audience
Valassis Communications, a distributor of coupons via newspaper inserts and the U.S. mail, is going virtual with a Web portal geared toward female consumers. RedPlum.com is intended to be more than a coupon site -- it will offer product reviews, original content and a recipe database. Valassis, unlike some rival value-shopper sites, will allow users to browse the site anonymously, according to this article. The New York Times (12/27) Full article

Pros spurn retirement, corporations to start businesses
The recent growth of home-based businesses is largely being fueled by professionals who find they do not need the corporate setting to be successful. Many people who have become successful in business, accounting, human resources and other professions have been able to turn their skills and knowledge into a consulting business they can operate from their homes, says Jeff Zbar, creator of ChiefHomeOfficer.com. Inc.com (12/2007) Full article

FCC adopts new rules on ownership diversity
The FCC on Tuesday adopted a series of proposals that would increase the broadcast ownership by new entrants and minority- and women-owned small businesses. The new rules, according to FCC Associate Media Bureau Chief Chris Robbins, also would "assist any eligible entities with access to financing and opportunities for spectrum." TVNEWSDAY (12/18) Full article

Lane Bryant's jeans exceed sales forecasts
Lane Bryant's new Right Fit jeans line, available in the brand's 900 stores and in 450 Catherines locations, is a hit with consumers. The line, which promises a more comfortable fit for women, is a bright spot in an otherwise tough year for Lane Bryant and its parent company, Charming Shoppes. American City Business Journals (12/14) Full article

Video game industry should get women involved
The video game industry is missing huge opportunities by primarily developing games aimed at young men, argues the co-founder of a women's game collective. Celia Pearce, also a college professor, said that there was "overwhelming evidence" that companies could sell a lot more products if they followed the lead of the board game industry and targeted a broader market. GameDaily BIZ (12/11) Full article

More women turn to careers in building trades
More women are training for jobs in the building trades in New York City than ever before, and most of them are finding commercial construction jobs, trade union officials say. The trend is partly the result of efforts made to recruit minorities, women and military veterans after a construction boom swept the city in 2003. The New York Times (11/26) Full article

Advertising by women, for women
Womenkind, an agency launching in New York, plans on crafting ads that appeal to women. Former Lowe Worldwide CEO Jerry Judge is teaming up with Kristi Faulkner and Sandy Sabean -- both formerly of Ammirati Puris Lintas -- and former WPP Group chief technology officer Steven Leitner. Adweek (11/16) Full article

Women's group wants set-aside rules approved faster
U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce wants Congress to speed up the approval of new rules to set aside government contracts for women-owned businesses, reports Buffalo Business First. Currently, the rules revised by The Small Business Administration are being reviewed by government agencies before being published for public comment. American City Business Journals (10/12) Full article

Executive women share tales of incompetent assistants
Incompetent assistants can slow down even the most efficient executives, writes Ellen Ryan in the ForbesLife Executive Women column. Several female executives recall stories of assistants who faxed confidential documents to the wrong person, were unable to transfer phone calls, and destroyed a $27,000 conference table by placing hot pizzas on it. Forbes (10/8) Full article

Home Depot tests new format for women shoppers
Home Depot will open two test stores this month, in Charlotte, N.C., and in Concord, Calif., designed to be more appealing to female customers. The new locations, dubbed Home Depot Design Centers, will include kitchen and bath showrooms and a larger section on home organization, as well as a garden center focused on outdoor living. MarketWatch (10/8) Full Article

Hotels increasingly offer female-friendly amenities
As the number of women travelers increases, hotels are stepping up to the plate with a wide variety of female-friendly amenities. Hotels are catering to the growing market with offerings ranging from women-only floors to room amenities such as full-length mirrors and better lighting in the bathroom. WomenEntrepreneur.com (10/2) Full Article

SBA to crack down on small-business contracts awarded to corporations
Starting this summer, businesses with federal contracts will be required to report if they are acquired, merged or buy another company, in an effort to prevent large or corporate businesses from getting federal contracts reserved for small businesses. "We know that there is some concern out there and we believe this is a way of addressing that issue," said the district director of the Small Business Administration's Los Angeles District Office. Los Angeles Times (3/28) Full Article

Editorial: House labor bill goes too far
The House has passed a measure that would allow unions to organize by getting a majority of workers to sign cards rather than by winning a contested election. Although the ability of employees to organize is an important aspect of fairness in the workplace and a core democratic right, labor and its legislative allies in this case are pursuing a politically unachievable and substantively unwise path, according to a Washington Post editorial. The Washington Post (3/12) Full Article

Hedge funds eclipse investment banks in bond trading
The significance of hedge funds has increased thanks to computer-driven trading models that generate high trading volume for U.S. Treasury bonds. Electronic trading, and the ability to make trades quickly to exploit small differences in prices, is changing the trading field and has given hedge funds a leg up on investment banks. Financial Times (3/8) Full Article

Bernanke moves to soothe Congress, investors after last week's fall
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke told Congress that U.S. markets were doing well and that last week's sell-off didn't change his expectations about economic growth. CNNmoney.com (2/28) Full Article

Business groups fight pro-union bill
While organized labor continues to push for a pro-union bill, the National Retail Federation, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups are campaigning against it. Business lobbyists expressed confidence in being able to stop the bill, which would ease workers' process of joining unions. The New York Times (2/23) Full Article

Little guys suffer as Wall Street enters machine era
The end of an era is approaching on Wall Street, where the number of humans who work the trading floors is dwindling. And although NYSE CEO John Thain said that there would always be a need for specialists on the exchange, no one expects to see a return to the teeming pits of yesterday. And perhaps the people most likely to be hurt by the change are the small merchants in Wall Street. "Machines and computers don't eat and drink," one bar owner said. MSNBC (2/20) Full Article

Pop-up stores target consumers' haste
Pop-up stores have become the latest retail trend, with retailers including Gap, Target and Nike opening stores in major cities or malls for just a few days and then closing them. Retailers have conveyed a sense of urgency through their pop-up stores to lure hasty consumers, shouting "Act now!" to grab customers' attention, one fashion publicity expert said. BusinessWeek (2/9) Full Article

Bernanke, Congress to discuss inequality issues
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke is set to go before the new Democratic majority in Congress to seek ways to reverse America's growing wealth gap. The Fed says it may resume raising rates because a tight labor market and low unemployment could lead to a spike in inflation, but Democratic leaders hope to change that stance. Bloomberg (2/14) Full Article

House Democrats target big business, advance tax breaks for small firms
House Democrats met with Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. last week to discuss changing rules that allow major U.S. companies such as General Electric and Hewlett-Packard to postpone taxes on foreign profit. Meanwhile, this week the House Ways and Means Committee approved by unanimous voice vote a $1.3 billion package of small-business tax breaks intended to be paired with a likely $2.10 increase in the minimum wage. International Herald Tribune (2/13) Full Article

Shareholders urge pinning executive pay to performance
Shareholders have already sent pay-for-performance requests related to the coming proxy season to 44 companies, more than double the number of requests in 2006, including Colgate-Palmolive and Apple. Pension operators and unions have increasingly asked that bonuses only be given to executives when the median performance of their peers is surpassed. The Wall Street Journal (1/24) Full Article

Ex-Fed governor expects rates to move upward
Former Fed governor Lyle Gramley predicts that the next time the central bank makes a move on interest rates, it will be an increase. The threats that had put downward pressure on rates are easing, Gramley said. "I think we've seen increasing evidence that this period of slowdown is not going to result in a recession or anything close to it, but a soft landing." MarketWatch (1/26) Full Article

Strong December retail sales surprise Wall Street
December retail sales in the U.S. increased by a seasonally adjusted 0.9%, while November sales rose by 0.6%, revised from a previously reported 1.0%, according to the Commerce Department. Meanwhile, U.S. import prices also rose more than expected at the end of the year, partly due to a recovery in imported petroleum prices. (The Wall Street Journal, 1/12) Full Article

Consumer outlook positive for new year:
Consumer confidence was rated at 95.3 in January, up from 86.9 in December and 78.2 in January 2006, according to the RBC Cash Index, which is based on results from polling firm Ipsos. (The Washington Post, 1/12) Full Article

Executive shakeups raise questions about contracts
Chief executive contracts have been spotlighted in the midst of golden severance packages, and some experts say shareholders benefit when executives are hired without such guarantees. Several retailers, including Gap, Home Depot and J.C. Penney, have already ousted their senior executives for a high price. (CNNmoney.com/Fortune, 1/11) Full Article

U.S. companies take a cautious approach to spending
While companies have been investing in themselves and making some small-scale acquisitions, many businesses in the U.S. also have been building up capital, which has prompted investors to call for additional spending. "Because the amounts [of cash] are mammoth, how and when they use this money could have a big impact on companies, markets and the economy," a Standard & Poor's analyst says. (The Wall Street Journal, 7/21) Full Article

Gas prices soar to all-time high in U.S.
Gas prices in the U.S. have exceeded the $3-per-gallon mark in the past two weeks, representing an all-time high for the nation. The national average for self-serve regular increased nearly 2 cents to $3.0150 per gallon, up from the previous all-time high of $3.0117, set last September. (The New York Times, 7/24) Full Article

Fed forecasts positive economic outlook
The Federal Reserve's latest report predicts the U.S. economy will do well through the close of 2006 and 2007, given indicators that energy prices will slow by year's end, despite posting increases in the near term. (MSNBC 6/27) Full Article

Survey: Dollar likely to weaken
The dollar is expected to further decline against the euro and the yen, a Bloomberg survey of traders, strategists and investors found. A slowdown in the housing market also is expected to curb consumer spending. (Bloomberg, 4/24/06) Full Article

Trade deficit reduction may be short-lived
The U.S. trade deficit declined 4.2% in February to $65.74 billion as oil imports declined and the imbalance with China eased, the Commerce Department said. Total imports and exports both declined, and one economist says "the trend still points to a larger deficit in coming months." (The New York Times, 4/13/06) Full Article

Corporate governance rules tightening
Many large U.S. firms are tightening their corporate governance practices by tying executive compensation to company earnings or stock performance, incorporating board independence and oversight and becoming more compliant with Sarbanes-Oxley legislation. "This shows dramatic change, and it's all motivated by the desire for good corporate governance," said Steve Odland, CEO of Office Depot and corporate-governance chair of the Business Roundtable. (USA TODAY, 3/20/06) Full Article

Hiring, earnings on the upswing
Job growth regained steam in February as employers added a higher-than-expected 243,000 jobs, marking the biggest gain in three months, the Labor Department reported. Average hourly earnings also posted the largest annual increase since September 2001. (The New York Times, 3/10/06) Full Article

Businesses must prepare for bird flu threat
U.S. companies once again have been urged by health officials to prepare for what could become a crippling onslaught of the virus, for which the federal government may be ill-prepared. States and private-sector groups must coordinate their own preparedness programs because "avian flu, when it occurs, will severely test the best-laid plans," Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said. (Business Insurance, 2/14/06) Full Article

Report: Wyoming ranks best for business taxes
Wyoming has the most business-friendly tax code, followed by South Dakota and Alaska, while New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island have the least hospitable, the Tax Foundation said in a new report. (CNNmoney, 2/27/06) Full Article

Does hiring school chums make good business sense?
Alma mater ties open up doors to the business world for many, but one software company chief executive warns making hiring decisions based on fraternity connections can sometimes breed single-minded companies. (The Wall Street Journal, 2/28/06) Full Article

Conference Board numbers signal continued economic strength
The Conference Board's composite index of leading economic indicators rose 0.1% last month after a revised 0.9% surge in November, indicating continued economic strength in upcoming months. The rise suggests that the economy has had little difficulty in absorbing the effects of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. (MSNBC, 1/24/06) Full Article

Survey: CEOs see strong economy for 2006
A quarterly survey of CEOs from large U.S. companies shows optimism for the economy in 2006, with expectations for increased productivity and strong corporate and consumer spending. Many feel the robust growth will offset increasing energy and health care costs, and the overall CEO Economic Outlook Index of 101.4, calculated by the Business Roundtable, is the second-highest level in the survey's three-year history. (MSNBC, 12/14/05) Full Article

Gen Xers embrace work/life balance
Employees age 25 to 40 epitomize the desire to strike a balance between office time and personal time, which for employers if handled appropriately can yield better retention rates, one psychology expert says. "It's not just about doing the right thing for the employee; while that's true, it also helps create a healthy organization," he asserts. (The Wall Street Journal, 11/29/05) Full Article

Economy overcame challenges to allow growth
Two devastating hurricanes and rising energy costs did little to blunt economic activity last month, according to a Federal Reserve economic survey that said most districts saw "moderate or gradual" growth. The report said most economic growth was due to improved hiring, higher wages and increased growth in construction and other industries. (BusinessWeek, 10/19/05) Full Article

The rise of the micro-recession
With increased market flexibility -- facilitated by technological advances -- businesses are reacting more quickly to changes, giving rise to micro-recessions, economics experts say. Although the U.S. economy is less volatile year in and year out now than in previous decades, it has become more tumultuous month to month because of the faster adjustments companies are making. (The New York Times, 10/8/05) Full Article

Executive speaks on work force diversity
The Home Depot's vice president of diversity and inclusiveness, Gloria Johnson Goins, spoke recently about a predicted employment shortage and the role minorities will play in the marketplace in coming years. Goins said companies need to recognize the buying power of minorities: The black community is the largest minority segment wi