July 2002

"Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things."
— Peter Drucker

To help you both do the right things and do them right, the July 2002 edition of EXECUTIVE MATTERS includes:

1. SAFEGUARD YOUR COMPANY—A FORMER NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT CAPTAIN TELLS YOU HOW

2. ANNOUNCING OUR NEW GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES COLUMN, "THE CULTURED BUSINESS," BY WILLIAM R. DODSON

3. GREAT LEADERS BOUNCE BACK! HERE'S HOW

4. SIX NEGATIVE LISTENING HABITS LEADERS NEED TO AVOID

5. THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT CEO'S AND THEIR BOARDS

6. LEARN HOW TO DO BUSINESS IN CHINA TODAY

7.THERE'S STILL TIME TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS ON AMA'S TWO UPCOMING CONFERENCES!

8. TWO WAYS TO SAVE BIG $ ON AMA SEMINARS

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TAKE THE AMA 2002 SURVEY ON INTERNAL COLLABORATION

Do your company's departments cooperate with each other in building your business—or is your organization composed of "silos?" Take this survey and benchmark the level of collaboration in your company with other organizations. Results will be in a future issue of Executive Matters.

Click here to take the survey.

1. SAFEGUARD YOUR COMPANY—A FORMER NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT CAPTAIN TELLS YOU HOW
Murray A. Latzen knows about security. This retired NYPD Captain logged 32 years with New York's finest and is also a Certified Protection Professional. Latzen believes that although it's virtually impossible for people to remain on a constant high level of alertness, we can use this "quiet time" to good advantage by creating and utilizing a viable security plan.

Latzen writes: "Creating a security plan is both an art and a science. The ‘art' part entails using common sense, intuition and innovation. The ‘science' involves implementing the necessary and appropriate security technology, hardware and procedure. And because the only constant is change, the first rule for a security plan must be flexibility."

To access more of Latzen's security advice, go to http://membersonly.amamember.org/hr/2002/july_01.cfm

2. NEW! AMA'S GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES COLUMN, "THE CULTURED BUSINESS," BY WILLIAM R. DODSON
With the world becoming more of a "global village" every day, AMA members have expressed a need for information on conducting business across cultural and geographical borders. In response, we are pleased to introduce our new monthly column devoted to insights on how businesses can work and communicate across the cultural boundaries in ways that enhance their bottom line.

William R. Dodson is uniquely qualified for the job: He is Managing Director of Silk Road Communications, L.L.P., and has many years of experience as a management consultant specializing in building and improving business relationships across cultures.

This month Dodson examines "The Tower of Babble"—how the dynamics of a business meeting are directly influenced by the cultural orientation of the participants. For example, Turkish and Mexican business meetings tend to be long, drawn-out affairs, where relationship development is the #1 priority. In Latin American and Middle Eastern meetings, the more senior participants do most of the talking, with junior people there to fill in the gaps. What about Americans? They have a reputation for being excellent problem-solvers, but they're also considered rather rude, due to their habit of interrupting others. Find out more at http://membersonly.amamember.org/global/2002/july_01.cfm

3. GREAT LEADERS BOUNCE BACK!
It's easy to be a leader when times are good. The test of a true leader is his/her ability to carry on in the face of adversity. Dr. Richard Deems, founder of WorkLife Design, hit a patch of bad luck that could have meant his downfall: He underwent two angioplasties in less than three months and his business was being clobbered by the competition. Then he learned from others what it takes to bounce back:

Focus on your strengths—after all, it's those strengths that got you to your leadership role in the first place

Examine your priorities and focus on what's important. Ask yourself, "What is this organization all about? Why are we here? What do we really provide?"

Work smarter, not harder. You get paid for results, not the time you put in. If you concentrate on what's important, you'll get more done is less time. And you'll have a lot more fun.

For more, go to http://membersonly.amamember.org/leadership/2002/july_02.cfm

4. SIX NEGATIVE LISTENING HABITS TO AVOID
Put simply, if you can't listen well, you can't lead well. And the ability to listen attentively and without judgment is one of the most difficult and most prized skills for managers to master.

According to "The Emotional Intelligence Activity Book," by Adele B. Lynn, (published by AMACOM), six negative listening habits are often at the root of one's ability to listen. Here's one:

"The Interrupter" doesn't allow the speaker to finish and doesn't ask clarifying questions or seek more information from the speaker. He/she is too anxious to speak and shows little concern for the speaker.

The complete list is on our Members Only website http://membersonly.amamember.org/management/2002/july_02.cfm

5. THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT CEO'S AND THEIR BOARDS
According to a new "Report on Boards" by executive search firm Christian & Timbers, chief executives are seeking different profiles for board members than those on their current boards. And 43% of Fortune 500 companies surveyed plan to replace or add at least two board directors in 2002.

The interviews revealed that 92% of Fortune 500 CEO's no longer plan to fill board seats with close business associates, friends or golfing buddies. Instead, they'll choose younger, more independent members who have a deeper knowledge of their industry, client base or technology, in addition to specific experience with operational challenges or product issues that the company may be facing, says Jeffrey E. Christian, Chairman & CEO of Christian & Timbers.

The report also shows that audit committee members are now feeling the heat of responsibility in the wake of events at Enron, Global Crossing, Arthur Andersen and WorldCom. Based upon the value added and increased time required to do an effective job, Christian and Timbers expects board compensation to change.

6. LEARN HOW TO DO BUSINESS IN CHINA TODAY
China experts will discuss the business opportunities and pitfalls in the world's biggest potential market this fall in New York and San Francisco. Special Member Prices.

7. THERE'S STILL TIME TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS ON AMA'S TWO UPCOMING CONFERENCES!

10^TH ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS CONFERENCE
When: October 28-30, 2002
Where: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
Highlights: Trail-blazer Erin Brockovich, motivational speaker Dr. Traci Lynn, trainer Keith Harrell, change expert Sheila Murray Bethel, plus five learning tracks and much more.

Early Bird Discounts: Register and pay before August 1st and save $100 off the already reduced member rate!