WHAT KIND OF LEADER ARE YOU? (Self-Assessment)
When a crisis occurs, what do you think about first — its impact on the people who work for you, its impact on your long-term goals, whose input you need to address the crisis, or how to solve it as fast as possible? Your answer to this question and nine others in this insightful self-assessment will help you define your personal leadership style.

Find out if your predominant style is "Inspirational," "Visionary," "Collaborative" or "Take-Charge" and how to apply your style most effectively in the workplace.

Here's a thumbnail sketch of the 4 leadership styles:

Inspirational:
Motivating and energizing others to fulfill their own potential while contributing to organizational goals

Visionary:
Focusing on the future, seeing the organization for all it can be and working toward that goal

Collaborative:
Encouraging teamwork, getting input from others, promoting group problem solving and decision-making

Take-Charge:
Directing or delegating decisively; taking bold steps to exploit opportunities and solve problems efficiently and effectively

TAKE THE AMA ONLINE CORPORATE VALUES SURVEY NOW!
How central are corporate values to your organization? Are they broadly disseminated? Widely followed?

HOW TO FIND AND TREAT A BUSINESS' "EARLY WARNING SIGNS" OF TROUBLE
In the same way we scan our bodies for disease before the symptoms become manifest, businesses must screen themselves for early warning signals of impending problems. The key to good corporate health lies in spotting the signals before the damage is done, and then aligning strategies to respond to them.

Here are five early warning signals to look for:

1. The business's growth is out of sync with industry growth.
2. You learn about your competitors' plans only after they've occurred. 
3. There is a high cancellation rate by new customers.
4. A decrease occurs in the percentage of high-level sales prospects. 
5. The timeframe needed to close deals increases. 

E-COMMERCE ALERT: PROTECTING YOUR CUSTOMERS' PRIVACY
Attention E-Tailers! What are you doing to protect your customers from credit card fraud, identity theft and "spam?" If you want to keep your customers, you'll have to prove to them that their private information will remain private. In our exclusive interview with Mark S. Merkow, co-author of "How to Protect Your Customers' Internet Privacy," he states that the current Internet privacy situation has created potentially insurmountable problems that threaten to doom the promises of e-commerce: "If left unchecked, the rise in identity theft because of stolen credentials via the Internet or abuses of personal information will cause people to find safer ways to shop." Every e-tailer needs to craft a viable privacy policy that incorporates four central themes: Notice, Access, Choice and Security

PROTECT YOUR COMPANY'S COMPUTER NETWORK FROM INSIDER ATTACK
In the hands of a disgruntled employee, a keyboard can become a lethal weapon, capable of destroying, or at least sabotaging, your company's computer network. Although most organizations take steps to secure their networks — physical security, firewalls, anti-virus software, encrypted files, encrypted login and passwords — additional precautions should be adopted. According to Patrice Rapalus, director of Computer Security Institute, management should provide security awareness training to all employees, letting them know that they're on the front line. Information security responsibilities should be added to job descriptions and factored into performance reviews.

FINDING QUALIFIED BOARD MEMBERS IS MORE CHALLENGING THAN EVER
Problems Besetting Board Member Search Committees:

• Many of today's CEOs are already over-committed, and may hesitate to take on any additional responsibilities.
• 60% of prospective board members turn down positions (73% citing lack of time as the reason)
• Public company board positions demand 100-150 hours per year
• In the wake of so many recent business casualties, before taking a board seat, a CEO will be extra cautious about what's on a company's balance sheet
• The Blue Ribbon Panel guidelines recommend no more than 2 public board positions for sitting CEOs

Christian & Timbers, a global search firm, suggests the following for companies about to embark on a board or CEO search:

• Know what you have to do to attract the best candidates and be ready to act on it
• Outline and deal with company "skeletons" head-on
• Understand the problems your company needs to resolve and be able to clearly articulate them
• Build awareness and gain buy-in from your board
• Outline a clear plan
• Tell all

THREE WEEKS IN TAHITI OR A WEEKEND AT THE LAKE. IT'S VACATION SURVEY TIME
Take a minute to complete AMA's online Summer Vacation Survey. (It may even inspire you to plan that big family trip.)

Results in the June "Executive Matters."

HEADS UP ON TWO UPCOMING AMA CONFERENCES:

CORPORATE BRANDING 2002
When: November 13-14, 2002
Where: Marriott O'Hare Hotel, Chicago
Theme: "The Intersection of Brand and Business Strategy"
Executive Members Save $200!

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.
Executive Members Save $200! An additional $100 Early Bird Discount is available until August 1st.

TWO WAYS TO SAVE BIG $ ON AMA SEMINARS:
*Members Only: Save up to 50% off the current member price when you register for select AMA seminars. Space is limited, so act now.

*Register for any AMA seminar held between now and June 30, 2002 and bring a colleague or friend for 30% off the applicable member or non-member price.

Call 1-800-262-9699 for details.

AMA members can save 25% on the Global KM eXchange 2002 Conference and Exhibition in New York City June 25-27.
It is the first event to look forward to the next generation of knowledge management, placing the discipline in a context in which success is measured by real, practical business gains.

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