HOW INNOVATIVE IS YOUR ORGANIZATION?
Although management experts agree that breakthrough innovation is a prerequisite for success in almost any organization, creativity and innovation can't thrive in organizations that are in an "innovation rut." To find out how your organization rates on the innovation scale, take this assessment by Elaine Dundon, from her book "The Seeds of Innovation" (AMACOM 2002). Click here to take the innovation assessment.

SEVEN WAYS TO DEFEND YOUR JOB
If economic uncertainty and the prospect of layoffs have you concerned about the safety of your job, don't just sit there worrying. Jeffrey Christian, CEO of global executive search firm Christian & Timbers, offers seven suggestions on how to bring value to your company--and to make sure your boss takes notice. Here are a few of his tips:

• Become a trusted, irreplaceable advisor to your boss. Be key to helping him or her make decisions and get things done.
• Look busy. This isn't cynical advice. The real advice is--be busy. Find out what is important to your boss or your company and do it. When work slows down, it is critically important to stay in the mainstream of the remaining workflow. Seek out projects. Ask people if they need help.
• Become more important to your customers. During a recession, when customers reevaluate their relationships with all their suppliers and service providers, those who add value will be most likely to win out.

GAIN VALUABLE INSIGHTS ON LEADERSHIP AT AMA'S 80th ANNIVERSARY FORUM: "MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF LEADERSHIP" NOVEMBER 20-21, 2003, NEW YORK.
As an AMA Member and a valued partner, you are invited to gain the insights needed to lead your company through turbulent times.

You will engage in a rich exchange of ideas with top leadership visionaries such as: Richard Boyatzis, Marshall Goldmith, Howard Guttman, and Adrian Slywotzky. PLUS, you will learn from the experiences of proven business leaders from AIG, Campbell's Soup, General Motors, QVC, Schlumberger, UPS and others.

Don't miss this special opportunity to keep pace with current leadership thinking and share ideas with colleagues.

AMA Members receive preferred pricing! Attend this 2-Day Forum for only $1,295. And if you register before September 15, using Priority Code XAUD, pay only $995 – an additional $300 savings. Fees include two continental breakfasts, two luncheons and a first-night networking reception.

WHAT MANAGERS REALLY NEED TO KNOW
In her latest book, management expert Florence M. Stone answers 190 of managers' most pressing questions--dealing with everything from recruitment to politics, performance appraisals and stress management. Here is a brief excerpt from our exclusive interview with Ms. Stone: "There is no such thing as a typical workday for a manager. In addition to their own tasks, managers have supervisory responsibilities, whether first- or second-line managers, and these are sometimes more important than their own work. One thing that has not and hopefully never will change, is a manager's need to role model values of integrity and honesty and customer-centricity." Click here to read complete interview.

TAKE THE 1ST ANNIVERSARY AMA MEMBER CHALLENGE--YOU COULD WIN A FREE SEMINAR!
September marks the one-year anniversary of the AMA Member Challenge, our monthly business and current events quiz. "Thank you" to the thousands of members who have taken the Challenge for a chance to test their knowledge of current events and win a FREE AMA seminar.

Congratulations to our August FREE seminar winner, Gary G. Rice of Bluegrass Family Health in Lexington, KY. This month's special 1st Anniversary Edition of the Challenge is composed of questions from the Member Challenge archive. It's a recap and a second chance.

ENTREPRENEURIAL SPOTLIGHT: CAROLYN GABLE INTERVIEW, PART II
Carolyn Gable, president and CEO of New Age Transportation, Distribution & Warehousing, is living proof that the American dream is alive and well. Read Part II of Gable's inspirational story of how a single mother and waitress with no advanced education founded and runs her own multi- million-dollar company. Here is an excerpt: "A woman has to find her own path to becoming an entrepreneur. It takes time. It's almost impossible at, say, 22, unless you started at 15, to find out what you really want to do. That's a whole process that takes place in your twenties and thirties. Then, when you know what you're doing--when you learned what you're really good at--you're able to put it to use." Click here for entire interview.

AMA SURVEY RESULTS--"2003 CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY ISSUES"
More companies have crisis management plans in place today than they did at this time last year. According to the results of our recent survey, 64% of executives said their companies have a crisis management plan, up from 49% in 2002. And 62% of the companies have designated a crisis management team compared to 54% last year, while 42% have conducted crisis drills or simulations, up from 39% in 2002 To read a summary of the survey results, click here.

ADVANCED LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Dr. Fred Burton, principal of Wickliffe Elementary School in Upper Arlington, Ohio, can teach us some valuable lessons about what it means to be a leader. Dr. Burton's leadership style can be summed up in two words: being present. No matter how hectic things get, he makes a point of reaching out to absorb all that's happening. He routinely leaves his office to spend time with students and teachers. He's constantly looking for positive stories and he makes a point of telling them again and again. He devoutly follows what he calls the 95% rule: spend 95% of your time trying to understand people and 5% making judgments. If you have too many tasks, too many stakeholders, too many customers and too few hours in each day, spend a few minutes with Dr. Burton and see how much you'll learn. Click here for more leadership lessons from Dr. Burton.

PLAN TO ATTEND ONE OF THE AMA SPECIAL PROGRAMS THIS FALL
"Planning for Crisis," with Howard Safir, former police and fire commissioner of New York City. AMA New York Executive Conference Center. September 18, 8:30–10:30 a.m. Members $25, Non-members $50.

"11th Annual Administrative Professionals Conference" featuring five noted keynote speakers, including Phyllis George. Orlando, September 22-24, 2003

"The First Annual Corporate Governance Institute" featuring prominent directors, lawyers and government leaders. New York, September 22-23, 2003.

"The Secret to Doing Business in Today's China." Don't miss this opportunity to hear the latest insights from some of the best-informed experts on this huge nation. AMA Washington, D.C. Executive Conference Center. October 3, 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Members $995, Non-members $1,195.

"Corporate Branding 2003" where top marketing pros from America's leading consumer and B-to-B companies will share insights and strategies. Chicago, October 20-21, 2003.

For more information on these and other AMA events: www.amanet.org/events/index.htm

BOOK OF THE MONTH: "THE NAKED EMPLOYEE: HOW TECHNOLOGY IS COMPROMISING WORKPLACE PRIVACY" BY FREDERICK S. LANE III (AMACOM 2003).
Was George Orwell right? Is "Big Brother" watching us? When do an employer's security concerns cross the line into invasion of privacy? Frederick S. Lane III, an expert on the impact of technology on society and a former attorney, explores these questions and offers suggestions to employers and employees.

SUPER SAVINGS ON SEMINARS: "THREE FOR" IS BETTER THAN EVER
Now, AMA's "Three for" offer is better than ever--extended to every one of AMA's 160+ one- to four-day seminars. By taking advantage of this offer, you can save your organization up to $1,500! Here's how it works--you send us advance payment of $4,500 and we send you three registration coupons. Each coupon is good for attendance at any AMA seminar in the United States that's from one- to four-days long. Use all three coupons yourself, or share them with your colleagues. Coupons may be redeemed for sessions scheduled through December 31, 2003. Call 1-800-262-9699 for more information.

Return to Top