The Economist gets hooked by PR pitch to hype PR industry

It’s natural that PR pros continually hype their (okay our) own importance. Unless companies need them to solve an urgent, unforeseen problem, public relations agencies must engage in a never-ending struggle to prove that they can have a positive impact on sales and profits. PR industry journals and agency promotional materials are full of tomes … C’mon read the rest.

Thomas Friedman plugs “Great Inflection,” but it’s more Internet fantasyland

Yesterday morning, I read the Sunday paper to take a break from work on a three and one-half month video project. I was beginning to relax when I found an article, The Do it Yourself Economy, by Thomas Friedman, New York Times columnist and Oracle General of the United States. In it, Friedman explains how … C’mon read the rest.

Paranoia enables CEO to expand during recession and win Ribby Award

Previous Ribby Awards have gone to courageous CEOs who sacrificed their salaries, egos and other trappings to help their employees get through the recession.  This month’s honor goes to Jack Stack, CEO of Springfield Remanufacturing Corporation,(SRC) in Springfield, MO, whose employee-owned company has actually expanded during the economic crisis.  Stack and his team have thrived … C’mon read the rest.

Japan Airlines CEO makes less than pilots, wins Ribby Award

As I continue struggling to find United States CEOs who unselfishly lead their companies, the Ribby Award for August goes to the President and CEO of Japan Airlines (JAL), Haruka Nishimatsu, who earns less than his pilots, rides the bus to work, and eats in the company cafeteria. Last year Mr. Nishimatsu cut his own … C’mon read the rest.

Pre-recession questions for your post-recession consultants

10/24/2011 – I posted this two years ago.  Now is the time to remind business people whose memories might have faded. Going through trade magazines, I read more and more “post recession” advice from consultants about customer psychology, resource realignment, technology spending, advertising and other things consultants help manage.  A quick search revealed that “pre … C’mon read the rest.

Paul Levy of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center inspires execs, employees to share sacrifice and wins Ribby Award

The 2nd Ribby Award recognizes Paul Levy, President and CEO of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Brookline, Mass. Rather than keep a veil on economic woes and make backroom decisions, Levy publicly detailed his company’s challenges and engaged his employees in a plan to both avoid operating losses and keep up full employment. Because … C’mon read the rest.