Week of  April 15, 2013

 

“The world would not be in such a snarl,

 if Marx had been Groucho instead of Karl !”

 

Irving Thalberg

Co-found of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios

 

 

FOR YOUR EDIFICATION AND ENTERTAINMENT:

 

Bob Gibson is coming to Austin this week

“Spitballing Indy”

How Bad for Grads?

Econ Recon: “Corruption of Capitalism Revisited”….Vistage Confidence Index

 

Bob Gibson Workshop

http://www.negotiationresources.com

“The Executive Negotiator” 3 hour workshop starting at 830am focuses on the mindset and abilities to negotiate effectively with those inside and outside the organization. Gibson’s 30 plus years of  experience and insight makes for a very interesting morning focusing on critical negotiating skills. We will make room for you either morning April 17th Wednesday (The Austin Country Club-Riverside Room) and/or April 18th Thursday (Barco Lighting). If you haven’t all ready, please RSVP ed.stillman@vistage.com.

“Spitballing Indy”

Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are the cinematic icons of the baby boomers.  Spielberg achieved early fame through “Jaws” and Lucas brought us the “Star Wars” series; both were groundbreaking achievements in the film world.   Ultimately they teamed up to create the “Indiana Jones”  films. I encourage you to spend a few minutes with a fascinating article and some associated links that describing a brainstorming process called “spitballing” and how these creative geniuses used it to create the adventures of the bullwhip cracking archaeologist.  “Spitballing Indy” may be a process that you want to bring into your own business.

How Bad for Grads?

 

Within the month, college grads will be handed diplomas…will they be landing jobs?  Check out this interesting analysis of the market for the new grads.  It provides some interesting insights into the nuances of what’s happened over the past 30 years to the market for graduates and where we are today. Share it with a young person in your life in your life who’s about to leave college or one who’s about to go there.

Econ Recon:

Stockman Revisited: A couple of week ago, there was a lengthy article in the Sunday New York Times by Ronald Reagan’s Budget Director, David Stockman titled “Corruption of Capitalism” in which Stockman offers an analysis of the economic world warning that the worst is right around the corner and we should prepare for the worst. Vistage Staff Economist and ITR Economics Principal Alan Beaulieu,  who has long held that a Great Depression awaits us, but not until 2030, responds to Mr. Stockman’s article in his blog at the ITR website.  Check out his take on the David Stockman op-ed (with a promise of more commentary to come).

Vistage Q3 Confidence Index:  See what your CEO peers are saying about the economy ahead:

Below are some key highlights from the Q1 2013 Vistage CEO Confidence Index (all members surveyed):

• 49% of CEOs think that economic conditions have improved compared with a year ago, up from 35% in Q4 2012.
• 68% of CEOs anticipate their firm’s sales revenues will increase in the next 12 months.
• Just 11% of CEOs found it easy to find people with the right skills to drive their business growth, while 75% found it difficult to find qualified talent.
• 16% of CEOs believe the sequester will adversely impact their business.
• 82% of CEOs expect U.S. fiscal uncertainty will continue throughout the year.

Download the Q1 2013 Vistage CEO Confidence Index flyer to view the full results, and view the info graphic here.

Below are some key highlights from the March WSJ/Vistage Small Business CEO Survey (members leading companies in the $1 million-$20 million range):

• 49% of all small firms in March reported that the national economy had improved compared with a year ago; this was twice the number that reported improved economic conditions six months ago.
• 53% of small firms plan to add employees to their payrolls in the year ahead.
• 69% of small firms expect higher revenues in the coming year, and 53% expected higher profits.
• 77% of small firms expect the new health law would raise their insurance premiums.

See the remainder of the Wall Street Journal/Vistage Small Business CEO Survey results with this interactive tool.

MAKE it a great week!

Ed Stillman

Group Chairman
Vistage International, Inc.

(Mobile) 512.422.6232

ed.stillman@vistage.com • Website • LinkedIn

 

“The best way to predict your future is to create it” ~Abraham Lincoln

 

Chair Page

What Vistage is like in Austin Texas – Video

Is Vistage Worth the Time – Video

Bob Gibson is in Austin for 2 morning workshops on April 17th and 18th… As a advisor and coach to Austin business owners, I encourage you to make time to be part of this workshop. Bob is a BOB (Best of Best). Vistage has contracts with over 1,000 speakers and Bob Gibson ranks in the top 6%. As a Austin business owner, president or CEO, be my guest and add another arrow to your quiver as your become a better leader, making better decisions and growing your revenue and profits.

April 17th – Austin Country Club

April 18th – Barco Lighting Systems

 

Please RSVP

 

EFFECTIVE EXECUTIVE NEGOTIATIONS! http://www.negotiationresources.com

“The Executive Negotiator” focuses on the mindset and abilities to negotiate effectively with those inside and outside the organization. Designed exclusively for the business executive, this interactive program has been delivered and received raves throughout America, in Canada, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.Bob Gibson has helped thousands of business people enhance their negotiating performance. “The Executive Negotiator” incorporates Gibson’s vast experience and insight into a program that uses role-playing, hands-on exercises and instruction to teach the most critical negotiating skills.In this program, you will learn: Key perceptions – 4 distinctions that separate the men from the boys in negotiation Positioning…the key to the “big3″: negotiating well, maintaining relationships, & profit All about Power…How to get more – how to protect yourself from the power of others Tactics & strategies…the most common tactics: how to use them, spot them, and protect yourself from them Formula for Success…A proven process that works wonders in negotiation Planning…The Street-Smart Negotiation Planner is a guide that teaches a business person how to plan – really plan before a negotiation Horse Trading Wisdom…Some thoughts from years in business that keep you on track and prevent the mistakes you regret for years afterward Biography: Negotiation strategist Bob Gibson has assured the business success of his clients since founding Negotiation Resources in 1987. In addition to negotiating for clients in the corporate arena, Gibson advises and coaches middle to senior level executives and has trained tens of thousand of business people.

Week of March 25, 2013

FOR YOUR EDIFICATION AND ENTERTAINMENT:

Why Your Boss is Dumping Your Spouse

Sheepskins Compared

Why Your Emails Aren’t Opened

Econ Recon: The Sequester-If not now, when?

Why Your Boss is Dumping Your Spouse 

If there is an issue that is on the minds of both employers and employees this year it is the cost and coverage implications of the Affordable Care Act.  One aspect of this that has not received much attention is increasing the number of employers “carving out” or denying of coverage to spouses.   Employers save not only the premiums by doing this but the new  “covered life” fees that Obama Care imposes and which will increase over time..    As employer and/or employee you need to know more about this… so find out why your boss is dumping your spouse.

Sheepskins Compared

The US Department of Education has unveiled a new website.  “College Scorecard “ that allows you to screen out schools  on a number of different criteria, including  graduation rates, typical student debt, and student loan default rates.  This site does not yet have stats on how many grads land good jobs, but the loan default rate may be a good indicator of failure in this area.  The site also provides info on the school’s annual tuition, room and board  actual costs, which are usually less than those advertised.   If you have kids looking at college,  or already there and wonder if they made the right choice, check this site out today.

Why Your Emails Aren’t Opened

Everyone has two complaints about emails:  we get too many and we can’t get those we want to connect with to open the ones we send.     Vistage Speaker Tom Searcy  , whose presentations to our CEO groups on finding and closing the really big prospects is a perennial favorite of our members,  offers some sound yet easy to implement advice to make sure your message doesn’t  hit the trash bin with his recent Inc Magazine article “7 Ways to Ensure Your Emails Get Read.” 

Econ Recon: The Sequester-If not now, when? 

The Sunday news shows are focused on the sequester of government spending due to be imposed this Friday, March 1.  Will it be the disaster that one party warns of  or the non-event predicted by the other?    Vistage Staff Economist and ITR President Alan Beaulieu asks in his latest ITR Blog  “If the US Can’t Begin Serious Spending Reductions Now, When Will It?”  and warns CEOs that there is a new normal on GDP Growth that will not let us grow our way of this situation without some hard choices.

Economist Brian Wesbury also chimes in with a brief analysis that leads him to say Don’t Fear the Sequester.

Ed Stillman

Group Chairman

Vistage International

Austin Texas

Ed.Stillman@Vistage.com

http://www.edstillman.wordpress.com

(Mobile) 512.422.6232