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2010 Executive Tidbits
IBM, P&G, General Mills, McKinsey, and McDonald's have the best manager training programs according to Fortune 2009. |
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Check out Keith's other site:
Virtual Writing Coach |
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The
Executive Connection SM
a publication of The Virtual Executive
Coach SM
"Vision + Accountability = Success!"
www.virtualexecutivecoach.com
February, 2009
In This Issue:
1. Preview
2. Executive Summary
3. 100 Best Companies to Work For
4. Helpful Hints
1. Preview
The Executive Connection explores the creative and analytical
process of business development, team-building, and executive
development. We are an interactive community of executives
and small business owners who desire to network with like-minded
high-performance executives to enhance our knowledge,
skills, and aptitudes in the competitive business world.
Published monthly, the Newsletter offers coaching suggestions
around the topics of: business development, financing,
marketing, networking, incorporations, mergers, human
resources, governmental regulations, and tax laws. Topics
are presented from the perspective of Keith Barton and
represent only his ideas on creating and running your
business.
Because we are an interactive community of executives
and business owners, other viewpoints are welcomed and
may be printed in future monthly newsletters with permission
from Keith Barton.
2. Executive Summary
February, 2009
Dear Executive Connection Subscriber,
This month's newsletter features: 100 Best Companies to Work For
3. 100 Best Companies to Work For
Fortune comes out yearly with its "best 100 companies to work for." The top five are: NetApp,
Edward Jones, Boston Consulting Group, Google, and Wegman's Food Markets. More than 81,000
employees reply to a 57-question survey from 353 companies. Two-thirds of the company's score
is based on the survey; the remaining third is based on Fortune's "culture audit" which includes
questions about demographics, pay, benefits, philosophy, and communication style. Companies have
to be at least seven years in business. I don't know about you but I'm tired of seeing everyone
playing with nerf balls and talking on their cell phones while having pizza parties on Fridays.
The majority of us work hard at two or three jobs just to make ends meet. Fourth quarter financial
earning reports come out this last week in January and "it ain't pretty." Microsoft's first round
of layoffs is 5000, yet it's one of the best 100 companies to work for. Go figure.
I'm always suspect with ratings of any kind. Let's face it! We're in a recession! If I were to write
an article it would be companies that are hiring NOW. Yes, Methodist Hospital System in Houston is
hiring but many of their openings are for RNs. I'm suspicious that people are reluctant to say that
they don't get enough money, recognition, time off, etc. Why not list the 100 worst companies
to work for. Can you imagine publishing a list that would adversely affect recruitment and retention?
People that I talk with are concerned about their jobs. They're afraid to leave and for good reason;
no one is hiring 100k executives. People are working longer hours with less recognition, especially
in the financial and computer sectors. The only sector that consistently does well is healthcare,
primarily because of pharmaceuticals. Pfizer announced today it would buy Wyeth for $68 billion and
continue its rank as the Number One drug maker in the world, primarily because of its brand names like
Lipitor. As expected heavy equipment stocks fell (Caterpillar) on the heels of a sluggish housing
market and fewer business new starts. Despite the increase in stock prices, both Caterpillar and
Pfizer have announced job cuts for 70,000 workers. Sprint will cut 8,000 jobs; Home Depot will cut
7,000 jobs. Looks like the way to make money is to operate "lean and mean".
The last recession was in 1992-93 and lasted about a year. Economists predict our current downturn will
last two years at least. My advice to folks is "if you have a job, keep it". Enough about job satisfaction!
I'm talking to executives who dislike some aspect of their job, but they would like to remain employed.
It's interesting that foreign companies are buying up U.S. companies, as evidenced by InBev, the Belgian
brewery buying Anheuser-Busch to make InBev the largest brewer in the world. If our government doesn't
nationalize some of our banks, then you will see more foreign investment in USD. Can you imagine going to
your bank to deposit your check in Yen or Euros?
In a recession, I would make a list of the "100 Safest Companies to Work For". I would use questions like
retention, consumer satisfaction, communication styles, 360 evaluations, focusing on employees' strengths,
not weaknesses, mentoring, cognitive learning styles, and ability to grow in the company with in-house
promotions. Instead of promoting competition I would encourage teamwork focusing on individual
contributions to the overall team and rewarding the team instead of the individual. I realize this is a
counter-cultural approach to take in an age of highly paid executives with little or no accountability.
Helpful Hints:
- Why or why not would you nominate your company for Fortune's Best Company list?
- In a recession what can companies do to make their employees feel more secure in their jobs?
- Does it surprise you that employees rank recognition as number one while managers rank pay as number
one for reasons employees stay with their jobs?
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
The Executive Connection SM is a free publication.
If you want to continue to receive this Newsletter, you
can SUBSCRIBE
by clicking here or by sending a blank email message
to keith_barton@att.net
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To
UNSUBSCRIBE click here or send a message to keith_barton@att.net
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Be assured your name and email address are confidential.
We do not sell, rent or share our mailing list with anyone.
Contact Information:
Keith Barton, Ph.D.
Voice: 281-583-5005
Fax: 281-583-5008
Web: http://www.virtualexecutivecoach.com
E-Mail: keith_barton@att.net
(c) Copyright 2009, Virtual Executive Coach SM
and A. Keith Barton, Ph.D.
All rights reserved.
Distribution Rights:
The Executive Connection SM is copyrighted,
but you may retransmit or distribute it to whomever you
wish as long as not a single word is changed, added, or
deleted, including the contact information. However, you
may not copy it to a web site.
Republication of The Executive Connection SM
in paper media is encouraged and permitted by individuals,
organizations and associations, as long as the issue is
reprinted in its entirety, without change, and includes
the contact information.
With advance permission, we are happy to edit an issue
to fit your space requirements. Republication also is
encouraged under other circumstances. However, the advance
permission of
A. Keith Barton, Ph.D. must be obtained in the event that
changes in the text are desired.
The Executive Connection SM
Mission:
The Executive Connection SM is dedicated to
helping first-time business owners and executives to recognize
resistance to change, while they create and manage their
own businesses. My goal is to help you transform your
vision into a successful business venture with the addition
of accountability structures and silent partner.
The Executive Connection SM is a publication
of The Virtual Executive Coach SM and Keith
Barton, Ph.D.
We would like The Executive Connection SM to
be as interactive as possible. If you have feedback, comments,
topics you would like addressed, or can suggest additional
resources to benefit us all, please email us at any time.
Send your e-mail to keith_barton@att.net.
Please forward this issue to anyone you think would find
The Executive Connection SM interesting and
beneficial. Your recommendation helps us keep growing,
and ensures an excellent exchange of information and techniques.
Archives:
You can read previous issues of The Executive Connection
SM in our archive section.
About Keith Barton, Ph.D
Dr. Barton received his Ph.D. in 1972 from the University
of Texas at Austin and has been a practicing therapist
for over thirty years. He is a graduate of MentorCoach
and is accepting new clients.
He has been an adjunct professor at the University of
South Carolina, consultant to Fortune 500 companies in
executive development, founded and managed Texas Community
Living Ventures, Inc., in 1986 for providing group home
services to persons with mental retardation. Keith founded
and has been running a clinical practice in Northwest Houston since 1990.
He writes part-time with the goal of completing one novel
a year. His desire to coach others derives from his passionate
interest in helping others become attuned to their creative
powers of storytelling.
Dr. Barton has training in coaching, cognitive and family
therapy and health psychology. He has published articles,
made presentations and conducted workshops about:
Small Business Development
Employee Wellness Programs
Anxiety and achievement
Stress management
Self-esteem
Communication skills
Leadership styles
Core values in the workplace
Executive Development
High-performance groups
Physician support groups
Writer support groups
© 2009 The Virtual Executive Coach SM
and Keith Barton.
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