*Top Execs at the Podium: Participation of C-level executives at top-tier speaking events is soaring, according to new research released by Weber Shandwick. The results suggest
that the world's leading companies are taking advantage of top executive voices to build visibility and reputation in the global speaking circuit, which is also growing at a rapid
rate. Here are some key findings:
-
Since 2005, there has been a 525% increase among C-level execs at top-tier speaking forums.
-
There has been a 35% increase in participation by elite CEOs at these events.
-
Top-tier global conferences have increased in number by 50% in the same period.
-
The top five events for CEOs are: World Economic Forum, Chief Executives' Club of Boston, Fortune Innovation/Fortune iMeme, Fortune Global and The Wall Street Journal's
"D".
-
The top events for other C-level execs are: Fortune Innovation/Fortune iMeme, Wharton Leadership, Milken Institute, Fortune Global and Committee to Encourage Corporate
Philanthropy Board of Boards, Clinton Global Initiative and Economist Global Agenda.
Source: Weber Shandwick
*Ticked about Telecommuting: Telework, or telecommuting, is increasingly popular worldwide, with approximately 37% of companies now offering flexible work arrangements.
However, according to a study from Professor Timothy Golden ofthe Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the greater the prevalence of teleworkers in an office, the less others in the
office are likely to be satisfied with their jobs, and thus the more likely they are to leave the company.
Reasons for this effect vary, but Golden suggests that co-workers feel they have decreased flexibility and higher workloads than teleworkers, and can be frustrated by the
effort of coordinating with teleworkers. Also, non-teleworkers may find their work less fulfilling due to the difficulty of developing rewarding relationships with co-workers when
many of them work remotely.
In order to lessen some of this negative impact, the study recommends that managers increase face-to-face contact between co-workers when employees are in the office, and grant
employees greater job autonomy to accomplish goals as they see fit.
Source: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
*Eight Top Business Issues of '08: A new report from Deloitte & Touche has outlined nine areas that the firm believes will have dramatic impact across multiple industry
sectors this year, creating both challenges and opportunities for companies. Understanding these business issues and how they may affect your industry, according to the folks at
D&T, will be a key to positioning your organization for competitive advantage in an uncertain marketplace this year:
-
Globalization
-
Convergence
-
Environmental Sustainability
-
Rising Energy & Health Care Costs
-
Transparency
-
Technology Use & Integration
-
The 2008 Presidential Election
-
Talent Management
Source: Deloitte & Touche USA LLP
*Small Business Weathers the Storm: A December 2007 study commissioned by Capital One and conducted by BusinessWeek Research Services offers insight into the confidence level
of small business executives. As many small- to midsize PR shops are small business enterprises, the research is of particular interest to communications professionals. Among the
findings:
-
59% of respondents expect their energy cost to significantly increase;
-
Small businesses expect to pursue costly improvements including: office upgrades (34%); new products and services (40%); customer service (25%); staffing (18%); and
accounting/financing (14%);
-
28% of small business execs cite a colleague as their most trusted business advisor, with family member or friend (22%); CPA/accountant (22%); and business association
(10%) following.
In their own words, survey respondents answered this question: What's the biggest benefit of owning a small business? Some answers:
-
"No wasteful meetings."
-
"See results faster."
-
"The freedom to call shots instead of being called and shot."
Source: Capital One and BusinessWeek Research Services
PRN