From last week's poll:| Your feedback is important to us. Click here to email us your feedback. |
| U.S. Chamber SmartBrief |
| January 14, 2009 |
Workers doing more in less time
Aggressive layoffs in the faltering economy have one unexpected side effect: Increased productivity. Experts believe the contraction in hours worked in the last three months of 2008 -- the largest since 1975 -- might end up being greater than the contraction in overall economic output -- which means workers are doing more in less time. The Wall Street Journal (free content)/Real Time Economics blog (1/12)
Why you should care about "office politics"
Job candidates often say the "politics" of their last employer led to their resignation or dismissal, but human interaction, by nature, is political, Colin Gautrey says. And a person who believes he is not political can be inhibited from developing influencing skills he can use for improving his work environment. BNET/Sterling Performance blog (1/6)
Strategies for cutting payroll costs
Before deciding layoffs are the direction to take, a company should consider the costs of those reductions and whether other measures could be taken to reduce costs. In offering tips for handling work force reductions, employment lawyer Michael Rosen suggests companies first consider whether they can cut costs enough by eliminating bonuses, reducing fringe benefits and hours, or transferring people who might be laid off into positions that must be filled. DO NOT USE Sales & Marketing Management (1/12)
Communication is an art
The Columbia Senior Executive Program has taken some inspiration from Rembrandt in symbolic communication. Executives in a monthlong program on organizational alignment toured the Frick Collection to consider how color, clothing and objects were used as symbolic communication so the executives can apply what they have learned to make their messages more meaningful. Columbia Business School/Public Offering blog (1/12)
5 training videos that won't put you to sleep
Need a laugh? Check out Geoffrey James' five picks for funniest sales videos. In the first, sales leader "Philby Salesmore" illustrates how getting a customer to say yes often in a presentation prompts him to say yes to the sale. "Good things should happen to good people," he asks a potential buyer, who screams, "Yeeeeeeeeeeees! Now where do I sign?" If it were just that easy, right? BNET/Sales Machine blog (1/10)
Poll results: Is kindness really the best policy in the corporate world?
From last week's poll:
Executive careers
New leaders: George Family Foundation; National Basketball Retired Players Association.
Searches under way: Center for a New American Dream; Jefferson Awards for Public Service; MCCP (Medical Care for Children Partnership) Foundation. Visit CEO Update to learn about the new heads and new opportunities.
Up-to-date data
Time on the job: Among organizations with more than $10 million in revenue, the median time on the job for a current CEO is 5.5 years, meaning half have been in place more than 5.5 years and half, less. Find out more at AssociationIntelligence.
E-verify use postponed
Government-mandated use of Homeland Security's E-verify system has been delayed until Feb. 20 because of legal challenges led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The rule requiring government contractors to check employees' immigration status through the online system was supposed to take effect this week. FederalTimes.com (1/9)
Myrtle Beach visitors welcome, but not on motorcycles
As far as the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is concerned, motorcycle rallies are history. The chamber and the city have launched a Web site,
Myrtlebeachbikerinfo.com, as part of their campaign to let visitors know they are calling an end to the rallies that have strained the community's resources. The Sun News (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) (1/13)
The Buzz (CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)FedEx Delivers Value, Reliability and Proven Performance |
Chemical industry forecast hinges on economic outlook
As the economic slump continues, chemical output, with the exception of pharmaceuticals, might decline by 3.6% in 2009, according to the American Chemistry Council. The decline should be short of the recession of 2001, the ACC says, and experts say a turnaround will depend on factors outside of the industry's control, such as home prices, consumer confidence and a possible federal stimulus package. Chemical & Engineering News (1/12)
PCI wants aftermarket parts to remain an option
Auto insurers prefer the use of aftermarket parts because of reduced claims costs. Auto repairers and automakers discourage using aftermarket parts. Stalemated in November, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, the Certified Automotive Parts Association and other insurance sector members discussed ways to keep competitive aftermarket crash components available. PCI met separately with Quality Parts Coalition representatives to offer additional input. Search-AutoParts.com (1/12)
Corporate Community Investment
Submit your nomination for the 2009 Siemens Sustainable Community Awards for a great opportunity to showcase how your community is working to promote economic and environmental sustainability, and to inspire other communities to do the same. The nomination period closes on Jan. 30. Winners will be announced on May 4 at BCLC's National Conference on Corporate Community Investment in Chicago. For more information on how to apply and to view winners in the 2008 awards program, visit BCLC's Web site or call 202-463-3133.
New Realities, New Opportunities
Chambers across the nation have a clear leadership role to play as communities change to address new trends and challenges. As the president of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber in North Carolina describes in his recent article, "New Realities, New Opportunities," sustainability poses a new opportunity for chambers to rally local leaders and resources behind efforts to advance long-term community and economic development. Because of the Chapel Hill chamber's sustainability programs and partnerships, the community was awarded the inaugural Siemens Sustainable Community Award in April 2008. If your chamber is involved in efforts to advance your community's competitiveness and long-term success by improving economic, environmental and social conditions, please consider nominating your community for this year's Sustainable Community Award. Details are online and the nomination deadline is Jan. 30.
Save with the Budget Business Program®
With Budget, you'll get the big-boy services without the big-boy prices. Enroll in the Budget Business Program and get Savings + Rebates. You'll receive low corporate rates and access to members-only discounts, cash-back rebates and access to Fastbreak® where members skip the lines and go straight to their cars. Enroll today at www.uschamber.com/member/benefits/budget.
|
--John Dewey, |
Email: chamber@smartbrief.com
Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004
Legal and Privacy information at
http://www.smartbrief.com/legal.jsp
Unsubscribe
Arriving at one goal is the starting point to another."