The Corner Office

Don't Make Your Customers Deal With Your Problems

Steve Tobak — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:10:08 +0000

Some small businesses almost effortlessly put customer's needs and problems first, while others let their drama and dysfunctions dictate how they do business. Like it or not, customers get dragged along for the ride. In a competitive market, that's no way to get repeat business.

The Problem With Diversification

Steve Tobak — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:05:34 +0000

How is a company supposed to reduce its risk when one customer can devastate its business? Some throw around "diversification" like it's an antidote to risk, but as a risk aversion strategy, diversification is no panacea. It carries its own risks, tradeoffs and hurdles that can be insurmountable.

10 Aspects of Executive Presence

Steve Tobak — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:30:21 +0000

What constitutes executive presence, that indefinable quality that great leaders possess? Is it about poise and sophistication, use of body language or gestures? Can it be learned, does it develop on its own, or do you have to be born with it? And how do you know if you've got it?

Poll: What’s the Etiquette for Social Media and the Workplace?

Christine Lee — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:00:31 +0000

When hotelier Chip Conley posted pictures from his Burning Man trip on his Facebook page, some of his employees complained that they were inappropriate for a CEO. We’ve covered the fracas in A CEO’s Dilemma: Should I Take My Burning Man Pics off Facebook? Now we want to hear what you think about social media [...]

Galleon Scandal Snags Top IBM and AMD Execs

Steve Tobak — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:35:15 +0000

Hector Ruiz, former CEO of AMD and president of Motorola, and Bob Moffat, Sr. VP at IBM, were among top executives caught up in the largest insider trading scandal in decades. The question is why would top executives risk their careers by committing fraud? One theory suggests it's the testosterone.

Marketing Megatrend: Simple Sells

Steve Tobak — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:35:04 +0000

It's a hot trend and it's here to stay. Marketers at Starbucks, Kraft, and Campbell have discovered that "simple" sells. But retail marketing aside, is "simple" a megatrend all businesses should be watching and considering in our marketing, branding, and positioning? The simple answer is yes.

Keep Your Career Moving Up and to the Right

Steve Tobak — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:30:09 +0000

The most common career mistake managers make is taking a lesser job than they should. Personal issues aside, too many folks pull the trigger on that critical decision sooner than they should. So what makes folks like you so risk averse? And how do you know if you've already reached your limit?

Big Government is Here - Now What?

Steve Tobak — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:34:29 +0000

Not only is the writing on the wall, it's covered the wall and spilled onto the floor, the ceiling, everywhere. Big government has come to America. Now what? Do you suck it up and learn to live in the new world order or wait until the pendulum swings back the other way? I have a better answer.

Don't Label Yourself

Steve Tobak — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:30:27 +0000

Language is at best a highly subjective communication tool. What you think you say and what the other person hears can be two completely different things. Labels can be great shortcuts, but they make matters worse. In a job interview, client meeting, or negotiation, labels can spell disaster.

Inside White House War on Fox News

Steve Tobak — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:55:22 +0000

The White House has launched an all-out war on Fox News. On the surface, this would appear to be a classic PR blunder, i.e. "If you want to elevate your enemy, attack them publicly." But a closer look reveals the Obama administration may be desperate to marginalize its critics. Will the strategy work?