STRUCTURED FOR SUCCESS: WORK GROUPS, TEAMS, AND FIKAS.

Most work is done in collectives. What are three types of work collectives and how can they best be organized for success?

This is a talk given by Laurence J. Stybel,Ed.D. to a group of invited leader at the Merrimack Chamber of Commerce.

Click HERE for the Power Points.

Click HERE for the talk.

Larry can be reached at lstybel@stybelpeabody.com

"COMMONSENSE GOVERNANCE:" THESE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ARE SPECIFICALLY WRITTEN FOR PUBLIC COMPANIES. MOST OF THE BASIC FRAMEWORK APPLIES TO PRIVATE AND NONPROFIT BOARDS AROUND THE WORLD.

THESE ARE NOT TECHNICAL STANDARDS. THEY ARE SIMPLY COMMONSENSE APPROACHES TO GOVERN RELATIONS BETWEEN INVESTORS AND MANAGEMENT.

THE SIGNERS OF "COMMONSENSE GOVERNANCE" INCLUDE:

    MARY BARRA (GENERAL MOTORS)
    WARREN BUFFETT (BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY)
    JAMIE DIMON (JPMORGAN CHASE)
    MARY ERDOES (J.P. MORGAN ASSET MANAGEMENT)
    LARRY FINK (BLACKROCK)
    JEFF IMMELT (GENERAL ELECTRIC)
    LOWELL MCADAM (VERIZON)
    BILL MCNBB (VANGUARD)
    RONALD O'HANLEY (STATE STREET)
    BRIAN ROGERS (T.ROWE PRICE)
    JEFF UBBEN (VALUEACT CAPITAL)

HOW DOES YOUR BOARD COMPARE TO THESE COMMONSENSE STANDARDS?

JUST FIRED? HOW TO DISCUSS YOUR SITUATION WITH YOUNG CHILDREN.

WHARTON SCHOOL ON THE GROWING USE OF EQ TESTS IN HIRING.

POWERFUL INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS: WHY YOU NEED THEM AND HOW YOU CAN MEASURE DIRECTOR POWER.

BILL GATES: THE BEST BUSINESS BOOK.

HOW TO POSITION YOURSELF FOR FUTURE GROWTH WHILE PUTTING YOUR TEAM THROUGH A "HUNKER DOWN" OPERATION TODAY.

FAMILY DOMINATED BUSINESS LEADERSHIP SUCCESSION.

OVERCOMING THE KNOWLEDGE WORK PARADOX: SOPHISTICATED DIAGNOSIS WITHIN TECHNICAL SPHERES COMBINED WITH NO LANGUAGE OR TOOLS TO DIAGNOSE WORK RELATIONSHIPS.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE FIRMS' BLIND SPOT IN LEADERSHIP: UNLEARNING IS MORE COMPLEX THAN LEARNING.

WHO GETS HIRED AS CEO: PWC STUDY.

WOMEN CEO's MORE LIKELY TO BE FIRED THAN MEN: PWC TEN YEAR STUDY.

PSYCHOLOGY TODAY: MANAGING A "FAILURE TO THRIVE" RESUME.

PSYCHOLOGY TODAY MAGAZINE: WHEN YOUR BOSS SAYS, "YOU'RE NOT A TEAM PLAYER."

DELL'S CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER ON THE MYTH OF GENERATIONAL CONFLICT BETWEEN EMPLOYEES.

ACADEMY AWARD WINNING ACTOR MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY: HOW HE STRUCTURED HIS THINKING FOR SUCCESS. AND HOW YOU CAN DO IT TOO.

PSYCHOLOGY TODAY MAGAZINE: LEADING CULTURE CHANGE---HOW TO MAP OUT YOUR FIRST STEPS.

EVIDENCE BASED MANAGEMENT: DOES SPENDING MONEY ON TRAINING FOR TEAM PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY?

WHAT'S THE EVIDENCE: FREE TIME FOR RUMINATION IS THE FOE OF HAPPINESS.

WHAT'S THE EVIDENCE: "FINANCIAL TIMES" ON RETAINED SEARCH EFFECTIVENESS.

PSYCHOLOGY TODAY MAGAZINE: NINE ACTION ITEMS TO IMPROVE YOUR VIDEO MEETING IMPACT.

NY TIMES: WANT TO BE HAPPIER? GET TOO BUSY TO RUMINATE ABOUT YOUR UNHAPPINESS.

PLUMBING BEFORE POETRY: MCKINSEY & COMPANY AND TWO STANFORD B SCHOOL PROFESSORS ON PRACTICAL IDEAS YOU CAN USE TO MOVE ORGANIZATIONS TOWARDS EXCELLENCE.

LISTEN UP: MOST CEO/FOUNDERS FAIL TO SURVIVE THE TRANSITION FROM BEING CEOS OF FOUNDER-DOMINATED BOARDS OF DIRECTORS TO BEING CEOS OF PRIVATE EQUITY DOMINATED BOARDS OF DIRECTORS. STYBEL PEABODY ASSOCIATES INTERVIEWED FIVE PAIRS OF SUCCESSFUL CEO/FOUNDERS AND PRIVATE EQUITY PARTNERS ON THEIR BOARDS. WHAT CAN YOU LEARN FROM THEIR SUCCESS? THIS MP3 PROGRAM FROM RADIO ENTREPRENEURS WILL BE OF VALUE TO ENTREPRENEURS, CEO, AND PRIVATE EQUITY PARTNERS.

EVIDENCE BASED MANAGEMENT: THANK YOU FOR READING THIS ARTICLE.

PSYCHOLOGY TODAY MAGAZINE: YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR ABILITY TO HIRE IF YOU USE THE ARGYRIS TECHNIQUE. LET STYBEL PEABODY SHOW YOU HOW IT'S DONE.

BBC INTERVIEWS LARRY STYBEL: HOW TO MAKE A DRAMATIC CAREER CHANGE.

CONSUMER REPORTS: FOUR RETIREMENT EXPENSES WORTH PAYING FOR.

PSYCHOLOGY TODAY: HOLIDAY SEASON TERMINATIONS IS A SYMPTON AND IT'S NOT INSENSITIVITY.

WHAT'S THE EVIDENCE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT AND MAY BE ACCURATE.

WHAT'S THE EVIDENCE: HOW SUCCESSFUL FAMILIES PASS ON THE WORK ETHIC TO THEIR CHILDREN.

EVIDENCE BASED MANAGEMENT: GROUP PRODUCTIVITY IS ENHANCED IF A LEADER IS FLEXIBLE ABOUT ALTERING STYLE IN RELATION TO TASK COMPLEXITY AND THREAT.

BOARD MEMBERS PAST EXPERIENCE AS A PREDICTOR OF CORPORATE EXIT STRATEGY.

WHAT'S THE EVIDENCE: WHY DO SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS DECREASE AS YOU MOVE UP THE S&P 500 FOOD CHAIN?

HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW: CEOs DO NOT GRASP BOARD CONCERNS ABOUT LEADERSHIP BENCH STRENGTH.

INVESTORS AND JOB CANDIDATES: DO YOU HAVE ANSWERS TO THESE NINE QUESTIONS?

THE POLITICS OF ACQUISITION: INTERACTION OF BOARDS, CEOs, DEAL TEAMS, AND INTEGRATION TEAMS.

FUNDS GET ACTIVE OVER DIRECTOR PAY.

WHAT'S THE EVIDENCE? ONBOARDING.

BOARD SELF EVALUATION: U.S. VERSUS CANADIAN VERSUS EUROPEAN APPROACHES.

EVIDENCE BASED MANAGEMENT: CONNECTION BETWEEN ORGANIZATION CITIZENSHIP CULTURE, CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND HIGH PRODUCTIVITY.

WHEN DEMOGRAPHICS=DESTINY.

YOUR COMPANY WANTS ITS LEADERS TO BE CALM/ASSERTIVE: YOU CAN DO THIS.

PSYCHOLOGY TODAY MAGAZINE: HOW YOU CAN MANAGE YOUR ENEMIES.

EVIDENCE BASED MANAGEMENT: HOW TO MANAGE YOUR VIRTUAL TEAMS FOR "REAL TRUST" VERSUS "SWIFT TRUST."

WHAT'S THE EVIDENCE: TO MAKE A STRONG STAND, BE STRATEGIC WHERE YOU SIT.

SIMPLE RULES FOR LEADERS TO MANAGE TEAMS WITH COMPLEX TASKS: NEW LANGUAGE AND NEW STRUCTURE.

EVERY COMPANY THAT PROVIDES OUTPLACEMENT; EVERY EXECUTIVE WONDERING ABOUT ASKING FOR OUTPLACEMENT SHOULD READ MERVYN KAUFMAN'S PERSPECTIVE ABOUT OUTPLACEMENT.

PSYCHOLOGY TODAY: WHEN LIFE FEELS LIKE A THREE RING CIRCUS, HOW TO FOCUS ATTENTION ON THE CENTER RING.

SEVEN QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN LINKING YOUR FUTURE WITH ANOTHER COMPANY.

EVIDENCE: 40% OF EXECUTIVES HIRED THROUGH RECRUITERS QUIT OR GET PUSHED OUT IN 18 MONTHS OR LESS.......

WHAT'S THE EVIDENCE? "SAY" YOU ARE GRATEFUL AND YOU WILL BE GRATEFUL.

PSYCHOLOGY TODAY ON LEADERSHIP: WHY YOU NEED TO KEEP IT SIMPLE.

MODEL CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS JOB DESCRIPTION.

WHAT'S THE EVIDENCE: WANT TO CHANGE ATTITUDES OF PEOPLE IN YOUR TEAM? FOCUS FIRST ON BEHAVIORAL CHANGE AND LET THE ATTITUDES FOLLOW.

NINE FACTORS TO EVALUATE COMPANIES YOU MIGHT WISH TO INVEST, ACQUIRE, OR JOIN.

IS INVESTING IN VENTURE CAPITAL "HOPE AGAIN TRUMPING EXPERIENCE?"

WALL STREET JOURNAL: WHAT COSTS YOU MORE AND PRODUCES LESS? EXTERNAL HIRES.

ARE BOARDS GETTING BETTER AT MEASURING NON-FINANCIAL RESULTS? READ THIS REPORT FROM DELOITTE TOUCHE.

MANAGING PROCRASTINATION: CONSIDER SETTING TOUGH, EXTERNAL SANCTIONS BUT DON'T SET THE PENALTY YOURSELF.

WANT TO GOOSE THE LOAFERS ON YOUR WORK TEAM?

IF TIME IS MONEY, IS THE CEO's TIME BEING SPENT EFFECTIVELY?

ARE THE FORTUNE ONE HUNDRED BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR ALSO BETTER FOR CUSTOMERS AND SHAREHOLDERS?

BOARDS AS SOCIAL SYSTEMS.

PREDICTIVE VALIDITY OF JOB INTERVIEWS: STRUCTURE INTERVIEWS WIN.

MANAGING YOUR OWN INCOMPETENCE WHILE RECOGNIZING THE INCOMPETENCE OF OTHERS: a guide of leaders and those who give performance reviews to leaders.

WHEN THINKING ABOUT CEO SUCCESSION, FOCUS ON THE COO.

EVIDENCE BASED MANAGEMENT: DO INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS CREATE MORE SHAREHOLDER VALUE IN THE WAKE OF TENDER OFFERS?

DEVELOPING BOARD OPTIONS IN YOUR CAREER: the SIMposium presentation for the national convention of the Society for Information Management.

THE RELATION BETWEEN CORPORATE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND BOARD COMPOSITION.

DEFINING CULTURE: A BOARD OR A CEO RESPONSIBILITY? THE NEW YORK TIMES EXAMINES UBS. IS IT A ROGUE EMPLOYEE, POOR CONTROL SYSTEMS, OR DYSFUNCTIONAL CULTURE PERMITTED BY THE BOARD?

HOW TO IMPROVE PHYSICIAN EFFECTIVENESS ON HOSPITAL BOARDS OF DIRECTORS.

ECONOMIST: WOMEN LEADERS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES ADVANCING MORE THAN PEERS IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD.

HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW ON QUESTIONS EVERY CHANGE AGENT SHOULD ASK.

HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW: BOARDS AS ROCKET FUEL......OR ROCKS

FINANCIAL TIMES ON WHEN LEADERS NEED COACHES.

COACHING HAS YET TO PROVE ITS VALUE AND COMPANIES SPEND $1 BILLION A YEAR ON IT.

CMR ON LINKING STRATEGY AND CEO SUCCESSION.

HOW TO PRESERVE THE "INDEPENDENCE" OF "INDEPENDENT" DIRECTOR. THE CDX RULING AND ITS IMPACT FOR FAMILY DOMINATED PRIVATE COMPANIES WHERE THERE ARE NON-FAMILY INVESTORS.

THE "BACKBONE" OF THE RECRUITMENT SYSTEM HAS CALCIUM DEFICIENCY: HOW LEADERS CAN INSERT A STEEL ROD INTO THIS DETERIORATING SYSTEM.

A PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE FOR YOU TO REDUCE THE COSTS OF EMPLOYMENT MIS-HIRE.

STEPHEN KONIG ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOOD GOVERNANCE AND SHAREHOLDER VALUE.

WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE THAT HIRING OUTSIDE BOARD MEMBERS INCREASES COMPANY SURVIVAL RATES?

CEO OVERCONFIDENCE AND VALUE DESTRUCTION MERGER ACTIVITIES.

FORD CAN'T PRODUCE BLACK CARS AND WHY THAT MATTERS FOR YOUR CAREER.

EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE: HETROGENEOUS GROUPS ARE BETTER PROBLEM SOLVERS.

We never met a Board of Directors or task force team that didn't think it was plagued by TOO many different opinions! But we do see a trend for like minded people to feel comfortable about working with each other to such an extend that the members are blind about the degree to which they engage in Group Think.

The attached article is important because it does provide empirical evidence calzature puma italia for diversification of problem solving approaches plus a tool for measuring the difference. We use the Birkman in our work with Boards of Directors but Myers Briggs will also do the job.

What techniques do YOU use to insure that your Board and group is appropriately diversified?

    Click here for the article.

FRED FOULKES ON "SAY ON PAY."

HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW ON MANAGING EMPLOYEES IN THEIR 20's.

GETTING DOWN TO BASICS: WHAT ARE THE ROLES OF A NONPROFIT BOARD?

ARE WE A GOVERNING BOARD OR A MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE: learning lessons from Harvard University's Board.

At one level, Harvard University is a unique institution. At another level, it is a complex nonprofit where the Board has responded to two simple questions: (1) Do we on the Board have a crisp understanding of the distinction between a management committee and a Governing Board? (2) If we are a Governing Board can we also be a Management Committee?

These issues are archetype dilemmas for Directors on nonprofits.

How would YOUR Directors answer these two questions:

    http://harvardmagazine.com/2010/12/harvard-university-governance-to-change?page=0,5

MANAGING THE INNER CONTRADICTIONS OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS.

WHAT AUDIT COMMITTEES NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MONITORING INTERNAL CONTROL USING THE COSO FRAMEWORK:
a Grant Thornton Publication.

HOW MANY WOMEN ON BOARDS? A STUDY BY GOVERNANCE METRICS INTERNATIONAL.

EFFECTIVE EXECUTIVE MAGAZINE ON HOW TO LEAD SIMPLY WITHOUT BEING A SIMPLETON.

REDUCING UNCERTAINTY WHEN STARTING CRITICAL AND NEW RELATIONSHIPS.

SERVE PEOPLE YOU LOVE SERVING AND GET PAID FOR IT IS "FUN;" SERVE PEOPLE YOU DON'T LOVE SERVING AND GET PAID FOR IT IS "WORK." CLIENTS KNOW WHEN THEIR SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE ENJOYING THEMSELVES OR WORKING!

MIT SLOAN MANAGEMENT REVIEW ON A :"SIMPLE" APPROACH TO LEADERSHIP.

STEVE HONIG ON ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT.

CREATING BOARD OPTIONS IN YOUR CAREER.

PSYCHOLOGIST-MANAGER JOURNAL ON MANAGING THE INNER CONTRADICTIONS OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS.

HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW ON "CAN'T GET A JOB WITHOUT THE EXPERIENCE, BUT CAN'T GET THE EXPERIENCE WITHOUT A JOB?"

QUESTIONS TO ASK REGARDING THE MANAGEMENT OF SALES

GRANT THORNTON SURVEY OF NONPROFIT GOVERNANCE

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVE NONPROFIT BOARDS?

EFFECTIVE VS. SUCCESSFUL LEADERS: THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN HOW THE TWO SPEND THEIR TIME. ARE YOU STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE? READ THIS CLASSIC RESEARCH BY FRED LUTHANS.

BOSTON UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL DEAN AND PUBLIC COMPANY BOARD MEMBER LOUIS LATAIF: boards represent the interests of equity holders; what if those equity holders are mostly traders and long term investors are the minority?

STRUCTURING SEVERANCE ARRANGEMENTS WITH A FRAMEWORK THAT INTRODUCES MARKETING/STRATEGY INTO A TACTICAL PROCEDURE USUALLY DOMINATED BY HR/FINANCE

QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN LOOKING AT YOUR RISKS IN JOINING THE BOARD OF A PRIVATE COMPANY

HOW TO BUILD TEAM ESPIRIT DE CORPS WHILE SURVIVING THROUGH A DOWNSIZING

MAPPING STAGES OF BOARD-CEO DISAFFECTION

BOARD OPTIONS, INC. ON HOW TO USE VERSION 3.0 OF THE ISS CORPORATE GOVERNANCE QUOTIENT

SOCIOLOGIST RICHARD FLORIDA ON THE ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE POST RECESSION

HAVE YOU GOT THE RIGHT ROLE MODELS TO LEAD A 'HUNKER DOWN'?

CORPORATE BOARD MEMBER MAGAZINE ON DEPARTURE OF KEY TALENT AS A "CANARY IN THE CORPORATE COAL MINE:" HOW CAN YOU WATCH WITHOUT BEING INTRUSIVE?

ABOUT CORPGOV.NET

Since 1995 Corpgov.Net has provided news, links, and a small reference library to Internet users. The site serves as a discussion forum and NETwork for numerous stakeholders who are leading authorities in explaining movements and motives in the field of corporate governance.

INVESTORS BUSINESS DAILY ON HIRING THE BEST

MIT SLOAN MANAGEMENT REVIEW ON A CONTINGENCY BASED FRAMEWORK FOR BOARDS SEEKING TO BE ROLE MODELS FOR CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT:

WALL STREET JOURNAL ON WHY EMPOYERS SEE VALUE IN HELPING THOSE LAID OFF.

Purdue University/Baruch College Study on the Correlation Between Adding Three or More Outside Directors and Return on Assets.

OF COUNSEL MAGAZINE ON NEW ROLES FOR GENERAL COUNSELS AT BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEETINGS.

MIT SLOAN MANAGEMENT REVIEW ON A FRAMEWORK TO EXAMINE BOARD SELF EVALUATION OPTIONS.

A FRAMEWORK FOR SELECTING A BOARD OF DIRECTOR PROBLEM SOLVING PORTFOLIO TO MATCH A COMPANY’S STRATEGY/RISK POSITION.

Advise for Boards for Dealing With Outrageous CEO Employment Contract Proposals.

THE ECONOMIST MAGAZINE FIVE YEAR REPORT CARD ON SARBANES OXLEY.

WALL STREET JOURNAL: new breed of CEOs are less powerful, less arrogant, on a shorter leash, more transparent, pro-environment, and very, very well paid.

A RESOURCE FOR NONPROFIT BOARD MEMBERS

We knew Alan Procter when he was Chief Financial Officer at Harvard University.  He also was Executive Director of the New York City Financial Control Board when the City of New York was in technical bankruptcy.

Alan knows a couple of things about visible nonprofits!

Attached is his website.  It is full of great resources for Directors of nonprofits.

    http://www.proctorconsulting.org/

EUROPEAN ECONOMIC UNION GOVERNANCE PERSPECTIVE.

 Check out the articles in European Corporate Governance Institute.

WHAT'S A LEADERSHIP MANDATE AND HOW CAN YOU DEFINE IT?

HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW ON HOW COMPENSATION COMMITTEES MAKE THINGS WORSE

In Japan, greater governance activism on the part of investment funds.

  WHAT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CAN NEVER TELL A DIRECTOR.

 Allen Procter is former Chief Financial Officer for Harvard University.  His perspectives on governance for nonprofits also have lessons for those in the for profit world.  Allen is author of a column on governance for Biz Journals and this piece comes from one of his columns.

 http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2005/11/14/editorial3.html?t=printable

Even Innocent Directors and Officers May See D&O Policies Rescinded

Moody's Investor Services Shows Link Between Excessive CEO Pay and Bond Defaults.

ONCE AGAIN: WHY DO WE NEED BOARDS?

ONE MORE TIME.  WHAT IS THE VALUE PROPOSITION FOR A STRONG BOARD DOMINATED BY OUTSIDERS?

CEO'S TO BOARDS: DON'T YOU TRUST US???!!!

Link to Corpgov.net

HEADLINE:  NEW YORK TIMES ON THE NEW VULNERABILITY OF COMPENSATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS OF BOARDS.

DELEWARE LAW DOES NOT PROVIDE PRIVILEGE FOR DATA COLLECTED IN BOARD OF DIRECTOR SELF EVALUATION.

STRUCTURING BOARDS OF ADVISORS FOR SUCCESS

GOVERNANCE NEED TO HAVES VERSUS WANT TO HAVES: the example of Board Self Evaluation

STAGGERED ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS: the P&G case

How Many "Stars" Does This Board Really Need?

FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD ON HOW PRACTICES SUCH AS BOARD OF DIRECTORS SELF EVALUATION ENHANCES SHAREHOLDER VALUE.

BOARD OF DIRECTOR SELF EVALUATION: balancing honesty and risk management.

DOES BOARD SELF EVALUATION MAKE SENSE FOR BANKS?

RELATION BETWEEN SHAREHOLDER VALUE AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

JOINING A BOARD?  LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

WHAT MUST BE DONE TO GET MUTUAL FUND BOARDS ACCOUNTABLE TO FUND INVESTORS?

COURT APPOINTED EXAMINER/FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL ON WHAT HAPPENED AT WORLDCOM AND WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM IT.

SKADDEN ARPS ON NASDAQ PROPOSALS FOR CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

THE GLOBAL OUTSOURCING OF TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL JOBS AND ITS IMPACT ON THE LONG TERM OUTLOOK FOR THE U.S. ECONOMY.

SOFTWARE MAGAZINE ON HOW TO IDENTIFY SHENANIGAN PRONE COMPANIES

SEC ON ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS

MANAGING CRITICAL MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

THE BOSTON GLOBE ON HOW TO REDUCE THE RISKS OF CRITICAL LEADER MIS-HIRE

THE BOSTON BUSINESS JOURNAL:  IMPACT OF PUBLIC COMPANY GOVERNANCE CHANGES ON PRIVATE COMPANY BOARD STRUCTURE.

IS THERE A CORRELATION BETWEEN CORPORATE PERFORMANCE AND THE USE OF OUTSIDE BOARD MEMBERS?

BINGHAM MCCUTCHEN ON SARBANNES OXLEY

CONFERENCE BOARD REPORT ON BOARD GOVERNANCE  

THE NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW OF CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS WITHIN THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEES OF THE BOARDS OF 2,000 LARGE AMERICAN PUBLIC COMPANIES

FINANCIAL TIMES ON THE FIRST NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO FACE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION CHARGES.

HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR RAKESH KHURANA ON WHY BOARDS SUB-OPTIMIZE CEO SEARCHES.

FRAMED TO FAIL: HOW BOARDS MIS-STRUCTURE NEW CEO ASSIGNMENTS AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT.

CONFERENCE BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS ON BOARD OF DIRECTOR COMPENSATION COMMITTEE CONDUCT

NEW VANGUARD GOVERNANCE RULES A MODEL FOR THE MUTUAL FUND INDUSTRY AND INSTITUTIONAL MONEY OVERSIGHT? 

How to Tie Pay to Goals, Instead of the Stock Price

HEADLINE:  WALL STRET JOURNAL ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTOR COMPENSATION BALANCING ACT.

MANAGING ‘HUNKER DOWN’ OPERATIONS: a Board and Management Perspective

As the Scandals Mount…What Is the Right Approach For Protecting My Private Directors and Officers?

WorldCom Scandal Could Cause D&O Rates to Quadruple

GOVERNANCE CONSIDERATIONS IN EMERGING COUNTRIES

CEO and CFO Certification of Securities Filings  Under SEC Order 4-460: An FAQ for the Perplexed

NYSE APPROVES NEW GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES

HOW COMMON ARE ACCOUNTING "MISSTATEMENTS" AND WHAT ARE DIRECTOR LIABILITIES? 

HOW CAN BOARDS GET MORE 'SPINE:" AN "ECONOMIST" REVIEW

JAY LORSCH OF THE HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AUDIT COMMITTEES, AUDIT FIRMS, AND MANAGEMENT

WALL STREET JOURNAL ON THE NEW SHAREHOLDER ACTIVISM

HOW TO MANAGE THE FIRST HUNDRED DAYS OF A NEW ASSIGNMENT: a guide for leaders and boards

THE FINANCIAL TIMES ON THE CHANGING ROLE OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS: CAN THE JOB EVER BE DONE PROPERLY?

INTERPUBLIC REACTS TO ENRON AND CHANGES ITS BOARD STRUCTURE

GOVERNANCE LESSONS OF ENRON

THE TOFFLERS ON THE NEXT CHANGES

HARVARD B SCHOOL ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SHAREHOLDERS RIGHTS AND CORPORATE PERFORMANCE

WATSON-WYATT HAS DOCUMENTED THE RELATION BETWEEN HOW COMPANIES MANAGE TALENT AND SHAREHOLDER VALUE

FINANCIAL TIMES AS A SEARCH TOOL

CALIPERS' GOOD GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES

BOARD STAFFING PATTERNS OF MASSACHUSETTS' TOP HUNDRED FIRMS

PAY PRACTICES FOR EXTERNAL BOARD MEMBERS

WHAT’S NEXT FOR TECHNOLOGY, BUSINESS, SOCIETY, AND YOUR CAREER

SIZE DOES MATTER: BUT NOT THE WAY YOU THINK

ARTHUR LEVITT ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF NEW GOVERNANCE STANDARDS

FINANCIAL TIMES ON CEO 'FLAMEOUT'

THE ECONOMIST ON THE DECLINING APPEAL OF BOARD POSITIONS

THE ECONOMIST ON MANAGING COMPANIES DURING TOUGH TIMES

WALL STREET JOURNAL SEES RISE IN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR ACTIVISM

NEW YORK TIMES ON DIRECTOR COMPENSATION DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES

Robert J. Samuelson on the impact of North American/Western European Population Changes on World Economy

BOARDS HAVE LESS PATIENCE WITH CEOs, ACCORDING TO THE FINANCIAL TIMES

A great resource for members of public Boards of Directors

WHAT ARE THEDRIVERS THAT WILL SHAPE YOURWORLD IN 2015?

Dean LeBaron on Corporate Governance

Ed Merino and virtual-board.com focuses on best practices of Corporate Governance, including director evaluation

Mutual Fund Managers Become Board-Level Change Agents

NEW ROLES FOR CFOs

BOARDOPTIONS.COM CAN HELP RAISE CAPITAL AND MANAGE IT

THE CONFERENCE BOARD ON WHY COMPANIES HAVE DIFFICULTY RECRUITING DIRECTORS FROM OUTSIDE ITS BASE COUNTRY.
For more information about retained search options relating to Board of Director recruitment overseas, contact Dr. Laurence J. Stybel of Board Options Inc.

WALL STREET JOURNAL ON DESIRE OF BIG BOARD TO HAVE SEC BROADEN AUDIT-PANEL RULES

DO YOU WORK WITH FAMILY BUSINESSES?

Advising family businesses or working in them present unique issues not found in non-family operations. 
We have found this newsletter an outstanding resource for those of us involved with such organizations: 

FAMILY BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL 
Price: $275 annually; $12 for back issues 
Phone: To order by phone, call (800) 831-7799 
Address: Harcourt Professional Publishing Subscription Fulfillment 
6277 Sea Harbor Drive Orlando, FL 32887-4600 
Web site: www.hbpp.com 

A WOMAN'S PLACE IS.....IN THE BOARDROOM

CONTEMPLATING SERVING ON A BOARD'S AUDIT COMMITTEE?

HOW TO GAIN COMMITMENT AND DE-COMMITMENT

SEC URGES MORE OUTSIDE BOARD MEMBERS ON MUTUAL FUNDS

Here is an Associated Press story that has positive implications for any investor who has money in mutual funds: What do YOU think about Levitt's ideas? Send responses to stybel@aol.com and we will post them. 

RCharpent comment on "Outside & Independent Board Members"

HOW MUCH INDEPENDENCE SHOULD BOARD MEMBERS HAVE?

What are your reactions to the following NEWSWEEK piece about H.J. Heinz, Inc.? 

Beyond the flamboyant Mr. O'Reilly, what do you think?

One person who has thought about this issue is SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt. He has urged more use of true outside directors on mutual fund boards. He has even argued that Directors should retain their own legal counsel. How can the legal counsel employed by the company provide disinterested advise to the Board of Directors? By that same logic, should not Compensation Committees hire their own compensation consulting firm? Should the Audit Committee get an outside CPA opinion?

AN 'OWNERS' MANUAL' FOR SHAREHOLDERS? 

Warren Buffet provides an 'Owners' Manual' for shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway.
We think he has hit all the major points.
Should your company have an Owners' Manual? 

Maryanne Peabody & Laurence J. Stybel
BOARD OPTIONS INC.
Boston, MA
tel: 617-371-2990
www.boardoptions.com

TO SEE BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY'S OWNERS' MANUAL,
CLICK HERE: http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/owners.html. 

IS YOUR COMPANY TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE BENEFITS OF EMPLOYER ASSOCIATIONS?

A FRAMEWORK FOR EXCELLENCE IN BOARD GOVERNANCE

"HOW TO SPOT DECEIT"

JOB STRESS CAN BE A KILLER -- LITERALLY by David J. Bowman

ARE YOU READY FOR RADICAL CHANGE? by David J. Bowman

“CHAINSAW AL” DUNLAP OUSTED BY SUNBEAM BOARD: SIGN OF BOARDROOM FAILURE -- OR SUCCESS?

"JUST TALK WITH MY AGENT"

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS: DEFERRED COMPENSATION

COMPENSATION OF THE NON-CEO BOARD OF DIRECTOR

OUTSIDER BOARD OF DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

CALIFORNIA BOARD SURPRISE PART OF A TREND, SAYS BOARDROOM AUTHOR -- Our friend Ralph Ward sent this notice. What implications might it have for your companies? 

We will publish your responses to this notice, if you give us permission. 

Maryanne Peabody & Larry Stybel BOARD OPTIONS INC. Boston, MA e mail: stybel@aol.com

TRENDS FOR WOMEN ON BOARDS

IF MOZART WAS GIVING FREE PIANO LESSONS, WOULD YOU SIGN UP? Warren Buffett is to investments what Mozart is to music. The record speaks for itself.

For 29 of the the 31 years between 1965 and 1996, Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Corporation outpaced the S&P 500 Index. For those 31 years, corporate annual growth has averaged 33.4%. If your long term investments are doing better, we want to talk with you!

Reading a Berkshire Hathaway annual report is one of life's pleasures. Buffett writes his own management letters. And he is an outstanding teacher. He shows how the the complex can actually be simple and humorous if looked at with the proper perspective. For example, in the 1996 Annual Report, he teaches us about looking at the relationship between Intrinsic Value to Market Price.

Do you want an example of powerful but elegant criteria for acquisition? Take a look at Berkshire Hathaway's six standards. Warren Buffett's reports are available for you to chuckle over and to learn from.

ECONOMIC SECURITY: A FRAMEWORK FOR AN EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE PACKAGE