Editor’s Letter: Forward Thinking
October 15, 2009 by Joseph McCafferty
A letter from Directorship's editor in chief.
October 15, 2009 by Joseph McCafferty
A letter from Directorship's editor in chief.
Some Common-Sense Advice for New Directors
October 15, 2009 by Herbert S. Winokur
First, and most importantly, remember that directors direct and managements manage.
October 15, 2009 by Herbert S. Winokur
First, and most importantly, remember that directors direct and managements manage.
Sleepless in the Boardroom
September 15, 2009 by Judy Warner
Be it risk, cash, strategy, or talent retention there's no shortage of issues.
September 15, 2009 by Judy Warner
Be it risk, cash, strategy, or talent retention there's no shortage of issues.
Resources or Resilience
August 18, 2009 by Jeffrey M. Cunningham
Lincoln’s letter to his General of the Potomac, George B. McLellan, is a prime example of a chief executive who knows that mere metrics and numbers do not equal success.
August 18, 2009 by Jeffrey M. Cunningham
Lincoln’s letter to his General of the Potomac, George B. McLellan, is a prime example of a chief executive who knows that mere metrics and numbers do not equal success.
The Human Side of Business Processes
July 15, 2009
No matter how thick your procedure manual, how well thought out your business guidelines are or how comprehensive your IT support is for business processes, once people get involved, ad-hoc, unstructured processes become the norm, rather than the exception. For many companies, the way they handle unstructured processes is the key differentiator between their execution capabilities, and those of their competitors.
July 15, 2009
No matter how thick your procedure manual, how well thought out your business guidelines are or how comprehensive your IT support is for business processes, once people get involved, ad-hoc, unstructured processes become the norm, rather than the exception. For many companies, the way they handle unstructured processes is the key differentiator between their execution capabilities, and those of their competitors.
Corporate Strategy: A New Direction
June 1, 2009 by Directorship Editors
A core responsibility of the board is to engage with management in the development of an effective corporate strategy. After all, corporations are managed “under the direction” of boards, according to most state corporate laws—and therefore the board is ultimately accountable for the quality of the company’s management, including any strategic plans made and pursued by management.
June 1, 2009 by Directorship Editors
A core responsibility of the board is to engage with management in the development of an effective corporate strategy. After all, corporations are managed “under the direction” of boards, according to most state corporate laws—and therefore the board is ultimately accountable for the quality of the company’s management, including any strategic plans made and pursued by management.
Five Imperatives for 2009
January 5, 2009 by Joseph McCafferty
Here are five areas that nearly every business will have to focus on to survive (and even thrive) in what could be a very difficult year for many industries. The Corporate Executive Board canvassed business leaders and came up with these five issues that need immediate attention.
January 5, 2009 by Joseph McCafferty
Here are five areas that nearly every business will have to focus on to survive (and even thrive) in what could be a very difficult year for many industries. The Corporate Executive Board canvassed business leaders and came up with these five issues that need immediate attention.
Where to Draw the Line?
July 30, 2008 by Joseph McCafferty
Allegations from some that boards of financial companies were asleep at the switch are certain to change the way boards view their job.
July 30, 2008 by Joseph McCafferty
Allegations from some that boards of financial companies were asleep at the switch are certain to change the way boards view their job.
What Worries Corporate Directors?
May 1, 2008 by Judy Warner
Here’s some welcome news: strategic initiatives, rather than compliance and regulation, top the list of board directors’ concerns. According to a survey conducted by The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), strategy topped the list for the first time, an indication that board members’ forced obsession with regulatory compliance is starting to wane.
May 1, 2008 by Judy Warner
Here’s some welcome news: strategic initiatives, rather than compliance and regulation, top the list of board directors’ concerns. According to a survey conducted by The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), strategy topped the list for the first time, an indication that board members’ forced obsession with regulatory compliance is starting to wane.
Reputation in the Age of Media Chaos
May 1, 2008 by Ed Fouhy
The policy for corporations in trouble is to get the fullest possible version of the facts out as quickly and as transparently as possible. A company's reputation is one of its most valuable assets, and directors need to do everything them can to guard against damage to it.
May 1, 2008 by Ed Fouhy
The policy for corporations in trouble is to get the fullest possible version of the facts out as quickly and as transparently as possible. A company's reputation is one of its most valuable assets, and directors need to do everything them can to guard against damage to it.
No Shortcuts to Long-Term Thinking
February 1, 2008 by Aaron Bernstein
In 1901, George Westinghouse sent a letter to his shareholders explaining that Westinghouse Electric hadn’t issued financial reports for the prior four years because it wasn’t in “the interests of all.” The company didn’t bother with another annual report until 1906.
February 1, 2008 by Aaron Bernstein
In 1901, George Westinghouse sent a letter to his shareholders explaining that Westinghouse Electric hadn’t issued financial reports for the prior four years because it wasn’t in “the interests of all.” The company didn’t bother with another annual report until 1906.
What Worries Board Directors?
December 1, 2007 by Judy Warner
Here’s some welcome news: strategic initiatives, rather than compliance and regulation, top the list of board directors’ concerns. According to a survey conducted by The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), strategy topped the list for the first time, an indication that board members’ forced obsession with regulatory compliance is starting to wane.
December 1, 2007 by Judy Warner
Here’s some welcome news: strategic initiatives, rather than compliance and regulation, top the list of board directors’ concerns. According to a survey conducted by The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), strategy topped the list for the first time, an indication that board members’ forced obsession with regulatory compliance is starting to wane.
Nasdaq’s Global Ambitions
December 1, 2007 by Judy Warner
Robert Greifeld, chairman and CEO of the Nasdaq Stock Market Inc., has been busy. He has steered the nation’s largest electronic stock exchange through a series of ambitious growth initiatives and acquisitions, since being named to the top spot in May of 2003. He led Nasdaq’s 2004 launch of Market Center, a system capable of trading Nasdaq, NYSE, and AMEX-listed securities and exchange traded funds on a single electronic platform. But Greifeld’s boldest plans involve giving the exchange a global presence. After the prestigious London Stock Exchange rebuffed his advances, even though Nasdaq owned a sizable minority stake, Greifeld turned his attention to Stockholm-based OMX, which it agreed to buy for about $4.9 billion in a deal struck jointly with Borse Dubai. “We fought the good fight,” he said, during a third-quarter conference call. Regardless, Greifeld told Directorship, Nasdaq is marching forward with its plans to carve out an international footprint.
December 1, 2007 by Judy Warner
Robert Greifeld, chairman and CEO of the Nasdaq Stock Market Inc., has been busy. He has steered the nation’s largest electronic stock exchange through a series of ambitious growth initiatives and acquisitions, since being named to the top spot in May of 2003. He led Nasdaq’s 2004 launch of Market Center, a system capable of trading Nasdaq, NYSE, and AMEX-listed securities and exchange traded funds on a single electronic platform. But Greifeld’s boldest plans involve giving the exchange a global presence. After the prestigious London Stock Exchange rebuffed his advances, even though Nasdaq owned a sizable minority stake, Greifeld turned his attention to Stockholm-based OMX, which it agreed to buy for about $4.9 billion in a deal struck jointly with Borse Dubai. “We fought the good fight,” he said, during a third-quarter conference call. Regardless, Greifeld told Directorship, Nasdaq is marching forward with its plans to carve out an international footprint.
Former CEO and Shareholder Clamors for Change at AIG
November 6, 2007 by Joseph McCafferty
American International Group former CEO Maurice R. "Hank" Greenberg has declared his interest to look for "strategic alternatives" for the giant insurance company he helped build.
November 6, 2007 by Joseph McCafferty
American International Group former CEO Maurice R. "Hank" Greenberg has declared his interest to look for "strategic alternatives" for the giant insurance company he helped build.
COOs Don’t Just Fade Away…
November 5, 2007 by Joseph McCafferty
The position of the COO in leading corporations isn’t being eliminated, it’s being transformed, a new report by The Conference Board finds.
November 5, 2007 by Joseph McCafferty
The position of the COO in leading corporations isn’t being eliminated, it’s being transformed, a new report by The Conference Board finds.
Children’s Place Engages Lehman to Review Strategic Alternatives
October 25, 2007 by Joseph McCafferty
The board of directors at Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. today announced that it has recently engaged Lehman Brothers to act as its financial advisor for a review of the company’s strategic alternatives to improve operations and enhance shareholder value.
October 25, 2007 by Joseph McCafferty
The board of directors at Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. today announced that it has recently engaged Lehman Brothers to act as its financial advisor for a review of the company’s strategic alternatives to improve operations and enhance shareholder value.
Research Finds CEO Pay not Linked to Performance, According to NACD
October 16, 2007 by Joseph McCafferty
Many leaders in the corporate United States feel that CEOs are overpaid, relative to their performance, a new study by the National Association of Corporate Directors found.
October 16, 2007 by Joseph McCafferty
Many leaders in the corporate United States feel that CEOs are overpaid, relative to their performance, a new study by the National Association of Corporate Directors found.
Sallie Mae Asks for Expedited Trial in Lawuit
October 15, 2007 by Joseph McCafferty
Sallie Mae (SLM Corp.) has submitted a request to the Delaware court, asking for an expedited trial for a lawsuit the student-lender had previously filed against a group of buyers.
October 15, 2007 by Joseph McCafferty
Sallie Mae (SLM Corp.) has submitted a request to the Delaware court, asking for an expedited trial for a lawsuit the student-lender had previously filed against a group of buyers.
Drucker in the Boardroom
October 1, 2007 by Elizabeth Haas Edersheim
Although generally known throughout his storied professional life for his work with chief executives, Peter Drucker advised hundreds of boards of diverse organizations around the world, constantly reminding them of the need to stay true to their role as a constructive “adversary of top management.”
October 1, 2007 by Elizabeth Haas Edersheim
Although generally known throughout his storied professional life for his work with chief executives, Peter Drucker advised hundreds of boards of diverse organizations around the world, constantly reminding them of the need to stay true to their role as a constructive “adversary of top management.”
Boardroom Focus on Immigration
October 1, 2007 by Dowell Myers
Although in recent years illegal immigration has exploded as a nationwide concern, most of the discussion has been focused on the more politically charged issues. That debate, so far, has shed more heat than light on the topic.
October 1, 2007 by Dowell Myers
Although in recent years illegal immigration has exploded as a nationwide concern, most of the discussion has been focused on the more politically charged issues. That debate, so far, has shed more heat than light on the topic.