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Should you find yourself being offered the position of the CEO of a foreign company be aware of the following even if you fancy yourself as a global traveller, gourmand, patron of the arts and so on. Most likely no one outside the United States likes you–the staff, the board, the regulators–none of them. You […]

Never, ever accept the position of co-CEO. No such position can exist in nature. Yes…nature, you are human after all. Two people cannot be in charge at the same time. Either the board can’t decide which of you is best, or you are both so egocentric that you threaten to quit if you don’t have […]

Fire anyone who lies, starting with false statements on their employment applications–even if they are recommended by someone influential. Fire people before Friday, spoil their weekends, not yours. Most likely the employee has already anticipated their dismissal and have been out looking for new opportunities, all the while you have been agonizing about how to […]

Need some coffee? Get off your butt and get it yourself. Never ever ask a women to get you coffee anymore than you would ask a man. Never ask an employee to do a personal errand for you. You can walk to your bank by yourself. Aways promote from within. Every employee has a possible […]

Only hire people who are smarter than you are. Smart people make you look good, and you don’t need to do everything yourself. If smart people threaten you, quit now because you are paranoid and will fail. Scan a candidate’s resume in front of them, then turn it face down on your desk. It’s boilerplate, […]

In corporate America, the ever-expanding function of ‘looking after the employees’ has become a Trojan horse for the progressive, liberal, politically correct movement supported by personal injury lawyers. The HR function is a tumor inside your company that subsumes your authority over your employees. Remember: The Human Resource department is neither human nor resourceful. It […]

A successful CEO builds an organization to meet his goals. POLC: plan–organize–lead–control. Your plan is set, you now want to place your valuable talent in a structure whereby their skills move the firm forward. Two people in your firm must report to you directly regardless of what type of business you are in… the CFO […]

You cannot be one without the other. Regardless of the type of firm you run, it’s all about sales. All businesses, no matter what, sell something–from widgets to opinions– and everything in between. No sales, no profits; simple as that. Selling is your most critical daily function. Support you sales people. They are often the […]

  The CEO must be punctual. Your wrist watch/smartphone is not an ornament. Being late for an appointment, meeting, gathering–whatever–means you don’t care. If you are perpetually late you will come across as arrogant with an annoying self important attitude. That goes for anyone who is late to an appointment with you as well. Traffic […]

Football playoffs, March Madness, office parties are a bad mix for the CEO.Never take part in any office party games. If you win, the employees will resent you; if you lose they will make fun of you. Be an enthusiastic observer instead. Never gamble with your employees. You used to play Liar’s Poker with the […]