Forbes/Gartner Study: Internet Is Key Source of Information for Business Executives

New York—The Internet is “by far” the most important source of business information for top executives, according to the Ninth Annual Forbes/Gartner C-Level Executive Study, released Wednesday.

The Internet was chosen by 60% of the executives surveyed as the most important medium for business information, according to the online study, which was conducted? this spring. More than 650 executives participated.

Only 15% of the executives identified daily newspapers as the most important medium. The Internet and newspapers were followed by trade publications (9%), magazines (6%), TV (5%) and radio (2%).

The executives surveyed said they spend an average of 15.9 hours per week on the Internet (excluding e-mail) for work and nonwork activities. Fifty eight percent of respondents said they access the Internet before they go to work, compared with 47% who indicated they read a newspaper before going to work.

a reprint from B to B.

What CEOs Want from HR Leaders

All successful corporations use HR strategically, not just to manage administration and other mundane HR tasks. CEOs are interested in growth, profits, innovation, and the ability to retain customers. HR is at a key position to help the CEO attain all of these objectives. To do this your time in the HR leadership role should consist of the following:

• discussing talent, retention, and talent development and pipeline candidates;
• compensation and competitive intersections of market and attaining the best talent;
• benefits, maintaining a competitive package and harnessing costs, especially health and 401K and pensions;
• identifying integration acquisitions quickly;
• anticipating critical business events and regulatory issues;
• guiding and maintaining a daily interaction with the CEO and key business leaders;
• understanding the dynamics of the economy and how they impact the business;
• and finally enabling growth drivers at the employee and business levels.

Are you doing these key functions on a daily basis? Let me know your thoughts.

How a Little 'Friction' Can Change a Competitive Landscape

For a business, losing a customer can feel a little like getting dumped. Questions linger: What did I do wrong? What does that other business have that I don't? How can I ever compete in such a cutthroat market? Well, maybe you do have too many competitors. Maybe thereis something you need to improve. Or maybe the customer simply has personal preferences that are not met by your business.

A recent research paper by Wharton management professor Olivier Chatain and INSEAD strategy professor Peter Zemsky offers some perspective on this topic by combining two types of business strategy analysis. Their advice: When developing business strategies, consider not just what your company does, but how it fits into its industry. Looking at both, you might find ways to improve and woo more customers. You might realize an opportunity to leapfrog over a bigger competitor. Or you might discover that your approach to the market is fine the way it is.

To read the full article please click on the link above. Great information in this competitive landscape.