U.S. Chamber SmartBrief

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December 31, 2008

News for association and chamber leaders

Business Leadership

10 best practices for new leaders
This article offers the 10 best practices to help new leaders cope with the challenges of the new year. Among them: Foster transparency and accountability, lead from the trenches instead of the corner office, view customers as individuals in order to understand what they need, and look for opportunities. Harvard Business Review online/Inverted Wisdom blog (12/29)

10 reasons to build an ownership culture
Ritz-Carlton, ING Direct and Build-A-Bear Workshop are among the companies that have gained a competitive edge by creating an internal culture of ownership. Leaders have to walk the talk -- and sometimes, they say, you have to fire the customer. Harvard Business School/Working Knowledge (12/22)

How to take a call in a loud room
For those with a must-take call in a noisy spot, here's a tip from neuroscientist Sam Wang: Put your finger over the microphone as you listen. Otherwise, noise from the room and your caller is funneled into the same ear and your brain can't handle it. Wired magazine (12/2008)

Lift employees' moods -- for good
Team-building exercises and morale-boosting activities might help improve employees' spirits at the end of a dismal business year, but ongoing leadership is needed to keep those spirits up, experts say. Showing workers how they make a difference so they take pride in the work they do is more effective than games and parties, experts say. "Fun is a very fleeting foundation to build teamwork," said Jim Murphy of General Mills. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (12/26)

To become a better leader, take time to be an author
Authorship might not be at the top of most executives' to-do lists, but Ken Shelton believes it's an important means of gaining respect and establishing authenticity. Shelton outlines the benefits executives can gain through writing -- identity, philosophy, authenticity, authority and legacy -- and explains how they can get started. Manage Smarter (12/24)

Quick Poll

Poll: What New Year's resolution should your organization make?
Look for results from this poll in next week's brief.

	Increase employee job satisfaction.
	Stay profitable.
	Hire, hire, hire!

CEO Update

CEO Update and U.S. Chamber SmartBrief partner to bring you exclusive association and other nonprofit reports and career listings.

Executive careers

New leaders: Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; Financial Executives International; Mailing & Fulfillment Service Association.

Searches under way: American Birding Association; LandScope America; Painting and Decorating Contractors of America. Visit CEO Update to learn about the new heads and new opportunities.

Up-to-date data

CEO turnover slowed in 2008: Of the 1,890 organizations tracked in Association Intelligence, only 141 named new CEOs in the past 12 months. That is a 17% drop from turnover in 2007, when 169 new CEOs took the helm at national associations. Find out more at AssociationIntelligence.

Chamber Spotlight

Chamber's November Fund escapes FEC fine
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's November Fund will not be fined by the Federal Election Commission for allegedly violating spending limits in a $3 million campaign against Democratic vice-presidential nominee John Edwards in 2004. The six-member commission, composed of three Democrats and three Republicans, did not deliver the four-vote majority needed to approve the fine. Newsday (Long Island, N.Y.) (subscription required) (12/30)

Pa. group focuses on how to get town moving again
The Chamber of Commerce in Willow Grove, Pa., has deployed two new committees to focus on redevelopment efforts in the community that is reeling from about 1,000 layoffs since 2004. The chamber has interviewed business owners, developers and leaders in recent months to identify how revitalize the town. "Before we do anything we need to know where we're going. That's the stage we're in now," said chamber President Charles Kremp. Montgomery Newspapers (Fort Washington, Pa.)/Public Spirit/The Willow Grove Guide (12/29)

FedEx Delivers Value, Reliability and Proven Performance
In these uncertain times of overall economic challenges, there are many things affecting the shipping industry. You may be concerned about how changes might affect your service experience.

It is important to have service choices, flexibility and options you can rely on in order to effectively manage your costs. Be assured FedEx remains strong and reliable.

U.S. Chamber members receive special discounts of up to 26% on select FedEx® services and up to 20% on select FedEx Office^SM services. To enroll click here or call 800-345-6227.

Association Watch

New Congress may consider passenger bill of rights
The new year promises new action on an airline passenger bill of rights, with Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., set to offer a draft proposal in January. On the House side, a Transportation Committee spokesman says, "The goal is to take the FAA bill that didn't pass the Senate, make some changes -- though I expect the passengers' rights to stay in there -- then once Congress reconvenes, we hope to move as soon as possible." But a spokesman for the Air Transport Association said the group remains "vehemently opposed to a mandatory three-hour rule. ... One lengthy tarmac delay with inhumane conditions is one too many, and we are working hard to make sure that doesn't happen." Los Angeles Times (12/24)

Laid-off oil, gas workers will have to wait out decline
Slowdowns, shut-ins and project delays have prompted layoffs in the oil and natural gas work force as the industry's down cycle continues. API chief economist John Felmy says it is difficult to predict when conditions for both downstream and upstream will improve. The recovery depends on what happens with the global economy, the effect of OPEC production cuts and how cold the winter will be, Felmy says. Victoria Advocate (Texas) (12/30)

U.S. Chamber News

Save $125. Fill out the 2008 Employee Benefits survey today
Participate in this survey to help produce the leading benchmarking tool for employee benefits. All participants will receive a complimentary copy ($125 value) of the 2008 Employee Benefits Study and will be entered into a drawing for a $100 American Express gift card. Deadline: Dec. 31.

U.S. Chamber Member Benefits

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Whether you need to hire part-time or full-time, blue collar or white collar, in a big city or a small town, Monster will get your job ad in front of the right candidates. You'll find the right people, fast -- plus, U.S. Chamber members are eligible for special discounts. Learn more.

Editor's Note

Poll results: How mobile is your organization?
From last week's poll:

SmartQuote

For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning."

--T.S. Eliot,
Nobel laureate in literature

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Editorial Team

Contributing Editor: Devlyn Ray


	Recent U.S. Chamber SmartBrief Issues: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 Wednesday, December 17, 2008 Wednesday, December 10, 2008 Wednesday, December 03, 2008 Wednesday, November 26, 2008			Distributed by: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005