The Boss 101

In last weeks (excellent edition) Australian Financial Review's Boss magazine they published a list (I know!) of 101 ideas; a sort of collection of snippnets they have gleaned from interviewing and profiling different leaders and thinker over the last five years (from Peters to Porter, Branson to Walton).

Here are some of my favorites:

• Tradition Sucks.  Look at the success of screw-top wine bottles.  Why spend time and money doing things the old fashioned way when modern technology can make things functional and stylish
• Plain Talk
• Obesity.  Fat clothes, fat leisure, airline seats for fat people. There's a market out there for those savvy enought to cater for the growing population (ahem) in prosperous countries who eschew the equally buoyant market in diets and wellness
• Water Engineering.  Desperately seeking more H2O, we'll also be keen on new technical answers
• Simplicity.  As Albert Einstein said (and I love this quote): "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler."
• Gossip.  There's a lot of it about as work becomes the new social hub.  Savvy employers will nurture the interactions and colonise the conversations.  (Weblog's anyone?)

But my (as an unashamed capatilist who has some problems with certain CSR models):

• Backlash. Against Coroprate Social Responsibility, that is.  Michael Moore, do NOT come on down.  The Economist magazine got in first with a multi-page special abouth the "industry" of CSR and its potential to distract bosses from capatilism's real task- discharging responsibilities to shareholders.  Picking up on an emerging analysis of the "misguided" advocates of CSR, the magazine argues that while capatilism needs public intervention- such as taxes and regulation- and its bosses need accountability, CSR is not the way to achieve those ends.  But it is clear that even if CSR is out, business ethics are in.  Big time.  If your company isn't doing something worthwhile, quit now.  Otherwise focus on creating shareholder value.

But will this arguement wash with the citizens?  Thoughts?