Chief Executive magazine’s Best/Worst States for Business issue has signaled distress for many states who found themselves at the bottom of the list. Those who have fallen out of favor with America’s CEOs had a variety of responses: some denied any problems while others saw the ranking as an opportunity for change. Here are some highlights:
CaliforniaState Assemblyman Dan Logue: “From January 2008 to December 2010, Texas added more than 165,000 jobs while during the same time period, California lost 1.2 million jobs. For me and many of my legislative colleagues, we saw these numbers as an indication that Texas was doing something right in job creation and California was doing something wrong. That is why we visited Austin to listen to and learn from Texas policymakers such as Governor Rick Perry about how they were able to create jobs during tough economic times.” Full article here
Labor Federation’s Steve Smith: “This survey is little more than corporate honchos throwing around their weight to try to further strip working people of important protections that improve lives…According to America’s CEOs, what’s good for workers and the environment doesn’t really matter…For CEOs, it’s all a matter of dollars and cents. The fewer regulations there are to deal with, the more money they can slip into their own pockets. Even at a time when corporate profits and executive bonuses are soaring, CEOs want more. Even though excesses on Wall Street and corporate boardrooms created the financial debacle that cost millions of jobs, CEOs want more. They’re not content with the millions they rake every year, so they’re trying to tear down some of the few protections workers have left to make themselves even richer….So, here’s a message for CEOs: Stop whining. Start acting more responsibly…You’re nothing without the hard work of your employees.” Full article here
California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski: “A survey of CEOs ranking business climate is like having a survey of bank robbers ranking bank security… For them to have the audacity to slam California’s necessary environmental and workplace protections shows just how out of touch CEOs are with the realities facing our families.” Full article here
IllinoisThe Chicago Tribune Op-Ed: “llinois is marked as unfriendly to employers. And [Governor] Quinn’s retention packages for the squeakiest wheels won’t reverse that broader picture. Especially when the state: can’t pay its overdue bills or stop running up its debt — twin signs of chronic mismanagement, doesn’t reform public pensions or retiree health care. That failure threatens employers with still more tax hikes to pay for gazillions in unfunded obligations, and refuses to fix its workers’ compensation system, and reduce the regulatory and other costs of doing business here.” Full article here
New JerseyPhilip Kirscher, President of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association: “I think it’s undeniable that the business climate has improved in New Jersey. I think things are going well, but it does take some time to change a reputation or perception that has been around for a long time.” Full article here
Choose New Jersey CEO Tracye McDaniel: “New Jersey really doesn’t have a reality problem, it has a perception problem. And it’s time to change that… New Jersey has all the ingredients an international company needs to be successful… I think the opportunity for us to move that needle is occurring. It’s not going to happen overnight. There is always a default to old tapes — people say the same things over and over again, and it kind of gets stuck there, that repeat. We are going to have to change it.” Full article here
PennsylvaniaPennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, Vice President Gene Barr: “It is unfortunately not surprising that, compared with other states, Pennsylvania is viewed unfavorably by business and industry decisions makers because of our lack of legal reform, having the highest effective corporate tax rate in the United States, and other drains on competitiveness. Pennsylvanians deserve a business climate that is conducive to economic and job growth, not a continuation of the status quo that has reinforced a negative view of the Commonwealth’s attractiveness to job creators.” Full release here
OregonCascade Policy Institute Senior Policy Analyst, Steve Buckstein: “Oregon doesn’t have either of these two most important business-friendly policies [no income tax and right-to-work laws]. Not only do we have an income tax, but it’s the highest in the country at 11 percent right now. And, we allow forced unionization. Oregonians, and their elected representatives who are looking for ways to improve our business climate and create jobs, need look no further than these two policies. Eliminate our income tax and end forced unionism, and watch Oregon grow.” Full article here
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
