RESULTS Blog

Bob Eckert, CEO of Mattel, was interviewed in Fortune Magazine in August 2009. Here’s a summary:
 
Try starting from scratch:
Be open to starting over - instead of building on previous decisions. Early in my tenure the company was struggling financially. We'd been paying a dividend of 36¢ a share every year, and were borrowing money from banks to pay dividends to shareholders, which doesn't make a lot of sense. I said, "We have a blank sheet of paper. Let's do the right thing" so we cut the dividend to 5¢ a share. The day we announced it, the stock price didn't go down, it went up.
 
Don't put off layoffs:
If you have to make employee cuts, just get on with it. Procrastination isn't good for anyone. 
 
Mind the generation gap:
When it comes to managing ‘twentysomethings’, remember: With an iPhone and Google, they can get to the truth in about two seconds. So don't try to give them a snow job. 
 
Research before hiring:
When you're considering hiring someone, find out whom you both know and phone that person for his or her perspective on the applicant. 
 
Always make an outline:
Whether you're preparing for a small meeting or addressing a large gathering, do an outline of what you want to cover. 
 
Run efficient meetings:
Do the preparation work before having a meeting - it will pay off. Send out materials in advance. Make sure everyone reads them, and use the meeting to focus solely on the topic at hand. 
 
Enforce punctuality:
One of my colleagues locks the door at the meeting start time. Trust me, no one ever arrives late a second time. 
 
Target your message:
When giving a speech, focus on the audience. Most people spend too much time on what they want to say instead of on what the audience needs to hear. 
 
 
Stephen Lynch
Chief Operating Officer - Global Operations
RESULTS.com 
 
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