LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS

The American economy is predicted to grow in 2010. According to the experts, it is set for faster growth than other nations, albeit with a continuing high rate of unemployment. This is the first in a series of updates focusing on world markets designed to help inform leaders in the decision-making process. This issue will look at the US, how successful it will be in 2010 and where, if any, the opportunities lie.

By all accounts, the US is set for faster growth than its counterparts. As Trevor Williams, Chief Economist, Lloyds TSB Corporate explains: "We predict the US will be the best performing of the G7 economies next year, growing by 2.3 per cent in 2010. Reasons for this are that measures by the US government are now starting to come through. We are seeing interest rate policies starting to bear fruit and a weaker currency is making the United States more competitive in the global market."

As we face a potential upturn in the economy, CEOs must surely be looking at their boards and asking whether they have the right mix of skills and expertise. Now is the time for leaders to be shaping an executive team which is geared up to maximise opportunities for growth and rapid recovery. Questions around what skills the board lacks need to be addressed, as well as what can be done to motivate existing c-suite members.  

Media organisations will have to find ways of commercialising online content to survive and be successful. Recent announcements that media giants News Corporation and The Economist will start charging for online content, and the release of new technology from Google to assist organisations in charging for online content are sure signs that the migration towards subscription-based models is well underway.   

According to leaders across the Criticaleye Community, there are now signs of economic recovery. At a recent meeting we held for CEOs, the general consensus was that no further redundancies would be made and there were even plans for recruitment in the near future. Indeed, a show of hands revealed that 50 per cent were increasing headcount and all believed that their organisations were now right-sized. However, when asked whether they felt confident about the future only 30 per cent were optimistic.

As we enter the furore of renewed business activity that September brings, it's important that time for repose and reflection is not lost.

Taking time out to read about the latest thinking on key business issues is a good way of detaching from daily activities so you will shortly be receiving the new issue of Criticaleye's publication, the Review, featuring a collection of articles from your peers on topics including leadership, corporate governance, innovation and emerging markets, to name a few.