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Guest Feature: Using GRC to Drive Innovation and Competitive Advantage
August 24, 2009 9:08 am | by by Dan Wilhelms | CommentsWith governmental regulations for compliance becoming all the more rigorous, chief audit officers (CAOs) are finding themselves between a rock and a hard place regarding controlling costs and satisfying these more rigorous compliance demands. At the same time, external auditors are getting more sophisticated in their investigations of compliance — delving deeper into organizations’ controls.
Embracing The Role
August 24, 2009 8:59 am | by by Jeff Reinke, Editorial Director, IMPO | CommentsOne of the great American traditions is that of embracing the plight of the little guy, the underdog, the one with all the odds stacked against them. I think it’s because even in these seemingly impossible conditions they’re committed to doing whatever it takes and are unwilling to yield to theoretically superior opposition.
Cleaning Out the Web Cobwebs
August 20, 2009 11:07 am | by by Anna Wells, Editor, IMPO | CommentsAnna Wells, Editor, IMPO The web is a strange place to live because there is such a disparity in structure from place to place. In real life, my neighborhood is all maples, condos, and serious lawn care. I don’t accidentally turn a corner and find myself in a sewer.
Full Speed In Reverse
August 20, 2009 4:43 am | by by Jeff Reinke, Editorial Director, IMPO | CommentsJeff Reinke, Editorial Director, IMPO I know, I know, the U.S. auto industry has been an easy target for quite a while now, but a release came across my screen last week that made putting it back within the crosshairs of my keyboard way too appealing. Over the last couple of weeks we’ve all become familiar with the Cash For Clunkers program.
Redefining Dairy
August 18, 2009 8:15 am | by by Jeff Reinke, Editorial Director, IMPO | CommentsJeff Reinke, Editorial Director, IMPO As someone who grew up in the rolling corn and hay fields of southeastern WI, I’ll proudly testify to the sentiment that permeates throughout this area. Combining a strong work ethic with a common sense approach has resulted in a collective that embraces both traditional and new ideas.
Fighting Back Against The Recession
August 17, 2009 5:26 am | by by Amy Radishofski, Features Editor, Manufacturing.net | CommentsThe manufacturing sector has taken a beating by the recent economic downturn. While no industry has escaped unharmed, companies are beginning to fight back, according to the 2009 Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution Survey by RSM McGladrey. Does that mean there is some good news on the horizon? Well, sort of.
Scaling Back Is The New Black
August 14, 2009 11:19 am | by by Anna Wells, Editor, IMPO | Commentsby Anna Wells, Editor, IMPO About a year ago, I began drooling over new car ads and decided I would trade in my dependable VW Jetta for something a bit flashier. Nothing like a bird’s eye view of your 401K floating in the toilet to derail any thoughts of luxury. I decided that I could wait it out, continue to drive my Jetta, and look slightly less cool.
Doing The Responsible Thing
August 13, 2009 8:04 am | by by Anna Wells, Editor, IMPO | Commentsby Anna Wells, Editor, IMPO It seems the concept of personal responsibility has become skewed over time. What used to be a matter of pride—something one could accomplish based on his or her own volition—is now carrying a more negative connotation. Responsibility has become a matter of who is “at fault” for a certain situation, or how one’s efforts can be excused by sharing the burden of accountability.
Putting A Bullitt In Jag, Rover
August 12, 2009 11:24 am | by by Jeff Reinke, Editorial Director, IMPO | CommentsJeff Reinke, Editorial Director, IMPO One of my favorite all-time movies is Steve McQueen’s Bullitt . It’s not that the movie itself is all that special, but anyone familiar with it knows exactly why it’s among my top picks. It contains a scene that is considered to have revolutionized the way Hollywood filmed car chases.
"Up-To-The-Minute" Has Become "Too Slow"
August 10, 2009 5:11 am | by by Anna Wells, Editor, IMPO | CommentsAnna Wells, Editor, IMPO The day my mom joined Facebook elicited a strange reaction in me: something wavering on dumbfounded pride. My mom was all grown up, graduating from some technological university I’d assumed she wasn't even aware of. The day she joined Twitter was borderline scary.
So... Did I Get The Job?
August 5, 2009 12:30 pm | by by Anna Wells, Editor, IMPO | CommentsAnna Wells, Editor, IMPO When I saw the CNN.com headline “ 43 Weird Things Said in Job Interviews ,” I had to click. Throughout my career, I’ve enjoyed the odd task of interviewing dozens of prospective job candidates for positions within our publication group, and I’m always up for a disastrous tale of inappropriate behavior.
The Barbie Ultimatum
August 5, 2009 10:15 am | by by Jeff Reinke, Editorial Director, IMPO | CommentsJeff Reinke, Editorial Director, IMPO Today is my daughter’s birthday. For the most part, this is great thing. I know she’ll eat way too much sugar, but her friends will help burn that off with constant laps around the swing set, kitchen table, adult supervisors, and any other object unable or unwilling to move as 10 giggling six-year-olds assault the house and yard.
Labeling That Bugs Me
July 21, 2009 11:40 am | by by Karen Langhauser, Editor-In-Chief, Food Manufacturing | CommentsKaren Langhauser, Editor-In-Chief, Food Manufacturing I’ve honestly never paid much attention to packaging labels, and perhaps that makes me an irresponsible consumer – but the way I look at it, that’s my own choice. The FDA recently published a final rule that amended its regulations to require the declaration by name of the color additives cochineal extract and carmine on the label of all food and cosmetic products in the U.
What The Best Do Better
July 21, 2009 7:01 am | by by Anna Wells, Editor, IMPO | CommentsAnna Wells, Editor, IMPO When it comes to email, I’m a sucker for a good subject line. One of the more recent to hit my inbox attracted my attention with this: Why Good Old-Fashioned Hard Work is Back in Vogue! The email is pitching editorial coverage for Jon Gordon and his recently released book “Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else.
A Lesson From Baseball's All-Stars
July 15, 2009 9:15 am | by by Anna Wells, Editor, IMPO | CommentsAs a baseball fan, All-Star week is typically a mediocre point in the season for me: My team—the Milwaukee Brewers—doesn’t play for three days, our best talent risks injury in an ancillary ball game, and the American League always wins, this year being no exception.
