BigMoney

Recently, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke paid a visit to Santa Barbara, addressing an invitation-only Asian Economic Policy Conference at the Bacara Resort & Spa. Bernanke said that Asia's new export policies could lead to renewed trade imbalances if the U.S. doesn't work with trade partners across the Pacific.  Bernanke also said that low interest rates and big stimulus packages have helped Asian countries deal with the recession by boosting their own domestic demand.

For now, according to Bernanke, Asian countries seem to be weathering the global financial crisis due to growth in domestic demand that has been supported by aggressive fiscal and monetary policies. Bernanke's speech resonated with many, who agreed Asian consumers have the resources to start buying soon. A recent Bloomberg report supported his conclusion, showing that China's economy expanded 9 percent in the third quarter, the fastest pace since September 2008.

Also on hand was BigSpeak global economist, advisor and China expert David Hale. Hale, whose clients include investment management firms, major hedge funds and multinational companies in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and South Africa, also serves as Chairman of the Board of a service provider for business and economic news about China. His articles have appeared in such publications as the Wall Street Journal, Far Eastern Economic Review, Financial Times, New York Times, Harvard Business Review and Foreign Policy. David Hale's expertise and acumen give him frequent council with Chairman Bernanke as well as rare access to inner workings of policymakers and strategy architects like former Fed Chairman Paul Volcker and current Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. His insight and experience have also helped make him one of the premier global relations and business speakers. He expertly assesses the global macroeconomic picture, the opportunities and challenges, and the related geopolitical risks that are ahead, examining the growing economic might and influence of Asia, and China specifically, upon the global economy. David Hale lectures worldwide, to groups including the World Economic Forum, the Fortune Global CEO Conference, and the National Association of Governors.

BigLead

While your competition is busy copying every advantage you've got, maybe it’s time to strengthen the one they can’t – your leadership.

The world's top companies are realizing that no matter what business they're in, their real business lies in creating great leaders. Which companies are best when it comes to leadership? Assessing, developing and retaining leadership has always been important and challenging - but never more so than it is today. Norm Smallwood and David Ulrich were co-sponsors of the Top Companies for Leaders 2009 study that will be appearing in Fortune Magazine. Since its inception in 2001, the Top Companies for Leaders study has always been more than just a list. The study not only provides an opportunity for organizations to be recognized for their leader building efforts, it also provides valuable intelligence for all organizations seeking to improve leadership capabilities, regardless of sophistication or size. "In up and down markets, organizations with a strong leadership brand deliver value to employees, customers and investors, " said Ulrich. "We are excited to learn through this study how to make leadership brand a practical reality. Top companies for leaders invest in leadership development that turns customer expectations into employee actions." Dave Ulrich and Norm Smallwood work with top global companies in leadership to assess and develop their leaders. Smallwood and Ulrich have co-authored a series of four books that lay a comprehensive framework for managers, directors or anyone responsible for leadership development. Their two latest books, Leadership Brand and The Leadership Code: Five Rules to Lead By, from Harvard Business School Press, describe how to develop leaders who know the fundamentals of leadership as well as how to create leaders who can connect employees to customers to deliver the desired customer experience. Their focus is to help companies develop leadership capability that is results-oriented, innovative and engaging, while providing measurable value to internal and external stakeholders. Dave Ulrich is a Professor of Business at the University of Michigan and co-founding partner of a consulting firm focused on helping organizations and leaders deliver value. He studies how organizations build capabilities of speed, learning, collaboration, accountability, talent, and leadership through leveraging human resources. He has helped generate award-winning data bases that assess alignment between strategies, human resource practices and HR competencies. This year, he was ranked "The #1 most influential person in HR" by HR Magazine.  Leadership Excellence has recognized Norm Smallwood as one of the "Top 100 Global Voices in Leadership."  If you plan to invest in your leaders, we'd love to talk about how BigSpeak can collaborate with you to bring quality leadership experts and development programs to your organization.

BigHonor

Speaking of leadership, Riane Eisler received the Distinguished Peace Leadership Award from the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation on Nov 7th at the Four Seasons Santa Barbara Biltmore Hotel. The award honors remarkable leaders who pursue peace with integrity, persistence and heart, and who have who have changed the world through their courage, compassion and commitment. This year's honorees provided the inspiration for the event's theme – Women for Peace. Riane Eisler is an author, speaker, social scientist, lawyer and a pioneer in demonstrating how women's rights (and therefore human rights) are the building blocks of world peace. Her international bestsellers, The Chalice and The Blade and The Real Wealth of Nations outline the need for a cultural transformation; moving from the politics of dominance to the practice of partnership. Riane was named as one of the "World's 20 Great Peacemakers"and serves as President of the Center for Partnership Studies as well as a Councilor on the World Future Council. Previous recipients of the award include: the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jacques Cousteau, Helen Caldicott, King Hussein of Jordan, and Walter Cronkite.

BigDay for BigBird

This article is brought to you by the letter B
and the numbers 4 and 0.

Yes, it's true; the iconic television show that taught us how to count in Spanish, that blue furry monsters eat cookies not kids, that a New York neighborhood stoop could be a magical place to hang out, and was hip enough for both children and their parents (with classic musical numbers from the likes of Johnny Cash, Stevie Wonder, REM, Paul Simon, Michael Jackson and Norah Jones), has turned 40. At a dinner party in 1966, the idea for this brand-new concept in children's television was born. Two years later, the party's host, Joan Ganz Cooney, with grants from Carnegie, the Ford Foundation and the federal government, formed the Children's Television Workshop (now known as Sesame Workshop). Her creation, Sesame Street, debuted on Nov. 10, 1969. The show mixed Muppets, live action and animation, and was an instant hit with preschoolers and their families. Since its inception, Sesame Street has produced over 4,000 episodes, is aired in more than 140 countries (In Pakistan, Oscar is Akhtar, and he lives in an oil barrel. In Turkey, he is Kirpik and lives in a basket), has received over 100 Emmy Awards and is the longest-running children's television series. Celebrities have also been an integral part of the show's wide appeal. Stars set to appear this season (and likely to create more classic moments of their own) include first lady Michelle Obama, Meredith Vieira, Kobe Bryant and Adam Sandler to name a few. In addition to her status as legendary producer, Joan Ganz Cooney is also a member and regular contributor to the popular website Women on the Web. To book Joan and her amazing wowOwow cohorts for your next engagement, contact a BigSpeak agent today and Happy 40th Sesame Street!