Tools for Ethical Leadership

// Big Shot CEO

“Let’s face it- any magazine worth anything these days has a new products or “gear” section. When I suggested this to the editors at Ethisphere, they said, “Great, we’ll make you the product tester for our new Ethigear section.” I’m a busy guy, but I believe in public service. So now, in advance of each issue of Ethisphere, the editors send me a bucket load of products to try out. Some products are good. Some hurt. Some I barely even know what they are, but I do try to find a use for them. Regardless, I hope you find my reviews helpful. And be sure to visit the product websites to buy or learn more about them.

The Micro Keychain Garden
Send a message to the world that you are green and thinking about the environment with this keychain microgarden from Tokyo. Each plant is in its own self-contained environment with nutrients. Learn more at www.dirtymicrobe.com

CEO tester review: I cannot emphasize enough how helpful this is when someone hassles me about my company “allegedly” contributing to global warming. I just show them this little trinket and say “if cactus can live in water and be so happy, what’s the problem?” This usually ends the debate.

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2-Second Tent
A tent that self-assembles in 2-seconds? It’s true. Attractive, lightweight, and waterproof, this gem deflects all UV rays, reducing the chance of developing skin cancer, while still letting you enjoy the outdoors.

CEO tester review: Terribly confusing. I couldn’t get the hang of why you need to throw three of them simultaneously- so I threw all three into the trash.

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The Businessbib
Nothing says freedom louder than a half-suit. The Businessbib allows you to look sharp and professional to colleagues and clients, whether doing a video conference or just sitting behind a huge desk, without the hassles of a full suit. In this eco-conscious age of streamlined packaging, this business suit “lite” qualifies as environmentally friendly, too! Learn more at www.businessbib.net

CEO tester review: When I first heard “all suits half off” I was skeptical. I don’t like sales- I like to pay full freight. But literally “half-off,” what a fantastic technological leap forward that keeps America great. It felt great to wear, particularly when jogging as I could still feel like I looked like a CEO without being burdened with the rest of a movement-constricting business suit.

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The Zorb
This large inflatable ball with an open core is an environmentally friendly, emission-free, drug-free rush for employee events. Put a person in the middle of a big inflatable ball and the air cushion keeps them safe as they hurtle down the side of a hill at speeds up to 30 miles per hour.Learn more at www.zorb.com

CEO tester review: I had zero idea what this was initially. I figured it must be some kind of “safe travel” suit. It worked well on my trip to Russia. However, it was unbearably hot in Venezuela. My recommendation is to add an A/C unit.

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The Bus Bike
This innovative gym on wheels was invented in image conscious Brazil as a way for people to commute and work out at the same time. A true win-win that saves the environment while making employees healthier. Learn more at www.busbike.com

CEO tester review: I turned this into win-win-win by hooking the exercycles directly to the motor. Even more exercise and lower emissions. Just call me Mr. Green. No, not that green- the other green.

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Dinner in the Sky
This Belgium contraption allows for 22 people to be strapped into chairs around a table and lifted by an industrial crane 150 feet into the sky for dinner. Includes chefs and a full-course meal. A great opportunity to commune with the environment while eating. Learn more at www.dinnerinthesky.com

CEO tester review: Another terrific idea from brilliant minds. I knew immediately what to do with it- annual shareholders meeting! The directors sat around it. Shareholders stayed on the ground. While they couldn’t hear anything, no one can say that we didn’t have a totally transparent meeting. We even threw a few dinner rolls at them. The only unfortunate thing is the head of the audit committee got airsick.