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.

Bubble Wrap Simulator
The latest innovation from Japan is a key-chain bubble wrap pop simulator. This handy little gadget, which was designed in consultation with an actual Japanese bubble wrap manufacturer, mimics both the sound and feel of popping little plastic bubbles.

An additional bonus is included: For each of the virtual bubbles which are pressed, the machine makes a surprise sound, such as a door chime, dog bark or “sexy voice saying something.”

CEO tester review: This thing is environmentally-friendly in my opinion as every company has a Sally or Bob in marketing who loves to pop bubble wrap. Thats a waste of my money natural resources and creates unnecessary waste, which costs me more to have hauled away tragically fills up landfills.

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Rolling Luggage Cart with Desk
Minimize ergonomic complaints from employees that have had to sit hunched over in airports trying to use their laptops by buying them this handy luggage cart. Integrated into the lightweight anodized aluminum frame is a desktop which unfolds at the touch of a button. The platform holds up to 20 lbs and accommodates a 17 wide laptop or a smaller laptop with an external mouse.

CEO tester review: I don’t do laptops. And if I did, I wouldn’t be caught dead using something so foolish-looking. HOWEVER, anyone so dedicated to their work that they use one of these is someone I want on my payroll.

We left a few of these and a hidden camera in the interview waiting room over in HR. If a prospective employee used the words cool or neat to describe this ridiculous cart, we hired them on the spot.

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Forest Faces
Now you can give greater personality to your trees. These adorable ForesFaces bring realistic expressions with resin features. Each is tinted to blendinto the natural crannies of tree bark. All you need is a nail to attach and hang. Learn more at www.whatonearthcatalog.com

CEO tester review: These things are fantastic. I put them on all the trees around our headquarters. Not only do they show that I care about trees, but employees find them so creepy that they are spending more time at their desks instead of lounging around outside during lunch hour. I think employees also think that I am a bit crazy for putting them up EVERYWHERE. That kind of thinking keeps them on their toes!

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World’s Fastest Portable Toilet
This portable toilet is powered by a jet engine and can reach speeds in excess of 70miles per hour. This unconventional mix of different technologies into a collaborative design is intended to help corporate research and development departments think outside the box so to speak. A popular addition to corporate events and picnics.

CEO tester review: Sorry, but I did not actually try this one out. There is absolutely no way that I am going to get into a brown plastic box strapped to a jet engine and travel like my corporate jet approaching takeoff.

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Towel Origami Book
Show off your creative side through folding towels into whimsical creatures, shapes and buildings. Your friends will be amazed at your creativity and you will get a mental and physical dexterity workout at the same time.

CEO tester review: A friend of mine has a hotel chain with the green water-reduction programs and those cards that read, fiIf you care about the environment, hang your towel back up like you found it. If you dont care about the environment, leave the towel on the floor. He put one of these in every guest bathroom where the towels were folded like monkeys and told people to put the towel back like they found it. Fewer people took environmentally wasteful showers. Now that is a win for profits and the environment too, I suppose. I heartily endorse this book for corporate apartments and anyone who regularly has house guests.

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Conference Bike
Hailed as a party on wheels, the CoBi-7 is a tricycle pedaled by seven riders sitting in a circle. One person steers while everyone else can pedal or just enjoy the ride. Learn more at www.conferencebike.com

CEO tester review: We discovered that this bike really did lower inhibitions, as advertised, especially for our unfortunate team members wearing skirts. While we got plenty of laughs, this “smile machine” delivered more bruised tailbones than “immeasurable joy.”