eePulse-U of M Study-

Results for University of Michigan Business School/eePulse Research Study Show Worldwide Leaders Are More Confident in Economy But Less Confident in Themselves

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (PRWEB) November 5, 2003 -- The October results of the 2003 Leadership Pulse, a research project conducted by Dr. Theresa Welbourne of the University of Michigan Business School and eePulse, Inc., indicate that senior leaders are growing more confident in the economy. In June, 14.3% of the senior executives polled expressed confidence in the economy, and in October, that number rose to 22.8%.

The Leadership Confidence research tracks four other metrics, and although confidence in the economy improved in October, these leaders expressed less confidence in themselves and in their internal business factors. Scores on confidence in their leadership team, ability to execute on their vision, that they have the right people and skills, and their ability to change either remained the same or decreased from June.

The Leadership Confidence metric has been collected every other month starting in June, 2003. In October, responses were received from 1,035 senior leaders. The sample contains 47% C-core executives (CEO, CFO, CIO, etc.), and 83% are a Director level or above. The sample also contains a broad range of industries from mining and agriculture to technology, transportation, communication, to retail trade, and more.

Perhaps with the economy picking up even slightly, executives are feeling more pressure to drive financial results quickly; this pressure can lead to unrealistic expectations that may reduce internal confidence," states Dr. Welbourne. Its important for all leaders to stay focused and realistic because our research shows that confidence levels have significant impacts on future performance. Even though the economy is picking up, there may still be a long road to recovery, and it will take hard work and patience to continue to climb out of our economic slump. Shareholders do not want their employees or leaders to lose hope or confidence along the journey.

The Leadership Pulse study is a real-time learning and research project being conducted to help todays leaders manage growth and change. Individual managers who wish to be included in the Leadership Pulse study can contact Dr. Welbourne at 734.996.2321. A website is available for those organizations that would like to have up to 50 senior leaders participate in the study. If a company participates with multiple executives, it will receive monthly benchmark data at no charge. If interested in individual participation or expanded participation for benchmark reports, please visit either www.eepulse.com (see Leadership Pulse) for more information or sign up at the following web site: www.umbs.leadership.eepulse.com.

About Samuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies

The Samuel Zell & Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies was formed in October 1999. The Institute actively engages the nations most successful entrepreneurs and offers an outstanding faculty composed of both academic researchers and practitioners in entrepreneurship. The Institutes mission is to focus the capabilities and resources of the University of Michigan Business School to provide education, experience and opportunities in entrepreneurship; serve as a catalyst for new venture development; and contribute important research in the field of entrepreneurship. Members of the Institutes Advisory Board include Samuel Zell, Chairman of Equity Group Investments; Michael Hallman, former COO of Microsoft Corporation; and Eugene Applebaum, Founder of Arbor Drugs.

About eePulse, Inc.
eePulse, Inc. transforms surveys into leadership tools. Using eePulses proprietary web-based enterprise-wide software suite called Measurecom (measurement and communication), organizations and leaders immediately improve their performance. Productivity enhancement comes from action taken in response to real-time stakeholder information. Using Pulse Survey and Pulse Reporting engines, data are provided as frequently as weekly so that immediate action can be taken to confront breaking news." Managers solve problems and pursue opportunities today, improving quality, enhancing customer service, realigning strategy, and improving organizational agility, learning, and performance at all levels. The complete Measurecom product suite includes Pulse surveys, Pulse Reports, Communicate-back tools, Issue tracking, Action planning, Learning modules, Proprietary metrics such as Energy Pulse, Valour Pulse, and Culture Pulse, and ROI reporting.
# # #