Tools for Ethical Leadership

// Big Shot CEO

“Let’s face it—any magazine worth anything these days has a new products or ‘gear’ section. 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 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 Canned Cheeseburger

You can help stop wasted food residue in your cafeteria by only giving employees what they eat. For example, this easy to prepare ‘cheeseburger in a can’ only needs water and fire to prepare. Now you can enjoy an American style cheeseburger anywhere you go, no matter how remote. Learn more at www.trekking-mahlzeiten.de.

CEO Tester Review I thought it would be great to bring on my international travels so that I could both share American ingenuity with less sophisticated persons overseas, as well as avoid getting sick from eating at foreign hovels. Problem #1: getting them through airport security. Problem #2: these munchkins are made in Germany. Problem #3: they taste horrible.

Levo Book Holder

The perfect stand for readers that like to recline while reading their favorite novel or magazine. Employees can relax while improving their minds at the same time. It has wheels attached for easy portability and can hold books that weigh up to five pounds. Learn more at www.skymall.com.

CEO Tester Review Originally I thought, “now THIS is the sort of work station for me!” And it worked great until checking my leather-bound copy of Who’s Who In Business Executives (yes, of course I am in there), when I nearly got an “ie” added to my first name. Be advised—that five pound weight limit is VERY STRICT.

Springflex UB

With all the studies in the media linking health problems to sedentary office work, exercise is a necessary part of your day. Enter Springflex UB. With this workout system attached to employees’ desks, they can perform over 120 exercises while remaining at their cubicles. Learn more at www.skymall.com.

CEO Tester Review The geeks in our office love walking around now talking at ‘Ahnold’ Schwarzenegger and claiming their upper body buffness. The humor value in that alone probably has improved office morale and mental health. Hasn’t yet?

Trekdesk and Chair

If the Springflex UB (see related review) doesn’t give you the cardio workout you’re looking for, then the Trekdesk instead, a treadmill-exercise ball-workstation all-in-one might be what your employees need to stay healthy and fit while not taking time off on the company nickel to hit the gym. Learn more at www.trekdesk.com.

CEO Tester Review First of all, I got tired from just looking at it. And in action it felt like paddling a swan boat in the Boston Public Garden. Just like any other hard-driving executive, I’m all for squeezing extra efficiency out of employees through humiliation—but this Trekdesk simply goes too far. Should be reported to the Geneva Convention.

SVAT Electronics Digital Wireless Child Employee Tracker

This child employee tracker lets you keep track of your kid in public settings. If he or she runs out of range of the device an alarm goes off. Plus, glowing LED lights will show you which direction your beloved child employee is from you at all times. Learn more at www.strategy37.com.

CEO Tester Review Concerned about insurance costs associated with the trend of American workers being kidnapped overseas, I had sets of these added next to the aspirin packages and malaria pills in our expat care packages sent to Nigeria, Iraq and Columbia. Here’s a letter from a grateful coworker:

Dear Boss:

Thank you very much for sending me this day-glo watch that doesn’t tell time. The locator sensor has a helpful 100 foot range and tends to be set off by microwave ovens, key chains and cloudy days. It’s a real conversation starter with the local natives. I can hardly wait to see what you have in mind as a holiday gift.

Yours truly, [Employee name withheld]

WashUP Washer and Toilet Combined

Now you can add a new level of eco-friendliness to your office with this two-in-one clothes washer/toilet combo. When the washer is done washing clothes, the excess water is recycled down into the toilet bowl for the rest of its wash cycle. Learn more at www.greener-gadgets.com.

CEO Tester Review Eco-consciousness gone too far. Perhaps a good idea but frankly it was scaring off potential new hires. The final straw was semi-clad marketing intern drying his clothing with the bathroom hand dryer.