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.”

Excalibur letter opener

A decorative letter opener that’s great for the office or for home. helps class up your desk while still serving as a convenient tool. Learn more at www.noblecollection.de.

CEO Tester Review Had to change our code of conduct to keep this fancy letter opener on my desk, I guess the HR department has some strict rules when it comes to bringing swords into the office. Along with opening my stock reports, this little beauty comes in handy for unjamming the printer. The best part? I’ve rigged it with a special trap so that everyone in the office thinks I’m the only one who can take it off the stand.

iBEAM lighted Magnifying Watch

This watch does more than tell time-it also has a built in magnifying glass and flashlight. no need to waste energy turning up the lights-just read it by the watch. Learn more at www.ibeamtime.com.

CEO Tester Review Initially it was fun using around the office. We could keep the lights out and it made my salary look even bigger on my paycheck! However, when I whipped it out at the restaurant that night, all the cute Betties flew away. Nothing says flaccid Septuagenarian better than a light stick and magnifying glass glued to a wristwatch. I’ll pass and stick to my Omegas.

King Pepper Baseball Bat Mill

The perfect gift for that baseball-loving chef: A full sized baseball bat-shaped pepper grinder. the product is made out of “sustainable harvested solid beech wood,” according to the product’s website. A nice use for retired bats and the higher volume of pepper content lowers long-haul pepper shipping costs.

Learn more at www.kingpepper.com.

CEO Tester Review After watching Goodfellas, I got this whopper and used it to “tenderize” meat at the company BBQ. A bit cumbersome to carry and keep around the kitchen but a statement of its own. Oh, AmericaÑyour product development engine is unassailable.

Caddie Cooler

Save the environment! tired of that cart-girl meeting you on the 5th hole with non-recycled oil-based plastic water bottles trucked from some far away pristine mountain spring? That’s not sustainable. That’s wasteful. Just fill up your Caddie Cooler at the clubhouse faucet before hitting the course and you can help save the environment.

CEO Tester Review I was bullish when I found that ‘clubhouse faucet water’ was code for KENTUCKY BOURBON! I was being Mr. Golly Green until the 16th green when I mistook this covert club for my driver and covered some of my most valuable clients with sweet Kentucky bourbon.

Working too hard can be deadly and this unique penholderreminds employees to keep it all in perspective as studies indicate that happier, well-balanced workers are actually more productive. Comes in a delightful array of colors.

CEO Tester Review Not great for holding my Waterford Pen (apparently the chest cavity isn’t strong enough—that little guy needs to ‘work out’). HOWEVER, this little guy is a motivational genius all the same. I gave them to our lowest performers last quarter and geez did their productivity fly!

Skyrest® Travel Pillow

Now that the company has cut back on first-class travel perks in order to reduce costs, er carbon footprint, this ingenious pillow allows employees to still get some shuteye on those intercontinental jaunts to tradeshows. A simple puff-up and face plant does the trick.

CEO Tester Review If the idea is getting some sleep due to passing out after manually blowing up this flying airbag, then it works. I don’t think I have ever seen someone use one of these on a plane and now I know why. However, I will admit it came in handy when our VP of sales had too much to drink at the hotel bar.