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The Virtual Executive: How to Act Like a CEO Online and Offline [Hardcover]

D. A. Benton
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
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Book Description

April 2 2012

Master digital platforms to deliver powerful messages and build your personal brand

“In the virtual world, every voice mail, e-mail, or tweet is fraught with the danger of misunderstanding or misdirection, which can be disastrous for results and/or relationships. For those on the rise or recently thrust into this very different world, this book is an exceptional resource . . . and entertaining too!”
—Hal Johnson, Chairman, Global Human Resources Practice, Korn/Ferry International

“Benton’s insights on being seen as a leader remain as relevant as ever, even though the tools with which we work have changed dramatically. . . . The Virtual Executive provides a guide for making yourself and those around you successful in a rapidly evolving, connected, and virtual world.”
—Brian Fabes, CEO, Civic Consulting Alliance

“Benton teaches us all the protocol for success in a digital age. What worked yesterday won’t work today . . . and what will work tomorrow is in this book.”
—Rulon Stacey, Chairman, American College of Healthcare Executives; CEO, Poudre Valley Health Systems; author, Over Our Heads

“Benton’s book empowers you to play at the top of your game—not just in person, but from afar.”
—Paola Bonomo, Head of Online Services, Vodafone Omnitel N.V.

“A must-read as applicable to the novice new hire as it is to the CEO.”
—John Odegaard, Executive Director, U.S. Naval War College Foundation

“A remarkably focused tool for the successful executive striving to be better in the digital age. I literally could not put the book down once I started it.”
—Stan Payne, CEO, Canaveral Port Authority

About the Book:

When was the last time you were in a meeting and every participant was in the room? How many people do you know who work from remote sites? How many e-mails did you receive and send at work today?

Blogging, commenting, tagging, e-mailing, texting, video chatting. Everywhere you turn these days, there’s a new way to communicate ideas and opinions. Whether you’re a C-suite executive or a mid-level manager, you have to be able to move seamlessly among all the available digital platforms in order to communicate your message effectively.

In The Virtual Executive, world-renowned CEO coach and bestselling author Debra Benton teaches you everything you need to know to navigate today’s seemingly endless choices of social media and virtual communication tools in order to stay relevant in a sea of competition. From videoconferencing, instant messaging, and webinars to LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, Benton explains how and when to use each platform to:

  • Differentiate yourself from others in the vast digital world
  • Deliver a clear, powerful message
  • Make people remember you for the right reasons
  • Build trust with colleagues and customers
  • Achieve more than ever—with less effort and lower costs

Digital communication isn’t the way of the future—it’s the way of now. And even more change is inevitable. If you don’t face it head-on, the future will be a time of chaos and lost opportunities. But if you reinvent yourself into a true virtual executive, you will make your mark with surprising speed and effectiveness.

The Virtual Executive is your guidebook to boldly leading your organization into the future by embracing digital communication platforms, tailoring them to your needs, and using them to build your personal brand for the long run.


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Product Description

About the Author

Debra Benton is an internationally known speaker, consultant, and bestselling author. In 1976, she founded Benton Management Resources. Benton coaches corporate executives, politicians, and business leaders on their organizational impact in every industry imaginable. She has written eight books and has published numerous business articles.


Inside This Book (Learn More)
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Customer Reviews

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Most helpful customer reviews
By Robert Morris HALL OF FAME TOP 10 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
Some of those who have read Plato's 'The Allegory of the Cave' within his classic, The Republic (Book VII (514a'520a), may share my amusement when encountering discussions of what is 'real' and what is 'virtual' in the current age of electronic hyperconnectivity. I was certainly curious to know what Debra Benton has to say about a business world in which 76% of a workforce 'works in a virtual fashion of some sort.'

In this volume, she shares a wealth of information, insights and advice based on her decades of experience with online and offline interactions between and among others. The material provided responds to several important questions such as these: 'How do you differentiate yourself from others in a cyberworld? How do you craft a masterful message to establish a unique executive brand? How do you take that up a notch? What are the little things that make people think of you? How do you make them remember you for the right reasons? How do you put your best foot forward in the virtual business space? And how important is it really to take the physical experience and replace it with s virtual one?'

To help her reader answer these and other leading questions, Benton discusses several subjects and related issues that include:

o Four Actions of s Dynamic Virtual Presence (Pages 12-14)
o How to Prepare Before You Meet, Talk, or Click (16-19)
o Stories Help People Remember You -- and for the Right Reasons (50-52)
o How and Why Physical Appearances Really Matter (78-88)
o The Power and Impact of Continuous Learning That Can Be Shared (102-105)
o Why and Why to Develop Authentic but "Quiet" Self-Confidence (145-149)
o How and Why to Get Actively and Effectively Involved with Social Networking (184-189)

Benton makes several especially important points in the final chapter. For example, 'The technology we have today ' as well as the yet unimagined advancements in the world ' is still a tool. Not a lifestyle. Learn and utilize every device available to the extent it helps, not interfere, with your goals. But never let the gadget get in the way of the human factor. Know how and when to turn on and off; gear up and gear down. All it takes is a walk down the hall, so to speak, the correct the wrong that an electronic transmission did.'

The subtitle of this book suggests that the material provided will help those who read it to 'act like a CEO online and offline.' Actually, both in this book and in an earlier one (How to Act Like a CEO), the assertion and its implications overstate the case. Few who read Debra Benton's books (or anyone else's, for that matter) have been ' or will be -- entrusted with the executive duties and fiduciary responsibilities of a CEO. However, all executives can continuously strengthen their leadership and management skills, then apply them much more effectively both online and off.

In The Future of Management, written with Bill Breen and published by Harvard Business Review Press (September 10, 2007), this is what Gary Hamel has in mind when observing, 'New problems demand new principles. Put bluntly, there's simply no way to build tomorrow's essential organizational capabilities ' resilience, innovation, and employee engagement ' atop the scaffolding of 20th century principle.' He goes on to suggest, 'In an age of wrenching change and hyper-competition, the most valuable human capabilities are precisely those that are least manageable.'
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Amazon.com: 4.6 out of 5 stars  14 reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Not a book but a practical how to guide May 27 2012
By Tony J. Ridley - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
Debra has written a fantastic practical guide on how to be an effective virtual executive. I particularly like the way in which it is written. You feel as though you are engaged in a one-on-one consulting appointment with an authority on the subject. Very well done.

Filled with loads of practical examples taken from Debra's personal client relationships, it has equally as many practical steps, tools, tips and suggestions on how to achieve the goal of being a highly mobile and effective executive.

For the past 8 years I have spent and average of 150 nights per year in hotels, traveling for business. I have an office but over 50% of my work is done virtually or whilst mobile. Many of my team or employees are also virtually accessible. If I only had this book, no guide, when I first started I would have saved myself considerable time and effort and achieved faster results. Debra has captured all the key issues and provided solutions to all the main challenges affecting superior results.

I recommend this guide to anyone who is currently, or partially, travelling or working remotely. This includes those with staff not located next door. It is a great guide and support tool to ensure you maximise your time, engage your audience and don't waste precious time on the unnecessary.
3.0 out of 5 stars The Virtual Executive - Review Feb 23 2013
By Doug Lawson - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Debra Benton is a well-known author and speaker and is the founder and CEO of Benton Management Resources. Benton has a BS in Economics and Finance from the University of Colorado and has published eight books as well as a number of articles in the Wall Street Journal and the Harvard Business Journal.

So often the key to leader's success is the understanding and applications of a few basics elements, a handful of fundamental principals that can serve to establish an individual as a leader of substance. In the Virtual Executive, Benton provides leaders with a tools and techniques to effectively communicate using modern multimedia vehicles. While the book's title may imply content full of high-level executive strategy, this is not the case. The author instead provides an extensive array of practical advice for interacting in a multimedia world. The book sets forth a common sense approach to communication and is not intended to provide insight to, or answer, theoretical leadership questions, address the strategic development needs of a CEO, or assess the nuances of leadership in the virtual setting.

Over the course of 238 pages and five chapters the author provides practical advice regarding communicating using phone, video, written, and online vehicles. In the first chapter Benton provides basic, but important information such as conference call etiquette, facilitation strategies for conference calls, and the use of voice mail. Chapter two is reserved for the use of video as a means of communication. In addressing video, Benton provides advice on the use of video during interviews, meetings, and conference calls. Written communication continues to evolve and Benton takes on the task of developing guidelines for using email and text messaging. Her advice covers the basics of message content, but also addresses the complexities of using this technology in a 24/7 world.

In her final two chapters Benton addresses the complexities of interacting using social media. However, in doing so she also reinforces the importance of physical interactions as means of creating and sustaining personal relationships. Her book contains several important suggestions for maintaining a balance between living and interacting in the virtual social media world and investing in real world relationships. Benton concludes with a series of writings from current executives. These writings include first hand accounts of the impact of technology, and the lessons these leaders have acquired as result of these interactions.

The book would have been strengthened with some reference to an established theoretical construct as the basis for her recommendations. Instead, she refers to anecdotal evidence that is provided by executive who are quoted throughout the book. While the references are appropriate and aligned with the points the author is making, the reader is not provided with enough information to assess the reliability or validity of the opinions being expressed throughout the book.

The signature asset of this books lies in format and structure of the practical advice and counsel that she is providing. In a few short chapters Benton has created a roadmap for a multimedia communication strategy that can be used at all levels within the organization and provides a very effective set of tools for communicating in the virtual world.
5.0 out of 5 stars The Virtual Executive Oct 25 2012
By Jim Estill - Published on Amazon.com
Format:Hardcover
The book starts with demographics and explains how the different cohort react to the digital world. Of course, I dislike stereotypes but much of what was said rang true. Different ages react differently to different media.

"Online is faster, cheaper and easier" but is clearly not as effective as in person. Virtual can be more efficient. Technology can be a great friend if used properly.

Many of the points the book made were obvious (but good to be reminded of). The simple things like pay attention to the person you are with rather than the Blackberry. Being responsive and fast is courteous and the mark of a good executive etc.

I have long had a theory that relationships are best fostered live for a while. Once they have been developed, online (or phone) can be effective. I recall in my early years building EMJ, I kept a binder with my customers (my offline version of salesforce) and I would divide customers into A, B and C depending on potential. I would then make a point of visiting A customers monthly, B, quarterly and C, annually. After a few years, I modified that system. I would visit new customers 3-5 times in a short period. Then, once the relationship was sound, I would drop back to annually. Having the relationship allowed me to be effective virtually.

As the book says "To be a good executive, you need to be adept at all forms of communication". And good listening is a part of all forms of communication.

I have found it efficient to foster relationships through one to many communication like this blog. It certainly is no substitute for in person, phone or personal interaction but it does keep a presence that can help those communications. Sometimes when I write, I even think of a specific reader and almost tailor it to that.

What I find is many people like to be CEO but far fewer are really willing to do what it takes to be a good CEO. In my opinion, a good CEO needs to first think of building the company. CEO trappings come last. And part of being a good CEO is constant learning. Some good quotes from the book:

" Slow down - you will go a lot faster"
"Everyone laughs in the same language"
"I have plenty of faults but I try to do the right thing"
"Nothing baffles people full of tricks and duplicities than straightforward integrity"
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