First-Annual SMU Cox CEO Sentiment Survey(TM) Results Unveiled.

Provides Snap-Shot of Key Business Issues for Leaders

DALLAS -- The SMU Cox School of Business set out to put a finger on the pulse of business leadership in Dallas with its first annual SMU Cox CEO Sentiment Survey and uncovered surprising findings that reveal what drives CEOs today.

The survey was compiled and conducted by Miguel Quinones, Marilyn and Leo Corrigan Endowed Professor of Management and Organizations at SMU Cox, and Robert Rasberry, Assistant Professor of Management and Organizations. It covered a range of topics from the state of the economy to the quality of the DFW labor force, from leadership attributes most critical to success to the top competitive challenges CEOs face.

"This survey is more comprehensive than a lot of the other smaller studies of its type," said Quinones. "And by asking a wider range of questions, we get a very clear picture of what's going on. We can see that despite the hype about globalization, small business and the local economy still really matter, and that a qualified workforce is one of their top concerns. Given that Dallas is the fourth largest metropolitan area, I think these results indicate what's going on in business across the country," he said.

Select findings, at a glance, include:

GLOBALIZATION IS NOT TOP OF MIND

* Domestic competition is their top challenge, not foreign competition. CEOs are more worried about the competition down the street, not necessarily the competition across the ocean.

THE ECONOMY IS STRONG

* Organizations are experiencing strong financial outlook.

* Most CEOs feel the economic outlook is stable or improving in the world, the United States, and locally. Interestingly enough, they feel considerably more confident about the DFW economy than the U.S. economy.

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE KEY

* Their top confidant is the spouse, followed by friend(s).

* Parents are the most influential persons in helping CEOs achieve their success.

* When asked how they define personal success, 70 percent of CEOs selected their company's success as the measure of their own, followed by their impact on the lives of employees and customers (62 percent) and the amount of time spent with loved ones (47 percent).

LONGEVITY & HAPPINESS STILL PREVAIL

* 60.1 percent have been CEO of their company for 10 years or more.

* 90 percent reported being somewhat or very satisfied with their jobs.

* 67.2 percent of CEOs are "very secure" in their jobs.

"The answers, in many instances, surprised us," said Rasberry. "Over time, this annual survey will establish the SMU Cox Sentiment Index, highlighting trends in leadership thinking and uncovering factors most critical to business success."

About SMU Cox

SMU's Cox School of Business offers a full range of business education programs, including BBA, full-time MBA, Professional MBA (PMBA), Executive MBA (EMBA), Master of Science in Management (MSM), and Executive Education. The school also offers a number of unique resources and activities for students, ranging from its Business Leadership Center (BLC), Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship, Maguire Energy Institute, and American Airlines Global Leadership Program (AAGLP) to its Associate Board executive mentoring program and an international alumni network with chapters in more than 20 countries. SMU Cox is ranked among the top business schools nationally and internationally by major publications, including BusinessWeek, The Economist, Financial Times, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and U.S. News & World Report.