Join SAS and Business Finance for this on-demand webcast featuring Robert Herbold, former Microsoft COO and author The Fiefdom Syndrome, and Jim Davis, senior vice president of SAS, the world's largest privately held software company. They will discuss the turf battles and territorial “fiefdoms” that undermine so many companies – and how to conquer this insidious problem.

The Fiefdom Syndrome can cause more damage than economic downturns, management upheavals and global business shifts.

The problem begins when – out of fear – individuals, groups or divisions seek to make themselves vital to the organization by trying to protect their turf or reshape their environment to gain as much control as possible over what goes on. Sound familiar? Herbold, who brought corporate discipline to a young Microsoft organization and helped to transform it into a mature global giant, calls it the Fiefdom Syndrome. And it happens at organizations large and small, at for-profits and not-for-profits, at the individual level as well as the group and divisional level. It can undercut a company's effectiveness, and in extreme cases, it has shaken entire industries and taken down major corporations.

Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect at Microsoft, says, “Turf wars and bureaucracy can undermine even the strongest corporate strategies. Drawing on lessons learned throughout his distinguished career, Bob [Herbold] describes innovative and practical ways to tackle this pervasive problem – and beat the Fiefdom Syndrome.”

In this Webcast, Herbold and Davis will share their views on these and other questions:

• Must a high-performance culture be instilled from the "top down" – from senior management – or can it be nurtured and grown from the "bottom up"?
• What critical steps must your organization take to eliminate bureaucracy and turf battles to inspire shared objectives and maximum results?
• Why does data – and data management – play a critical role in an organization's culture?
• What best practices in data management facilitate high performance?
• Does compliance help or hinder organizational culture?

Read more about what other industry leaders have to say about Herbold's book, The Fiefdom Syndrome – The Turf Battles That Undermine Careers and Companies – And How to Overcome Them :

“In The Fiefdom Syndrome, Herbold shows how fiefdoms can hamstring a company's operations, and how to break through them. I strongly urge people of all organizations, large and small, profit and non-profit, to read this book.” – John Chambers, President and CEO, Cisco Systems

“With...thorough analysis and practical insights, this book will help you recognize, eliminate and prevent the cancer of individual agendas.” – Michael Dell, Chairman, Dell Inc.

“Identifies the causes, symptoms, and cures of one of the great diseases (scourges) that insidiously destroy large corporations in America .” – Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO, Bank One Corp.

“A must-read. All institutions need a clear, unified mission and Bob Herbold's new book will help managers achieve it.” – Hank Paulson, Chairman and CEO, The Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

“Takes on the bureaucracy and turf battles that...Sam Walton fought his whole life to overcome. I strongly recommend it.” – Rob Walton, Chairman of the Board, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

“Whether you are in business, government, education or...non-profits, I urge you to read this book, and...take its advice.” – Jack Kemp, Co-Founder of Empower America and Former Vice Presidential Candidate

Regardless of your industry or field, since the Fiefdom Syndrome is born out of human nature, you have undoubtedly encountered this behavior somewhere in your organization. Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear this stimulating discussion and gain insight into how you can effectively combat the Fiefdom Syndrome in your own company. We look forward to having you join us!

About the speakers:

ROBERT J. HERBOLD is an authority on business operations, marketing and the dynamic relationship between the two. During his eight years as the COO of Microsoft, the company experienced a fivefold increase in revenue and a ninefold increase in profits. Previously, he spent 26 years at Procter & Gamble, where he revolutionized product distribution. In 2001, he launched Herbold Group LLC, providing consulting to CEOs on strategy and profitability issues.

JIM DAVIS is senior vice president and chief marketing officer for SAS. He has been instrumental in transforming the privately held SAS from a tools provider to the customer-driven software solutions provider it is today. Davis has directed a dramatic increase in SAS' profile in the media through extensive relationship building among financial and industry analysts. He helps supplement the company's track record of sustained profitability by supporting the efforts of a global sales and marketing force and by coordinating market-driven R&D. He also serves on IDC's Software Leadership Council. Davis joined SAS in 1994.