Always the Bad Guys? The Public Perception of Business Leaders

Hosted by Deutsche Welle

They earn too much, abuse their power and are only interested in maximizing profits − that’s what most people tend to think about managers and CEOs. Those working in the financial sector have an even worse reputation.

Though plenty of businesses are struggling in the global financial and economic crisis, the general public seems to have little sympathy for them. Instead, many are calling for structural reforms, a ban on golden handshakes for top managers and CEOs and an end to the funneling of tax payers’ money into the economy. And it’s not just about a few bad apples at the top. The reputation of the business world as a whole has taken a severe beating.

Does this image hold all across the world or is it a regional and sector-specific phenomenon? Are pin-pointed CEOs and top managers just scapegoats amid mounting public anger? Do people still respect and admire their achievements and the jobs they create? And what role do the media play? Are they perpetuating images of the corporate bad guys?

Moderation:

Küfner, Michaela
Host Deutsche Welle Journal and Global 3000, Berlin

Panelists:

Bhatti, Jabeen
US Journalist and Managing Editor at Associated Reporters Abroad (ARA), Berlin, Germany

Fink, Alexander
Managing Director Corporate Edelman, Frankfurt, Germany

Rickens, Christian
Head of Business Spiegel Online, Hamburg, Germany

Complete workshop on soundcloud:

WS44 - Always the Bad Guys? The Public Perception of Business Leaders