His academic leader roles have included president of two private universities, and department chairman and institute director at a public university. He has taught in the graduate schools of California State University Los Angeles, University of Southern California and Claremont Graduate University as well as three years with TUI International, a fully accredited online university. 

Dr. Cohen is also a retired major general from the U.S. Air Force Reserve and has held executive positions in several companies including Director of Research at Sierra Engineering Company, Manager of Advanced Technology Marketing at  McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company, and President of Global Associates. He lived in Israel from 1970-73 and flew in the Yom Kippur War. In addition he was a registered professional engineer in Israel and holds engineering patents in the U.S., the U.K. and Israel. He was recognized by the Israeli government for his contributions to the development of Israel's first fighter.

Graduating from West Point, Dr. Cohen flew 174 combat missions in A-26 aircraft in the Vietnam War. His military awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters and the Air Medal with eleven oak leaf clusters.

          Among his 54 books published in 22 languages and over 100 articles resulting from his research, are the best sellers The Stuff of Heroes: The Eight Universal Laws of Leadership (Longstreet Press, 1998) and The New Art of Leader (Prentice Hall Press, 1990, 2000). The latter was named a Best Business Book of the Year by Library Journal. The former was nominated as one of the 10 best management books for the year 1998 by Management General and appeared as number four on the Los Angeles Times best seller list. Both books have been recommended by a host of world class leaders including from the U.S. Congress, astronauts, generals and admirals, presidents of unions and trade associations and CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. His textbooks have been adopted by more than 200 colleges and universities around the world. His book A Class with Drucker set a record for the highest foreign rights sales in the history of the 45-year old professional publisher, selling over 100,000 copies in seven countries.

          Dr. Cohen's awards include the Outstanding Professor’s Award at California State University Los Angeles (1982), the Freedoms Foundation of Valley Forge George Washington Honor Medal for Excellence in Economic Education (1985), and the California State University Los Angeles Statewide Outstanding Professor Award (1996).  He was the first business professor honored with the latter. In 1999, he was named one of four “Great Teachers in Marketing” by the Academy of Marketing Science from nominees from around the world . In 2002 he received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from the International Academy for Integration of Science and Business in Moscow, Russia. Former Prime Minister Gorbachev is a member of this Academy. He was the 2006 Goolsby Distinguished Visiting Professor in Leadership at the College of Business Administration at The University of Texas at Arlington. He received the 2009 Distinguished Alumnus Award from Claremont Graduate University, where Peter Drucker taught and wrote. Dr. Cohen has served on various city, state, national, corporate, and trade boards and boards of directors. His biography is contained in Who’s Who in America, Who's Who in the World, and other national and international directories.

          He received his BS in engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, he has an MBA from the University of Chicago, an MA and PhD in management from the Peter Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University, and has completed all coursework for a second PhD in psychology. He is a distinguished graduate in residence of the prestigious Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C.

In addition to serving as president of The Institute of Leader Arts, Dr. Cohen is project director for developing an accredited Master of Drucker Marketing degree for the Peter Drucker Academy in China and Hong Kong. 

Topics

A Class with Drucker: The Lost Lessons of the World’s Greatest Management Teacher

Bill Cohen studied under Peter Drucker from 1975-79 and became the first graduate of his executive graduate program. What Drucker taught him literally changed his life. In a few years he was recommissioned in the Air Force and rose to become a major general. He became a full professor, a university president, and authored 53 books published in 18 languages. He maintained a nearly lifelong friendship with the master. In this seminar/workshop Cohen shares many of Drucker’s teachings that never made it into his countless books and articles - ideas that were offered to his students in classroom or informal settings. Cohen expands on Drucker’s lessons with personal anecdotes and shows how Drucker’s ideas can be applied to real-world challenges that managers face today.

You will learn.

• How to build your self-confidence step by step Drucker’s way

• How to approach problems with your ignorance; not your experience

• The organization that Drucker most admired

• Why and how you must develop expertise outside of management

• How to solve problems by approaching them with your ignorance

• How to create the future

• How to avoid fear of failure and loss of job

• Many other concepts Drucker taught in the classroom and how to apply them

This seminar is based on the book by the same name to be published by AMACOM November 2008. The publisher has already announced that foreign edition copies sold prior to publication are the highest of any book in this publisher's 45-year old history.

Drucker on Leadership

Peter Drucker devoted his entire life to leadership. Yet, unlike others he never wrote a book on the subject and didn't have the title "leadership" in any of his hundreds of articles until 1987. even his approaches were unique. When a corporation asked him to do a seminar on leadership, he declined. It took me years to understand his position on leadership because even as his student he once gave me an A+, but said, "Now I'm really confused." I thought this had to do with my presentation. It took me years of personal interaction and extensive research before I finally understood why he was confused and his conclusions regarding how to lead properly. His disappointment with the leadership in many corporations caused him to devote much of the final years of his life to the non-profit sector.

In this seminar you will learn:

• Why Drucker avoided writing about leadership until late in his career

• Drucker's view on charisma which he opposed, but gave hints how to acquire and apply
  The proper way to motivate employees

• Lessons from a 2000-year old Grecian text, available in English, that Drucker called, "The first systematic book on leadership, and still the best."

• Why many corporate heads are failing in leadership and what to do about it.

• Why Theory Y, and even TQM usually won't work unless you recognize and implement this single fact

• Drucker's primary drivers of good leadership

• The organization that Drucker most admired, and why

• Ethics, Integrity and Honor and its importance in leadership

• Why you must treat all employees or subordinates as if they were volunteers

• Why you should NOT treat everyone equally

Drucker on Marketing

Drucker taught that the two essentials for any organization were innovation and marketing. Famed marketing guru Phillip Kotler has been called "The Father of Modern Marketing." When asked about Drucker's concepts of marketing, Kotler said, If I am "The Father of Marketing," than Drucker is "The Grandfather of Marketing." Drucker's views are unique and differ significantly from what academic researchers and others teach. For example, Drucker taught that selling wasn't just not complementary to marketing, it could be adversarial! He knew how a marketing organization must create its own future. He taught what marketer must do when "they move your cheese." He believed that marketing was primary for any organization. He said the purpose of a business in creating a profit was secondary to a different primary objective that if not followed would be detremental to profits.

In this seminar you will learn:

• Implementation of the marketing concept according to Drucker's theory

• Why you should not attempt market research on a non-existent product and what you should do

• Why selling isn't complementary, and may even be adversarial to marketing

• The real objective of a business if it wants profits --- and its NOT survival or profit itself

• You can't predict the future, but you can create it

• How to "look out the window" to see the future even though you can't predict it precisely

• The importance of value (and its not what you may think) and how to acquire it

• Why change is an opportunity

• The right way to do marketing research

• How to develop marketing plans the Drucker way

MOTIVATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL SPEECHES
The Stuff of Heroes: The Eight Universal Laws of Leadership

Peter F. Drucker said that the first systematic book on leadership was written by Xenophon 2000 years ago and (at least until Cohen’s books) it was still the best. Xenophon was a Greek general, and he wrote about battle leadership. Seeking the basics for all leadership, Dr. Cohen conducted research with more than 200 combat leaders, including 62 generals and admirals who achieved extraordinary success outside of the military. Analyzing the results of this research, he found that 95% of their responses of what they did to get others to follow their lead under all conditions fell into only eight categories. Dr. Cohen calls these the eight universal laws of leadership. This inspirational speech explains each law with specific examples so attendees know how to apply them to any situation.

Testimonials

 ". . . important, and will have the success it deserves."
Peter F. Drucker, world famous management thinker

"A first class primer on the elusive subject of leadership.”
Gen H. Norman Schwarzkopf

“. . . a must read by aspiring leaders in and out of uniform”
 Alexander Haig, Jr. former Secretary of State

 "Leaders in all three sectors will find inspiration in the fourteen strategies this remarkable new leadership resource provides."
Frances Hesselbein, Chair, Leader to Leader Institute, former CEO, Girl Scouts of America

" A totally new concept with new techniques useful at all levels of management in all types of organizations. Best of all . . . they work!"
Karen McTier, Executive Vice President of Franchising and Worldwide Marketing, Warner Bros.

 "...very, very well done."
Senator Barry Goldwater

 "Leadership can only be learned by practice and through example. So that's how Professor Cohen serves it up."
Robert A. Lutz, Chairman, General Motors Corporation

" . . to all who want to develop the strategic skills that lead to success."  
General James E. Dalton, USAF, Ret., Former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (NATO) and President, Logicon, RDA

". . . clear, well organized, simply put, and straight talking."
 J. B. Hilmes, Lieutenant General, US Army (RET), Group Executive VP, Computer Science Corporation

" Scores of anecdotes and examples show how these 10 principles are essential to every successful business strategy, but also sports, politics and even romance!" 
Reginald Rhein, former Business Week magazine writer and current Washington editor of Scrip World Pharmaceutical News.

"Bravo! . . . If you plan strategy, implement it, or ever think about it . . ."
Dave Logan, Ph.D, Associate Dean for Executive Education, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California and Co-author of The Coaching Revolution

 " The Art of the Strategist provides a solid way to deal with complex issues and to keep all organizations moving toward a common goal. Don't ever face your day without it."
Dr. Edwin l. Hullander, Senior Economist, U.S. Agency for International Development

" General Cohen has successfully identified the ten essential elements of strategy and strategic leadership. Master the ten principlesand you will master your competition!"
Michael A. Mische, CEO, Synergy Industries, former Principal, KPMG Peat Marwick and author of Strategic Renewal: Becoming a High-Performance Organization

". . . a sure recipe for success. "
Harvey Knell, CEO, KCM Management, Inc., Former President and CEO Grace Homes Centers West

"Dr. Cohen has thoroughly and intelligently distilled from history the basic strategic principles that successful businesses must use."
Herbert Y. Schandler, PhD, George C. Marshall Professor of Grand Strategy, and former Chairman of the Strategy Department, Industrial College of the Armed Forces

"The Art of the Strategist makes new contributions to the knowledge of strategy."
Ambassador Ronald F. Lehman II, Ph.D. former Director of the US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy

" a guide to solid success, by means of the art of leadership, of common sense and of courage and focused faith."
Lt. General (Res) Amnon Lipkin-Shahak (former Chief of Staff Israel Defense Forces)

"Thank you for imparting your vision. Your speech was powerful and encouraging."
Susan F. Kirkland, President, Junior Management Association

"Good logic, and a novel approach.”
James Wood, Chairman and CEO, The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, Inc.

 "Makes a significant contribution to the art of leadership."
Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, former Chief of Naval Operations

"Contributes to more effective leadership at many levels and in many different environments."
Gen Andrew J. Goodpaster, former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, president, the Atlantic Alliance

"Leaders need to learn these techniques Bill Cohen vividly explains." 
Mary Kay Ash, Chairman Emeritus, Mary Kay Cosmetics

"Your presentation was extremely well received and was instrumental in achieving the goals I established."
Lt. Gen Roger G. DeKok, Commander, Space and Missile Systems Center

"Excellent piece of work . . . can be of great assistance to those willing to make the committment . . .” 
John B. Curcio, Chairman and CEO, Mack Trucks, Inc.

 "Most impressive."
John Ong, Former Chairman, The BF Goodrich Company, Ambassador to Norway

"If you can afford just one book on this subject, get this one." The Christian Science Monitor " "Worth its weight in ROI."
Venture Magazine

"A real breakthrough."
Dr. Richard H. Buskirk, Director of the Entrepreneurship Program, University of Southern California

"Full of excellent examples and analogies. Well Done!"
Frank Popoff, President and CEO, The Dow Chemical Company

“I’ve already referred to The Stuff of Heroes a couple of times in my daily radio program and it has helped me put to use some of the principles.” 
Thomas S. Haggai, Chairman and CEO, IGA, Inc.

 “This is not just 'the stuff of heroes.'It is the stuff of all leaders for the millenium.” 
Phillip B. Rooney, Vice Chairman, The Servicemaster Company

“What I enjoyed most was the way you made your points through stories and anecdotes."
Dan McKinnon, President North American Airlines

“My congratulations. The Stuff of Heroes is fantastic!"
Jerry Fogel, CAE, President and CEO, Martin Fromm and Associates, Inc.

 “The Stuff of Heroes is timeless. Cohen casts a wide net – back through time and across many disciplines. He has found the secret of what makes great leaders do great things. There’s a lot of wisdom here. I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t benefit.”
Ernest Micek, CEO, Cargill, Inc.

“. . . fascinating. You have a real winner.”
Erick Laine, CEO, ALCAS Corporation

“I liked your book a lot. It is unique in its approach."
F. Kenneth Iverson, Chairman and CEO, the Nucor Corporation

“There is a tremendous amount of value, especially for the young generation of leaders who have not experienced military service or learned leadership lessons through the “scars of battle.”
Jeffrey M. Schmidt, President Schmidt-Cannon International

"I wish I had read it as I moved up the ranks through general, and especially when I became a "Fortune 500" corporate officer."
Lt Gen W. D. Johnson, VP Baxter Int'l, Inc. former Chief of Staff, Strategic Air Command and Director, Defense Nuclear Agency

"Congratulations . . . 400 hundred of our jaded chargers gave you a standing ovation!”
Steve Weber, Western Zone Manager, Vector Marketing Corp.

"You outdid yourself with your strategic planning workshop for my executive team . . . may be worth millions to us."
Richard N. Groves, Chairman of the Board, NAVCO

"Bill Cohen has ideas we need to know to lead.”
General Ronald R. Fogleman, former Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force

 "...easy to understand first, second, third, and fourth steps"
Freeman Gosden, Jr., President, Foote, Cone & Belding Direct

“Excellent piece of work . . .can be of great assistance to those willing to make the commitment.” 
John B. Curcio, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO, Mack Trucks, Inc.

" Your assistance was a key element to our growth.”
Robert F. Swette, Senior Vice President and Director of Business Development, MagneTek

". . . all the things that should have been clear to our military and civilian leaders over the last five decades. God bless you."
Michael L. Ferguson, Attorney to Sports Figure Emmitt Johnson

"Following his own universal rules, Dr. Cohen absolutely knows his stuff."
Barry Gordon, Past (and longest serving) President, Screen Actors Guild

"Your presentation was relevant and I am extremely pleased."
Brig Gen Robert P. Belihar

"Cohen is remarkable not only for his acumen, but also for his morality and humility. Where Cohen leads, any entrepreneur would do well to follow.”
Entrepreneur Magazine

"The Eight Universal laws of Leadership isn't just good stuff - it's THE RIGHT STUFF"
Frank Borman, former Astronaut and CEO, Eastern Airlines

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