So what can leaders do to better anticipate changing conditions that may affect their future decisions? CEOs and other members of the C-suite can proactively prepare for change and ensure organizational success by following these five steps:
1. Pay attention to and discuss mega trends. While some trends are fleeting or short-lived, “mega trends”—such as population growth or decline, emerging market economy influence or the launch of disruptive technologies such as the PC or mobile device—are issues that are not going away and will cut across several industry environments.
Given their far-reaching impacts, leaders must consider how such trends will affect their industry and, in turn, their future business model. Consider that by 2030, an additional 1.5 billion people will be living on the planet, the proportion of the world’s population over 65 will nearly double and the largest rural-to-urban migration in history will take place. As these trends emerge, CEOs should consider how their businesses are poised to gain from these impending circumstances.
Kevin Tsujihara, CEO of Warner Brothers, scans widely for signals of change. “We need to anticipate where the market is going,” he said. Similarly, Google CEO Larry Page, in an interview with venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, discussed the need for business leaders to maintain a 20-year vision instead of a four-year vision.
2. Prepare for environmental uncertainties. “Environmental uncertainties” are those key forces of change for which experts cannot adequately predict trajectory or direction. While unknown, there is opportunity to prepare for these changes by ideating around the highest-impact potential game-changers along with the outcomes or conditions they might create. This exercise will illuminate how major uncertainties, such as resource availability, disruptive innovations, technology adoption or regulatory pressures might radically change the landscape in which you currently operate.
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
