From the traditional oil and gas sector to businesses as diverse as railcars, automobiles and plastics, the American fracking revolution continues to upend expectations and business plans.
Consider, for instance, that U.S. energy suppliers now are tapping into growing opportunities to export liquefied petroleum gas from Canada and the United States to Asia and elsewhere. Also, the drilling boom has set off a surge in demand for railcars that haul liquids such as crude oil, as well as fracking sands, which also has put pressure on the prices of railcars for other uses such as transporting grain.
Meanwhile, look at plans by the former South African state oil company, Sasol, for a multi-billion-dollar energy complex in Louisiana that will be the single largest foreign-investment project in U.S. history. Sasol plans to spend as much as $21 billion there to tap into cheap natural gas, as well as the pipeline and shipping infrastructure along the Gulf Coast, The Wall Street Journal reported. And it’s only part of a proliferation of energy projects in Louisiana that will continue to elevate the state’s economy and provide several opportunities for construction suppliers.
At this juncture, the CEOs and business owners most ready to benefit from the drilling boom are those running B2B companies. However, the sea change in the U.S. economy is something that consumer brands should watch as well, for its effects in areas such as consumer confidence.
A rising sense of “energy security” among rank-and-file Americans, for example, may be a factor behind the fact that large SUVs and pickup trucks have been some of the leading gainers in U.S. automotive sales so far this year—even while most media attention is on more fuel-efficient cars and small SUVs.
Furthermore, the dimensions of America’s domestic-energy revolution continue to grow, meaning that its implications for CEOs and their companies also will continue to grow—exponentially. As a result, business leaders across the economy need to be on the lookout for the knock-on effects and possible opportunities.
Additional reading:
Daniel Yergin on the next energy revolution
A new act for fracking?
Are We Underestimating America’s Fracking Boom?
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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.
