We’ve all seen firsthand how innovations create new products and categories, while disrupting and eliminating others. From being able to sell to customers on the other side of the world with a touch of a button to smart, mobile technology, electric cars and now 3D printing, innovation is everywhere, but it’s not easy to figure out in advance what’s around the next corner or how fast it’s coming.
And a recent survey by Clayton Christensen’s consulting firm Innosight, “The Strategic Confidence Gap,” shows that executives are concerned about their ability to predict, keep up with and overcome what lies ahead. Nearly half (42%) of survey respondents were not confident that their company was ready for a major transformation they expected to happen over the next five to 10 years.
As I was reading a press release about the study, I wondered, exactly which executives are concerned? And then I realized, with 800 executives across 20 sectors interviewed, they are a representative sample of your executives. So I began thinking, do you really know how your executives feel about your company’s ability to compete in the new age? When was the last time you asked them or had a frank conversation about competition and the future?
If you’re not sure, perhaps this is a good topic for your next leadership meeting. As the head of the company, your people are used to saying “yes, sir” or “yes, ma’am” and not questioning your requests or your motives. Some of them may feel comfortable some of the time telling you a particular plan is not going to work, or adding a wild and crazy idea to the discussion—but all of them—even at the EVP level—are not going to feel comfortable doing that all of the time.
I think it’s a pretty good assumption that your executive team has thoughts and feelings about the future of your business that they haven’t shared with you. Now would be a good time to find out what they are. After all, somewhere in there is bound to be a great, innovative idea.
By setting aside 15 minutes in your regular meetings to dialogue about the future, you will be able to hear what’s really on their mind rather than what’s on your agenda memo. This will help you move from the 42% group to the more confident 58%.
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.
