The real reason Mary Barra was just named the next CEO of General Motors is reflected in another Motor City news development this week: GM vehicles scored three of the six finalist spots that were announced in the prestigious North American Car and Truck-Utility of the Year awards given at the Detroit auto show next month.
U.S. companies are switching CEOs at the fastest pace in five years as corporations such as Microsoft, Wal-Mart and GM deal with growth challenges, shifting customer tastes, competition from upstarts, and restive shareholders. Through the third quarter of 2013, 43 companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index were working under new CEOs, according to executive recruiter Spencer Stuart. The year will likely exceed the 49 turnovers in 2011, the biggest for turnover since 2008.
Companies whose businesses rely on patented software or patented business methods are increasingly at risk of chaotic court decisions and a real chance their patents will be declared invalid. The resulting unpredictability is hindering new innovation, threatening well-established patents and discouraging capital investment. Without confidence that intellectual property rights are secure, investors are reluctant to fund companies, undermining the innovation for which the technology industry is known. Here are several ways to protect your company.
Stack ranking, a 30+-year-old, controversial HR practice, blazed into the headlines recently with Yahoo’s announcement of implementing a form of stack ranking in its quarterly performance review process. Meanwhile, Microsoft, which has been widely criticized by the public and its own employees for using stack ranking, saw the light, with its plan to eliminate its rank and yank system. All of which suggests that it’s a good time to review stack ranking.
When asked to describe rapid growth start-ups most people conjure up images of high tech companies, conceived in incubators and nurtured by infusions of capital from savvy angel investors. This is not the case with Chicago, Illinois based Red Frog Events.
The CEO Confidence Index, Chief Executive‘s monthly gauge of CEOs’ expectations for business conditions over the next 12 months, rose 7.4% in December to its highest level since April 2011, landing at 6.12 out of a possible 10.
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.
