It seems that everyone is writing ‘leadership lessons’ these days. Particularly when it comes to popular shows, movies, athletes, actors and characters, there’s something that can be gleaned from every leading role.
CEOs, particularly those of mid-market companies, are very often the face of marketing and sales, rolling up their sleeves and traveling for road show appointments, as well as covering the trade show circuit. Carving out time for these out-of-office events can be challenging, so it’s important to make the most of them.
The world of investing can always be counted on to get roiled when Warren Buffett—the Oracle of Omaha—speaks, and he has done so again with his criticism of spin-offs. But he’s getting a lot of pushback from other investment professionals—and from the markets themselves as they tend to keep favoring major companies’ spin-off moves.
For decades, the relationship between American companies and China was relatively uncomplicated: The world’s most populous country served as the best base for low-cost manufacturing of goods for the U.S. market and as a rising market for American products ranging from commodities to smartphones and other consumer goods. But this relationship has been changing rapidly, and growing more complex by the day.
As CEOs reassess their portfolios due to heightened competition, divestitures are playing a more important role in corporate strategy. In particular, there was an exceptional increase in high-profile announcements in the U.S. technology sector in 2014. The total value of first-half 2014 transactions jumped 62% over the value of transactions in the first six months of 2013. Mega-deals accounted for more than 35% of total first-half 2014 deal value, including five deals worth more than $43 billion each—a level of activity not witnessed since before the financial crisis.
A CEO who’s an expert in communicating goals and ideals with the people in his company can go a long way in advancing progress or in turning things around. For Kim Yost, chief of a major mid-market retailer in the Midwest called Art Van Furniture, one key to such success has been his use of symbols, icons, slogans, self-published books and even an internal video network to motivate the troops.
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.
