A recent strategy study conducted among 2,000 executives and strategy professionals reveals a disturbing fact: more than 80% of respondents put agility at par or above strategy when it comes to the future success of their business. This begs the question: is strategy, as we know it, past its sell-by date?
A number of developments have shaken the nation’s economic-development community of late, casting individual states in new or different lights, and underscoring just how heated the competition is among states for major economic-development wins and CEO business. If you are looking for a new location to move or grow your business, make note of these latest events before making any decisions.
While every CEO and business owner has his or her own taste, one book that keeps rising above all the rest as one of interest to chiefs is The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers, by Ben Horowitz, cofounder of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. CEOs listed this book the most because of its honesty and helpful lessons on how to survive as a business leader. In addition, one reviewer on Amazon called it “solid advice about running a company from a wartime CEO.” Here’s a handy list of other inspirational books on CEOs’ summer reading list. Print out and stick in your suitcase or on your fridge.
I’m a CEO. Pressure and stress come with my job. That’s not always a bad thing, as Justin Menkes notes in his book, “Better Under Pressure.” Some pressure is good. But a couple of years ago, the demands of being in charge took a serious toll on me. I’d read that CEOs including hip hop mogul Russell Simmons and Ford’s Bill Ford both meditate, so I asked my executive coach for his opinion. Most of his clientele are professional athletes, and turns out that for them he often recommends an iPad app called Inner Balance by HeartMath. He suggested that I try it.
Many CEOs of middle market companies view sales and marketing functions as autonomous. When problems or inefficiencies arise in operations, finance, manufacturing or other areas of a company, CEOs zero in on well-established metrics and processes to pinpoint trouble spots and address them. However, that same kind of rigor and discipline is often absent in sales and marketing.
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.
