According to Chief Executive magazine’s new Guide to CEO Peer Networks, the leading peer networks—Young Presidents Organization (YPO), Vistage, Chief Executive Network (CEN) and G100—all reported strong growth in their membership sizes over the past few years. There are a variety of reasons for this, including: the increasing complexity of many businesses, a recognition by many CEOs after the great recession that they needed to look outside their organizations and experience bases for new ways to improve their businesses, and a realization by many CEOs that there is tremendous value to be learned from peers who have dealt with similar issues.
It’s Lonely at the Top
According to Bob Grabill, Chairman of Chief Executive Network, “there’s some truth to the old adage that it can be lonely at the top,” but it doesn’t have to be that way, he says. “Many CEOs, especially those who are committed to continuous improvement for their organizations and themselves, find tremendous value in getting away from the day-to-day whirlwind and working “on” vs. “in” their business for a few days a year with peers who are not competitors and have dealt with the same issues and are willing to share their successes and failures in a confidential, safe environment.”
CEOs in Peer Networks Outperform Their Industry Averages
Studies commissioned by Vistage and Chief Executive Network show that their members, on average, have considerably higher growth rates and profit margins than their industry averages. It makes sense that more successful CEOs would be more open to and seek out best practices and ideas from peers and are committed to continuous improvement, including their own personal development.
Differences Among Peer Networks
Each of the leading CEO Peer Networks has unique features and appeals to different types of CEOs. For example, G100 focuses on serving CEOs of only the largest companies (over $10 billion in revenues), while most of the members of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) are small companies with under $2 million in revenues. Young President’s Organization (YPO) tends to have a lot of young presidents of family-owned businesses in the $12 million to $50 million range, while Vistage has many lower middle-market members ($5 million to $25 million) who value frequent meetings with their peers and a coach. Chief Executive Network (CEN) tends to focus on mid-market CEOs ($10 to $1 Billion in revenues) and has industry-specific networks for CEOs in manufacturing, distribution, wholesale, software, architecture, engineering and construction, so CEOs can be grouped with non-competing peers who understand their businesses.
For more information about CEO peer networks, and the differences among them, you can download Chief Executive magazine’s free Guide to CEO Peer Networks by clicking here.
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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.
