CEOs witnessed the intensity of President Trump’s “America First” sentiments right out of the chute as he quickly pulled the nation out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and effectively scuttled that tentative 12-nation trade agreement, put Mexico on notice for its trade imbalance with its neighbor to the north, buttonholed large-company CEOs to keep or bring back specific hundreds of jobs to the United States and didn’t back away from his threat to slap huge tariffs on imported goods. Congressional Republicans, meanwhile, are calling for a “border tax.”
The consensus of mid-market executives witnessing these early antics was that Trump didn’t really want to start a trade war but that, instead, he was aiming for a renegotiation of a North American Free Trade Agreement that many feel is outdated and skewed against the United States. And that the new president was letting the rest of the world know he would be equally tough with them.
“Let’s not get into a massive trade war with anyone,” cautioned John Berger, CEO of Sunnova, a solar-energy equipment maker. “But we understand that there needs to be modification to trade agreements that are a bit one-sided. You’ve got to be tough in a leadership position, and he’s certainly that.”
Similarly, said David Cobb, CEO of MMI Outdoor, a maker of military gear, “I’m a free-trade guy, but I do think a lot of our trade deals aren’t on a level playing field. We kind of give away everything. This man is a negotiator. So, when he says, ‘We’re going to do Plan A,’ he’s not really looking to do Plan A. The person on the other side of the table is at ‘C,’ and Trump really wants to get to ‘B.’”
But Dan Sandberg, CEO of Brembo North America, the U.S. arm of an Italian company that makes automotive brakes, cautioned against “the overall impact” of changes in trade policies on industries like cars and on “consumer demand,” worrying that tariffs on Mexican manufactured goods would greatly boost prices of vehicles for Americans.
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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.
