In fact, the company puts more effort into recruiting and retaining talent than into anything else it does, explained Dr. Andy Conrad, CEO of Verily (formerly Google Life Sciences) to an audience of CEOs at the CEO2CEO Digital Transformation Summit at the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday. “It is the most strategic thing we do.”
Google is a frequent winner of the “Best Place to Work” accolade. “And it isn’t because we have ball pits or slides or a pool table,” said Conrad. “It’s hopefully because people are doing something they’re inspired by.”
Companies of any size can aspire to that goal if CEOs follow a few simple steps:
1) Be inspired. It’s not easy to create a new value proposition that will put your company on the map—and if you’re not inspired by the challenge, said Conrad, “nobody will be.”
2) Hire the right talent. Be willing to invest in the right people who, in turn, know other great people and can recruit them to your organization. Google offers significant compensation to employees who make referrals to candidates who wind up being hired. “You need people who have the right attitude, and that means sometimes cutting your losses and firing people who aren’t working,” added Conrad.
3) Screen candidates for your company’s version of “Googliness”. “It’s an ill-defined term,” noted Conrad, “but Googliness means their ability to fit in with a culture of innovation, a culture that cares. Can they believe change can happen? Is it meaningful and worthwhile to try to do it? Are they going to pull their oar in the same direction as others? The candidates who score high on that are the ones who wind up being the most valuable employees.”
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.
