Need to overcome an embarrassing situation, rescue your brand from financial disaster, shift the company in a new direction or shore up some expertise in a currently weak area? It may be time to make a change to your board. Even if the company is healthy and solid and you just want to strengthen your position for the future, a strategically placed new board member can help.
Apple is a good example of a company doing well but desperately in need of a board change. CEO Tim Cook, who took over after the death of Steve Jobs, has publicly announced that he has plans to take the company into new markets as early as this year, so the fact that he wants to shake up the board with some new blood is no surprise.
Cook was handed a board of directors that was fiercely loyal to his predecessor. Most of them have held their positions for more than a decade, and six of the eight are already 63 or older.
Just last week, Don Mattrick, CEO of Zynga, named Regina Dugan, vice president of engineering and head of the Advanced Technology and Projects group at Google, to the online gaming company’s board, calling her a “catalyst for creative thinking,” according to Tech Crunch.
In May, Abercrombie & Fitch added four women to its board of directors after activity Engage pushed for a management shakeup. A&F suffered a heavy popularity blow after CEO Mike Jeffries made negative remarks about overweight consumers, publicly stating that he didn’t want fat people wearing his clothes. A&F’s clothing line only goes up to size 10.
And then there’s the 800-pound gorilla in the room: cyber-security. The subject is now a regular agenda item for companies such as Kellogg’s and Tyson Foods, thanks to Target. Of note, Delta Airlines added a tech-security specialist to its board recently to ensure it could keep its vital passenger data safe.
Strategic shifts such as these are picking up steam. Going forward, companies will be expecting more out of their board members, and as a result, will be making more tactical board choices.
Background:
Googler, And Former DARPA Director, Regina Dugan Joins Zynga’s Board Of Directors
Corporate Boards Race to Shore Up Cybersecurity
Abercrombie Names New Directors in Accord With Activist
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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.
