Sounds like the customer-centric vision of Jeff Bezos, that he is bringing to fruition with his concept of the “everything store.”
In reality, the most successful companies reflect the vision of the founder/CEO. Apple was Steve Jobs, and Jobs was Apple. Polo is Ralph Lauren, and Lauren is Polo. Starbucks is Schultz, and Schultz is Starbucks, Amazon/Bezos, etc. etc.
As these examples illustrate, the culture of the leader has become inculcated in their company and their vision reflected in the firms brand/logo. They—and the brand they have created—are indivisible—the CEO is the brand, and the brand is the CEO.
However, many CEOs have not adopted this brand-bonding relationship and see themselves more as managers of a brand, not reflections of the company’s brand. The result of this is a more daunting task of having to perpetually develop and monitor strategies to maintain and grow brand equity, more as a professional manager than an entrepreneurial integral part of the process.
These CEOs are more like grandparents than parents—minding their grandchildren, rather than participating in the growth of the kids every day.
This is why many companies struggle to keep up with technology and the changing requirements of their customers. For the CEO to morph into the brand of the company they are managing, they have to forge a passionate bond with the brand, or change the brand to reflect their vision for the future. They have to become a customer and adopt the Bezos philosophy of “customer-centricity.”
Tips for CEOs
• Ask yourself: “how compatible is your vision with the culture of the company you run?”
• Is every member of your team able to contextualize his or her role in embracing the company’s unique value proposition—its’ brand identity?
• How closely does your day-to-day behavior mirror the brand you are championing a la Jobs, Bezos, Lauren and Schultz?
While the business landscape has become more complicated, competitive and electronic, the battle for the customer’s mind remains the same. Brands exist in the mind and as the CEO. You have to decide what share-of-mind you want to own, and how you as the CEO can be the embodiment of that position.
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.
