Everyone knows that millennials have recently overtaken baby boomers as the largest generation in the United States. And while the majority of CEOs, Presidents and Chairmen are still baby boomers, companies need to start phasing millennials into the boardroom mix.
CEOs who haven’t taken a long look at the makeup of their companies’ board of directors in a while should take the time to do so now. There is a lack of diversity across all boardrooms—and a pressing need to turn the tide.
Corporate board performance, and board governance, are experiencing more scrutiny today than ever before. Whether it’s by activist shareholders, proxy advisors or government regulators, each has their own agenda and set of recommendations for improvement or change.
Public company leadership with varied career backgrounds have persistently and substantially outperformed stocks from homogenous C-suites, according to the largest study to date on management diversity.
Women- and minority-owned middle-market businesses have outpaced the growth of mid-sized companies over the past six years, according to a recent report by American Express and Dun & Bradstreet.
S&P 500 boards elected 376 new independent directors — or .78 new directors per board — during the 2015 proxy year, making it the largest recruitment class since 2008, when 380 independent directors were added, according to the 2015 Spencer Stuart Board Index.
Gender diversity in the ranks of top corporate executives remains a cause du jour in American board rooms. But what about adding more females to the ranks of directors themselves? That could kill two birds with one stone.
When organizations think about risk, perhaps the most worrisome are those that can’t be anticipated. Boards expend tremendous effort in eliminating or at least minimizing their blind spots; that search for better information and awareness can be all-consuming.
There are many different types of activism today, and shareholder activists are not all the same—they have different time horizons and strategies. CEOs’ experiences with activism can vary significantly, so they often have different perspectives on this issue. Their views can run the gamut, with a variety of CEOs expressing both the pros and cons of having an activist on the board.
By now the benefits of cultivating more female leadership are clear to most boards. But moving from recognition to action is a bigger step, and one that directors must be proactive about.
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.
