Employee vs. Independent Contractor: Why It’s Your Challenge as CEO
If you think the current commotion over worker misclassification isn’t your problem as a CEO, think again.
If you think the current commotion over worker misclassification isn’t your problem as a CEO, think again.
Like United Continental, which needed to replace Oscar Munoz after his heart attack, and Mattel, whose former CEO Bryan Stockton resigned without warning in January, companies can find themselves needing an interim CEO at any moment.
Should we care who is the chair?
Directors should be conscious of and even proactive about big data on at least two levels, according to a consensus of experts: How corporate strategy is harnessing the capabilities of this powerful new tool, and specifically, how board members can use it to improve the board’s performance of its own fiduciary duties.
Experts are increasingly urging companies to put more professionals with information technology expertise on their boards if they want to successfully transform their organizations.
As DuPont’s recent release of CEO Ellen Kullman shows, boards are more trigger-happy these days about dismissing CEOs for poor performance, and less willing to have agreed to golden parachutes to get them out the door.
No company, regardless of size, profitability or cash stockpile, is immune from an activist investor attack. Power players like Apple, Pepsi, Microsoft and Netflix with tons of cash and generous dividends that outperform their peers have successfully been attacked and forced to change course. Proctor & Gamble’s attacker owned less than 1% of the firm and orchestrated an event that ousted the CEO and forced a change in corporate strategy.
You may have thought this trend was behind us, but “tax inversion” acquisitions are still going on across America’s borders, despite U.S.-government efforts to curb them. As a result, many boards are still faced with the difficult choice between shareholder value and patriotism.
In 2014 alone, there were nearly 800 identified data breaches involving over 85 million records, according to the Identity Theft Resource Center Data Breach Reports. Regulatory officials have rushed to propose cyber security guidelines and adopt cyber security requirements. In addition, multiple lawsuits have been filed alleging that board misconduct significantly contributed to the financial fallout from compromised company data.
Before launching an all-out offensive against an activist investor, both sides should consider a middle path. No one has a monopoly on wisdom, and often an activist will have a worthwhile suggestion. Moreover, being willing to listen to properly presented ideas from a significant shareholder is part of a CEO’s and a board’s fiduciary responsibility.
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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.