Today’s companies operate in complex and risky environments. To help navigate this increasingly challenging and dynamic climate, many boards are rethinking who should be around the boardroom table and what should be on the agenda. But while the who and the what are good places to start, they are bad places to stop. The real challenges—and opportunities—lie in how the board works together.
As executive-compensation amounts and internal-pay ratios have risen in visibility with and concern among regulators, investors and the general public, boards of directors must pay more attention to how to communicate these metrics effectively and consistently with a company’s broader disclosure efforts.
Cybercrime, social media and shareholder activisim are just some of the new pressures board members are concerned about, according to the 12th Annual Director Survey by Spencer Stuart.
One of the most critical teams the CEO has to manage is the board, and smart CEOs understand that a well-assembled board can be one of the most potent partners and resources a CEO can have. We recently spoke with Constance Lau, President and CEO of Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc., and Dante C. Parrini, Chairman and CEO of PH Glatfelter Co., to better understand how they partner with their boards. Consider asking yourself the same questions we asked them.
There is no question that the topic of cybersecurity is top of mind for directors and officers of all types of companies. In the wake of cyber breaches, the role of the board of directors in cybersecurity risk management has come into focus in response to increasing regulatory scrutiny and the rising threat of private shareholder litigation.
Just as companies are having to evolve around everything from product delivery to supply chain sourcing, corporate boards, too, are transforming. Certain common themes have emerged in the transformation of company boards’ strategic focus, as well as their structure and make-up.
Shareholder activism has been on the rise for several years and is now at record levels. In this environment, boards must engage with activists through positive dialogue that addresses legitimate concerns, rather than with a defensive reflex reaction. In addition, forward-thinking companies should also re-evaluate and refresh their boards.
Attacks on CEOs of large public companies continue to make the news daily. There are lots of ways for CEOs to try to ward off such threats—and most of them have to do with just running a company the right way, with a clear strategy, optimizing opportunities, minding the bottom line, and being able to think like both shareholders and corporate raiders. But what if the wolf is already at the door, and is winning your loyal constituents over to their side? What can and should CEOs do once an activist shareholder has selected him, her, the board or the company as his prey?
At large publicly-held companies, one CEO after another is being battered or at least threatened by private-equity groups, celebrity corporate raiders and other activist shareholders that are holding company chiefs’ feet to the fire as never before. Here are 6 ways CEOs can prepare and protect themselves and their companies when activist stockholders begin sniffing around.
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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.
