SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby had to make a very difficult decision followed by an even tougher announcement: Over the next few years, the company’s parks—built on the playful antics of trained killer whales—would be shutting down the iconic shows that made Shamu famous. Going forward, they would be transitioning to offer visitors a different kind of experience.
Survey Reveals Perceived Pitfalls of Unplanned Growth and Underlying Anxiety in Ability to Succeed in the Face of Growth and Change
The fact that the average lifespan of companies is shortening, having gone from roughly 61 years in 1958 to 25 years in 1980 to just 18 years in 2011, is evidence that the global business sphere is indeed changing faster than ever. Not only is competition getting more intense, but disruption can now come in the most unexpected of ways and from the most unexpected of places.
Think your company’s anti-corruption policy is enough to keep employees from engaging in unethical behavior? Think again.
Only five years ago, the Toyota Production System—and the company that spawned it—were the envy of the manufacturing world. Then Toyota buckled, and “TPS” became yesterday’s glory. But now a humbled and wiser Toyota is launching a new, global, “modular” manufacturing system that is meant to re-establish its former pre-eminence in making automobiles. There are lessons other CEOs can learn from Toyota’s rise back up from the manufacturing ashes.
Ethics consultants are not hired when everything is hunky dory. They’re different, and often more severe, than other corporate crises. An ethics crisis is about who you are as an organization and not just about specific actions that have gone wrong. But you can limit their damage.
When Don Thompson stepped down as CEO of McDonald’s, the company did not cloak the transition in innuendo by waxing on about the character of this beloved, loyal, experienced official. The simple truth was evident: McDonald’s was losing ground and the board was not confident in his ability to fix things.
Honesty, transparency and integrity are key ingredients in any CEO’s reputation. Without them, he or she will surely fail.
Sometimes you have to get out of your office to be more effective in it. That, in a nutshell, is the premise behind events like December’s CEO SUMMIT at the New York Stock Exchange, where leaders gathered to share insights and brainstorm on solutions for their most pressing business challenges. These pages offer takeaways and highlights from the event.
Disaster planning typically only makes the top-five list after something has happened. Knowing our predispositions, though, may help us correct them.
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.
