How To Launch—And Scale—A Business
May 19, 2025
Mid-market CEOs, with revenue between $10 million and $1 billion, had less concern about future business conditions than their larger counterparts (companies with revenue $1B+). Larger firms had the least confidence in future business conditions, registering a 5.73 overall, while mid-market firms averaged a 6.07, a nearly 10% higher rating. Small company CEOs had the most positive outlook for the future, having rated business conditions 12 months out a 6.25 out of 10, nearly 30% higher than mid-market CEOs.
“The economy will not improve until it is clear that we have an administration in Washington, and specifically in the White House, which is business friendly, instead of the current president who seems to be anti-business and interested only in global warming,” one CEO said.
Governments/ Nonprofits and Energy/ Utility companies have the lowest current outlook, registering 5.00 and 5.13, respectively, while Finance and Advertising/ Marketing/ Media/ PR/ Entertainment companies have the weakest confidence in future business, with ratings of 5.20 and 5.36, respectively.
CEOs in four categories—Construction/ Engineering, Finance, Healthcare and Retail Trade—all have worse outlooks 12 months out than they do now. Of the four, Retail Trade had the lowest future expectations, dropping 14% from a rating of 7.33 today to 6.33 a year from now.
The remaining 11 categories had improved outlooks for the future. The most significant increase in expectations came from the Pharma/ Medical Devices category, with a projected 27% increase (from 5.50 today to 7.00 12 months from now). Government/ Nonprofit CEOs also expect their situation to improve, jumping 16% from 5.00 today to 5.80 next year.
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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.