Such is the case for Giovanni Ferrero, the CEO of Italian chocolate giant Ferrero International SA, best known for its Nutella spread, Tic Tac candies and Kinder chocolate eggs.
Mr. Ferrero became the outright CEO of the company in 2011 after brother and co-CEO Pietro died in an accident. The pair were promoted in 1997 when father Michele formally stood down – although he remained active in managing the business until his death in 2015.
In an analysis of his management style, The Wall Street Journal reports that Giovanni Ferrero certainly hasn’t rested on his father’s legacy. To the contrary, the report claims he’s brought a new vitality to the business and increased the pace of change. Recent initiatives included halving the time to launch new products, acquiring U.K. chocolate maker Thorntons and hiring managers from overseas.
“Tradition is like a bow,“ Mr. Ferrero told WSJ. ”The more we stretch the bowstring, the farther we can throw the arrows of modernity and innovation.”
His approach appears to be working: Ferrero posted 13% sales growth for the year ended August 31, 2015, even as the rest of the confectionery industry struggles to post any growth at all.
Ferrero wants to double its revenue over the coming decade, partly by selling more products outside Europe.
The U.S. is currently a small market for the company – but the potential lies in Mr. Ferrro convincing more American that Nutella is an attractive alternative to peanut butter.
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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.
