In 1970, Xerox dominated the plain-paper copying market. It could easily have coasted on that success for a good number of years. But, with the advent of desktop computing and personal workstations, dramatic changes were already in the offing.
“The people running [Xerox] had the wisdom to say, ‘This change is coming and we need some people worrying about that.’ So they set up PARC (Palo Alto Research Center) with that mission,” Stephen Hoover, CEO of Xerox PARC, told attendees at the CEO2CEO Digital Transformation Summit, which took place this week at the New York Stock Exchange.
Making dramatic fundamental shifts to a company’s strategy requires looking into a future still unrealized and figuring out where the company should place its biggest bets. “That’s hard to squeeze that in between figuring out how to get that customer paid or how you’re going to meet the budget for the next quarter,” says Hoover. “You need a dedicated team.”
Hoover acknowledged that most companies don’t have the cash flow to fund a dedicated research center. But that isn’t necessary, he said. “It can be a small team. Having one or two people explore an area can be very powerful if you get the right kinds of people. But disrupting yourself is not a part-time job.”
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.
