Company chiefs also are being pressed in unprecedented ways by so-called rising “global challenger” companies that are taking more share in their domestic emerging markets and even venturing more boldly than before into western markets.
Coca-Cola and McDonald’s are the latest global firms to experience the slowdown taking place in emerging markets where U.S.-company CEOs have put a great deal of effort recently. Company chiefs also are being pressed in unprecedented ways by so-called rising “global challenger” companies that are taking more share in their domestic emerging markets and even venturing more boldly than before into western markets.
Over the last several years, European and American CEOs have spread their wings in the BRIC—Brazil, Russia, India and China—markets and other emerging countries as a way to tap into where consumer spending was growing and as insurance against the maturation and relatively slow growth of the western economies of North America, Japan and Europe.
But a funny thing happened: These emerging markets haven’t fully emerged, and some have regressed. China has come through on projections, but not so much elsewhere. And very recently, China’s economic growth has cooled while India, Brazil and especially Russia have proven even less dependable.
As a result, the stagnation in emerging markets is catching up with companies like McDonald’s, where CEO Don Thompson is coping with major issues stateside, and Coca-Cola, where CEO Muhtar Kent is trying to reverse a secular decline of massive proportions in consumption of the company’s main product. These are not isolated incidents, however. Rather, they are emblematic of a wider problem that is afflicting more and more companies.
McDonald’s’ problems may be episodic, including a meat-supplier scandal in China and government interference with some of its outlets in Russia that helped drive same-store sales down by 9.9% in the chain’s Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa regions in the third quarter.
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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.
