But for those managing homegrown operations, it could mark the dawn of a golden age of opportunity—even if their product isn’t liked by a key member of the president’s inner circle.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer has long been a critic of Dippin’ Dots, an American chain that flash freezes its confectionery in liquid nitrogen. Since 2010, he’s used his Twitter feed to refute the company’s claim to making “the ice cream of the future” and appeared to welcome news that it had filed for bankruptcy in 2011. His latest barb, posted in 2015, said: “If Dippin’ Dots was truly the ice cream of the future they would not have run out of vanilla.”
On Monday, Dippin’ Dots CEO Scott Fischer wrote an open letter to Spicer calling on him to chill out. “We’ve seen your tweets and would like to be friends rather than foes,” Fischer wrote. “After all, we believe in connecting the dots.”
He also pointed out that the company is headquartered in Kentucky. “As a company, we’re doing great. We’ve enjoyed double-digit growth in sales for the past three years. That means we’re creating jobs and opportunities. We hear that’s on your agenda, too.”
Fischer’s proactive approach takes a leaf out of IBM CEO Ginni Rommety’s book: instead of reacting cautiously to Trump’s election, she immediately wrote to the president to point out ways her company could help his administration.
Fischer, though, simply appears to be seizing the opportunity to get some publicity, as it’s not very clear how the administration could specifically help his business.
That said, he has invited the White House and press corps to an ice cream social. “What do you say? We’ll make sure there’s plenty of all your favorite flavors,” he said.
At the time of writing, Spicer hadn’t responded to the offer.
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.
