Through its vast network of engaged business leaders, Chief Executive conducts regular research to better understand the needs, challenges and priorities of CEOs and C-Suites across America and help the business community overcome obstacles and navigate difficulties via peer-driven insights and benchmarking data.
Some of our proprietary research includes our flagship CEO Confidence Index, which has been taking the pulse of CEOs on a monthly basis since 2002, our annual rankings of the Best & Worst States for Business, our annual CEO & Senior Executive Compensation Report for Private Companies and our annual Financial Performance Benchmarks Report for U.S. Companies, which takes a deep dive into a variety of operational metrics such as COGS, turnover ratios, pricing strategies, profit margins and R&D.
With data collected from thousands of U.S. companies, the CEO & Senior Executive Compensation Report for U.S. Private Companies showcases more than 140,000 data points, by industry, ownership type, company size, region, profitability and a host of other benchmarking variables. This report helps companies structure the right combination of salary, bonus, benefits, perks and equity incentives for their top, mission-critical executives.
Utilizing data from U.S.-based companies, this annual subscription, delivered in modules, provides an in-depth look into pricing strategies, departmental staffing costs and turnover ratios, days receivables/payables, R&D budgets and other key performance indicators to help you benchmark your operations against peers and drive growth.
Staying on top of pay trends is essential to keeping your company competitive. The 2025 Annual Compensation Trends Report gives HR leaders and finance professionals forward-looking data on base pay and bonus projections for frontline workers, back-office staff and middle managers. It offers insights into what competitors are doing to attract and retain top talent on the compensation front.
Finding and retaining top talent is increasingly challenging due to tight labor markets and shifting workforce priorities like work-life balance. Private companies struggle to compete with public companies, especially regarding equity-based compensation. However, using creative compensation, noncash rewards, training, and career development can help attract and retain employees. Combining compensation with development opportunities allows employees to see a future at private companies that public companies may not offer.
Chief Executive Group and Cherry Bekaert convened a roundtable discussion of a dozen CEOs in Nashville in November 2023. The roundtable participants represented a range of industries, from consulting and professional services to software, and more. They talked through their expectations, experiences and challenges with AI. The following report describes the methodology for creating an effective AI strategy and provides examples of successful practical applications of AI.
To address the mammoth challenges of post-pandemic turnover and a talent pipeline shortage, healthcare leaders need a new approach to workforce planning that considers talent needs both in the short-term as well as over the next five to 10 years. At a recent roundtable co-sponsored by Chief Executive and Pearl Meyer, industry
executives discussed the best way to develop that strategy.
Compared with their public company peers, private company CEOs enjoy far greater flexibility in executive compensation program design. At the same time, freedom from restrictive regulations and disclosure requirements comes with a flip side: lack of access to the power of publicly traded equity-based pay as a recruitment and retention tool.
October polling from Chief Executive finds U.S. manufacturers regaining their confidence after a months-long slump, even as tariff pressures and geopolitical tensions continue to cast their shadow over the sector.
Our latest survey finds CEOs increasingly confident in their ability to find growth in the current economic environment, despite ongoing uncertainties and turmoil in Washington.
A long-term analysis of our ongoing CEO Confidence Index finds anticipation of disruption is almost always worse than what actually happens. With two exceptions: The Great Recession and 2025.
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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.
