General Motors, for example, just disclosed that it plans to broaden its green-vehicle offerings by adding an all-electric car to a lineup that already includes the Spark EV and the Volt plug-in hybrid—despite the clearly limited interest in EVs demonstrated by mainstream consumers around the world so far.
And it isn’t just automobiles. Advancements in laptop computers, smartphones and all sorts of other gee-whiz consumer electronics continue to depend on continual improvements in lighter and longer-lasting batteries. So do improved products in more mundane realms such as portable vacuum cleaners. Even a not-so-obvious nascent tech-based business, drones, ultimately requires ever-lighter and more-powerful batteries if Amazon is ever really going to be delivering packages to Americans’ doorsteps.
The big problem is that the capacity of the best batteries in all of these applications keeps rising only incrementally, despite the billions of dollars in research funding that have been thrown at the problem for decades now, and which are mounting today. A vast array of research projects have been aimed at achieving a real breakthrough, but all that automakers, for example, can count on over the next few years are electrified vehicles whose ranges increase to about 200 miles from up to 100 miles now.
In other words, noted Wall Street Journal columnist Christopher Mims, “There is no Moore’s Law for batteries. That is, while the computing power of microchips doubles every 18 months, the capacity of batteries … exhibits no such exponential growth.” He added, “breakthroughs in energy storage technology aren’t coming. Not in the foreseeable future, at least.”
Interestingly, one visionary CEO is likely to become an even bigger winner because of this prospect that vexes so many other CEOs. Tesla co-founder Elon Musk is building the company’s $5-billion “gigafactory” near Reno, Nevada, to vastly expand the global supply of lithium-ion batteries using more or less current technology—and it won’t even begin spitting them out until 2020. Even over a time horizon that is relatively long for one of the most cutting-edge areas of technology, Musk doesn’t have to worry about being outstripped by new developments. Other CEOs should follow his lead.
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.
