The right decisions are usually obvious. It’s not fun to lay people off, or to eliminate product lines to rightsize your company. But business decisions are not supposed to be pleasant. They should be obvious, however, and that makes them necessary. And if the decisions are necessary, they become easier to make.
Keep in mind, though, that business results have some lag time from these internal changes. Convincing customers of the value of working like an entrepreneur again can take a bit more time. And you’ll need real participation and buy-in from channel partners.
Have faith. When you’re right, you know it. You can transform your company faster than you think. Lifesize went from a legacy technology provider that was viewed in some circles as an “also ran” to a completely new organization with the very best connected devices—all in less than a year.
These five simple ideas can make a tangible difference. Of course, you may be swimming against the tide when you start out on this track. Some people thought I was crazy, trying to fit entrepreneurial behavior into a large, established corporate organization.
But I had a vision of where we needed to go, backed by the experience of bringing my company to success in the first place. I also understood what was going on among fledgling companies now making names for themselves. And in the process, we turned Lifesize into a real market force, more quickly than we imagined.
You can make big changes quickly, too—if you have the courage to start thinking small again.
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.
