Sign up today for our “Leadership in Innovation” session on May 9th. It is kick-off to our CEOtoCEO Innovation Teams. WAIT – even if you are not able to participate in one of our Innovation Teams, you can still attend this session. It is dual purpose – a kick-off to the annual series and an…
Over the past several months we have been talking with a variety of companies and executives about how they are creating innovative environments and innovative cultures in their organizations. While we have heard some great success stories, we have also heard many tales of concern about how to build an “innovative organization and culture”. This…
Sometimes timing is in your favor – it is for us at CEOtoCEO and the recent launch of our CEO Discussion Group and CEO Innovation Teams thanks to a recent survey report by RHR International. I first saw this story talked about on the Chief Executive site and upon further reading found some amazing statistics…
The death of Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s Steve Jobs has brought a lot of talk about the characteristics of the ideal chief executive officer. One school of thought holds that successful CEOs are team players, good listeners and humble. In the book “Good to Great,” Jim Collins called such people “Level 5” leaders. Yet Jobs and…
At our CEOtoCEO breakfast we had the privelege of hearing from several CEOs and Leaders about why their companies were voted some of the best to work for in the Seattle area. It was great to hear all the different perspectives and ideas that make these some great companies to work for. John Rubino, President…
I recognized that confident smile immediately. It was CEOtoCEO Breakfast participant Dan Price, Co-founder of Gravity Payments. Dan was recently recognized as the National SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Dan’s company works as an intermediary between merchants and credit card companies, has 50 employees and more than 5,000 customers. I asked Dan to share…
As business leaders we are approached by a number of community organizations to help support their cause. Most provide worthwhile services that benefit the communities we do business and the needs have escalated over the past few years. The “asks” are made from members of numerous charitable organizations, our employees, clients and trade partners. You…
Eric Overton, President and CEO of Sparling Electrical Engineers, the largest specialty electrical engineering firm in the country headquartered in Seattle. I asked Eric what does Sparling do to be selected and recognized as being a ‘Best Company to Work For’, and what benefits does his organization realize from this effort? Read on for Eric’s…
One of the keys to the improved performance of the Mariners that Jack shared is the focus on building a roster of engaged team members. Engaged employees are those that exert discretionary effort, are enthusiastic about their jobs, and their intend to stay with the organization. An increasing number of business leaders that I…
At our recent CEOtoCEO Breakfast speaker Jack Zduriencik, GM of the Mariners, was asked to share the secret to retaining Felix Hernandez the team’s Ace pitcher for the next five years. Jack modestly told us it was easy …. “What’s not to like about being paid $78 M for 5 years when you’re 23 years…