The CEO Insomnia Factor
Getting Un-Stuck
Why do businesses, or projects, or business leaders get stuck from time to time? Much of my consulting practice seems to center around this issue. I’ve identified five reasons why companies get stuck in the first place.
Are Your Circuit Breakers about to BLOW?
CEOs must manage energy flows carefully to protect themselves and their companies against power surges that could blow their circuits. Circuit breakers blow for a reason – there’s something wrong or they wouldn’t have blown. But instead of sitting in the dark as the circuit blows, it’s better to be standing in front of the power panel.
Don’t Act Like a Panicked CEO!
There’s plenty for CEOs to worry about, but panic won’t help you or your employees. You may not be able to “fix” all the weakness in your ecosystem, but you most certainly can create backup plans and contingency plans that will mitigate the damage.
Are You On The Right Course?
Being on the right course is one of those things that can keep us CEOs awake at night. But unplugging every now and then can focus our minds on what aspects of what we do really make the biggest difference for the people around us.
Investing in Growth or Throwing Cash Away?
Having the cash to grow is usually the last prerequisite before implementation of the growth plan. But there are many other prerequisites that take longer than getting money. You need a proven, repeatable, scalable process that you’ve tested, that can produce predictable results.
Will I have the Money when I Need it?
Cash-starved CEOs need to know what motivates investors before they ask them for money. Fortunately, their motivations are simple to understand.
When You’re Using Other People’s Money
Investors are easy to understand. They don’t care about CEO’s dreams and plans in the broad sense. They just want what they want, and what they want is financial results. These are the questions to ask yourself before you ask for other people’s money.
The Wheels on the Bus Can Come Off
CEOs sometimes suffer from insomnia, worrying about the future of their companies. As the bus rolls along, are some of the wheels coming loose? While you’re lying awake at night, ask yourself these key questions.
Surprising Non-Performance by Executives
You should be able to rely on your top team members, but how do you know that the executives you’ve hired really are competent? Learn how to prevent last-minute surprises, and what could happen if you don’t.
The Illnesses that Plague Decision Making
How does your company make decisions? Is your top team afflicted by one of these four illnesses? Learn how to curb the infection and mitigate the damage.
Robert Sher is founding principal of CEO to CEO, a consulting firm of former chief executives that improves the leadership infrastructure of midsized companies seeking to accelerate their performance. He was chief executive of Bentley Publishing Group from 1984 to 2006 and steered the firm to become a leading player in its industry (decorative art publishing).