CEO Advisory

In a rapidly evolving business landscape, the role of technology has become pivotal in steering companies toward growth and success. Reflecting on 2023, at AlphaGraphics, our single biggest focus was the use of customer relationship management (CRM) tools. These tools were not just about managing relationships; they empowered us to...

“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” —F. Scott Fitzgerald  The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines opposable as: Capable of being opposed or resisted Capable of being placed against one or more of...

When I spoke with Sam Reese, currently CEO of Vistage Worldwide, it had been a decade since he miserably flunked retirement. “I thought, yeah, I’m somebody who can step away and feel like I’d accomplished a lot.” he told me. After fifteen years at the helm of Miller Heimann, the sales...

Every element of a portfolio company’s success is determined by its most valuable asset – people.  The C-suite assumes a critical role in propelling growth and laying the bedrock for organizational success through driving innovation, utilizing technology to deliver results, developing a strong customer experience, and competitive differentiation.  As the...

Microsoft has regained its position as the world's most valuable publicly traded company after lagging behind Apple for the past decade. On Friday, Microsoft's stock (MSFT) closed at $388.47 a share, giving it a market capitalization of $2.89 trillion, while Apple's stock (AAPL) closed at $185.92 a share, with a...

Corporate leaders are reevaluating their stance on AI, transitioning from skepticism to recognizing its necessity in business processes. A notable challenge is the integration of AI into corporate culture and operations, as evidenced by a survey showing only 9% of companies have an AI vision statement. The key to bridging...

MBWA - Managing by Walking Around: In 1982, management consultants Tom Peters and Robert H. Waterman wrote a breakthrough book, In Search of Excellence. Peters and Waterman advocated for a management style called MBWA (Managing By Walking Around) in that book.  Anastasia Belyh, co-founder of cleverism.com, describes MBWA as: The theory is both...

The COVID-19 pandemic forced many companies to rapidly transition to remote work. While remote work offers many advantages like flexibility and work-life balance, making it effective requires intention and thoughtfulness, especially about how our actions and choices impact others. As Jessica “JJ” Reeder, Director of Remote Organizational Effectiveness at Upwork,...

Despite the rise of chatbots and automated systems, customers markedly prefer human interaction. By offering a human touch, companies can foster customer loyalty and repeat business and build a stronger brand reputation. This human-centric approach is a step toward mending the disconnection spawned by the digital age. Our world has...

We are all living through history. While we’re products of the past, we’re also the makers of the future. Whether through responsibility, vision, sacrifice, or other traits, we must hone the leadership qualities that will shape the businesses — and the society — we need today and into the future....