Companies and prioritising sales and operations over tech and marketing. It’s a wise strategy
How times have changed. Speaking with CEOs across the retail, consumer, leisure and even tech sectors, we’ve seen a distinct shift in priority towards getting core operational and commercial roles secured. Outside of high-growth companies, most simply do not have the money to invest in large data, tech or marketing projects. This may surprise some […]
How to get best out of headhunter when hiring for senior roles
Headhunters can be vitally helpful here in finding the best candidates, but executive search isn’t something you can just outsource, getting on with something else while you wait for them to come back with the perfect CFO, CMO, divisional head or indeed CEO. Like most services, executive search works best when you, the client, know […]
How to build better boards
On the one hand, sound governance provides vital protection from the risks that have befouled so many companies over the years. On the other hand, it’s an opportunity for executive directors to benefit from the experience, expertise, perspective and networks of non-execs, which can guide the business in often unexpected ways. Finding the right non-executive […]
The career ladder is broken for aspiring women CEOs. Here’s what we can do to fix it
I don’t meet many sexists these days, thankfully. Most CEOs and chairs are fully committed to equal career opportunities. They recognise that their companies will be stronger as a result. Unfortunately, this widespread belief in equality doesn’t always square with the outcomes. Statistically, the odds are stacked against women with ambitions to lead. A typical […]
Do co-CEOs really work?
In a corporate setting it’s rare for there not to be a single chief executive running the show, but not unheard of. Increasingly, we’re seeing prominent examples of co-CEOs, including Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters at Netflix, co-MDs Jane Eskriett and Richard Grainger at River Island, and M&S CEO Stuart Machin and co-CEO Katie Bickerstaffe. […]
Why we’re seeing more bounceback CEOs
If you went off the grid in 2010 and re-emerged to survey the cast of characters in today’s business pages, you might be forgiven for thinking that things hadn’t changed. Bob Iger is still the CEO of Disney. Julian Dunkerton runs Superdry, and Richard Bradbury is in charge of River Island. There’s Nittin Passi at […]
4 more people predictions for 2024
Two weeks ago we talked about people trends we expect to see this year, and their unintended consequences: the shift back towards office based rather than hybrid working, the use of AI to automate roles, and the increased use of equity as part of compensation packages. This week, we’re exploring four further developments we’re seeing […]
CEOs need reinvention, but do they know how?
The headline reading of PwC’s Global Annual CEO Survey 2024 is that leaders are leaning into radical change, in part because of the transformative effects of generative AI. No fewer than 45% said their business would no longer be viable in 10 years, if they didn’t change course. Reading between the lines, it’s hard to […]
‘Tis the season for reflection
What does Christmas mean to you? For Stevie Wonder, it had something to do with carol singers and mistletoe. Perhaps yours more closely resembles a maelstrom of wrapping, relatives and bad jokes. Perhaps it’s something you don’t get involved in. In any case, the holiday season (or, for retailers, the quieter period after the January […]
Why underrepresented entrepreneurs offer high-growth potential
Just 0.24% of venture capital money goes to Black founders and 0.02% goes to Black women founders. Eric Collins is on a mission to change this. Collins runs Impact X Capital Partners, a venture capital firm that believes in financial returns as well as social change and backs entrepreneurs looking to improve society and the […]
