12.05.2014

Architecting Your Culture

WHAT:  CEO Tools Workshop
WHEN: Tuesday January 13, 2015 
WHERE:  Cascade Designs

**New location:  The workshop will be held at Cascade Designs,The Board Room 2nd floor
3800 First Ave South, Seattle Washington 98134**

Culture eats strategy for breakfast--you've heard the phrase, but how can you actually make sure your strategy doesn't get eaten by culture?  This workshop will help you learn more about your company's culture and you will learn step-by-step actions you can take to put the culture your company needs in place.

Join us for our January Excell CEO Workshop, which features one of our region’s top experts in employee performance, Laura Hamill, PhD, President of the Paris Phoenix Group. Laura brings a wealth of experience in working with both large and small employers on measuring and improving employee engagement and performance.


LUNCH
All who are attending the morning session are invited to join us for lunch. Please let Dave Shapiro or Michele Bosworth know if you are not able to attend lunch.

MEMBERS
Members arrive at 7:30am for breakfast and check-in. Please RSVP to Michele Bosworth by January 1, 2015 if you will be bringing employee guests.

MEMBER CANDIDATES

There will be CEO Potential Member Candidates joining us for this workshop.
Potential Member Candidates are invited to the workshop and lunch; 8:50 am - 1:00 pm.

EMPLOYEE GUESTS

Employee Guests are invited to attend the workshop and lunch; 8:50 am - 1:00 pm.

HOST
Shawn Murray of Mallory Safety & Supply


WHERE WE WILL MEET 
Cascade Designs,The Board Room 2nd floor
3800 First Ave South
Seattle Washington 98134

Click HERE for Google directions




Click HERE to view a parking map


TITLE OF WORKSHOP 
Architecting Your Culture

AGENDA
Click HERE to view the Agenda.


QUESTIONS THE CEO SHOUD BE ASKING:
  • Is our culture the one we need to have to achieve our strategy?
  • How aligned are our values with our actual culture?
  • Are we being intentional about our culture?
TAKEAWAYS:
  • What is my role in architecting our company’s culture?
  • Do we have the culture we need?
  • What are some steps we can take to put the culture we need in place?

PRE-WORK: 
In preparation for the January session:

Bring your company’s values.  If you don’t have company values, come with at least 4 values that you think represent the most important norms, values, and beliefs of your company.

Bring a summary or picture of your business strategy (i.e., your plan for how you are going to achieve your business goals).

Be ready to discuss your answers to the following questions:
a.    Are these still the right values?  If not, why not?  If so, how do you know?
b.    Are the values aligned to and supportive of your strategy?
c.    Are your values clear?  Would a new employee be able to understand what your expectations are from reading them?
d.    Where do your company values “show up?” 
 on external website
 on intranet
 in hiring
 in company meetings
 in talent discussions (e.g., promotion, development, succession)
other?


Click HERE for a printable document of the pre-work.

PRESENTER: LAURA HAMILL

Laura Hamill, Ph.D., has 20 years of experience architecting and implementing research and assessment strategies in organizations. Laura owns Paris Phoenix Group, an organizational research and assessment consulting firm. Before starting her own company, Laura worked for Microsoft for over 8 years, primarily as the Director of People Research, a team of organizational researchers. 
Examples of Laura’s work include developing customized employee engagement and organizational culture assessments, implementing culture change approaches, creating strategic competency models for leaders, managers, and employees, creating approaches to ensure effective acquisition/integration, and conducting research to better understand employee perceptions of organizational strategy.  
Laura has a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology, and has led major strategy efforts for companies like Microsoft, GoDaddy, Concur, Avanade, and Limeade.
Laura Hamill, Ph. D.
Paris Phoenix Group
425.246.2937


  

11.12.2014

Work Your Business Plan

WHAT:  December CEO Retreat
WHEN: December 9, 2014
WHERE: Blue Hawk Consulting, Bellevue

December is our Members only ~ Work Your Business Plan CEO Retreat 

There is not a host for December- it is a shared Member expense

We will meet at Blue Hawk Consulting; 170 120th Avenue NE, Building E #204, Bellevue Washington 98005.

Click here for a map and driving directions. 



10.16.2014

What’s Your Story? Increase Your Market Impact and Grow Your Business

WHAT:  November CEO Roundtable
WHEN: Tuesday November 11, 2014
WHERE:  Core Design, Bellevue

Gaining a clearer understanding of the buying process and those who are involved will help your company tailor communication and interactions to be more effective in meeting the needs of potential clients and more effective at moving them through the sales process.
 
In November our topic will cover positioning and how to clearly and consistently articulate a company’s unique value proposition and brand promise to better communicate and interact with potential customers. 

Multiple messages and different value propositions create inconsistent understanding in the marketplace and a weaker story. Consistent communication of a unique value proposition helps you better convey your competitive advantage and increase effectiveness when selling, speeding growth of your customer base.


LUNCH
All who are attending the morning session are invited to join us for lunch. Please let Dave Shapiro or Michele Bosworth know if you are not able to attend lunch.

MEMBERS
Members arrive at 7:30am for breakfast and check-in. Please RSVP to Michele Bosworth by October 30, 2014 if you will be bringing employee guests.

MEMBER CANDIDATES
There will be CEO Potential Member Candidates joining us for this roundtable.
Potential Member Candidates are invited to the workshop and lunch; 8:50 am - 1:00 pm.

EMPLOYEE GUESTS
Employee Guests are invited to attend the roundtable and lunch; 8:50 am - 1:00 pm.

HOST
Lafe Hermansen of Core Design, Inc.

WHERE WE WILL MEET 
Core Design; 14711 NE 29th Place, #101, Bellevue WA 98007


Click HERE for a map and driving directions


TITLE OF WORKSHOP
What’s Your Story? Increase Your Market Impact and Grow Your Business

AGENDA
Click HERE to view the Agenda.


QUESTIONS THE CEO SHOULD BE ASKING
  • Does my company have a clear understanding of the target buyer, the process used to discover solutions, each buyer’s needs and potential barriers?
  • Is everyone in my company consistently and effectively communicating our company’s unique value proposition to prospective clients and current customers?
  • Are we clearly differentiating our products and services from our competitors and helping potential buyers understand why they should choose our products over competitors?
  • Do we have an effective plan for building customer loyalty and communicating and interacting with new customers?

TAKEAWAYS
  • Buyer Persona creation guide
  • Positioning assessment
    • Value Proposition and Brand Promise tools
  • An improved understanding of the purpose and role of a Market(ing) Plan in the sales process

PREPARATION

1. Survey your Executive/Management Team, also members of the marketing, sales, and customer service teams. Describe the company’s brand promise, its unique value proposition and a summary of your elevator pitch.
    • Goal: Test whether the message that you are giving to the market is consistent.

    • Template provided: Company Message and Value Proposition
      • It’s easiest to forward the template document to each individual then have someone compile the answers verbatim for your use in the November workshop.

2. Win/Loss Analysis:
    • Goal: Validate the perceived “truth” in the mind of your customer (which may not be what the sales person knows/tells you). Uncover process, knowledge and expertise that helps you win and makes you lose. Clarify which competitor you lose to and why.

    • Template provided: Win-Loss Analysis   
      •  Recommend completing at least one customer and one “lost opportunity” interview before November’s workshop.  You can have another executive complete this work, just not the sales manager or sales staff.


3. Understand your competitive landscape:
  • Goal: Leverage what you learn about your competition to improve your company’s positioning in the market.
  • Define your competition in the way that makes sense for your organization – by products/services, vertical markets, etc. Understand the competitive landscape relative to your company and your target markets – what types or categories of competition do you face, specific competitors, other competition such as status quo, other solutions, internal, etc.
  • Template provided: Competitive Landscape
    • Use the spreadsheet as a guide and to compile the information.  (A lot of this information can be found online with a little digging).
      • Have someone on your team, who is internet research savvy and can understand the type of information they are trying to find, do the research


    PRESENTERS

    Elizabeth Andreini

    As the President of Accelerate Marketing, LLC, Elizabeth Andreini, is the "secret weapon" CEOs turn to at key growth points when they need to transform marketing and product management to grow their customer base, increase revenue & scale their business. 
     In addition to providing experienced executive insight and guidance, Elizabeth often works as an interim CMO or VP to provide the hands-on leadership needed tore architect marketing and product management and improve execution from the inside.  

    Elizabeth Andreini, founder & president of Accelerate Marketing, LLC Accelerate Marketing, LLC
    206-769-3420 or elizabeth@accelerate-marketing.com
    www.accelerate-marketing.com
    Twitter: @acceler8mkting
    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethandreini


    Sue Sanford

    Sue Sanford is a marketing management and strategy consultant with skill and a penchant for developing high performing teams. In her 25 plus years in marketing, she has launched dozens of B2B programs for Microsoft and other high-growth companies, and successfully managed campaigns with budgets of every shape and size. With her background in the high-tech, startup, non-profit, and educational sectors, Sue is well-versed in translating values to customers clearly and with meaning. And with her deep empathy and passion for building relationships, she is an inspired, innovative marketer and team leader. 


    Sue Sanford, Principal Partner and Co-Founder, Upstart Group
    sue@upstartgroup.com or 425-503-2600
    www.upstartgroup.com
    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sanfordsue
    Twitter: @UpstartGroupSea, @UpstartGroup

    9.17.2014

    Leverage Your Distinctive Competence to Uncover Opportunities in the Ever-Changing Business Landscape

    WHAT:  October CEO Workshop
    WHEN: Tuesday October 14, 2014
    WHERE:  Umpqua Bank, Bellevue

    The location has changed to Umpqua Bank; 10885 NE 4th Street #100, Bellevue 98004

    Make your company more market driven, uncover new market opportunities before your competitors, enable your company to diversify into new markets, add new products or services and gain market share. 

    This workshop will provide you with a framework on how to identify potential market problems, use a company’s distinctive competence and knowledge of the competitive landscape to identify unmet market needs. 

    Prepare for evolving customer needs and gear up for new competitors entering your market with alternative solutions.  Join us in October to find out how new markets and new product offerings can position your company on a strong pathway to future growth.


    LUNCH
    All who are attending the morning session are invited to join us for lunch. Please let Dave Shapiro or Michele Bosworth know if you are not able to attend lunch.

    MEMBERS
    Members arrive at 7:30am for breakfast and check-in. Please RSVP to Michele Bosworth by October 1, 2014 if you will be bringing employee guests.

    MEMBER CANDIDATES
    There will be CEO Potential Member Candidates joining us for this workshop.
    Potential Member Candidates are invited to the workshop and lunch; 8:50 am - 1:00 pm.

    EMPLOYEE GUESTS
    Employee Guests are invited to attend the workshop and lunch; 8:50 am - 1:00 pm.

    HOST
    Tami Martin of Bluehawk Consulting

    WHERE WE WILL MEET 
    Umpqua Bank; 10885 NE 4th Street #100, Bellevue WA 98004
    The Commercial Banking conference room is located on the 2nd floor

    Parking:  There is parking in the building.  Enter the parking garage off 4th Street from either  the 108th entrance or the 110th entrance.  The conference is located on the 2nd floor.
    The doors will be locked, ring the doorbell to be let in.  


    Click HERE for a map and driving directions


    TITLE OF WORKSHOP
    Leverage Your Distinctive Competence to Uncover Opportunities in the Ever-Changing Business Landscape

    AGENDA
    Click HERE to view the Agenda.


    QUESTIONS THE CEO SHOULD BE ASKING

    • How can I increase my company’s competitive advantage? 
    •  How can I build a better pipeline for new and innovative offerings to my current customers and existing target market?
    • What opportunities should I pursue in other markets where I might have an advantage?

    TAKEAWAYS
    • Market Problems assessment process
    • Competitive Landscape & Win/Loss Analysis templates
    • Market Definition & Product Roadmap tools


    PREPARATION
    As a reminder, please set aside some time prior to the October CEO Workshop to have conversations with a few customers and/or prospects using The Strategic Interview Questions Template.

    This tool will help you gather information to better understand some of the business challenges your customers face and provide you with information to enable you to become more of a value-added partner.  Helping your customers be successful in their business, through providing services and products that meet their needs, will result in you becoming more successful in your business.

    During this conversation you will gain a better understanding of customers’ needs and wants so you can identify ways to respond proactively to their needs and wants and serve them better. This insight will help you identify ways to work in partnership with them to meet their future needs and distinguish you from other suppliers that take their order and only talk with them when there is something to be sold. The strategic insights about the market, the views of customers and prospects will be useful for you to keep in mind during the October workshop discussion.


    PRESENTERS

    Elizabeth Andreini

    As the President of Accelerate Marketing, LLC, Elizabeth Andreini, is the "secret weapon" CEOs turn to at key growth points when they need to transform marketing and product management to grow their customer base, increase revenue & scale their business. 
     In addition to providing experienced executive insight and guidance, Elizabeth often works as an interim CMO or VP to provide the hands-on leadership needed tore architect marketing and product management and improve execution from the inside.  

    Elizabeth Andreini, founder & president of Accelerate Marketing, LLC Accelerate Marketing, LLC
    206-769-3420 or elizabeth@accelerate-marketing.com
    www.accelerate-marketing.com
    Twitter: @acceler8mkting
    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethandreini


    Sue Sanford

    Sue Sanford is a marketing management and strategy consultant with skill and a penchant for developing high performing teams. In her 25 plus years in marketing, she has launched dozens of B2B programs for Microsoft and other high-growth companies, and successfully managed campaigns with budgets of every shape and size. With her background in the high-tech, startup, non-profit, and educational sectors, Sue is well-versed in translating values to customers clearly and with meaning. And with her deep empathy and passion for building relationships, she is an inspired, innovative marketer and team leader. 


    Sue Sanford, Principal Partner and Co-Founder, Upstart Group
    sue@upstartgroup.com or 425-503-2600
    www.upstartgroup.com
    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sanfordsue
    Twitter: @UpstartGroupSea, @UpstartGroup