Facing the challenge of a company failing on its own or due to its position in a troubled industry is the ultimate test of an executive. No corporate or social sector organization is exempt from periodically experiencing difficult situations --- situations that call for bold executive decision making. A manager inexperienced in managing through difficult circumstances is likely to make compromises, to take half-way measures, to avoid taking bold actions.
When it comes to successful turnarounds, nobody has a better batting average than Tom Epley. His stories of rescue, reversal, and results present a record of unparalleled success. His results were created largely through principles and techniques which are presented here and which have been proven to be effective (see Tom's Experience Base).
So lean on Epley's experience and expertise and techniques to gain the courage, confidence, and conviction to alleviate your concerns about making tough and bold decisions, all potentially outside of your own personal comfort zone! You can do this by:
- Reviewing the fundamentals summarized in the Categories Section
- Signing up to get the postings by email "get email updates"
- Reviewing each weeks' Post by Epley, presenting specifics or case studies on one of the Categories
- Submitting comments relating to either the Category or the weekly Posts; sharing experiences, asking questions about your problems, soliciting greater insight
The fundamental principles and techniques presented here are intended to help you address your individual management problems, provide a foundation for observing the decision making capabilities of others, and give you an opportunity to explore and debate your own and others' management issues.
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Management theory and education obviously both have their place, but in addition the experience of trials by fire creates a total package. That additional element is the foundation for Bold Exec.
- For MBAs and graduates, Bold Exec techniques will complement, not replicate, your educational experience.
- For first-time CEOs, apply these techniques to be bolder, clearer, and more confident in your management decision making and actions.
- For investors, owners, directors, board members, and venture/LBO partners, gain insight into the substance and specifics to use when challenging your underperforming CEO.
- For experienced CEOs, learn how to keep your outlook detached, skeptical, and questioning by beginning anew with a fresh point of view.
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"Although strategy is important, getting it reasonably correct is only one ingredient. Achieving the correct strategy wasnât the key to my success. Most companies perform poorly or fail not due to a strategy problem but rather from not making the bold decisions and taking the management actions necessary to fully capture the energy and skill sets and implementation capability of their organization". Tom Epley
Dear Tom, Congratulations on creating the Bold Exec blog. All of your bloggers will benefit greatly from your vast knowledge. Thanks for sharing it with us. Note: Tom and I serve on the Board of Visitors at the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA.
Betsy Wood Knapp
Chair, Kreido Biofuels, Inc.
Posted by: Betsy Wood Knapp | March 08, 2007 at 01:00 PM