QUESTION: How to Leverage Quality Time with the CEO?
Dear Merry,
I am the VP of Human Resources at a company that just bought a new business in India. As part of the acquisition, I have been asked to travel to India with a small executive team including the CEO. I am nervous about being "on deck" with the CEO without my boss as a buffer. However, I d like to take advantage of the 15-hour flight time to discuss some of my ideas with him. I am planning on bringing a binder full of documents highlighting some of my most important project and metrics. What else can you suggest I review with the CEO during our flight together?
RESPONSE: Prepare, Relax and Enjoy!
Dear Executive,
This is wonderful exposure for you! This is an important opportunity for you to spend some quality time with the CEO, influence his thinking on matters that are important to you and establish a personal rapport.
Here are my suggestions:
- Do NOT Bring the Binder: Of course you should still be prepared to discuss your most important projects and metrics, however my experience is that CEOs do not want to go into the level of detail the binder represents.
- Instead decide which projects are most aligned with the CEO s strategic focus and be prepared to discuss in high-level concepts how your projects are impacting what the CEO cares about.
- Be prepared to deliver the "executive nugget". Boil it all down to how you are aligned with and supporting the 2006 strategic goals - rather than delving into intense detail.
- You Don t Need to Have Content Prepared for the Entire Flight. You will likely not have their audience for the full 15 hours. They will have other work to do and pressing issues to consider.
- Ask Your Boss for an Introduction: I suggest that you have a strategic talk with your boss and see if he or she would be willing to tee up a brief introduction of you to the CEO.
- I recommend that you prepare 3 bullets for your boss and ask if they would consider using them as an introduction.
- In these bullets talk about your current projects, the results you have achieved for the organization and where your boss sees you in the succession plan. This will give the CEO a quick read on you.
- The ideal scenario would be for your boss to share these highlights with the CEO in person and then email the bullets to the CEO as a follow-up.
- Do Some Research: Read what your company is saying about the CEO. If yours is a public company also read what analysts are saying about the CEO and the company. Be sure to Google the CEO to see what you can learn about him/her outside of work.
- Be Prepared to Ask Big Questions: CEOs love to talk about their business. So be prepared with some high-level questions. Some examples:
- What goals do you have at risk in 2006?
- Where do you see the company s biggest growth coming from in the future?
- Could you say more about the Indian company acquisition?
- New, Bright Ideas are Always Appreciated: Do you have a vision or new idea that you have been sharing with your boss that you would be comfortable sharing with your CEO as well? (Just be sure you ve discussed it with your boss first).
This is an amazing opportunity to gain exposure for your programs and projects. But, it is equally important that you use this time to develop a personal relationship with your CEO. Don t "try" too hard. Show up authentic. Be prepared to demonstrate subject matter expertise in your area of responsibility, demonstrate knowledge about the business, but most of all...enjoy yourself. What a great trip and opportunity!
Dare to Deliver!
Merry
Merry Marcus, President
www.breakthroughconsulting.com
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