Boardrooms' Best

Host: Nancy May, President and CEO, BoardBench CompaniesGuest: Nick Williams, CEO, The Inspirational Learning Company, Ltd. UKIn recent months, we’ve all faced challenges that previous generations would never have imagined. In doing so, we discovered new ways to lead. Although we’ve drafted new roadmaps, some led to places with solid footings, others not so much. Many of us also found opportunities to reassess our own personal and professional vulnerabilities. As such, one can expect that new leaders will arise from some unexpected places. In this episode, Nick Williams and I discuss where some of these leaders have already started to show up. It will be up to us to adjust our understandings of who we want to follow in the future and why.Nick Williams:Nick has spent over three decades exploring the themes of inspiration, leadership, courage, and what makes a natural leader, through thousands of conversations with people, many of whom hired him. He evolved from an IT sal

Host: Nancy May, President and CEO, BoardBench CompaniesGuest: Jim Estill, CEO, Danby Appliances, and director emeritus Research in Motion/Blackberry, and multi-board director of public and private companies. In this episode my guest, Jim Estill and I discuss how innovators can successfully utilize their talents in the boardroom. You’ll learn the differences among directors who lead, who advise, and who direct, and when to correctly apply each skill at key moments in a company’s history. You’ll also hear when and how good boards provide value and when others become ball and chains. Jim has led good companies over some incredibly bumpy roads, and also known when was the right time to get out of the way. Knowing how to do this well is a talent that few have perfected. Jim Estill and I cover these points and a lot of other ground in this next show. Our conversation should give you new insights into the early warning signs about when directors may be losing their edge.Jim Estill is C

Host: Nancy May, President and CEO, BoardBench CompaniesGuest: Terri Kelly, President and CEO, Emeritus W.L. Gore & Associates (“Gore”). She is a member of the Board of Director of Nemours, and United Rentals, and a Supervisory Director of ASML based in Veldhoven, Netherlands, and others. Ah, the culture of a company. It flows down from the top by example and with actions that stick to strong principles. It takes root slowly, and becomes that something that feeds employees’ drive, loyalty, and enthusiasm. It can sustain a company through tough events. Few CEOs and Boards can define it, yet all employees see it and feel it. A strong culture can also unravel in a flash, by the rash actions of just a few.In this episode I discuss culture as one of the most important assets to a company, yet one of the least understood by the board, and mostly unappreciated by investors. What are the characteristics of good culture in the boardroom?How do you build values to be proud of

Host: Nancy May, President and CEO, BoardBench CompaniesGuest: Larry Bossidy, Chairman emeritus Honeywell International, AlliedSignal, and director at GE, JP Morgan Chase, Merck & Co., Berkshire HIlls Bancorp and others. In this podcast, I speak with the world- famous Larry Bossidy, former CEO and Chairman of the $24 billion diversified technology company Honeywell International, which merged with Allied Signal. Larry is director emeritus of JP Morgan Chase and Merck & Co, The Business Roundtable and is active with many other high-growth and innovative companies today. A respected leader throughout his career at the helm and in boardrooms, Larry and I discuss the practical side of boardroom operations, some of which are often overlooked.  There may be surprises here, too, as he reveals some of his personal side and current interests. This will touch on his involvement with the Peace Love organization, which deals with teen suicide. Larry Bossidy is chairman and

Host: Nancy May, President and CEO, BoardBench CompaniesGuest: John S. Griswald, Founder & Senior Advisor, Emeritus, CommonFound Institute emeritus.Senior Consultant, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (ABG)Universities, large trusts, and foundations are better able to fulfill their responsibilities under the leadership of strong, competent boards. Critical to these organizations’ continued sustainability are the skills, values, and financial competence of those who serve on these boards.Far too many institutions, large or small, rely on the criterion; "who can write a check" in their director selection process. Exceptional universities, healthcare groups, trusts and foundations know that having the strength, competency, and constitution to make the right financial decisions is what keeps the doors open…and more! Learn more about how the smart boardrooms of prominent institutions lead in this podcast with Nancy May and John Griswold.  John S. Griswol

Host: Nancy May, President and CEO, BoardBench CompaniesGuest: Andrea Gordon, JDHave you ever thought that you could write a modern day crime novel based on what you’ve seen, with your own eyes, as a public company director? Or, like so many others, do you simply deny that “questionable” events ever occurred or dread whether they will ever come to light? Real life boardroom mysteries are unraveling in the world now, as you’ll hear in this next episode of the Boardrooms’ Best. My guest, Andrea Gordon, and I will reveal and discuss some real life board-based situations that would seem improbable but are being played out right now. We’ll dive deeper into some of the things that could be happening right under your nose, and how they might be examined by others through the lens of the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act.  Listen in as we unveil real-life director experiences involving murder, mystery, intrigue, and hopelessly entangled situations that even involve well-known celebr

Host: Nancy May, President and CEO, BoardBench CompaniesGuest: Perry GranofShow: Part 2 of 2There’s so much more than what you might expect is need to ensure that you, a director of a Public, Private, PE/VC, family-owned, or not-for-profit firm, are properly protected, right up until the end game. In this show you’ll learn how to access indispensable resources, some simply right at your fingertips! In addition:Have you heard of the risks associated with GDPR exposures? No? Are you among those who haven’t taken any action on this front? You may be in good company as more than 50% of companies haven’t done so either. But the risks may be more than you might imagine: international penalties could be as much as 4% of your company’s annual revenues! As for Non-Profits, even having the best intentions could impact your wallet. NFP issues are often more sensitive, emotional, and personal, and the desire for some to “teach directors a lesson” could come to hit you, in

Host: Nancy May, President and CEO, BoardBench CompaniesGuest: Perry GranofShow: Part 1 of 2New directors, typically, have the best intentions to do what’s right in their roles as directors. Despite good intentions, things sometimes happen beyond anyone’s control.  Your duties as a board member, whether they be on a public, private, family-owned, venture-backed, investment fund, or not-for-profit board, can vary widely. Regardless, at a base level, your main responsibility is to ensure that the entity that hired you remains financially healthy and able to serve its articulated purposes. Doing this requires organizations to determine and understand the risks they face, and to manage them properly through sound controls, practices, and/or cost-effective insurance coverage. Prudent directors tend to apply these considerations to their own personal and professional welfare, too.In this first of a two-part series, Nancy May and Perry Granof , discuss the basics that eve

Host: Nancy May, President and CEO, BoardBench CompaniesGuest: Dr. Martha RogersIn this episode, Nancy May and Dr. Martha Rogers discuss how trust can make or break a company. Most board members would say that building trust is part of their responsibilities, yet how many really understand the economic consequences of lost trust, until it’s too late. Learn how gaining and keeping trust, combined with honest and transparent execution should form the backbone of your corporate strategy. Ms. Rodgers focuses in on how trust should be at the core of how boards, audit committees, and CFOs lead.Dr. Martha Rogers is known as one of the world’s most influential customer experience leaders.  Her counsel and insights are sought by top corporate executives trying to crack the code on customer measurement and value, trust, innovation, and the effect emerging technologies will have on their companies and industries.She has published nine international best-sellers in 18 languages with her

Host: Nancy May, President and CEO, BoardBench CompaniesGuest: Kevin Silva, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer, Voya Financial,Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and member of the Board, New York Institute of Technology  Companies that build their backbones on wisdom, judgment and character and use them to conduct their business seem to be the ones able to come out on top in any fray. Doing what’s right doesn’t happen by accident, but doing so consistently needs the right talent at the top and in the boardroom.  Learn the five key elements needed to get the right talent boards need to keep their companies at peak performance.  Kevin Silva is Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources officer for Voya Financial®, responsible for Human Resources, Corporate Responsibility and Voya Foundation. In this role, Silva directs a strategy aimed at building the organization’s human capital by attracting, retaining and developing world-class employees

Host: Nancy May, President and CEO, BoardBench CompaniesGuest: Ray Lamontagne, Chairman of the Board, The Hole In The Wall Gang Fund, Inc.Leading, from the start of an idea through to building an international phenomenon, takes vision, persistence, and some keen skills. When it’s a not-for-profit vision, building from the ground up, with volunteers, is far more challenging, and takes greater strength and talent.  The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was the vision of Paul Newman, who, with the adept leadership of Ray Lamontagne, was able to create and expand it into a great success.  Working with such a celebrity has its advantages, yet there were still bumps along the road, and never any guarantees of success. Ray Lamontagne, Chairman of the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp and I discuss, the ups, downs, head spinning successes, and visions for what’s to come for this world-famous mission-driven organization. He and the entire staff have done much to touch the lives of ill ch

Independent Directors can keep relevant, by integrating their thinking across multiple industries, thus contributing more than the average board member. Host: Nancy May, CEO, BoardBench CompaniesGuest: Michael J. Critelli, Board Member, Eaton Corporation; Director Emeritus, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals; Former CEO and Chairman, Pitney Bowes.In this episode, Nancy May speaks with Mike Critelli, corporate director and former CEO of one of the most recognized Fortune 500 companies, about how he and his board peers bring out the best from the company leaders they oversee.Learn more about his inside perspectives on:How good directors build their voices in the boardroom by aligning better with the company, its employees, customers and investorsUnderstanding when to best challenge the convictions of a CEOsUnderstanding and predicting the impacts of disruptionHow to keep your “hands on the steering wheel” and not become a “problem” directorUnderstand that even the best intentions can go astrayThe challen

The implications of Quantum Computing can make or break you in the boardroom and beyond!Host: Nancy May, CEO, BoardBench CompaniesGuest: Dr. Mark Jackson, Scientific Lead, Cambridge Quantum ComputingMost boards try to cover their butts by bringing a tech guru onto their board. But did you know that having an up-to-date understanding of technology and computing not be enough?  Blockchains can be broken and may themselves become a thing of the past in just a few short years. The new sheriffs in Tech Town are physicists! That’s right physicists!  Worse, it’s almost certain that they are not part of the strategic team. Listen up as Dr. Mark Jackson brings forward what this all means to the future of corporations.Dr. Mark Jackson received his Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics from Columbia University. He then spent 10 years researching super string theory and cosmology, co-authoring almost 40 technical articles. To promote the public understanding of science, he founded

Countdown to an IPO - Learn about the groundwork that set this company on its fast moving trajectory.Host: Nancy May, CEO, BoardBench CompaniesGuest: Keith Krach, Chairman, DocuSignEver wonder why your company lags instead of leads? CEOs get jammed into traditional molds by boards that have gotten too comfortable with the same old or become overly protective. Breaking out of that mold and building new markets requires adopting proactive thinking and getting everyone to boldly go forth. Keith Krach, Chairman of DocuSign, and co-Founder of Ariba, and I discuss what it takes to become a market leader.  He lays out his playbook that built a $1.3 trillion e-commerce network business. How does one repeat that success and continue to be a market innovator? Tune in, listen well, you may well be surprised.  Here's a bit more biographical information about Keith's success as an entrepreneur and in his role as Chairman of DocuSign.Keith Krach is a Silicon Valley veteran, bes

Host: Nancy May, CEO, The BoardBench CompaniesGuests: Cynthia DiBartolo, CEO, Tigress Financial.One of the leading women-owned independent financial firms on the Street!In this episode we tackle the issues surrounding joining the board of a Chinese publicly traded company.  Not all public boards are “created equal.” Many wannabe directors, and even seasoned directors, are courted by these companies. You need to take a deeper dive into, and understand what you’re signing up for. Young Chinese IPOs and more mature companies, have different challenges, and unforeseen issues. Your ride can get rough within a matter of hours, or even minutes!Then, there’s the issue of diversity. As the CEO of Tigress Financial, Cynthia DiBartolo shares her frustration with the loss of women in the financial markets.  For example, it’s noted that between 2000 and 2010, 140,000 women left the big Wall Street firms. On the other side of the fence, 389,000 men came into new jobs w

The CEO's CYA. . or bust! Who’s got your back? Host: Nancy May, CEO, the BoardBench CompaniesGuests: Henry Morgenbesser and Michael KatzkeHow much CEOs get paid is often an easy hit for news outlets and for stirring up outrage. But have you ever wondered how those CEOs were able to get what they wanted? As a corporate director, how would you feel if your CEO got expert help when looking for what they thought they deserved from the board? Emotions may run high in the discussions, but wouldn’t you rather walk into a starting salary negotiation properly prepared and advised?  On the other side, if you’re intent on leaving your position for another CXO spot , you might be worth more than you realize. How do you quantify and justify your value so you can jump into your next post with confidence that you’ll be compensated properly for your contributions? I discuss these points, and some interesting examples, with Henry Morgenbesser and Michael Katzke, the guys CEOs and C

The Ups And Downs of Being a High-Flying CEO/Founder.Host: Nancy May, CEO, BoardBench CompaniesGuest: Mark Herschberg, the White Knight VC investor, tech/cyber expert and director.  Have you ever seen a CEO/ founder lose control of the company that he/she started to outside investors? How often do you see pre-IPO and new public company boards fall on their faces? Or see directors paralyzed by cyber-attacks and other disasters?  In this episode of the Boardrooms’ Best, you’ll get the inside scoop on how founders can set a more solid foundation, attract benevolent investor-partners, and deal with issues like cyber-mania with a steady hand and greater balance.  Learn:How to "test drive" your prospective investor.How not to lose control, if that's important to you.Why switching-out directors can be important.How to think about your CEO/founder contract.How to think differently about cyber-risks.To better understand the purpose of your business.Need to build greater strength in y

How Boards Can Lead with Values that Build Trust.Host: Nancy May, CEO, BoardBench CompaniesGuest: General Tom KolditzFrom a very early age, we all get lessons and see examples of what’s right and wrong. These lessons stick with and follow each of us to very different degrees.  Which may explain why some corporate board directors and CEOs make otherwise puzzling, but very poor decisions for themselves and their companies.Leading from the point of trust takes time and consistently applied effort. When done well, investors, employees, and customers will follow and support you, even through the darkest of times.  Learn how trust has taken some through extreme life and death battlefield crises.  Listen to how such knowledge can be applied to corporate leadership.Learn whether:Bad leaders can really succeed by leading with the balance sheet alone You can build a “bank” of trust and how to do itYou can still build trust while moving through grave uncertainty Wea

Rogue Busters: Who Ya Gonna Call?When directors get blindsided, their first instinct is to call in outside counsel. While that sometimes works, you need the right inside person to ride to the rescue! Learn from one of the best turnaround General Counsels, Ken Handal, who's cleaned up challenging environments and led companies back onto the straight and narrow.Your Host: Nancy May and Guest: Kenneth Handal -- Trusted Turnaround General Counsel.Lessons for Boards, CEOs, and high-profile leaders willing to challenge themselves and their companies to reach new levels of excellence. www.boardbench.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How to lead when the going gets tough. Many directors talk tough, but when things get rough, some start to focus, while others fall apart. Steering a company over the rapids takes courage!  Join your host Nancy May and Karyn Barsa as they dissect just how to test, challenge, and focus leaders, directors, and investors on the issues at hand without triggering anxieties, resentment, and treachery.   Host: Nancy May, and Show Guest: Karyn Barsa, Public Company Director and retail CEO leader.Lessons for Boards, CEOs, and high-profile leaders willing to challenge themselves and their companies to reach new levels of excellence. BoardBench.com.http://boardbench.com/index.php/news-insight-new/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.