January, 2009
Raffoni CEO Consulting Newsletter
Q4- 2008
 
Helping CEOs Take Their Companies to the Next Level
Quick Links

Check out our new: CEO Peer to Peer Report
 
 
Topic:  Managing within the Current Economic Conditions
 
As our CEO network shares information, where relevant, we will capture the peer learnings.  Our first issue was generated at the
Annual Retreat at The Wequassett Resort & Golf Club.  For more info: 
 
 
In This Issue
Noteworthy Client News
Peer Group Info
Strategic Planning
Sample Cases & Readings
Quick Links
 
Join Our Mailing List
Greetings!  
 
I am sending this newsletter to share information about our CEO network & services.  If you have any suggestions on how I might improve its value or content in upcoming issues, I welcome your input.
 
Based on feedback from many our of members, we will be working on documenting and sharing take-aways from best practice discussions to further promote peer to peer learning across groups. 
 
Understanding the inordinate amount of information available on the net, we will limit this content to relevant topics and/or CEO member interviews.   If there is a topic you feel would be useful to share, please let us know.  Our mission is to aid in improving your effectiveness as CEO and as a result positively impact the growth and performance of your business.

The first edition is accessible through the quicklink above.   It captures the take-aways  from our CEO Retreat discussion on Managing within the Current Economic Conditions. 

 
Thanks for your support,
Melissa
Noteworthy Client News
 
Chosen by his peers, Peter Bransfield, CEO, Rypos received the Raffoni CEO Consulting Group 3: "CEO of the Year" Award
 
Similarly, John Chuang, CEO, Aquent received the Raffoni CEO Consulting: Group 1: "CEO of the Year" Award
 
Honorable Mentions were given to Sal Lanuto, Former CEO, JJWild and Dick Hoyle, Former CEO, A.W. Chesterton for managing successful transitions.
 
 
Vinfen Corporation: received the Excellence in Outcomes Award from the Mental Health & Substance Abuse Corporations of Massachusetts (MHSACM) for contributions to the field of behavioral health quality and outcomes management.
 
Lilliputian Systems was featured in both the Wall Street Journal & Newsweek
www.lilliputiansystemsinc.com/news.php
 
ZeeVee: was named CES Innovations 2009 Design and Engineering Award Honoree
 
Innoveer: was named "One to Watch" in CRM Magazine's 2008 annual CRM Market Awards
 
Monotype Imaging: was recognized at the annual TDC² 2008 design competition held by the Type Directors Club of New York City
http://ir.monotypeimaging.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=305378
Peer Group Info
 
CEO Annual Retreat A Success!
 
On October 27th and 28th, over 90% of our CEO members attended our first overnight retreat at The Wequassett Resort on Cape Cod.  CEO members networked across groups and exchanged lessons learned, best practices and contacts.  For more information about the agenda and content check out our news section at: 
 
http://www.raffoniceoconsulting.com/news
 
Special thanks to Mike Dreese of Newbury Comics for preparing and presenting both an insightful and motivational key note presentation.
 
Recruiting & Membership
 
Currently, Group 2 and Group 3 are filled and closed to new members.
 
We are recruiting to fill 2 spots in Group 1.   

We are also recruiting to kick off a fourth group in 2009 to be run by Joe Mullen, Former CEO of Bottomline Technologies (Nasdaq: Epay).  We currently have a waitlist and are seeking 5 additional members who meet the selection criteria.  If you have an interest and/or potential candidate, please contact Melissa as soon as possible:
 
 
Strategic Planning
 
This quarter is a busy month for strategic planning.  With "the unknown" factor looming, contingency planning has become an important topic. 
 
Understanding that difficult decisions are tough to make and that timing is critical, many CEOs are documenting and reviewing 'triggers' with (or without) their management teams.  Agreement on triggers and recourse plans prior to the tough time can help CEOs and managers make more prudent and timely decisions.  Examples of triggers include:  "if cash drops below" or "revenue drops by X% over X number of months".

Sample of CEO Cases & Readings:
 
Sample case topics this quarter:
-Alternative financing strategies
-Annual plans
-Re-organization for growth
-Division turn-around plan
-Sales and marketing distribution strategy for  new product launch
-Competitive advertising strategy
-Improving organizational sales and business  development capability- phase 1
 
 
 
Raffoni CEO Consulting Services:
 
-Advanced CEO Peer Group Programs
-Strategic Planning and Mangement Facilitation
-CEO 1-1 Sessions
-Custom Management & Professional Skills Training
 
Happy New Year- Remember to spend your time on what matters most!
 
Melissa