Learning, Life, Leadership … Your Own Personal Advisory Board

In business and in life the best-laid plans are not always within our control.  I’ve been super fortunate to work in a dynamic industry transforming global brands and developing talented high-performing teams.   During all of these assignments, I was often making strategic changes while managing day-to-day operations.  It’s tough to affect change when business is doing well! 

During my career I never had the benefit of a strong external executive peer group, coach or robust resource network, though I continually strove for improvement.  That’s why, after 30+ years as a senior executive with some of the world’s best known brands, I’m now proud to provide value to the San Diego C-Suite community through Vistage,the world’s leading business advisory and executive coaching organization.  Vistage member companies grow 2.2x faster than average U.S. businesses, delivering tangible business benefits for leaders that make professional development a priority. 

Learning the craft 

Like many of you, I worked my way up, learning the business, the industry and gaining new skills.  I took on many different roles at my first company.  As a leader, I learned that so much more could be achieved by empowering a team of ‘like minded’ individuals who could take pride of ownership and feel empowered to take calculated risks that generated profitable growth.  During my tenure, this retail company grew from 37 to 250 stores and went public.  

Living through transformation 

Then like many industries, factors beyond my direct control took place, and my life was disrupted.  My husband and father of our three young children was diagnosed with a fatal illness and died within a year.  I had no choice but to transform.  I took a leap of faith and accepted an executive position at another organization located in a new city with my kids in tow.  Immediately I saw that the company had lost it’s way and needed to re-focus – it was imperative that all decisions be made through the eyes of our customer. It was a successful strategy that ultimately reversed three consecutive years of negative profits within 18 months – all with the same team in place. 

Leading and inspiring  

My next 10 years of business experience coincided with a whirlwind of change, opportunity, challenge and growth in consumer-facing industries. During this time I led merchant teams, divisions and strategies at specialty and mass apparel companies, each with it’s unique set of challenges and opportunity.  I was charged with integrating retail store and on-line operations for a seamless customer experience at global brands, and for transforming a $2B+ division of the world’s largest retailer.  I found a recipe for success: understand the customer, set a clear vision, and ensure my team had the knowledge, ownership and power needed to make smart choices, and measure concrete outcomes. 

Your own personal Private Advisory Board 

Today I work with a group of amazing executives here in sunny San Diego.  My goals are to help CEOs and business leaders gain confidence, understand the power of delegation and what it means to truly empower teams to be fully engaged and committed to business success.  

Nearly every leader I know believes in the power of advisory groups. However, too many of them do not make the commitment and take advantage of the combined insights of their community.   

I warmly invite you (or someone in your network) to join our next session on Thursday, August 9, 2018 where you will:

1. Find out why executives regularly devote time to personal and professional growth – especially when business is going well 
2. Meet others that share similar challenges in a non-competitive and supportive environment
3. Learn about Vistage’s network of more than 22,000 expert leaders who can deliver tangible benefits to you and your business

It’s hard for me to believe that in a world where competition multiples over night, everyone who owns a P&L wouldn’t want a personal Think Tank. 

Interested in discussing more?  I’d love to talk to you about coaching, peer groups, my experience and facilitation style, and Vistage’s resources.  Please message me for more information.