Thoughts & Insights

AdviceBoardroomSuccession

Board Succession Planning – 10 Winning Steps

By: Denise Kuprionis & Patricia Lenkov Quick, name the most important duty of a board of directors. Choosing the CEO? Monitoring and evaluating his performance? CEO succession planning? Setting strategy? Overseeing company performance? These are the key items that usually come to a director's mind when thinking about carrying-out her fiduciary responsibilities. However, there is another duty that is less…
Patricia Lenkov
May 10, 2016
CultureManagersWorkplace

Slacking at the Office: Managers Heed these Multi-Generational Nuances

There are many characteristics of work that are generation-dependent. For example, Baby Boomers came of age when the very concept of work meant an office, factory, or other physical locale. Communication was by telephone and meetings generally took place when everyone could participate from the same room. Today, while this may be familiar, it is no longer necessary or expected.…
Patricia Lenkov
January 25, 2016
BoardroomCultureLGBTQ+

Diversity 5.0 – LGBT in the Boardroom

The business case for diversity in the boardroom has been made time and again. Companies and organizations have slowly and sometimes painfully come to realize that their boards should be reflective of their stakeholders. And these stakeholders, whether they be investors, employees or customers, are unquestionably diverse in any of a variety of ways. The assertion for diversity in the…
Patricia Lenkov
January 5, 2016
PersuasionRisktaking

How to Improve Your Powers of Persuasion

As an executive recruiter, I am often asked about the skills that are most important to succeed. I always answer the same way: unequivocally, the ability to communicate both verbally and in writing is the key to success in your career and in life. Think about it—how does anyone accomplish anything in our highly interconnected and interdependent world? It is…
Patricia Lenkov
October 19, 2015
ActivistsBoardroomCultureRisktaking

Boards and Activists: It does not have to be a Collision

Given the activist investor climate these days, it may be surprising to recognize that activists have been around for decades. The quintessential example took place back in 1985 when Carl Icahn bought Trans World Airlines, then took it private and subsequently sold off its assets. Many claimed Icahn was responsible for the demise of this iconic American company. These days,…
Patricia Lenkov
July 30, 2015
AdviceBoardroomCulture

Undeniable Signs that Your Board May be Entrenched

In most boardrooms there is a delicate balance between long-serving directors, with their correspondent institutional knowledge and the fresh perspective that naturally comes with an infusion of new talent. The appropriate length of service for corporate board directors is being hotly debated these days. There is fervent focus on long serving directors. The reasons for this are multifaceted. According to…
Patricia Lenkov
July 22, 2015
Advisory BoardCulture

Advisory Boards – The When, Why and How

Pop quiz: what is the difference between a board of directors and an advisory board? If you are not sure of the answer, do not worry as you are in the majority. While corporate boards of directors are a newsworthy topic, boards of advisors are often overlooked. Globally, corporate boards serve as fodder for speculation, debate and often criticism.  As…
Patricia Lenkov
May 4, 2015
BoardroomDiversityWomen

Womenomics: 10 Reasons Why We Need More Women on Boards

1. Your stakeholders, including employees, investors and customers include women. How better to understand these constituencies than by representing them at the top of the organization? 2. Having women in the boardroom sends the message that the company is accessible, inclusive and open to innovation. This is very positive in the marketplace and motivating for employees. 3. Women represent (approximately)…
Patricia Lenkov
May 1, 2015

The Buck Stops Here. Let’s Begin.

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