The Academy for Chief Executives : News

"I have no doubt at all that my membership has more than paid for itself many times over."

04 Dec 2008 09:00:00 +0100

Mark Robinson is Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Power Components (APC), an AIM-listed distributor of specialist Electronic Components. He was recently one of the South East Regional Finalists in The Sunday Times Bank of Scotland Entrepreneur Challenge 2008.

Key Account Management and Customer Retention

03 Dec 2008 09:00:00 +0100

At a recent meeting, one of the CEO members wanted to explore ideas on customer retention (having just lost a significant business customer). The ideas generated included:

DEC 08: "Generating Cash" - Roger Parry

03 Dec 2008 09:00:00 +0100

To grow in value, a company must sweat its assets to get the best out of them and generate cash. It is a Chief Executive's role to ensure that all managers are focused on this: overheads have to be squeezed, and capital investment kept to a minimum. (Duration 4:58)

The lot of a boss can be a lonely one ...

28 Nov 2008 09:00:00 +0100

The lot of a boss can be a lonely one but The Academy for Chief Executives provides a regular forum for company heads to meet and share problems and ideas. David Elliott of Ulster Business went along to one of their meetings to find out how being able to emphathise with peers is helping some of Northern Ireland's most progressive bosses thrive ...

Speaker Showcase - Monday 17th November 2008

27 Nov 2008 09:00:00 +0100

What a brilliant day Monday 17th was. Michael and John did a great job of keeping it all in check and the networking was invaluable, both with chairs and with other speakers. Thanks from me to everyone involved with organising it. I write though for a reason. I made several observations during the day just a couple of which I will write about here. I should say that I bring up both subjects out of respect to all who attended and with the understanding that these are my observations and not necessarily shared by any other speakers or chairs.

TuneIN - Winter 2008

21 Nov 2008 09:00:00 +0100

Welcome to the Winter edition of TuneIN. In this issue, don't miss the opportunity to hear from our founder, Brian Chernett, on how to stay positive when surrounded by negative news. We also hear from a member whose business has been affected in a good way by the current economic climate, and from another member whose most recent sustainability project will bring huge savings over the coming years.

How building a rapport with a horse can make you a better leader

20 Nov 2008 09:00:00 +0100

If you have ever wondered how to improve your ability to communicate with people in your team, then consider doing what my Academy group did last week and try communicating with a horse.

The Turn Round Specialist

20 Nov 2008 09:00:00 +0100

Sometimes sport can demonstrate the best (and worst) aspects of leadership and management. Some of you may know of my love for cricket but, on this occasion, it is football that has attracted my attention and a team that is showing signs of turning a bad season around – though there is still a long way to go.

Continuous Learning at the Speaker Showcase

19 Nov 2008 09:00:00 +0100

Barnsdale Hall Hotel in Rutland provided the venue for a very different Academy Speaker Showcase this week. The format of the day grew out of feedback from The Academy's existing speaker community – Director of Speaker Development, Phil Jesson commented,

"It's not just about the bottom line - membership affects you as a person"

19 Nov 2008 09:00:00 +0100

Joe Turnbull, Managing Director of WBS Group, has been a member of Academy Group 11 since July 2007. He joined following the recommendation of a networking contact, "It seemed as if my business had gone from zero to sixty in 5 seconds!" Joe continues, "I realised I needed to invest in some personal development. My background in consultancy had given me an insight into many different businesses, but the reality is quite different when it's your own business. You need external input."

Commercially Green: NG Bailey Builds Now, for the Future

18 Nov 2008 09:00:00 +0100

Frank Taaffe, Business Director of Bailey Rail and Academy Group 42 member, recently delivered a fascinating presentation to his fellow group members on the design and build of Solais House, NG Bailey's new Scottish HQ.

Employment Angles from Ken Allison: Christmas Cheer!

17 Nov 2008 09:00:00 +0100

Recent research carried amongst 5000 employers showed that 80% had received grievances as a result of behaviour at Christmas parties. It would be a mistake to write this off as a large company phenomena, as the majority of respondents to the survey were probably from the SME sector (Peninsula Business Services, 2006).