Advice from Activist Shareholder turned Director; Board & Sexual Predators

eBriefing

Volume 13, Number 38 • Nov. 13, 2017
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Featured Article


Making Peace With Activist Shareholders

Confessions, and advice, from a director who was once an activist.

By Jim Lawrence

Nelson Peltz. Third Point. Cevian Capital.

If you haven’t heard of any of these, it may mean that you do not own shares of Proctor & Gamble, Nestle or Ericsson, respectively. Because those three names — a billionaire and two hedge funds — took on those corporations in the demolition derby that is modern shareholder activism.

Once dismissed as mere disgruntled loudmouths, shareholder activists have long been portrayed as modern-day pirates, forcing loyal board members and management to walk the plank while they plunder vulnerable companies. They were rogues taking treasures that didn’t belong to them. But today’s activist investors want something different — something that may actually benefit companies. 

Directors & Boards Director Education Webinar Series


How to Navigate an Unexpected Board Director Departure
REPLAY >

The When and Why of Refreshing Your Board
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After the Election: Executive Comp, Audit, Risk and Governance Issues
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Navigating Successful Mergers & Acquisitions: What Directors Need to Know
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Best Practices

Company Predators and the Board's Role

By Stan Silverman

Recent news has been dominated by allegations of sexual harassment against high-profile individuals and against companies that tolerate a culture of sexual harassment within the entertainment and high-tech industries.

At Fox News, CEO Roger Ailes and popular “The O’Reilly Factor” host Bill O’Reilly were finally forced to step down by the board of parent company 21st Century Fox after persistent allegations of sexual harassment and financial settlements with their accusers. In the case of O’Reilly, the decision came after the loss of dozens of sponsors of “The O’Reilly Factor."

Travis Kalanick was forced to step down as CEO of Uber by major Uber investors, not the company's board, after allegations became public that a culture of sexual harassment was the norm within Uber, as well as other allegations of unethical and illegal conduct by the company.

Experts on corporate governance have to ask some important questions.

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Technology

Evolving CIO Role in the Digital Age

By Betsy Atkins

In my role with technology companies (which today means  all companies), I’ve seen a turbocharged evolution hit the role of the chief information officer. Just within the past 12-18 months, the role of the CIO has quickly been transformed. 

At Schneider Electric, our CIO stepped up to become our effective new chief digital transformation officer. At Volvo, our CIO reports to the new chief digital officer position. My other boards are likewise closely involved in seeking out the digital leadership we know will be needed.

To survive in the new business era, the company needs a digital transformation leader.

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Events

Family Business Generational Wealth

Feb. 7 - 9
Developing Wealth Strategies for the Family and the Business

Family Business Generational Wealth 2018, now in its second year, is the only wealth management conference for active family businesses and enterprises.

Family Business Generational Wealth, from Family Business magazine, is a different kind of wealth management conference, created by families for families, focused on real-world solutions to wealth management across generations, presented by family business executives and shareholders themselves.

This conference is ideal for:

  • Family business CEOs/Chairs/CFOs
  • Family trust directors and executives
  • Family business shareholders
  • Family council leaders and members
  • Family office leaders
More information is available here.
CLICK TO VIEW ALL EVENTS >>
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News

Women CEOs Didn't Expect to Be CEOs

Most women CEOs never thought they were going to become CEOs until they were encouraged to go down that path.

That’s one key finding from a just released study of serving female CEOs by Korn Ferry.

The study, which included 57 women from mainly Fortune 1000 companies and large privately held companies, was supported by a grant from The Rockefeller Foundation as part of their 100x25 initiative, with a mission to get at least 100 Fortune 500 women CEOs by 2025. (There have only been 94 Fortune 500 women CEOs.)

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