The First Year as the CEO of a Company is an authoritative, insider's perspective on strategies for succeeding as a CEO in the first year at a new company. Featuring CEOs representing some of the top companies in the nation, this book provides best practices for gaining credibility, establishing expectations, and encouraging a culture of open communication all in the initial twelve months on the job. Aware that the departing CEO can serve as an invaluable resource to the incoming chief executive, the authors describe how to leverage this relationship for results, along with the other crucial introductions that must be made proactively. Driven by the demand for today's CEO to act quickly and concisely in this competitive business climate, the authors explain how to gauge the effectiveness of the current company strategy, obtain input from the management team, and present a vision that new colleagues will embrace. These authors walk through how to best become familiar with the new company's people, products, and practices. Underlining the opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to a company strategy, the authors explain how to examine and potentially discard the old way of doing things in favor of a more efficient method of achieving goals. The breadth of perspectives enable readers to get inside some of the leading executive minds of today, as they offer up their thoughts around the keys to assuming the role of the new CEO. Inside the Minds provides readers with proven business intelligence from C-Level executives (Chairman, CEO, CFO, CMO, Partner) from the world's most respected companies nationwide, rather than third-party accounts from unknown authors and analysts. Each chapter is a future-oriented look at where an industry, profession or topic is headed and the most important issues for the future. Through an exhaustive selection process, each author was chosen by the editorial board to author a chapter. Chapters Include: 1. Allan Einboden, Chief Executive Officer, Scott and White Health Plan - "Visionary Leadership" 2. Jeffrey Dailey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bristol West Holdings Inc. - "How to Make Your Vision Come Alive" 3. Laurence Boschetto, President and Chief Operating Officer, Draftfcb - "Melding Two Cultures: A Game Plan for Success" 4. Patricia S. Harrison, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Corporation for Public Broadcasting - "Using Solid Communication Skills to Assemble and Retain a Strong Team" 5. Morris Panner, Chief Executive Officer, OpenAir Inc. - "Building Trust and Profits: How a New CEO Can Transform a Company" 6. R. Scot Sellers, Chief Executive Officer, Archstone - "The Servant Leader: Inspiring Confidence by Listening to and Understanding Others" 7. Alan E. Lewis, Chairman, Grand Circle Corporation - "Moving the Business by Taking Charge of Change" 8. Susan N. Story, President and Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Power Company - "Achieving Success as a First-Year CEO through Vision, Passion, and Mission" 9. Ron Andrews, President and Chief Executive Officer, Clarient Inc. - "Establishing a Foundation for Sustainable Growth" 10. Norm Szydlowski, President and Chief Executive Officer, Colonial Pipeline Company - "Breaking Free from the Prison of Past Experience: Taking a Fresh Approach" 11. Karen Brooks Hopkins, President, Brooklyn Academy of Music - "Using Creativity and Collaboration to Build Unity and Accomplish Goals" 12. Justin Wender, President, Castle Harlan Inc. - "Exhibiting Vitality, Interest, and Understanding to Achieve Success" 13. John H. Weber, President and Chief Executive Officer, Remy International Inc. - "Know Your Facts and Stick to Your Knitting: Essential Ingredients for Success"