Here’s a good post that isn’t necessarily about being a first time CEO – but it could apply.

It’s about getting it right as the CEO – the first time.  Because with more pressure on performance, there may not be a second time.

Here are the four tips for a CEO to get it right the first time:

First, “do only what the CEO can do”. I couldn’t agree more. CEO’s can’t and shouldn’t do it all – though many try – a classic first time CEO mistake. The job of the CEO is to lead, not do.

Second, treat your Board of Directors as a strategic partner. I like the advice here – remember how you would like to be treated by one of your divisions or business units. There is a level of engagement that you will want and feel comfortable with. Less than that level and who knows what your discomfort might lead to. Same for your Board of Directors.

Third, “align the culture behind a clear business strategy”. Huh?? I wasn’t sure what that meant either. Here’s the key point – vision and mission are nice but tapping informal interactions and networks is vital to rapid, lasting change and organizational buy-in.

Fourth, set the pace for change. Sign me up 100% for this one. If the CEO is dogging it, don’t look for rapid movement elsewhere in the organization. There is a balance though, between moving too fast, making mistakes and creating setbacks vs. moving too slowly and creating complacency. The CEO needs to get it right.

Bottom line from the post – the CEO needs to be strategic and a team player. Strategic because with so many pressures, defining direction and priorities isn’t straightforward. Team player because no one can do it themselves.

Good advice for the first time CEO or the CEO who needs to get it right the first time.

Jim Crocker, CEO of Boardroom Metrics has posted a YouTube video on tips for running an effective planning process.

Having watched many clients waste time and resources on planning that goes nowhere, Crocker’s tips are (once again) simple:

1. start early – planning for 2009 in February is a little late!
2. make planning a priority – there will always be more important things to focus on for the company that isn’t really committed to planning
3. planning is lead by senior management – the CEO in particular should have a clear perspective on what needs to be accomplished in the upcoming year and the key strategies for getting there – engaging the rest of the organization in the process is important but simply tossing planning to others in the organization never works
4. planning and budgeting are inextricably linked – which sounds obvious but gets overlooked – budgets should reflect the allocation of resources necessary to execute the planning priorities – if they don’t, then the plan priorities are just imaginary ideas for making something happen
5. follow-up to make sure the plan is working – too many organizations spend resources on planning then NEVER revisit the plan to measure accomplishments or check direction – which makes planning pretty much a complete waste of time

For people and organizations used to organized, well run planning processes, Crocker’s tips must seem overly simplistic. Unfortunately, they reflect reality – based on Crocker’s experience more companies fail at effective planning than succeed – usually because the simple approach required to execute properly is overlooked.

The video is posted here.

The Boardroom Metrics blog is here.

Jim Crocker, CEO of Boardroom Metrics has started posting some helpful insight on management and leadership on YouTube. His first post on this topic is describes the 5 key elements of the role of the CEO. According to Crocker, they are:

1. defining the vision for the organization
2. assembling (and leading, managing) the management team
3. leading the planning process
4. monitoring progress and reporting to stakeholders
5. articulating the vision to employees, customer, suppliers and investors to engage them in the success of the business.

Obviously, Crocker is simplifying for affect and brevity – the role seems much more complicated than that – but when you think about it, if more CEO’s stuck to what he’s suggesting, they might do a better job.

The YouTube video is here.