Skills for today's board demands
Board requirements are changing. It used to be CEO clones and buddies were there to largely rubber-stamp decisions.
Today, whether serving on boards of publically traded companies facing regulatory and investor demands, or privately held businesses cognizant of governance and value creation imperatives, independent directors play a different role. Ed holds the NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) Directorship Certification®, and as a consultant, he has the skills and the perspective to understand these requirements.
Experience and Expertise
Ed's background and expertise position him to fill some of the critical gaps in expertise that Nomination & Governance Committees often uncover as they undertake a skills matrix analysis. He arrives ready to contribute in areas including:
- Thinks, writes & advises extensively on strategy - particularly around digital disruption, business model evolution & revenue growth, Internet of Things (IoT), Manufacturing 4.0, additive manufacturing (3D printing), sharing economy, and cloud based business models
- Global experience - Export Advisor to American Express; founded and owned a company in India; partnered with a German company in the US; experience in regions & markets around the world
- Digital & Social Media - consults with businesses on leveraging digital tools & social media platforms to build business - not just blabber
- Understands dynamic & passive risk - insightful perspective on lurking risks at intersection of business activities (e.g. FCPA & social media) as well as competitive, disruptive and opportunity cost risks of inaction
- Rapidly changing buyer expectations - building effective revenue growth strategies/tactics to match market expectations
- Creating value beyond EBITDA - creating process IP; strategic assets in data; find opportunities in disruption & business model evolution
- Talent management - as a former Airborne Ranger US Army Infantry Officer, instinctively understands the individual and organizational value of proactive professional development and succession planning
Other highlights include:
- experience in industrial manufacturing, security/defense and technology
- deep understanding of evolving requirements of sales channel
- disciplined and prepared
- Service Disabled Veteran
Professional Affiliations
- National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD)
- Association for Corporate Growth (ACG)
- International Executive Resource Group (IERG)
Business Cases - Independent Directors In Middle Market Industrial Manufacturing Firms
An Independent Director, Inertia, Tradition, and a Family Business Collide
Case Title: YOU ARE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF A FAMILY-DOMINATED COMPANY. AN OUTSIDE BOARD MEMBER IS PROVIDING A PERSPECTIVE YOU HOPED SHE WOULD PROVIDE….AND NOW THAT’S A PROBLEM.
Downloadable Case: Independent Director, Right Ideas, Wrong Fit?
Executive Overview: Robbins Industries recently brought an experience executive in to run the privately held middle market machinery company. The CEO agreed to take the role contingent on the board adding several critical skill sets via new independent directors. Now one of them is at loggerheads with long-time executives. How can this be resolved?
Recorded Discussion (video):
Subscription Models, Traditional Sales, Paralysis in Business Innovation
Case Title: THE BUSINESS STRATEGY THAT "GOT YOU HERE," IS DECAYING. AND THERE IS THAT NEW MODEL THAT COULD DESTROY YOUR BUSINESS…..
Downloadable Case: Changing Markets; Stagnant Strategy
Executive Overview: Sigma Industrial Technologies manufactures machinery used in the food processing industry. Rising generations of buyers are seeking integrated Product-as-a-Service (PAAS) solutions that integrate machines, support, and data analytics. Sigma's sales team resists selling subscription-type models, preferring traditional capital equipment sales approaches. And now the industry scuttlebutt is that prime competitor, FEI, is making the first move. Can the company change? Should they?
Recorded Discussion (audio): Listen here
The two case studies above were authored by Ed Marsh, an NACD Directorship™ Certified Independent Director, and presented in conjunction with Board Options, a retained search firm for independent directors run by Larry Stybel and Maryanne Peabody.
