Executive Coaching

“CMG has a proven track record of high-level engagement with our senior executives, CEOs and other C-Suite members, built on trust, expertise and a broad network. Colleen brings strategic vision and deep understanding of the playing field, resulting in meaningful global market positioning.”

Caroline Wouters, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Wolters Kluwer

EXECUTIVE COACHING

Whether testifying before a Congressional Committee, reporting earnings on CNBC or responding to questions at an internal Town Hall meeting, senior management provide the "voice" and the "face" of the company. Ensuring that the executives' story is relevant and credible to the intended audience and enhancing their ability to communicate the message are critical factors for leadership success.

  • LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS

    A critical component to successfully lead an organization - particularly through times of transformation - lies in the Executive's ability to motivate employees. To positively impact the internal communications cascade, the Executive must hone his/her ability to engage employees with an authentic, credible demeanor during various internal encounters, whether Town Hall settings or more informal encounters. Employees are always listening to what the Executive says by how s/he says it. To refine effective leadership communications strategies and skills, the Workshop is customized to reflect the objectives and needs of the Executive.

  • MESSAGE STRATEGY & MAPPING

    The competitive, sophisticated business environment demands that positioning and messaging around the issue, product or company is strategic, consistent and executed in a persuasive manner. Colleen M. Growe and her team offer expertise across a range of industries that enables executives to develop a relevant story strategy and actionable message flow customized for their particular audiences.

    During a custom-designed Message Strategy Workshop, executives are equipped to:
    • Map out compelling and credible messages for their product or issue
    • Customize the messages into a logical and natural story flow
    • Anticipate potentially difficult issues that might arise and prepare appropriate responses
    The session may be organized one-on-one or as a Group Communications Workshop and may be combined with a Strategic Positioning or Message Mapping Workshop.

  • ISSUES MANAGEMENT

    Whether in response to a network news program expose of a product recall, a request by a community advocacy organization to discuss drug pricing or the feedback generated in the workforce by an employee discrimination charge, CMG brings over twenty years experience of Issues Management expertise to mitigate the "communication noise" that can impact your business.

    A proactive message development strategy focuses on content as well as delivery techniques that enable executives to most persuasively communicate to specific audiences. Special attention is paid to customizing responses to potential "hot button" issues for particular audiences, which are mapped out to ensure that a proactive response is possible within crisis settings.

    Sessions may be organized one-on-one or as a Group session and may be conducted via phone, teleconference or in-person. The sessions may be combined with a Communications Workshop to provide practice in delivering key messages.

  • MEDIA STRATEGY & SKILLS

    During a custom designed Media Strategy & Skills Workshop, the executive is prepared to:
    • Deliver key messages during taped and live broadcast interviews as well as encounters with print and wire service reporters
    • Interact with the media on a daily basis, particularly during phone conversations when impromptu interactions are often required
    • Anticipate problematic issues, map out appropriate responses and pressure test the credibility of the messages through simulated interviews
    Various interview settings that the executive is likely to encounter are simulated and videotaped so that s/he becomes comfortable with the technical requirements of in-studio interviews and to provide an opportunity for videotape playback. The executive's performance is evaluated with intensive feedback on message delivery, demeanor and overall effectiveness.

    The session may be organized one-on-one or as a Group Communications Workshop and may be combined with a Strategic Positioning or Message Mapping Workshop.

  • SPEAKER READINESS

    During a customized Speaker Readiness session, the executive is prepared to deliver a presentation before a range of audiences making use of a variety of support materials. In addition, they learn the value of preparing key message points that may be communicated in a variety of speaking situations, including formal speeches, small group meetings with Q&A and impromptu conversations. The Workshop focuses on:
    • Anticipating the Audience Demand
    • Creating an Agenda
    • Mapping the Story
    • Preparing for Difficult Questions
    • Organizing Speaking Points
    • Managing Questions
    • Utilizing Support Materials
    Various speaker situations - such as a podium presentation before a large group, TelePrompTer setting or a tabletop presentation before a smaller group - are simulated. Each scenario is videotaped so that, via playback, extensive feedback enables the participant to identify strengths and weaknesses in his or her speaking style.

    Special emphasis is placed on customizing the content of the presentation to effectively communicate with the intended audience, e.g., financial analysts, employees or customers. In addition, the Workshop focuses on mastering the Q&A process that typically follows (or is part of) the presentation.
    The session may be organized one-on-one or as a Group Communications Workshop and may be combined with a Strategic Positioning or Message Mapping Workshop.

  • INVESTOR PREPARATION

    During an intensive preparation process, the executive enhances her/his ability to deliver an effective and compelling investment thesis to institutional and venture capital investors and buy-side and sell-side analysts. The executive is prepared to deliver her/his presentation within the time constraints imposed by the particular encounter, e.g., Road Show, IPO Pitch, Quarterly Earnings, etc.

    In addition, the executive learns the value of managing key messages and support materials in a variety of speaking situations including large group presentations at a podium supported by PowerPoint and one-on-one meetings with tabletop flip charts (often interspersed with Q&A).

    The session may be organized one-on-one or as a Group Communications Workshop and may be combined with a Strategic Positioning or Message Mapping Workshop.

  • EXECUTIVE ENGAGEMENT

    To help enhance the communications abilities of their direct reports, C-Suite executives enlist the expertise of CMG. "I have really smart people but they provide too much detail and it's generally not organized in order of priority - that ends up taking too much of my time," is a common lament.

    The Executive Engagement Workshop focuses on the encounters participants might have with busy executives. Through a fast-paced, interactive session, participants develop the strategy and skills to use every executive encounter as an opportunity to more effectively communicate and advance their agenda. During an interactive session, participants prepare their "intention map" and, through a simulated encounter, enhance their ability to deliver messages and manage challenging questions in a high-pressure environment.

    The session may be organized one-on-one or as a Group Communications Workshop and may be combined with a Strategic Positioning or Message Mapping Workshop.