Nuggets from Behind Closed Doors
Inside every private Alliance meeting, there are hundreds of years of experience. While keeping confidentiality of the member who provided the challenge to their group, we’ve captured (with permission) just some of the insightful comments from a handful of members. Read what these members had to say to get a glimpse of what it is like to be an Alliance member.
To see insights for a certain category, choose one from the following list:
Member Nadim Maluf Speaks: Civilized Discourse is Mandatory
Dysfunction at the board level is a potent catalyst for company failure. Nadim Maluf, CEO of Qnovo, gives some proactive guidelines to keep peace and promote company success.
Read MoreInsight categories include: Boards Leadership
Member Andy Barrons Speaks: Instead of a New Team, Consider a New Division
To seriously engage an emerging market, substantial upfront investment is needed to ensure the potential of success. Andy Barrons of Navis urges establishing process for real institutional buy-in.
Read MoreInsight categories include: Leadership Organizational Design Strategy & Planning
Member Edmundo Costa Speaks: Stop Trying to Boil the Ocean
New technology can offer value to customers across multiple verticals. Edmundo Costa, Vice President of Sales at Automation Anywhere and previously the CEO at Catbird, shares his perspective on maintaining focus while scaling the business.
Read MoreInsight categories include: Marketing Sales Strategy & Planning Technology
Member Cat Lincoln Speaks: Actions Speak Louder than Contracts
Signing a deal is worth as much as the paper it’s printed on. Cat Lincoln, Founder and CEO of CLEVER, advises little tolerance of contract risk.
Read More
Member Ebbe Altberg Speaks: Before You “Scale Up,” You Have Some Answering To Do
Scaling a business requires clear strategic vision. Ebbe Altberg, CEO of Linden Lab, asks some hard, but necessary, questions for the CEO that seeks radical growth.
Read MoreInsight categories include: Entrepreneurship Leadership M&A Organizational Design Sales Strategy & Planning Technology
Member Pat O’Malley Speaks: Strategic Transparency in Technology
As technology companies compete their way down the price curve, strategy changes when you hit bottom. Pat O’Malley, EVP of Seagate Technology, discusses the benefits of transparency and Universal Pricing Plans in a commoditized market.
Read MoreInsight categories include: Sales Strategy & Planning Technology Trends
Member Matt Patterson Speaks: Regroup, Prioritize, Execute
Often the business vision that is sold to investors encounters setbacks. Matt Patterson, President & CEO of Audentes Therapeutics, shares his insights on navigating troubled waters with clear prioritization.
Read MoreInsight categories include: Finance Leadership Strategy & Planning
Member John Maydonovitch Speaks: Don’t Miss the Analyst Calls
Managing risk exposure in your client portfolio is key to sustainable growth. John Maydonovitch, CEO of MCE, reveals a simple way to gain helpful insights.
Read MoreInsight categories include: Marketing Sales Strategy & Planning
Member Eric McAfee Speaks: Consider the Conveniences of Licensing
A new technology company owned by a close-knit group of founders is looking for a CEO – but they don’t want to give up any equity. Eric McAfee, Chairman and CEO of Aemetis, explains an ideal workaround.
Read MoreInsight categories include: Entrepreneurship Finance Leadership Sales Strategy & Planning Technology
Member Kevin Kujawski Speaks: Bring in the Bankers
Correcting misalignment among managing partners is a herculean task. Kevin Kujawski, President and CEO of Menlo Equities, explains how investment bankers can help.
Read MoreInsight categories include: Finance Leadership Strategy & Planning
Member Manuel Gonzalez Speaks: The Power of Questioning
Low employee morale seriously impacts a company’s ability to grow and prosper. Alliance member Manuel Gonzalez of Rabobank International, advocates for a frank conversation.
Read MoreInsight categories include: Culture Human Resources Leadership Strategy & Planning
Member Jim Harrison Speaks: Rip the Band-Aid Off Now.
Behavioral problems from employees are not something to ignore. Alliance Member, Jim Harrison, President & CEO of MLSListings, describes the need for a direct approach.
Read MoreInsight categories include: Culture Human Resources Leadership Strategy & Planning
Member Ittai Bareket Speaks: The CEO Should Be the Best Salesperson in the Company
Is your staff excited about a new product, but it just isn’t selling? Alliance Member, Ittai Bareket, CEO of Netformx, explains how to jump in proactively and quickly distill what’s the matter.
Read MoreInsight categories include: Marketing Sales Strategy & Planning
Member Sudhir Aggarwal Speaks: Go for the Gold, But Fall Back on Silver and Bronze
Embrace a spirit of achieving excellence. Alliance Member, Sudhir Aggarwal, Managing Partner at Transition Management, discusses ways to set ambitious goals and hedge risk to company reputation and team morale.
Read MoreInsight categories include: Leadership Sales Strategy & Planning
Member Paul Finkle Speaks: How to Get to a Recurring Revenue Model
The golden goose of most service-based firms is to attain predictable, recurring revenue. Alliance Member Paul Finkle of ABD SharedHR gives some insight into how it can be done.
Read MoreInsight categories include: Operations Organizational Design Sales Strategy & Planning Technology
Member Ted Christianson Speaks: 3 Basics to Remember as You Grow a Startup
The excitement of driving growth in a startup can all too often distract from critical business basics. Member Ted Christianson, Chairman of Christianson Systems, discusses key business ideas that are precursors to any sustainable growth.
Read MoreInsight categories include: Marketing Sales Strategy & Planning Technology
Member Jen Munkner Speaks: Combing Through Exit Interviews? You’re Already Too Late.
Exit interviews are only one piece of the puzzle. Alliance Member, Jen Munkner, Vice President Talent Management for MedAmerica, discusses how good recruitment starts with understanding retention and uncovering your company's unique cultural DNA.
Read MoreInsight categories include: Culture Human Resources
Member Keith Matasci Speaks: Focus on Bench Strength
Got an all-star player on your team? Alliance Member, Keith Matasci, Vice President of Operations for Bentek, recommends building up alternative human resources who hold the same knowledge. A good coach doesn't neglect his or her bench.
Read MoreInsight categories include: Human Resources M&A Strategy & Planning
Member Kevin Chance Speaks: Breakneck Growth Demands Strong Processes
Here's a great problem to have: your business is growing at breakneck speed. Alliance Member Kevin Chance, President of Products & Services at Beckman Coulter, counsels the importance of building process within a dynamic business undergoing explosive growth.
Read MoreInsight categories include: Leadership Operations Sales Strategy & Planning
Member John Spottiswood Speaks: Use the Cloud to Improve — Not Repeat — Your Core Business
Instead of building specific, custom pieces of software to aide your client’s business processes, build up a common code base that can be deployed throughout your clientele. Member John Spottiswood, former EVP of Business & Corporate Development for Inflection, suggests using the cloud as an instigator to change one's core business model.
Read MoreInsight categories include: Leadership Operations Sales Strategy & Planning Technology
About
The Alliance of Chief Executives is an active community of business leaders that focuses on deep strategic exchanges, challenging existing assumptions and generating fresh ideas.
Contact Us
Alliance of Chief Executives, LLC
2175 N. California Blvd.,
Suite 605
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
- 925-942-2400 Office
- 925-956-4424 Fax
- Email: info@allianceofCEOs.com
Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay up to date with the latest Alliance news!
About
The Alliance of Chief Executives is an active community of business leaders that focuses on deep strategic exchanges, challenging existing assumptions and generating fresh ideas.
Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay up to date with the latest Alliance news!
Recent Member News
Member Resources
Contact Us
2175 N. California Blvd., Suite 605
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
925-942-2400 Office
925-956-4424 Fax
Email: info@allianceofCEOs.com
2025 © Alliance of Chief Executives, LLC
