New Presidents

“Honeymoon periods” for new Presidents and Board chairs can be mercilessly brief.  We can assist new presidents chart their own paths to become highly successful, long-serving presidents by offering them a confidential opportunity to think aloud with experienced university executives who can help them to:

  • Frame their most challenging issues for consideration and strategy development, and for presentation to and discussion with governance or executive management

  • Develop effective approaches to strategic planning and priority setting;

  • Develop and retain effective executive teams

  • Construct realistic fundraising plans; and establish effective compliance plans

  • Provide confidential, objective and experience-informed advice on all major management challenges, including those associated with academic medical centers

  • Assess the pros and cons of their institution’s legacy budget and financial planning models

  • Begin considering alternative academic initiatives to help increase the institution’s impact

Our Approach

We offer the following options to support our work with new presidents:

90-Day Engagement

A 90-day “package” consisting of four to six confidential meetings per month preceded by our deep “desk review” of the institution’s structure/finances/programs/challenges via materials provided by the client upon our request or available online

120-Day Engagement

A 120-day “package” consisting of four to six confidential meetings per month preceded by our deep “desk review” of the institution’s structure/finances/programs/challenges via materials provided by the client upon our request or available online

Short-term

A month-to-month, terminable arrangement with a short termination notice feature

Long-term

A longer term relationship with Wrighton Cannon Consulting LLC could be possible if mutually agreeable

Implementation

To implement our approach, we recommend the following:

Timing of Engagement

Engagement with Wrighton Cannon Consulting LLC should begin at least 6-8 weeks after a new president assumes their role, because that initial period tends to be consumed with intense orientation of the new leader to their new institution, their executive team, and their faculties, and settling the new leader into their new communities.  This period of “drinking from the fire hose” generally offers very little opportunity or bandwidth to begin the reflective and consultative process at the core of our services.

Principals As-Needed

During any period of engagement with Wrighton Cannon Consulting LLC at least one of the partners would be available as needed, as the partners understand that important issues arise at inconvenient times

Scope of Relationship

The partners of Wrighton Cannon Consulting LLC would be available to engage with individuals specified by the President, including the President’s direct reports