Leadership Experience at Normandy - The Conference Board

Program Itinerary and Topics Discussed


	Sunday, 26 April
			The experience begins with an informal evening gathering at The Sofitel Arc de Triomphe Hotel, located in the heart of Paris. In a casual setting, attendees will have the opportunity to meet the program's facilitators and the other executives participating in the event.


	Monday, 27 April
			After an early-morning departure from Paris, we venture to the Normandy region. Following check-in and lunch, there will be a strategic overview of the Overlord invasion, including its planning and coordination. In addition, a special presentation on Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, "The Loneliness and Isolation of High Command," will take place.
	In the early evening, we travel to the German overlook at St Laurent, our first battlefield stop, where we will experience the positioning of the German high command on the eve of the invasion.


	Tuesday, 28 April
	The battlefield excursion continues in the morning, as participants visit sites and discuss the actions that occurred at each location and how they were critical to the overall mission. The sites visited and topics covered include: Pegasus Bridge • Encouraging initiative and improvisation in the absence of direct supervision. • Mission clarity and contingency planning to ensure organizational success. • Assessing succession readiness in critical line / tactical units.

	Hillman Redoubt • Using implementation and execution scenarios to facilitate understanding of the strategic plan. • Leadership "consciousness" in allocating resources to achieve goals and mitigate risks. Mulberry Harbors at Arromanches • Focusing early on technological innovation to overcome anticipated obstacles and create a competitive advantage. • Leadership's role in creating an environment that stimulates innovation. Long-sur-Mer • The detrimental impact of relying too heavily on a primary strategy. Upon returning from the battlefield sites, facilitators will lead an after-action workshop that connects the day's lessons to the current business environment.


	Wednesday, 29 April
	The battlefield excursion continues at the following sites, discussing relevant leadership issues:

	Ste-Mère-Eglise • Establishing and ensuring consistency of communication throughout the organizational structure. • Leading across internal / external boundaries and organizational / geographical cultures. • Leading geographically dispersed units without regular direct contact or means of real-time communication. Pointe du Hoc • Decision making and delegating in a rapidly and ever- changing environment. • Focusing on objectives and goals constantly and consistently. • Delegating effectively while strategy is being formulated.

	Omaha Beach • Identifying goals, opportunities and risks when data and intelligence diverge. • Building alliances and teamwork across boundaries of authority. Finally, there's a workshop on lessons learned from the battlefields and their practical applications to business challenges. Using framework provided by the facilitators, you create your own action plan for addressing leadership challenges at home. After your peers and the facilitators provide comments and feedback, you leave our program with a valuable, actionable tool to take home and immediately apply to your workplace.


	Thursday, 30 April
	Following breakfast, ground transportation will be provided for the return to Paris or Charles de Gaulle Airport.

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Everything was to the German's advantage and to our disadvantage, except one thing, the righteous cause for which we are fighting - liberation and freedom. Capt. John G. Burkhalter

“Normandy... was a very high caliber event. It was advantageous to have three people from our company participate. Plus, the diverse group of attendees added a lot of value to my overall experience.”

Todd Hendricks
Founder and CEO
T.H. Properties


	For more information, please contact: Nina Young +1 212 339 0296 or Mary Jacobson +1 212 339 0377 specialevents@ conference-board.org

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