1 While you are waiting for the webinar to start, please think about: Who are the C-suite executives that you work with? What style of communication do they prefer?

2 WORKING WITH C-SUITE EXECUTIVES Kirsten Gorsuch, Vice President of Corporate Communications at Medtronic Jo Miller, CEO, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

3 Corporate Subscribers

4 Jo Miller CEO Women’s Leadership Coaching Inc.  Helps women create their roadmap to advance into leadership positions in business, by providing leadership coaching, workshops and webinars  Has coached hundreds of women worldwide  Clients include the corporate women’s networks at Bank of America, eBay, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, UBS and more.  Leads the “Poised for Leadership” workshops nationally.  Named one of Silicon Valley’s “Women of Influence”, 2008  Grew up in Australia and now lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with her husband Chris.

5 Kirsten Gorsuch Vice President of Corporate Communications Medtronic  Joined Medtronic in May  Responsible for global internal and external public relations, brand management, community affairs, the Medtronic Foundation and corporate conventions.  Member, Medtronic Foundation Board of Directors.  Prior to Medtronic, spent 10 years as a senior communications consultant for two global public relations agencies – GCI Group and Ketchum. As a senior vice president at both firms, was responsible for overseeing some of the firms’ largest healthcare strategic engagements. Designed and oversaw several executive- level programs in corporate reputation and strategic market development.  PR Week Campaign of the Year in 2004 for work with then-client, Medtronic.  Considerable experience working in the communications departments of other large companies, including Bank of America and Security Pacific Corporation.  Board of Directors, Minnesota Public Radio.  Bachelor of Arts degree in telecommunications, Indiana University.

6 Working with C-Suite Executives 11 Ways to Interact With the C-Suite: How to operate in a way that makes senior executives comfortable How to tailor your approach for a senior-level audience

7 You have been the head of a function at a large company, reporting in to the CEO and other C-level executives. What have been some of your biggest learnings on how to work effectively with them?

8 o 11 Ways to Interact With the C-Suite

9 11 Act like an executive. Speak their language Have conversations more than presentations Resist the temptation to “consult” Relationships, not data, are key

10 Avoid surprises. Pre-sell your big ideas Know executive sensitivities Make them part of the process Have pre-determined advocates for big meetings

11 9 Master the art of the doorway conversation (the “pop-by”).

12 8 Cultivate a strong ally base with other executives and influentials. Try the group “pop by” Who gets stuff done? Who is in the know?

13 7 Fix the General’s truck Deal with their burning issues before your own agenda

14 6 Demonstrate that you get both the big and the small picture. Be aware of timing and other business priorities Be the voice of the people

15 5 Don’t get caught in the Mercury orbit. Anticipate needs and be sensitive to burning issues

16 4 Get good results and market them appropriately. Do what you say you’ll do Use a mix of formal and informal methods to market your value Focus on 1-2 things that really matter

17 3 Champion your team and be a steward for the company Good executives use “we”, not “I” Align with the mission, vision and values of your company The more senior you are, the less it is about you

18 2 Stay connected to the people that they talk to and what they read about Execs don’t always know how to evaluate your competency, so they look for external validation Create common points of interest

19 1 Fill the leadership gap. The best people see when there’s something not getting done Connect the dots Work the matrix

20 11 Ways to Interact With the C-Suite 11. Act like an executive 10. Avoid surprises 9. Master the art of the doorway conversation 8. Cultivate a strong ally base with other execs & influentials 7. Fix the General’s truck 6. Demonstrate that you get both the big & the small picture 5. Don’t get caught in the Mercury orbit. 4. Get good results and market them appropriately 3. Champion your team and be a steward for the company 2. Stay connected to the people that they talk to and what they read about 1. Fill the leadership gap

21 Q & A

22 Kirsten’s Keys to Success: Not all of these will work for everybody. If you are mid-level, start with your own boss Be yourself. Relax with executives Practice o

23 Today’s slides and recording will be posted within 24 hours to: exec12_wwc.htm

24 Executive Networking Tuesday, June 19 The most important asset you will build in your career? Hands down, your network. Transitioning successfully from manager to executive requires a new approach to networking that is focused and finessed. In this webinar, learn the goals, protocols, and etiquette of executive networking. Walk away with a list of five key types of people to include in your executive network and the tools to create a networking plan that supports your career and business objectives. Margaret Resce Milkint Managing Partner The Jacobson Group

25 Poised For Leadership Workshop For the high-potential up-and-coming leaders you manage and mentor: Create a roadmap to advance into leadership. Los Angeles, April 26 Sacramento, May 2 San Francisco, May 17 Priced from $279 to $299 per person. Register at

26 Discussion Questions 1.Who are the C-suite executives you need to interact with? 2.What techniques have you found most effective, for interacting with the C-suite? 3.How will you tailor your approach to work effectively with them? 4.Which of the top 12 techniques will you practice?