CEO-Mandate-Program-Overview
The document presents the CEO Mandate, a six‑week (42‑day) virtual sprint designed for private‑equity‑backed CEOs of mid‑market companies ($20–75M EBITDA) in years 1–3 of a PE hold. The program’s thesis is that CEOs need a single, board‑ready Mandate Document that locks three critical elements before Year 4: the Board’s Number, the Capability Gaps, and the Team Lock. It identifies three recurring problems—Sponsor Drift, an Untested Bridge, and a mis‑aligned inherited team—that cause CEOs to lose alignment with sponsors by Year 3. The curriculum is organized into weekly “locks” and capstone artifacts (Board’s Number Memo, Gap Memo, Integrated EBITDA Bridge, Team Lock Package) culminating in a live Crucible presentation and a 1:1 with coach Bill Canady. Deliverables include a 12–15‑page Mandate Document, a 100‑day rollout plan, operating‑rhythm calendar, objection playbooks, and a permanent peer Telegram room. The format is 100 % virtual with self‑paced video lessons, weekly live working sessions, and cohort interaction. The cohort size is ten CEOs, invitation‑only, with an undisclosed investment discussed on a discovery call. Bill Canady, a three‑time PE‑backed CEO with over $3 billion of shareholder equity created, coaches the program. The next step is an application, discovery call, and rapid decision. The promise is that in 42 days CEOs will walk away with a defensible, board‑ready Mandate that positions them for sponsor confidence and future fund calls.
Topics
Thesis: One Board‑Ready Mandate Document in 42 Days
The core proposition that the sprint produces a single, defensible Mandate Document signed by the CEO and ready for board, sponsor, and LP review.
Problem Landscape: Sponsor Drift, Untested Bridge, and Inherited Team
Three recurring patterns that cause PE‑backed CEOs to lose alignment with sponsors by Year 3: mis‑aligned exit thesis, non‑defensible EBITDA bridge, and a team built for a previous company stage.
Three‑Lock Framework: Board’s Number, Capability Audit, Team Lock
The sequential methodology that locks the exit number, identifies capability gaps with dollar values, and aligns the team through compensation and accountability structures.
Weekly Curriculum and Capstone Artifacts
Detailed week‑by‑week breakdown (Pre‑Work, Board’s Number Memo, Gap Memo, Integrated Bridge, Team Lock Package, Crucible presentation, Boardroom playbook) and the total count of lessons, worksheets, and artifacts.
Deliverables: Mandate Document, Playbooks, and Peer Network
The tangible outputs CEOs receive: 12–15‑page Mandate Document, 100‑day rollout plan, operating‑rhythm calendar, objection playbooks, and a permanent Telegram cohort of nine peer PE CEOs.
Target Audience and Exclusions
Defines the ideal participant (PE‑backed CEOs, $20–75M EBITDA, Years 1–3) and explicitly rules out founder‑led, pre‑revenue, or late‑stage CEOs and those seeking a consulting deck.
Program Format, Cadence, and Virtual Delivery
100 % virtual model with self‑paced video lessons, weekly live working sessions, async Telegram thread, live Crucible, and lifetime access to materials.
Investment Model and Cohort Logistics
Cohort size of ten CEOs, four cohorts per year, investment discussed on discovery call, and a Founding‑tier window into the year‑long Forge 50 program.