CEO Sparring Partner

This is for the progressive CEO seeking challenge and growth. You want a top notch business leader, a peer, who pushes back, someone to critically engage with your ideas and sharpen your plans—fast.

A highly successful owner-CEO told Boom’s founder this: “I don’t want a coach. I don’t want a mentor. I don’t want a consultant. I already know what I want to do, but I need a sparring partner who challenges my ideas so that I can improve them.”

Loud and clear. It was the spark which led us to crafting a unique Sparring Partner program for progressive CEOs.

5 typical CEO situations in which the Sparring Partner is perfect

  • CEOs at any stage: Sparring is a powerful tool to enhance your performance
  • First-time CEOs: Sparring strengthens your safety net and boosts your effectiveness immediately
  • CEOs in transition: Sparring accelerates your adaptation to a new industry, a new team, or new ownership
  • CEOs leading transformation: Sparring ensures you stay on course through turbulent times
  • Owner-CEOs: Sparring helps you, as the visionary, elevate your managerial game to the next level

CEO challenges and deliverables to spar over

Examples:

  • Lonely decision-making
  • New situations all the time
  • Being the face of the business
  • Adapting budgets and roadmaps
  • CEO contribution to strategy development
  • Challenging key performers in their field of expertise
  • Crucial personnel decisions
  • Navigating internal battles
  • Internal and external communications
  • Relationships with stakeholders
  • Managing the board of directors
  • Staying the course and being true to the mission

Roles of the CEO Sparring Partner

  • Ally: You have an external top notch connection who is on your side
  • Listener: You are being understood
  • Inquirer: You are being challenged in a safe space
  • Optimizer: You are improving your CEO deliverables fast, together
  • Confidant(e): You work with a person who keeps things confidential

The CEO Sparring Partner is distinct from

  • an executive coach who is not a peer to you
  • a mentor who tends to tell you how to do things
  • a consultant who knows everything about a specific topic

Instead, the CEO Sparring Partner is here to challenge you. Tough on your ideas and plans, so that you improve them fast. Always on your side. In a safe space, without “failing forward” while others watch you.

If you’re looking for a coach, mentor, or consultant, consider speaking with Boom as well, as we also select professionals in these fields. However, for the CEO Sparring Partner, we maintain a clear and distinct definition from these other value propositions.

Benefits of having a great Sparring Partner

  • No half-baked CEO deliverables
  • Accelerate and enhance decision-making
  • Be sure-footed and act with confidence
  • Save everyone time with your clarity

Basic formula: How it works

The basic formula of Boom’s CEO Sparring Partner Program:

  • Sparring Partner as a service, monthly subscription
  • 2 online meetings per month
  • Meeting agenda prepared by the CEO (support is offered by Boom’s team)
  • Open line with the CEO Sparring Partner

Sparring Partner pricing

Think of it as having a Sparring Partner on retainer (similar to a lawyer) and using their services consistently, not just when you run into an emergency. Your Sparring Partner is there for you in a crisis, but the ultimate goal is to take the right actions at the right time so that you are one of the most effective CEOs you know.

CHF 5’000/month + VAT where applicable (about USD 6’000/month)

Options and add-ons (fees vary, info on request):

  • Work with 2 Sparring Partners (different backgrounds) in a given month
  • Use your Sparring Partner’s services more intensely during a crucial phase
  • Buy add-ons like Boom connecting you with CEO peers who went through a similar challenge recently and preparing/moderating that conversation
  • Training content – based on our own BoomMethod for The Progressive CEO (inquire about it in case of interest)

Find your CEO Sparring Partner

  • We introduce you to Boom’s Sparring Partners
  • You get to know a few of them, and vice versa
  • We at Boom discuss whether and how we are a match with you
  • You make your choice
  • You start to work with your personal CEO Sparring Partner

The CEO plays a pivotal role in an organization’s success, leaving little room for error. Making sound decisions fast is paramount. Boom’s CEO Sparring Partner enhances decision-making and contributes to the success of the CEO and their business.

Overview Of Services