The First 100 Days
& Beyond
The Proven Program that Enables Executives to Succeed in Challenging New Roles
Discover a step-by-step process for making a strong first impression, aligning with stakeholders, avoiding missteps, and building a foundation of trust and momentum that will propel future success in your new position.
Congratulations on landing the new job!
You’ve been wanting to operate at a higher level…more responsibility, bigger team, more layers…and now you are.
It is gratifying and bodes well…success here could set-up the rest of your career.
But bigger responsibilities mean there’s a lot on the line. Past accomplishments don’t guarantee success…not at this level.
In fact, nearly half of executives can’t navigate the transition. They can’t get up-to-speed. They struggle to influence those they used to look up to. They run afoul of cultural norms.
Executives struggle in new jobs because they don’t understand that the transition process itself is a job within the job.
The job of transition is to establish a foundation on which to build long term success.
Most leaders don’t have a systematic approach. Some don't even have a good framework for thinking about how to enter effectively:
- "Should I just say ‘yes’ to everything to keep my boss happy?"
- "The team needs an overhaul. How fast can I move?"
- "How can I ensure I don't stumble as a new executive? "
The honest truth is most executives transitioning to new jobs just “wing-it” and do what they have done in the past.
A casual approach might work at lower levels, but at the executive level, the expectations and demands are too intense and too unrelenting .
Leveraging proven methods, you don’t have to grasp for “quick wins," you can start a flywheel.
The First 100 Days & Beyond program was designed to build a foundation for lasting success…
Seventeen modules filled with best practices and 40 short planning exercises to help you enter effectively, avoid common problems, and build the momentum that will be the key to long-term success.
Hundreds of C-Suite executives have parlayed these exact tools, templates and suggestions into the best start of their careers.
Whatever level of support you choose, you will get step-by-step instruction, reflections, and templates. You will know why the suggestions are important so you can leverage what will work best for your situation. You will walk in on Day 1 with structure and a gameplan. Those plans will of course change, but having them will give you confidence.
Countless executives have told me that the program is filled with strategies and actions they had never even considered in the past. Here’s just a sampling of typical comments…
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“Your recommendations worked! They really, really worked!”
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“I couldn’t believe how the people around me responded to what you suggested I do.”
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“My boss had a control-freak reputation. But following your guidance, I felt the reins loosening and his trust in me grow. I was surprised how quickly we began collaborating on everything.”
This program works. The executives going through it have told me so. If you are willing to go through the modules and do the exercises, I can promise you’ll have your best start ever.
By the end of this program, after the first 100 days in your new role, you’ll experience:
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An earned confidence with strong, favorable first impressions.
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The ability to manage the tsunami of new information coming at you with grace.
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Being aligned with your boss while building a trust that continues to evolve as evidenced by increases in autonomy and decision making authority.
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The makings and the markers of a strong team with buy-in for any remaining steps.
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Having established winning norms and an operating rhythm beginning to drive success.
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Having assessed stakeholder readiness and support, and applied targeted influence strategies.
My Story & Invitation to You...
During my career, I have started a number of executive jobs. Not once did I have a going-in objective or plan. I thought, “I’m smart. I’ll just figure it out.”
That worked until it didn’t.
I got fired from a job after four years, despite some great successes early on.
I realized I had never taken the time to build solid, supportive relationships, especially when I first joined. When results started to decline, I had no one in my corner advocating for me.
After this wake up call, I started thinking about executives I had seen hired around me. Some got smoothly on their feet. Others didn’t and were eventually either let go or layered.
I built a strong understanding of the keys to leadership effectiveness through my academic background and job experiences. After earning a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology, I worked in Human Resources, then as a management consultant and a Six Sigma practice leader. I was also on the management team of a Fortune 600, running complex operations with a big P&L.
But the operations work was not fulfilling. At the core, I am a teacher, a communicator, and a coach. I wanted to get back to the work I love.
One day, I was thinking about how to differentiate my coaching business, when I had one of those lightbulb-above-the-head moments: “Most coaching is done with established executives. Why isn’t anyone helping them get established?”
I knew a structured, repeatable approach was needed to help execs avoid the all-too-common mistakes that keep executives from getting established. And given my experience and passion for communicating and teaching, I knew I could build something great.
I created the first version of my First 100 Days program that night.
That was seven years ago. Since then my approach has helped hundreds of executives get off to the best start of their careers.
Is this new job important? What would a great start mean for you? Your family? Your organization?
I invite you to join me and the hundreds of other executives who have leveraged these tools to build a foundation for lasting success starting on Day 1.
— Dennis
Impact of the First 100 Days Program on a CMO’s New Position…
As a first-time CMO, I was confident in my skills but recognized the complexity and high stakes of the new position. From the outset, Dennis’ systematic and step-by-step "First 100 Days program" provided me with a clear roadmap for success.
He offered a myriad of exercises and strategies to prepare me for Day 1, including identifying potential leadership gaps, securing mentor support, crafting a learning plan, and establishing meaningful connections with stakeholders before I even stepped into the role.
After I started, Dennis provided invaluable coaching on structuring crucial conversations and aligning my objectives with those of my superiors. This reflection and planning resulted in more productive interactions with senior leaders that left a lasting impression on my boss.
Even beyond the initial transition period, I continue to benefit from Dennis's program. It has provided me with tools and templates that I still rely on in my CMO role. I am a better leader as a result of this program and working with Dennis.
I wholeheartedly recommend working with Dennis and taking his "First Hundred Days" program. It’s the kind of investment that will give you more confidence and ensure a smooth and successful transition.
— Leslie Henthorn, Chief Marketing Office of IronClad
What Executives are Saying About Dennis and the First 100 Days & Beyond Program…
Sarah Cole
Head of Industry, Google
“After receiving news of my promotion, I was ecstatic, but suddenly it all felt daunting. I was going to be managing a larger team with elevated expectations from my leadership. So I wanted to do everything I could to set myself up for success. Starting a new job, there is so much coming at you. But working with Dennis gave me the tools to quickly assess the business, talent and opportunities ahead. More importantly, he helped with frameworks for building a solid business plan, managing my team and leadership -- that I continue to refer to often. I felt confident going into my new role and was clear on how to make an impact in the first 100 days on the job.”
Mark Davis
Senior Director Portfolio Marketing, Marvell Technologies
“As part of several career transitions, I used books such as “The First 90 Days” to help establish myself. I never considered a coach, thinking that if I applied the lessons, that was enough.
I was advised by a friend to consider Dennis as my coach for my last transition. Let me tell you, there is no comparison to having Dennis as a ‘monkey on your back’ pressing you to think about a dozen things you never thought about before. And then giving you the tools to act on them in a systematic fashion. Who does this? Not me, before I met Dennis. And the effect? Powerful.
The bottom line: if you want to “raise your game,” let Dennis help you. You won’t regret it.”
Mikko Disini
Global VP of Product Management, A10 Networks
“I was elevating from a functional to an executive leadership role. I knew I needed to properly insert into the leadership team, develop a good working relation with the CEO and the board, and expand my focus to whole company outcomes as part of my daily thinking.
Dennis’ approach showed me the leadership capabilities I needed to quickly develop. For example, he made it clear that executives in transition need to have a plan that incorporates individual and team assessment and stakeholder assessment and influence strategies to ensure proper collaboration. For each of these, Dennis’ program provided reflections that helped me structure my thinking, assessments to identify areas of growth, and templates to help me get the input and buy-in of the executive team and Board.”
Alyson Welch
Chief Revenue Office, Neo4j
“As I launched into a new company as their Chief Revenue Officer, I wanted to kick off my new position on the right foot, and focus on what was important. A colleague referred me to Dennis and he guided me through his First 100 Days Program. His approach gave me the structure to launch in an efficient manner. He helped me solicit stakeholder feedback from my new team and build out an assessment of the business. It's been 365 days now and I still refer back to my 100 Day Plan. I have since referred several of my peers and colleagues to Dennis because of the value and impact working with him had for me.”
What You'll Learn in the Program
KEY 1
Assess Fit
We all like to lead with our strengths, but when transitioning to a new role, you need to get clear on how the new job is different and going to require you to stretch as a leader. It's also important to know the common missteps, the tripwires, executives make in their First 100 Days so you don’t make them.
- Module 1: The First Hundred Day Roadmap
- Module 2: Identify Key Leadership and Experience Gaps
- Module 3: Transition Tripwires
KEY 2
Start Before You Start
This key will make sure you walk in the door with game plans on multiple fronts. Connecting with key stakeholders even before your start can make for a smoother transition into your new role. This kind of preparation will give you a quiet, calm confidence that others will feel.
- Module 4: Contact Stakeholders
- Module 5: Three Key Plans
- Module 6: First Week Considerations
KEY 3
Build Support for You and Your Change Agenda
You were hired to lead people to some preferred future. It could be 3 years from now or it could be something more near term. People need to know where you want to take them. They have to buy-in to the new direction and they have to trust that you can lead them there.
- Module 7: First 30 Days…Building Trust & Closing Your Knowledge Gaps
- Module 8: Managing Your Boss
- Module 9: Developing a Strategic Change Agenda
- Module 10: Assessing and Building the Team
- Module 11: Nudging the Culture
- Module 12: Understanding and Influencing Stakeholders
KEY 4
Steady Communication and Progress Checks
People like to say they are going to be “head down for the next 100 days.” That is a recipe for disaster. You want to be heads up, reflecting on where you are, where you are getting traction, where your support is strongest, and you want to be communicating with and listening to all the key stakeholders.
- Module 13: Communicating During the First 100 Days
- Module 14: Building Momentum & Operating Rhythm
- Module 15: Weekly Actions: Reflection Questions, Template Updates, & Warning Signs
- Module 16: Staying Aligned with Your Boss on Priorities and Performance
- Module 17: Day 101 and Beyond...
What You'll Receive
17 Training Videos with Dennis
You’ll get 4 hours of video teaching content across 17 modules to allow you to self-pace this program in bite-size increments.
38 Exercises Across the 17 Modules
You will get specific exercises that relate to the teaching content in each Module. These exercises will help you reflect, assess, and plan. Some exercises will help you create slides that you will actually use in your First 100 Days.
Exclusive Course Website for All Materials
This is your hub for all of the materials and support information in the program including recordings of the group coaching calls. Once you purchase the program, it is yours to use for this job and any other new job you start. You will have Lifetime Access to your program materials.
Knowledge & Support PDFs
These eight PDFs are articles, case studies, podcast extracts that will provide you guidance and inspiration along your learning journey.
Group Coaching Calls: 2x Per Month for 4 months
- These live coaching calls with Dennis on Zoom will help you move through the program and provide you with targeted coaching to bring the training to life and help you apply it to your needs and situation. You will also get to learn from other executives going through their own First Hundred Days experiences.
- The calls are recorded and can be accessed on the training site so you can listen later if you have a conflict with the scheduled call. You can submit questions in advance and listen to the answer when you have time to access the recording.
1-1 Coaching Sessions with Dennis (for Support 30 & Support 100 Options)
The situations you might encounter in your First Hundred Days…a demanding boss, a recalcitrant peer, a disruptive direct report, a layoff that did not come up during the interviews…might be new to you, but they are not new to me. I can help bring the materials to life, tailor them to your needs, and help you work through the difficulties you might encounter in your new role. If you're entering a high stakes job, tapping into my decades of experience and coaching will provide a very high return on your investment.
More Sharings From Our Clients Coming Out of the First 100 Days Program…
Fred Koopmans
Chief Product Officer, Big Panda
Nick Darrant
European Investment Banker, Citibank
Your Coach and Guide, Dennis Adsit
For 35 years, Dennis has been helping leaders, teams, and organizations achieve breakthrough results.
He’s spent his entire career finding and mining untapped opportunities. He was a behavioral economist before the term existed, was on the cutting edge of the Six Sigma movement, and saw the incredible, untapped opportunities in call centers. He now focuses on two neglected keys to leadership effectiveness: developing high performing teams and helping transitioning executives build trust and momentum during their First 100 Days.
He is the founder of Adsum Insights, an executive coaching and leadership development firm.
He has developed leaders and teams at Apple, Amazon, BDO, Databricks, DataDog, Google, HKS Architects, IronClad, Johnson & Johnson, Kite Pharma, Synopsys, Twilio, Unity, and many more.
Dennis was previously SVP of Operations at Intuit. Before that he was the Six Sigma practice leader at Aon Consulting. He started his career in OD/HR at Honeywell Information Systems.
While in Boston, he taught courses on Leadership and HR Management in the Evening MBA program at Northeastern University. For ten years, he was a mentor with Women Unlimited, a year-long development program for mid-career women.
Dennis has an Executive MBA from Stanford University, a Ph.D. in I/O Psychology from the University of Minnesota, and a BS in both Mathematics and Psychology from Bowling Green State University.
GET STARTED TODAY!
First 100 Days & Beyond Training
This is a self-paced training program providing you with video instruction, self-assessments, reflection exercises, and usable slide templates; as well as LIVE group coaching calls on Zoom with Dennis. You can begin whenever it works out best with your transition timeline. There are THREE program options to choose from, with two of them providing private 1-1 coaching sessions in addition to the group coaching calls. This allows you to pick the level of support that's right for you.