BD/Sales → CEO Readiness Audit

“Sales-background CEOs grow revenue 1.5× faster in their first 3 years — but they struggle most with governance and talent strategy.”

— Harvard Business Review CEO Origins Study, 2023

Business development leaders bring market instinct and revenue creation skills. The CEO path requires building governance mastery, talent architecture, and enterprise-wide strategic thinking.

Average path: 6–10 years from BD/Sales leader to CEO · Moderate — strongest in growth-stage and founder-led companies

Takes 3 minutes · 10 dimensions · Personalised gap analysis

01Revenue Strategy &

02Customer & Partnership

03Board & Stakeholder

04Financial Acumen &

05Talent Architecture &

06Operational Excellence &

07Technology & Digital

08Strategic Planning &

09External Visibility &

10Personal Operating System