Alan George Lafley

Alan George Lafley is an American business executive and author and the former chairperson, president, and CEO of The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G). He is widely credited with turning around and revitalizing the company during his tenure. He has also authored two books, Playing to Win and The Game Changer: How Every Leader Can Drive Everyday Innovation.

Lafley was born in 1947 in Keene, New Hampshire. He attended Pomfret School before graduating from Hamilton College, where he received a BA in economics in 1969. After college, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1975, reaching the rank of lieutenant before retiring. He then attended Harvard Business School, where he earned his MBA in 1977.

Lafley joined P&G in 1977, rising through the ranks to become President and CEO in 2000. During his tenure, he reoriented the company's strategy towards a market-based approach and focused on developing brands geared toward different consumer segments. During his tenure as CEO, P&G’s stock price nearly tripled and the company's annual revenues grew from $42 billion to over $76 billion. He also received numerous honors and awards, including induction into the National Business Hall of Fame in 2007.

In 2009, Lafley stepped down as CEO and was replaced by Bob McDonald. He continued to serve the company in a consulting capacity after his resignation, and in 2013 he returned as chairman, president, and CEO. He announced his retirement in 2015, but he remained on the Board of Directors until his resignation in late 2019.

Lafley is a renowned public speaker and has presented at conferences and other events around the world. He has also been featured on television programs such as National Public Radio and CNBC, and has been a featured speaker at a variety of business and education conferences.

In addition to his business career, Lafley is an author. In 2012, he wrote a book with coauthor Roger Martin called Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works. In the book, Lafley and Martin discuss the importance of focusing on choices rather than opinions, and how organizations can make better strategic decisions. The book provides specific tactics and tools to help organizations develop a winning strategy.

In 2014, Lafley and Martin followed up with a second book, The Game Changer: How Every Leader Can Drive Everyday Innovation. In the book, the authors describe how organizations must embrace change and be willing to take risks in order to stay ahead of the competition. The book also introduces seven specific tools to help leaders and organizations build a culture of innovation and agility.

Through his books, speaking engagements, and consulting, Lafley continues to help organizations develop winning strategies and embrace a culture of innovation. He is an invaluable asset to any organization looking to improve its performance, and his insight and experience remain an invaluable resource for businesses and leaders around the world.