CEO Material

As I am easily given to flights of fancy and irrational behavior, this post is probably not a good idea. The proof is in some of the comments I have received at various stages of my life.


My kindergarten teacher noted: His mind is everywhere except where it is needed most – class. He demonstrates a vicious lack of respect for pets and will most likely receive Hall of Infamy award from the SPCA. Should he choose to become a vet, it is advisable that the police keep close tabs on him.

In High School the headmaster wrote: This boy has the potential to become great. Unfortunately, he is working extremely hard to make sure that his potential remains untapped. So far, he has remarkably done well on this front.

In College, the dean noted (after I made it to the Dean’s List for superior academic performance during the same semester when I was kicked out for cohabiting): As a devotee of hedonistic pursuits, his performance, whereas impressive, is quite anomalous given his infinite affinity to mischief, continual lack of focus and a generally lackadaisical attitude.

Having read an article by Tony Poulos, “C U in the C-Suite”, I commented that for a CSP, a good Head of RA is candidate for CEO. Let us for one moment assume that I haven’t gone bonkers and consider the idea, if for no other reason because every mad man deserves clinical diagnosis and access to decent medicare…

- Who has seen company performance affected by process gaps and organizational issues?

- Who knows that the CCO, CTO and the CIO are running functions that work mostly at cross-purposes and lead to poor company performance?

- Who has seen the company lose money because of the airheads in Marketing and the sloppy engineers?

- Who has seen CRM systems rolled out at great cost only to deliver marginal benefits?

- Who has seen signed-off agreements that do everything except benefit the CSP?

- Who has seen unnecessary costs being incurred for SIM card costs, excess leased lines and unnecessary radio spectrum?

- Who has had to suffer, patiently I might add, heads of functions who suffer from acute cases of myopia, lack of business appreciation and a penchant for bickering – all this so that a process can be improved to avert leakage or in order to recover revenue?

- Who knows better the people that need to be fired and the signs of an area where somebody needs to be bulleted?

- Who knows, first hand, the effect of unmanaged regulatory pressure on revenues and costs?

- Who has seen company strategy and targets being made in absolute disregard of statistics and the resulting mess?

- Who has seen products rolled out in a manner that ensures the CSP, the customer and the regulator are all fighting?

- Who has served as friend to the oppressed, an enemy to the oppressor yet a faithful colleague to both?



Answer: Head of Revenue Assurance

I say anoint him. Crown him.