CEO visit

[cstmar01]

So why is it when a CEO visits our work center that everything and everyone goes nuts? Such as I work with files all day long and have several at my desk. sometimes so many you have to stack them on the floor ect. so why when a CEO visits one must "hide" these things? to me it shows that your trying to make it look like you don't have as much work as you do I guess, and just looks odd.

Thats and its funny because you start seeing people dressing up like its a visit to the president's office in DC but then these people will never even meet the CEO, most would be lucky to even see him. I at least can say I got to see him at lunch at my favorite spot to go so that was cool. but just odd.
I guess if I was a CEO I wouldn't even let it known that I was visiting. Just would want to see what the work enviroment is like in the normal daily activity without the influence of oh someone important is here gotta shape up. That way you would really know what people are doing/saying/look like rather than "pretend".

[nooshinjohn]

Most CEO's don't care about the way it is, rather they see things the way they want them to be. For the rest of us its called reality, and for them, it's called fantasy.

[coolsax]

+1 on this.. if you have a ton of files at your desk then they see that its messy and confusing not that you are actually working.

[Ricardo]

Most CEO's don't care about the way it is, rather they see things the way they want them to be. For the rest of us its called reality, and for them, it's called fantasy.

I've heard stupid things in my life. This is right up there.

[nooshinjohn]

I've heard stupid things in my life. This is right up there.

My post was meant to be bitingly sarcastic given the actions of those CEO's that led us to the mess we are in now. Check out Undercover Boss one of these days and you will see first-hand just how far off CEO's can be. The CEO of the company I work for walked up to a customer and handed him a hundred dollar bill and told him his last check would be ready for him in the morning. The customer was smoking a cigarette in front of the building, which is against company policy for employees to do...

The customer Kept the benjamin and walked off!

[hearingimpared]

+1 on this.. if you have a ton of files at your desk then they see that its messy and confusing not that you are actually working.

Have you ever walked into a lawyers office? There are files all over the place and it may look like a tornado struck but they know where everything is. I used to keep my everyday files stacked on my desk and the floor. I had so much work to do that if I placed them in a file cabinet, I would forget about them.

[hearingimpared]

Most CEO's don't care about the way it is, rather they see things the way they want them to be. For the rest of us its called reality, and for them, it's called fantasy.

I've heard stupid things in my life. This is right up there.

I've dealt with a lot of CEO's during my career and what he said above is not far off the mark.

[coolsax]

I've worked in real estate loans so I know all about files all over the place.. those of us peons know that you're going to have files all about usually.. however executive types don't necessarily see it that way is all my point was :)

[Sherardp]

It's like a Dog & Pony show bro. Gotta look your best and shine for the 5 mins they come around.

[hearingimpared]

I've worked in real estate loans so I know all about files all over the place.. those of us peons know that you're going to have files all about usually.. however executive types don't necessarily see it that way is all my point was :)

I know, I got it, I was just supporting your point with some examples.:)

[coolsax]

no worries. As I reread my original post I thought it could be misconstrued as supporting the executive side so that's why i gave my example :)

[cstmar01]

Have you ever walked into a lawyers office? There are files all over the place and it may look like a tornado struck but they know where everything is. I used to keep my everyday files stacked on my desk and the floor. I had so much work to do that if I placed them in a file cabinet, I would forget about them.

Bingo.
See we already have about oh 16 different file cabinets of files. All the ones I need or have to review sit on my desk until they can go to the one file cabinet I put all my reviews into. Not to mention all the other files I have to do extra work on or need more info. If I would put these away well one it would be pointless as I have to go fish them back out again the next day or during the day.
But they wanted us to do this, makes no sense.

I also understand looking good for the CEO. However when they don't even walk by your desk or anything and merely come on the floor and go into a conference room no where near anyone and people who normally are wearing kakis to work starting wearing their best suits, I'm sorry but I find that kinda silly.

We have a large building for our town. The biggest in the downtown area acutally. (besides a mall) 6 stories high and takes up the whole city block. the chance of the CEO coming up to a worker that is of not upper mangement status and talking to them/seeing their work place is about .0000000001% chance of happening.

Don't get me wrong, I like my CEO and my company, I just find it funny what people do to impress someone they will probably never meet or see.

[AudioGenics]

Great Expectations !

[steveinaz]

It's called nutless supervisors. I don't do "dog & pony shows."

[hearingimpared]

I had one CEO at a company called SHL Systemhouse I worked for. He had worked his way up through the ranks. Everytime he had a meeting he would commend us on how he would pass by our offices or cubicles and all he could see is "elbows and heineys with paper flying and sometimes a phone on each ear." He appreciated hard work and NEVER made us feel like he was some sort of god that needed to have a pretense put up for him. I used to love working for that company.

[sucks2beme]

At the company that I was at before(the division was sold) they
most likely would have been afraid to walk out among the worker bees.
It might have been the gas cans and the threats to burn down the building
at the Paris branch perhaps? It's been a while since I had a CEO that was a man to be admired.
My all time favorite was Ken Olson at Digital. The last couple I've had
before the current company were a complete waste of time. Useless x 2.
What happened to men of vision? Now all we get are glorified accountants.

[TECHNOKID]

It's like a Dog & Pony show bro. Gotta look your best and shine for the 5 mins they come around.

That statement sounds (look) so military ;)

[cstmar01]

I had one CEO at a company called SHL Systemhouse I worked for. He had worked his way up through the ranks. Everytime he had a meeting he would commend us on how he would pass by our offices or cubicles and all he could see is "elbows and heineys with paper flying and sometimes a phone on each ear." He appreciated hard work and NEVER made us feel like he was some sort of god that needed to have a pretense put up for him. I used to love working for that company.

now that would be a good thing to see if you ask me.

I just like people in charge that remember where they came from. The current CEO is acutally a pretty down to earth guy from his company addresses he has given. He tells us whats wrong with the company and has done some good changes I think already. I just hope it keeps up as he's still fairly new and was not a CEO before he started the job, so things can change.

[nooshinjohn]

What a crock of ****. Most CEOs in this country are small business owners who have way more on the line than you seem to be able to grasp. Because of that, they tend to care very much about the reality of what's going on within their organizations with their homes and personal finances on the line. He loses on the risks he's taking you're simply out a job, he's out a hell of a lot more.

The definition of CEO is as follows...

Top executive responsible for a firm's overall operations and performance. He or she is the leader of the firm, serves as the main link between the board of directors (the board) and the firm's various parts or levels, and is held solely responsible for the firm's success or failure. One of the major duties of a CEO is to maintain and implement corporate policy, as established by the board. Also called President or managing director, he or she may also be the chairman (or chairperson) of the board....

Most small businesses have none of these atributes, (boards, shareholders etc) and the title of CEO is a bit over the top. That said, an owner can call himself whatever he or she likes. My comment does not apply to small business owners.

If it's so easy, run something, big shot.

I wont pretend to even have the skills needed to run a corporation. I have, however had a couple small businesses in my time, at one time I had six employees. I never felt the need to call myself President or CEO, and gave up on the last one to help my wife get through her Doctorate.

The bigger the company, the further away from the lowest rung worker they are, but it doesn't mean they don't know what's going on. Clearly some become completely out of touch. Those are also the businesses that fail long term .

You are correct here. It is those businesses that have failed and those that are currently Government owned or "bailed out" that my comments were directed towards.

A smart CEO knows what's going on at all levels, even when you smartass kiss ups think they don't.

Again, I agree, but please don't call that kissing up.;)

I posted this earlier, but you may have missed it. This will be the last word I have here....

My post was meant to be bitingly sarcastic given the actions of those CEO's that led us to the mess we are in now. Check out Undercover Boss one of these days and you will see first-hand just how far off CEO's can be.

[hearingimpared]

What a crock of ****. Most CEOs in this country are small business owners who have way more on the line than you seem to be able to grasp. Because of that, they tend to care very much about the reality of what's going on within their organizations with their homes and personal finances on the line. He loses on the risks he's taking you're simply out a job, he's out a hell of a lot more.

If it's so easy, run something, big shot.

The bigger the company, the further away from the lowest rung worker they are, but it doesn't mean they don't know what's going on. Clearly some become completely out of touch. Those are also the businesses that fail long term.

A smart CEO knows what's going on at all levels, even when you smartass kiss ups think they don't.

Where do you get off speaking to people who you don't know that way? I posted in this thread so I assume you are directing that at me too.

I've worked DIRECTLY for several CEOs during my career and never kissed up to anyone!!! Yeah Dave "a smart CEO knows what's going on at all levels," but don't give a flip except kissing the stock holders asses. THAT IS MY EXPERIENCE WITH MOST OF THEM!!! It's the ones who do get in and get their hands dirty to see what their clientele really care about that really gets the company on a financial roll.

[Demiurge]

Where do you get off speaking to people who you don't know that way? I posted in this thread so I assume you are directing that at me too.

I wasn't actually speaking to you, but if you're a suck-up, then I guess it would apply. Sorry, not going to couch my opinion. You're having a great time slammin' CEOs you don't know with your blanket statements, who are you to complain about those with stick up for all the great small business owners out there?

I've worked DIRECTLY for several CEOs during my career and never kissed up to anyone!!! Yeah Dave "a smart CEO knows what's going on at all levels," but don't give a flip except kissing the stock holders asses. THAT IS MY EXPERIENCE WITH MOST OF THEM!!! It's the ones who do get in and get their hands dirty to see what their clientele really care about that really gets the company on a financial roll.

...and? Some CEOs are jackasses. Seems like you missed the point.

Based on nooshinjohn's response it seems moot now anyways.

[hearingimpared]

I wasn't actually speaking to you, but if you're a suck-up, then I guess it would apply. Sorry, not going to couch my opinion. You're having a great time slammin' CEOs you don't know with your blanket statements, who are you to complain about those with stick up for all the great small business owners out there?



...and? Some CEOs are jackasses. Seems like you missed the point.

Based on nooshinjohn's response it seems moot now anyways.

I'm talking about CEO's of medium to large corporations. I've worked quite a few. They are not all jackasses I named one in a previous post whom I admired. I will tell you this, when SHL Systemhouse was bought out by MCI and became MCI Systemhouse, I worked for the CEO there and I'm not mentioning his name but he help run MCI/Worldcom into the ground. Stock prices went from $100 per share down to $1 in months.

I'm slamming the ones I worked for not across the board CEOs that I don't know.

As I said before I never have nor do I suck up to anyone. You made an across board statement and I was countering.

[Demiurge]

I think you love to create drama to make your time here more lively, Joe. I wasn't talking to you, but you have fun being offended. I'm done.

[DarqueKnight]

The definition of CEO is as follows...

Top executive responsible for a firm's overall operations and performance. He or she is the leader of the firm, serves as the main link between the board of directors (the board) and the firm's various parts or levels, and is held solely responsible for the firm's success or failure. One of the major duties of a CEO is to maintain and implement corporate policy, as established by the board. Also called President or managing director, he or she may also be the chairman (or chairperson) of the board....

Most small businesses have none of these atributes, (boards, shareholders etc) and the title of CEO is a bit over the top. That said, an owner can call himself whatever he or she likes. My comment does not apply to small business owners.

In the technical consulting field, I occasionally see someone refer to themselves as "CEO" when they are actually a one person firm with no one, let alone other executives, reporting to them. How can you be the "chief" executive when you are the "only" executive?:p I also see this a lot in the entertainment business, where small production companies, concert promoters, musicians, etc. will title themselves as "CEO" when they are really just a sole proprietorship.

[comfortablycurt]

This is why I like being self employed. I am my own "CEO".;):)

I guess I do act a little different sometimes though when I'm around myself, and I'm inspecting my own work place.:p

[hearingimpared]

I think you love to create drama to make your time here more lively, Joe. I wasn't talking to you, but you have fun being offended. I'm done.

Of course, make it me creating drama instead of taking responsibility for your statement.

That's okay Dave, if you made your last statement above clear when you first made the statement it could not have been misconstrued .

A smart CEO knows what's going on at all levels, even when you smartass kiss ups think they don't.

Where do you get off speaking to people who you don't know that way? I posted in this thread so I assume you are directing that at me too.

Seems to me you like to put people down and make plural across-the-board insults like above. Who created the drama Dave? Why do you have to be so crass when making a point that is opposed to yours?

[hearingimpared]

In the technical consulting field, I occasionally see someone refer to themselves as "CEO" when they are actually a one person firm with no one, let alone other executives, reporting to them. How can you be the "chief" executive when you are the "only" executive?:p I also see this a lot in the entertainment business, where small production companies, concert promoters, musicians, etc. will title themselves as "CEO" when they are really just a sole proprietorship.

That's a good point Ray. Some people are so full of themselves that they have to make themselves important by fixing their title as CEO.

When I had my audio business, my business card stated "Proprietor."

[concealer404]

My CEO shows up unannounced in a limo. I try to wear my cleaner jeans and a t-shirt without stains all over it those days.

[cstmar01]

we are not even allowed to wear jeans to our work unless its a special day in which we pay a dollar that goes to charity. even then no T-shirts, only polos and button ups. for us business casual every day is the norm so when people go out and start pulling out suits and your working in a call center its just funny to watch.

[concealer404]

While i've got your undivided attention.. :p

I'll give you a call when i get out of work buddy. Probably between 5 and 6. Sorry i missed you yesterday, i felt like the proverbial chicken with the head cut off until about 10pm last night.