My Prediction on C Suite Executives of the Future
I have a prediction, but I’m not psychic. So, take it with a grain of salt. Here goes.
I predict that from this day forward, and more importantly far into the future, the companies who are successful will return to customer service, all the way up to the top of the company. Or, I think they’ll pretty much have to if they want to survive and better yet, thrive.
Case in point: doing research on gathering guest speakers for my spring entrepreneurship elective this week, I’ve noticed some companies try to hide behind flashy websites in order to cover up who they really are…or who their senior management is. Furthermore, when companies get so big that I have no idea where to start with them in order to get the attention of senior management, that gives me the impression that they’re trying to hide something. What is it that you’re hiding? Oh yeah, the people who run the company.
That’s bad.
Do I really want to work with/become a customer of/invest in a company when I don’t even know who runs it?
On the other side, some of the coolest, most down to earth CEOs and leaders that I’ve asked to speak…? They’re easily and most readily accessible. They want to help. In fact, they’ll go out of their way to help. They think it’s an honor to come in and speak to potential future leaders of this country. And…? They have kick butt companies…that are doing well…DESPITE this travesty of an economy.
While certainly, not every CEO can address every request from every lowly assistant professor to speak, nor even take a question from a….(dare I say) customer, I challenge back to them with this question: Why? What are you trying to hide? What are you so scared of?
The best leaders are transparent, authentic, and accessible, which I’m seeing the pattern and path toward success. Not only do I want them to come and speak in my class, but I want to invest in them. I want to buy their product. I want to give them feedback on how they can be better, and I want them to actually listen to my advice when I am their customer or investor. I want them to succeed, because I have a relationship with them.
So, to the rest of you, out there, hiding behind your flashy company websites and floors upon floors of receptionists/administrative assistants and layers of bureacracy…you’re cordially invited to come out come out come out from wherever you are. Otherwise, you’ll be even further hidden, because you’ll be out of a job, and your company will be in obsolescence.
