Re: Just wondering

FredK wrote:
"Doug Phillips" <dphill46@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1141856977.661983.14300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Does anyone really think "top execs" are still working the way they did
in Ken Olsen's time?

Most of today's "top execs" (that I know of) are completely connected.
They not only use computers (PeeCee's) on their office network, they
have a notebook, they carry wireless PDA's / BlackBerrys and/or a
top-of-the-line mobil phone with all the bells & whistles.

At home, they are networked into the office (and the world) and their
wife and kids each have their own computer/PDA/mobil/latest-gadget.


Yes and no. I am sure that "some" are techno-weenies, I suppose it is
probably based on how you got to where you are and what field you are in.
I'll guess someone running Google probably is a geek, but Proctor & Gamble?
Ford? Exxon?


Hello? Computers aren't just for "techno-weenies" and "geeks" anymore.
They're *easy* to use. Information is *everything* and I'd be willing
to bet that every executive at the top level at those three companies
has a computer on his/her desk --- and that computer is used. Time is
money in this world and computers save time. Information flow ---
market, news, meetings, schedules --- and so many other things that an
exec needs to know *now* and not later when someone finds the time to
tell him/her.

I also believe that it is much more likely to be true (wired connectedness)
the farther down the food chain you go. At the top you need to manage your
time carefully, and can afford people to filter things like random spam to
an e-mail account. You can afford to have the limo drive you to work so you
can work on the way. You can afford the corporate jet so you arrive rested
and ready. All you need is a cell phone and speed dial to the right
assistants. If you get e-mail, it has been vetted and filtered down. If I
send mail to someone 3 levels up from me, you can be pretty sure that
someone reads it before they do - and they may still be "connected" in your
terms.


You can bet that if the President of Ford emails the President of GM,
it'll get there in a hurry. Granted, execs at that level have many
layers of support, but they had better stay informed --- and connected
means connected. Yes, spam filters are important whether they're
software or human or more likely both.

Check out some of the ways you can customize filters on real-time stock
market and news feeds.

I can easily imagine a top executive (CEO) with a cell phone cum
blackberry - it's a high tech pager and intercom button.


Take a look at the newer ones if that's what you really think.

Ken used to say something about the intercom button being the CEO's user
interface - and the ultimate one at that.

Ken isn't managing in today's world. The Intercom is too slow to
provide a busy person with a close to real-time picture of his/her
world.

I guess we'll just have to go survey all of the top exec's offices to
find out for sure. Sounds like a fun thing to do for retirement;-)

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Just wondering
    ... Most of today's "top execs" are completely connected. ... Check out some of the ways you can customize filters on real-time stock ... blackberry - it's a high tech pager and intercom button. ...
    (comp.os.vms)
  • Re: Just wondering
    ... Most of today's "top execs" are completely connected. ... I also believe that it is much more likely to be true (wired connectedness) ... You can afford to have the limo drive you to work so you ... Ken used to say something about the intercom button being the CEO's user ...
    (comp.os.vms)