But his post ensured that Palm had one person who always focused, with no distractions, on a critical issue. As chief competitive officer, he had a license to alert the company's top executives. And when it was time to combat Microsoft, Mace was there to supply competitive intelligence, contribute ideas and work with other managers to coordinate the response. This kind of chief isn't the same as a CIO - Mace doesn't run a large department with a big budget. But like CIOs, these chiefs act as the corporate leadership's eyes and ears on a new and complex issue.
Privacy is an issue that deserves that kind of attention.
As long as the chief doesn't let his ego or zealousness run away with him to the point where he forgets that he's part of a larger executive team, a company can benefit from the focus, personal responsibility and sense of urgency that the establishment of such a role can create. Allan E. Alter is editor in chief of the MIT Sloan Management Review and a former Computerworld editor. The downturn in the tech economy isn't as gloomy as you might expect. West Coast Bureau Chief Pimm Fox offers a list of 10 positive aspects from the tech wreck. Inc. All rights reserved.