CEO for a day

We are an exceptional company, we've always been. Just have a look at our core values where 'having fun' is one of the most important ones we've got. Not just on paper, but right there, in the heart of the company.

Getting everyone in your team involved in the elaborate process of growth is quite a challenge. It's easy to imagine that the image of so many managers, sitting together in board rooms, talking for hours and putting all kinds of strange drawings and schedules on a white board which result in 'non logical' decisions isn't the best way to get them involved in achieving our goals.

Getting people to actually participate on every level and actually knowing what they're working on and for is therefor one of my main goals. If one of the people in my company isn't able to tell me exactly where we are at this very moment, where we're going this year, next year and what our BHAG is I've done something terribly wrong. They should be able to do an elevator pitch on our company, it's goals and it's core values, every single second of the day or night.

And that is where I went off track. Going ahead with building the company, streamlining it's way of working, it's daily business, made me forget to involve team members sufficiently. Although they do know what we're aiming for, they are not involved with or know anything about the way we do it. I want them to be part of this company in a way they actually influence the way we do business or deal with daily routines.

Of course, I know that if you run a successful business, changing the way you run that business might not be the best idea. But then again, it reminded me of the decision Tiger Woods took, several years ago, when changing his very successful way of playing golf, risking it all.

Although I'm not willing to 'risk it all' I do know that working with an intelligent group of people gives you the opportunity to change the perspective. As soon as we want to change our way of looking at the company we tend to hire expensive, experienced and high profile outside consultants. Why? Isn't it true that our greatest capital is residing within your own company?

So, I've decided to give every single person in my organization the opportunity to become CEO for a day. Take over my job, be in my shoes and see what fresh things it will bring.

Will it bring us exactly what we expect? I don't know yet. But I'm willing to give it a try. There's one thing I know for sure; they will be involved more then ever before. And the one with the brightest idea, decided upon by the entire team, will get my car for a weekend.

CEO for a day, BMW for a weekend. I will keep you posted on the results.