How do you rise to CEO or other executive positions? It is rare for anyone to rise to any position. Rather they tend to “make” their own way. Here is the methodology to help you to get to CEO.
First, titles are not necessarily “earned.” Investor Dictionary.com states that “Executive director is a title given to a person who is the head of an executive branch of an organization or company.” Note the word “given.” Warran Avis (1) and Thomas H. (T.H.) Broyhill (2) both hold the title of Founder for establishing their respective companies. Just as Executive director and Founder are impressive titles, so are titles of President and Vice President respectively. But (here’s the clincher) these titles can be had as a requirement of incorporation just by choosing them and writing them on the paperwork. They just signify the people that are primarily responsible for the business.
To “get to the top” and have a title, you can rise as a fledgling company rises or you can enter through the window of an ivory tower you’ve just climbed. Both involve hard work and neither guarantees success, but the first is much more appealing. The first route takes determination, time and money with investments of each at your discretion. The more invested of one, reduces the amount needed of the others. Another requirement is to be a decision maker right at the start. The joy is that you are personally responsible to be creative and do what it takes to succeed. Upon reaching the top via the second route you may find that the window is closed and/or locked because the CEO ranks are already saturated and that a crowd of peers is also trying to get in the same window you’ve reached. You might as well take the first route. If you wait, the fledgling companies may have turned into the ivory towers. Via the first route, succeed or fail, the established companies will always be there for you if you want to go back.
First hand knowledge and experience confirms that success in building a business involves overcoming objections, even from those you love, and repeated cold calling to earn trust and to reassure customers that you will be there for the long haul. Not only will your own business grow, but the combined efforts of all related enterprises will eventually bring a strong and loyal customer base to purchase the manufacturer's products. Starting your own business helps those that cannot get over the fear of being independent and provides them with steady employment. So by going out on your own, you are helping those that remain frozen in their tracks, unable to take that first step.
The contrast between a self-employed individual's workplace and the “ivory tower” work environment is so great that it should be a call to action. To take the first step fears need to be overcome beginning with the fear of change and continuing with the fears of leaving a secure job; feeling like a failure and fear of failure; losing the security of a steady income and health benefits; and losing workplace friendships. It sounds like a lot to overcome and a lot to give up, but only by taking this step will you ever know the happiness and success that awaits you on the other shore.
Having gone before you, I speak from experience when I tell you that the title “given” to me, as a result of contributing monetary capital, is Sr. Executive Director and it is up to me to do the work to keep the title. As such, I perform my work as I see fit to build and grow my own business and success or failure is in my hands.
To find your own success, look for a business that between five to ten years old so that it is solid, but still poised for growth and get in on the ground floor. A perfect example of this can be found at Nutronix.com/slowtheaging. As people come in below you, you will rise to the top. The last people to join the organization are customers and they are the most valuable because they support us all. So when you get to the top, treat them right.
1) http://www.avis-europe.com/content-4
2) http://www.broyhillfurniture.com/about_us
