Riding Shotgun: The Role of the COO, Updated Edition

The role of Chief Operating Officer is clearly important. In fact, it's arguable that the number two position is the toughest job in a company. COOs play a critical part in executing the strategies developed by top management. And, in many cases, they are being groomed―or test-driven―as the firm's CEO-elect. __Riding Shotgun__ provides unique insight into this little-understood role. The authors develop a framework that illustrates who the COO is, why a company should create this position, and what the challenges associated with this job entail. Drawing heavily on first-person accounts from top executives, the authors offer a set of strategies to inform individuals who aspire to serve as COO. With a new preface and conclusion, and even more interviews from some of the most established and important companies in today's economy, this book is a one-of-a-kind resource for the C-suite and the boardroom. Contents Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1. Introduction: The Role of the Chief Operating Officer Chapter 2. How Firms Use Their COOs Ed Zander, former Chairman and CEO, Motorola Carol Bartz, former CEO, Yahoo! John Brock, Chairman and CEO, Coca Cola Enterprises, Inc. Kenneth W. Freeman, Dean, Questrom School of Business, Boston University Mike Lawrie, Chairman and CEO, CSC Solutions Chapter 3. The Number Two Job Joe Leonard, former Chairman and CEO, AirTran Airways Fred Poses, CEO, Ascend Materials Steven Reinemund, former CEO, PepsiCo Kevin Sharer, former CEO, Amgen William H. Swanson, former Chairman and CEO, Raytheon Chapter 4. The Search for a COO Craig Weatherup, former Chairman and CEO, Pepsi Cola North America Del Yocam, former COO, Apple Computer Robert Herbold, Managing Director, The Herbold Group Jim Donald, former CEO, Starbucks Shantanu Narayen, CEO, Adobe Systems Bill Nuti, Chairman and CEO, NCR Corporation Chapter 5. Attracting and Managing a COO Vincent C. Perro, former President for Consulting, Heidrick and Struggles Dan Rosensweig, CEO, Chegg Bruce Stein, former COO, Mattel Mort Topfer, Managing Director, Castletop Capital Maynard Webb, Chairman, Yahoo! Wendell Weeks, Chairman and CEO, Corning Incorporated Chapter 6. Contemporary Shifts in the COO Role Randy Pond, former EVP of Operations, Processes, and Systems, Cisco Systems Rudy Lobo, CXO, Regus Jim Firestone, President, Corporate Strategy and Asia Operations, Xerox Corporation Gil West, Senior EVP and COO, Delta Air Lines Chapter 7. Conclusion: Parting Words, Key Considerations Notes Index "The role of Chief Operating Officer is clearly important. In fact, it's arguable that the number two position is the toughest job in a company. COOs play a critical part in executing the strategies developed by top management. And, in many cases, they are being groomed--or test-driven--as the firm's CEO-elect. Riding Shotgun provides unique insight into this little-understood role. The authors develop a framework that illustrates who the COO is, why a company should create this position, and what the challenges associated with this job entail. Drawing heavily on first-person accounts from top executives, the authors offer a set of strategies to inform individuals who aspire to serve as COO. With a new preface and conclusion, and even more interviews from some of the most established and important companies in today's economy, this book is a one-of-a-kind resource for the C-suite and the boardroom."--Publisher's description Drawing heavily on first-person accounts from top brass in major corporations, Riding Shotgun provides readers with a thorough introduction to the little understood, yet critical role of the Chief Operating Officer. Updated with even more interviews and shifts over the last decade in view, this book is an invaluable resource for boards, top management teams, and aspiring COOs.