[Alberta's Child]

My theory is that good top-level managers are so hard to find these days because the nature of the world today requires a level of specialization that stunts a person's ability to be a high-level manager. A high-level manager needs to be a good "big-picture" person -- which means he/she has to know a little bit about a lot of different things instead of knowing a lot about one specific area of expertise.

I think an ideal CEO/CFO-type has a broad background in a wide array of areas. These people are increasingly hard to find in an age when everything is so advanced that knowing minute details is almost a necessity.

[Night Hides Not]

My theory is that good top-level managers are so hard to find these days because the nature of the world today requires a level of specialization that stunts a person's ability to be a high-level manager.

Spot-on. HR types lay out very specialized requirements, and given today's glut of senior financial professionals, it's a buyer's market. Within our network, the rule is: don't send your resume unless you can meet at least 90% of the requirements. It has nothing to do with their ability to do the job.

I think an ideal CEO/CFO-type has a broad background in a wide array of areas.

You're obviously not in HR, you make too much sense. In today's market, "jack-of-all-trades" guys like me are in little or no demand.

Having recently received a raise that gets me closer to market (I'm still about 15-20% away), my resolution for 2006 is to focus on improving my area of operations, i.e. just worry about myself. Although I had a productive year in improving operations (and the bottom line), it left me with a few too many ends to tie up.

There's other areas to tackle, most specifically convincing ownership to trade in their antiquated, top-heavy 401k for a Simple 401K that will benefit the employees, and allow ownership to sock more of their money away. I know, GOOD LUCK!!! LOL!