How to avoid a Texas-style backlash.
Michael T. Burr is Fortnightly’s editor-in-chief. Email him at burr@pur.com.
There’s a new title in the utility industry: “chief customer officer.” As any HR professional knows, trendy titles come and go. The new economy brought us “corporate evangelist” and “chief knowledge officer.” In many cases, such titles have been more effective at drawing attention to Dilbert-esque management than at focusing corporate strategy. A company that needs a “chief morale officer” isn’t likely to impress employees with a new C-suite office dedicated to corporate B.S.
So as an increasing list of utilities create the new position of “chief customer officer” (CCO), it might seem more like a PR exercise than anything truly substantive. However, the pressures that are driving utilities to create this position are very real.