Introduction

Why you should readthis book

Ifyou bought this book, you are ambitious. If someone gave you the book, thatperson thinks you are ambitious. Having ambition to better yourself, to be acontributor, to make a difference, to grow professionally, to be moresuccessful, or become CEO of an organization is good. CEO is the acronym forChief Executive Officer. The CEO is the person who has strategic responsibilityfor the fortune and the future of the organization. The CEO may be calledheadmistress, managing partner,  Generalof the Armies, pontiff, commander-in-chief, Queen, or Warden. But whatever thetitle, the CEO is the boss. If becoming the boss is that you want, this bookwill help.

Thereare oodles of factors that influence the path to CEO—work habits, luck, timing,competitors, personality, supporters, talent, circumstances, and so on. Thisbook will help you better your work habits, influence the odds, impact timing,surpass competitors, and deftly use your talent.

Thisis a book of advice and recommendations. The ideas are based on the realitiesof business and organizations. The idea in this book are not a part of any MBAcurriculum. They are crisp, blunt, frank, generally nonjudgmental, and east toread, digest, and do.

Manyof the recommendations are stated in rule or commandment form. This is becausewhat is written is the way it is…not the way it ought to be. Although thecontent of the book is intended to help you progress in a company, theobservations and advice are often applicable to your non-work life andactivities, as well.

Thesurest way to become president or CEO of a corporation is to buy a business orto start a business. If you plan to make your career in a large corporation,this book will help. Of course, if you would rather run your own business, thisbook will also help.

Thisbook has been skillfully edited by the Doris S. Michaels Literary Agency, Inc.in New York. I am interested in your comments, thoughts, additions, and in anypositive examples of your using the guidelines in this book. Write to me c/oHyperion, 77 West 66th street, 11th floor New York, NewYork 10023-6298.

                                                      Thankyou

                                                  ----Jeffrey J. Fox