New Hats for the Chiefs
Companies are doing away with time-worn
designations and introducing creative concepts in naming key roles. Others are
doing away with terms like ‘employees’ and ‘heads’, in an attempt to break down
hierarchies and bring in more colour to their jobs
Job titles that say, ‘agile evangelist’ or ‘chief
pusher’ may conjure up images of work involving two extremes — one, a crusader,
and the other, connecting to the seamier world of narcotics. But with a bit of
lateral thinking, these can also be perfectly operational, senior corporate
designations.
Corporate India is tossing out the old, stodgy nomenclature in favour of
creative, personalised designations. At Bangalore-based start up Teleradiology
Solutions, the CEO is called the ‘chief pusher’, quite simply because he pushes
and nudges employees into delivering the goods. The organisation also has a
chief listening officer (HR head) and chief enabler (technology head). “It
creates an environment where designations do not matter,” says chief dreamer,
Sunita Maheshwari.
Instead of being called ‘business development head’,Maheshwari prefers the
quirkier title she now has. In most organisations that work on similar lines, executives
want their titles to resonate their approach to work instead of seniority. It
breaks down hierarchies; Maheshwari, for instance, plans to knock off the
‘chief ’ in her title.
In most cases, though, the choice of designation is
reserved for those who have proved themselves. The rest of the employees can
stick to well-worn labels. The core content of the ‘glamorised’ role does not
change.
The Label Says it All
Chief Listening Officer
THE WAILING wall for all employees. Looks after policies, compensation and
career growth. Also known as the human resource head
Chief Pusher
OTHERWISE CALLED the chief executive officer. Now wears the ‘nudging’ badge
high
Chief Dreamer
IDEATES TO get more clients and business. In the traditional hierarchy, is
called business development head
People Success
A HUMAN resource officer who involves himself or herself closely in career
development, and is a success enabler of employees and the organisation
Chief Ethics Officer
KEEPS A check on fraudulent behaviour, and a close watch on every business
unit
Agile Evangelist
THE ROLE involves promoting the adoption of Agile software across
businesses
Story by Devina Sengupta @ Times : Snippets
from ET, 13 April 2012, Page 6.
