Having worked under Jim (indirectly), he's not a fan of quick decisions. I imagine he's spending time talking to actual customers and all those involved in the decision.
That’s what executive recruiters do. And it’s not that uncommon to have an interim CEO. Sometimes a company needs an outsider and the board may even demand the current management is not involved in the search.
Strangely enough, sometimes small companies will have part-time CEOs and CFOs, often recruited through an agency. Obviously doesn’t apply to a company of this scale or a person at Jim’s level.
you gotta know other CEOs from serving on Company Boards, or be extremely good friends with someone who is, AND have all the skills necessary to do the job easily.
about references like this: getting references for this kind of work can be difficult, because to someone of that economic tier, keeping your reputation up and your network connections strong are the most valuable secondary skills you can have. vouching for someone who would not be a good CEO would kill your reputation, so it doesn't really happen among the highest tier of companies. Also, boards usually vote on these things, even for interim positions, so .. ya gotta know other CEOs from serving with them on boards.
i tire of talk about reputation when whole social networks made of juked stats have risen and fallen.
the highest tier of companies are the ones you have not heard of, or if you have, no one dreams of leading because they're boring, making solid profits over and over while ad men try to so AMC in real life
