It was good to meet a founder-CEO last week. These days so many CEOs seem to be parachuted onto a founding team by the financial backers. This kind of CEO tends to be a cool, financially-savvy, managerial type totally lacking in passion for the company and its products. So that's why it was good to meet Bob Swanson, Founding CEO, now Executive Chairman of Linear Technology.
You couldn't get anyone more passionate about his company than Swanson. 27 years since founding Linear Tech he still appears to rule the roost with a rod of iron, dominating the company by formidable intellect and character.
In the early days of Linear Tech we all used to be very impressed at trade shows like Electronica seeing Swanson doing stand duty, handing out catalogues, pressing the flesh, chatting up the punters.
Anyone who's ever done stand duty at a trade show knows what a gruelling activity it is. Usually if a modern CEO ever makes it to his company's trade show stand, it is to waft by, say a few encouraging words, and hurry on.
To see a CEO get stuck in and spend hours at this kind of stuff sends a huge message to employees and outsiders alike, that here is a boss with total commitment to the company and its success. That makes a huge difference to people both inside and outside a company.
It's the exact opposite the dud, depressing CEOs you see around today, who just see their position as a way of enriching themselves.
Swanson told me that he's coming over again for Electronica the week after next. "Maybe for the last time", he said.
I hope it's not the last time.
The IC industry needs his example.
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