The Remote Control CEO
    

Stephen Mcdonnell insists
that he stays home four days a week because it’s good management–not
because it’s fun. The performance of his company, Applegate Farms,
seems to back him up. ….. …But they were also a bit in awe–not one of them had managed to retain
a controlling interest in their companies when they reached Applegate’s
size.

http://www.inc.com/magazine/20051001/remote-control.html 

     How to Run Your Company in Your Pajamas

1. Visibility

Make sure you and your management team see all key business data.
Assign responsibility for monitoring the data for accuracy and for
needed action. Build weekly and monthly meetings around data points as
a forum to discuss problems rather than micromanaging on the spot.

2. Replication

Hire and train management people who look at data and information
the way you do. Be relentless about instilling the precise way you want
every number, invoice, quote, e-mail, meeting, discussion handled.
These are your core operating principles.

3. Consciousness

Create a public forum for issues of the day and week to be posted–not
just for the CEO’s benefit but to expose all personnel to issues that
are affecting the business. This data can give great insight into
hidden stressors in the system.

4. Weekly meetings

Route issues into key weekly meetings with the core management team.
Jumping on issues instantly can inhibit the self-reliance the system
needs to develop. Unless it’s a true crisis, don’t micromanage the
situation by voice or e-mail. If you do, the team will always look to
you for a solution rather than looking within.

5. Park the ego

Be comfortable when the organization no longer needs its hand held
on a tactical level. This is a sign that you’ve built a strong system
and have the right team in place. It doesn’t mean they don’t need
you–it means they need you looking ahead.

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