When Seagate CEO Bill Watkins spoke to Fortune senior editor Jeffrey M. O'Brien last week, he showed an openness usually reserved for cynical media commentators and reviewers. Over a dinner in San Francisco the outspoken Texan told the reporter about Seagate’s ultimate goal.
"Let's face it; we're not changing the world. We're building a product that helps people buy more crap - and watch porn."
Watkins goes on to comment on a range of issues, from his own board members to the HP scandal, the Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD war and about saying no to meetings to watch his beloved football team.
When asked about the recent scandal involving HP, and if anyone has taken notice, he says: "Wall Street certainly didn't. I saw it and thought, it's good to know there's a board of directors more dysfunctional than mine."
Is it politically correct? No. Is it refreshing to hear someone outline company policy in the simplest possible terms? Absolutely. If anything, the interview should earn Seagate’s top man more respect amongst his own team and the shareholders. It is not always as rosy as many executives want us to believe, and the spin factor is rife when it comes to promoting a company or its products.
So thank you Mr Watkins, for showing us that some CEO’s are still living, breathing people.
For the full interview, go to Here.
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Posted by: Bill Boolean | December 13, 2006 1:45 AM