Valleywag
Yesterday, I wrote that from the outside, Jason Calacanis looks as likely to head AOL as anyone else. But a reader who's seen him in action disagrees. "Calacanis the next AOL CEO? No way."
In one meeting, for example, Calacanis admitted that he didn't know how to turn the air conditioning on over weekend. More importantly, he said couldn't get his staff's expenses paid. "Everybody in the room was laughing at him while he thought he was Joe Cool or P Diddy," says the reader.
A real tip or a plant to discredit Jason's critics? Hell, who knows, Calacanis (and his staff's expense lists) can probably tell us. Unless it came from their office.
Earlier: Why Jason Calacanis matters: He could be the new Ted Leonsis — and more [Valleywag]
Comments
Anyone who's worked for, with or against AOL knows the buraucracy that everyone has to go through to get anything done. It's a complete mess of corporate red-tape. Saying Calacanis can't be the CEO of AOL for not knowing how to turn on the AC or navigate (puns are funny!) through the hell that is AOL's SAP system for expense reports is basically like saying Stephen Hawking couldn't be a genious because he doesn't know how to walk.
A/C and SAP skills, sounds like a job for a PA. That way JC can get those three-mile runs in when necessary. "I intend to sweat, so make sure my office is set for a brisk 70 degrees, Sue." "Yes sir."
You're getting some good information. The A/C issue was a real issue that came up in a corporate retreat, but it was not my issue. It was an issue about developers working weekends in Dulles. Some buildings had the A/C on, others didn't, and no one could figure out the details. From what I understand it's been worked out.
The SAP/expense issue is also a real issue and is one that I brought up. There is a lot of red tape at every big company, and I've been asking folks to help make AOL an easier place to work. Programmers, editors, and other talented folks do not like to deal with red tape. They will even make a decision to work, or not work, at a company based on little headaches like expenses and HR. When we were an indie company I just had my people send me their bills and we took care of it as quick as possible. At a big company you need to have systems, and sometimes those systems become so complex that they crush the spirit of people they are designed to support.
Frankly, I'm not looking to be CEO--we've got a great CEO already. Right now I just want to turn the company around by a) correcting and avoiding the mistakes we've been making, and b) making great products.
Despite all the bad PR recently we are doing some great things and my hope is that over time the good will outweigh the bad. It's not going to be easy and it's not gonna happen overnight.
Yes, he ripped off Digg.
Yes, he sometimes comes off as a douchebag.
But, as much as a hater as I am, I have to admit he is much more in tune with today's internet culture than any of the clueless suits running AOL now.
When you're in the basement, the only way to go is up, right?
Take control of the company without becoming CEO, Jason? You really ARE the new Ted Leonsis.
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