Well i first heard about this with Yahoo person going to Google i think. I know there is a book by also the same name. Generally speaking there have always been people monitoring performance as part of job duty so in reality, the CPO would be the person to oversee that. In todays world of the internet, it would probably mean to oversee website performance. i think the term encompasses more than just financial matters. It is the epitome of innovation where a company like Toyota or something monitors performance from one end of the spectrum to the other with technology. On a web company, it is monitoring progression of goals, making changes where necessary, and offering new innovative ideas to change such ideals or specifics. It is not just saying your server is having trouble so switch servers. The performance executive must be able to deal with longer term strategies, ideas, and solutions that other branches may not see or be too close to the problem to see it, and then step in without resistance which a lot of companies have or waste money on with consultation. The performance executive can then suggest, make necessary changes, or basically be a person of velocity to be able to keep up with the fast changing nature of the internet or business culture today. So, in other words, the Chief Performance Executive is responsible for taking in all of the performance and information volume. (not packaging it back to the consumer in a strategic way) Basically being the guru for the company, and attaching the past, present, and future together so that not only can the company prosper, it can dream.

Now, in Obamas case, it would appear it is even more expenditures on hiring somebody to keep track of all this money they are spending. It would then be a person that is measuring things to see if we are getting the payback on our money or investment. So it is more than just a bean counter, it is a person that makes sure no beans are spilt which i personally don't agree with. Instead, i would rather see us monitoring technology from one end of the spectrum to the other better like what i said. I can't stand companies that basically give lip service to what they are yammering about everyday, nor trying to justify planning and then they use a figurehead as an excuse. Please pardon my personal opinion from my own definition part. I believe the CPO should remain in a war room and not be public as that just signifies a person that is spreading propaganda to hide the truths which really could innovate and save money.
Source(s):
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/politics/bal-te.obama08jan08,0,3838...

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