Steve Jones - Editor (2/18/2009)
I completely agree with the appraisal and notification for the CEO. Knowing about emergency or out-of-the-ordinary expenditures is important, and should be done. My point was the timing, the interruption for a relatively minor expense, doesn't make sense. He's doing a different job by responding to this and holding up work.The point about wanting to notify the customer or contact them makes sense, especially as in this case the customer is a Fortune 100 company. However, notification and review, or deciding on other actions is different than trusting your people and allowing them to make the decision. And then holding them accountable later.
My point was that the reasons for the review are not what matters. It is the fact that the action has some meaning to the CEO that matters. You can rest assured that the CEO's Big Picture looks different than your own, and that the position merits the choice.
I am choosing to ignore the fact that there are a few idiots up there that deserve some questioning of motive, because I think they are in the minority.