CRN's Top 25 Most Influential Executives Of 2006
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What, exactly, is influence?
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This year,
CRN
editors took a slightly different tack with the long-running Top 25 Most Influential Executives report, building a list of the executives and technologists who got people talking in 2006. What more telling sign of influence than the ability to inspire a debate or conversation?
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When we first began considering Hewlett-Packard's Mark Hurd as our No. 1 executive, though, we had no idea just how much debate he and his company were about to stimulate. Our thoughts were simply on HP's strong turnaround and reinvigorated channel. While the tactics used to probe boardroom leaks stimulated plenty of talk, it was not the kind that qualifies as positive influence. We paused for a moment to consider whether Hurd should remain our first choice. The answer: Who else? HP is firing on all cylinders and Hurd gets the credit.
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As usual, we expect this list to generate a little conversation of its own. Few will question the influence that Microsoft's Ray Ozzie, AMD's Hector Ruiz or Sun's Andy Bechtolsheim are having on their respective companies or the industry. Among the Web 2.0 personalities, though, some may wonder whether Google's Eric Schmidt deserves top billing. Schmidt still gets our vote for leadership, but we also take note of a handful of other much-talked-about members of the
fraternity. Managed services was another hot topic in 2006. We selected Gavin Garbutt of N-able Technologies as the executive inspiring the most debate, but other notables get their due in an essay on the MSP
Pioneers.
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Who are the most influential people of the year?
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Often they are the top dogs at the largest companies, but not always. Some are key lieutenants driving significant initiatives or rising stars facing tough challenges. And still others are entrepreneurs at small companies who are rising above the din as representatives of influential groups and emerging trends.
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The common
is that all are likely to continue to inspire the ongoing conversations that make this industry so fascinating.