What is the role of CEO?

Dan Hoffman (Former CEO, M5 Networks)


Dan makes an analogy to the role of the director of a large film to the role of a CEO. He finds that being a CEO is very similar to being a film director including casting or finding the right people, putting out the biggest fires, and making sure that all the actors or employees know the right story to tell.

Dan Hoffman

Former CEO, M5 Networks Dan joined a successful early Internet service provider that sold in 1998, founded and failed by 2000 with a venture-backed roll-up in Asia, and then started and grew M5 Networks that became a pioneer in the Cloud communications industry. Dan held CEO position at M5 Networks for 12 years and after that sold the company to ShoreTel (SHOR) where he was a President. Currently Dan is now living in Barcelona, Spain on a family adventure. He is working on weaponizing innovations in education and technology to try to find a new model that enables people to learn the skills they need to be great at work.

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About the Author

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Dan Hoffman

Former CEO, M5 Networks

Dan joined a successful early Internet service provider that sold in 1998, founded and failed by 2000 with a venture-backed roll-up in Asia, and then started and grew M5 Networks that became a pioneer in the Cloud communications industry. Dan held CEO position at M5 Networks for 12 years and after that sold the company to ShoreTel (SHOR) where he was a President. Currently Dan is now living in Barcelona, Spain on a family adventure. He is working on weaponizing innovations in education and technology to try to find a new model that enables people to learn the skills they need to be great at work.

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