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
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.

VideoPlayPink
Why is m5 Networks unique?
IconPrene Previous Video
VideoPlayPink
How M5 Networks merged with ShoreTel
IconNepre Next Video

About the Author

Dan Hoffman

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.

Recent Interviews

See All

Full Interview – John Studzinski

John Studzinski Author & Vice Chairman, PIMCO John StudzinskiAuthor & Vice…

Watch Now linkarrow

Full Interview – Laura Ries

Laura Ries Bestselling author & Chairwoman, RIES Laura RiesBestselling author &…

Watch Now linkarrow

Full Interview – Raghav Gupta

Raghav Gupta Co-Founder & CEO, Posha Raghav GuptaCo-Founder & CEO, Posha…

Watch Now linkarrow

Full Interview – Rouzbeh Yassini

Rouzbeh Yassini Author, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist Rouzbeh Yassini-FardAuthor, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist…

Watch Now linkarrow

NYSCI Talks

New York Hall of Science’s 5th annual Spring for STEM. The event entitled Gene Editing and the Future of Disease: The CRISPR Revolution featured a panel of experts in bioengineering and genetics who discuss the policy and ethical implications of this new technology. Watch more videos and full episode of this event here

Sarder TV ‘Street Beat’

Sarder TV ‘Street Beat’ hit the road to cover New York Fashion Week. Join host, Tracey Fitzpatrick backstage and on the runways with reports and insights from designers, business owners, models and more.
Watch more videos and full episode of this event here