What to call yourself is one of the most crucial decisions you will make while starting or running a business. President and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) are two typical titles for a company’s top executive. But which one ought to you pick? The size and organizational structure of your business, your sector, and your personal tastes are just a few of the variables that will affect the response.
Let’s define the two titles first. The title “president” is more all-encompassing and can be applied to both government and nonprofit institutions. President is a title used frequently in business to denote the person in control of both daily operations and strategic planning. The CEO title, on the other hand, is more precise and is frequently used in for-profit organizations. It means that creating and implementing the organization’s financial goals is primarily the responsibility of the person in charge.
So, should you refer to yourself as CEO or President? Either title could be appropriate if you’re a small business owner with a few staff members. However, CEO can be a better option if your business is bigger or your sector is more specialized. This is because CEO portrays a stronger feeling of power and competence because it is a more defined term.
But what if neither of these titles feels right to you? Fortunately, there are lots of different choices available. Managing Director is another title for a top executive that is frequently used in Europe and Asia. Though it may be more suited for businesses with a global presence, this position is similar to CEO. Chairman, Executive Director, and Managing Partner are further choices.
Your job titles if you and a partner are running a business will rely on how your business is set up. You might both use the title of President or CEO if you have equal ownership. As an alternative, you might decide to assign each other various titles depending on your respective roles and strong points. As an illustration, one partner might serve as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and the other as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
Finally, if you operate a firm alone, you are free to use any name you desire. Some businesspeople prefer to use a title that sounds more original, such “founder” or “chief visionary officer.” Others like a term that is more conventional, like CEO or President. The title you select should ultimately reflect your personality, your objectives, and the ideals of your business.
In conclusion, selecting a title for yourself might be a challenging yet crucial choice. Make sure your title appropriately describes your position and responsibilities within the organization, regardless of whether you decide to use the titles President or CEO or something else entirely. And keep in mind that you can always modify your title as your company develops.