Hats off to Ron Milton!

Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed my entry last week about NetIQ's recently hired vice president of customer value realisation attracted a comment from a rather well-placed observer - none other than the man himself, Mr Ron Milton.

I must confess that I felt just a little sheepish at first. I sit here and poke fun at anyone with the temerity to do something a little out of the ordinary, not once thinking that the targets of my barbs might actually read this stuff.

(Alas, maybe I was raised wrong, Dear Reader. My father often used to sit me on his knee and say: "Son, if you want to achieve anything, you've got to apply yourself. But belittling others' achievements is much easier, and invariably more rewarding.")

In any case, I wanted to make a point of giving mad props to my man Ron for putting himself out there and taking the time to reply, especially in such good humour. Frankly, no-one would have judged you harshly for giving me a dry slap, Ron. Verbally, at least. So, good on yer, mate - my hat is well and truly off.

I read, with some admiration, Ron's impassioned and well-articulated explanation of his unusual job title. I've still got little idea what a vice president of customer value realisation does, but now I'm damn sure I want one!

Applications, salary expectations, references and thinly veiled threats to the usual address please!