CA stand-in CEO makes conference bow...

Computer Associates' stand-in CEO Kenneth Cron yesterday took to the stage to officially open the CA World 2004 conference in Las Vegas.

Six weeks ago, while Sanjay Kumar was still in charge as chairman and CEO, Cron would have been forgiven for thinking a front-row seat was as close to centre stage as he was going to get but one management coup and some boardroom turmoil later - not to mention a hastily re-written speech - and Cron was charged with putting the recent disruptions to one side and making bold pronouncements on a scandal-free "new chapter" for the software giant.

He also indulged in a prolonged bout of backslapping with staff and customers as he attempted to inject a little feel-good factor into a party that could easily have flopped before it had even begun.

Of course the recent well-publicised troubles could not be ignored entirely, however, and Cron told the assembled audience of employees, IT professionals, analysts and press that the company investigation is now closed and while CA continues to assist the government investigators in every way possible it is now "about moving ahead" and striving for "the highest standards of fiscal discipline and integrity".

Cron also announced this year's troubles had played a major part in deciding who to book for the guest keynote slot on the Monday night.

Following in the footsteps of heavyweight political leaders such as Rudolph Giuliani, Colin Powell and Henry Kissinger will be US comic Bill Cosby.

Promising "fun and laughter", Cron said: "Given what CA has been going through, as well as the rest of the world, I thought we would introduce a little humour this year."

Taking the stage, Cron was candid about his own shortcomings as a public speaker and while much must be put down to the lack of preparation time many may note his performance appeared to lack the assuredness and charisma of Kumar's and former CEO Charles Wang's past efforts.

Thankfully for Cron the keynote address was broken up with lengthy video clips which kept his time in the spotlight to little more than half the allotted hour.

Attendees were treated to long clips of customer testimonies, then employee testimonies, then employee pieces-to-camera and then finally a short film about the company’s charity work.

And that latter detail, which showed how the company had built a playground for disadvantaged children in North Las Vegas, allowed Cron to finish on a well-deserved round of applause, which under the circumstances will be judged a victory of sorts.

However, among the video clips was a notable inclusion of a piece from Sanjay Kumar sounding off about his new and "very exciting job". If those in the audience were unconvinced by the sentiment then the half-smile which appeared to limp across his face will have done little to compound the idea that this was a man entirely at ease with his new role.

Kumar may have taken some consolation from Cron’s kind words, however. Cron said Kumar offers "unique insight" and "experience" which will enable him to "continue to contribute to CA".

While Cron's largely touchy-feely speech focussed more on people issues he did again reaffirm the company's commitment to 'The Management Age' - promising "innovative" software which will keep CA ahead of the competition.

Of course, talk around the conference halls is about a long-term replacement for Kumar – with many keen to learn who will deliver next year's keynote.

Cron is apparently not interested in the job full-time, according to sources within the company, while other board members, such as COO Jeff Clarke, have already joined the ranks of those distancing themselves from the position.