Ex-Compaqer Pfeiffer emerges at Intershop

Erstwhile Compaq CEO Eckhard Pfeiffer today joined the ranks of one-time senior IT industry executives who, having been booted out of a big league operation, resurface in a tiny company no one has ever heard of. Pfeiffer joins such distinguished names as Rod Canion (the guy he replaced at Compaq), ex-IBMer John Akers, one-time Lotuser Jim Manzi, practically every CEO Apple has ever had, and countless others. Pfeiffer's new employer is Intershop, a German e-commerce company that sees itself competing head-to-head with IBM. Following tradition, Pfeiffer won't take on any of Intershop's day-to-day operations -- as chairman, he will simply act as an advisor to the business' management team. "I will be leveraging the knowledge in the industry, providing senior experience to the relatively young team. It's an exciting opportunity," said dear old Uncle Eckhard of his new role. He is already in investor in the company. "I decided I was not going back in a CEO role," Pfeiffer admitted. He also said he has been exploring between 50 and 100 opportunities since leaving Compaq -- and we can just see the poor fellow now, peering at the cards in his local labour exchange wondering whether a bus driver has better career opportunities than a contract cleaner. In fact, he's been looking at investment opportunities and potential partnerships with venture capitalists. ®