> focused on the operations and distribution functions of the company
At the risk of sounding dumb, isn't that what the COO is for?
I think it’s primarily a public acknowledgment that they’re as important, maybe even more important, for such a mature company. The kinds of people who qualify, are the kinds of people who dream of being a CEO, and don’t want to roll up to someone else. They would likely go somewhere they could easily be CEO without the bump.
“I am going to be focusing on, No. 1, the products, the technology—as well as the culture,” says Benioff, “and Keith is very much focused on the operations and distribution functions of the company. We feel it’s going to naturally align with both of our strengths.”
Product, Marketing, Vision, Culture -- vs -- Sales, Support, Services (Business)
It basically reverts back to what start-ups would segment out as Business v. Technical co-founders.