As the founder and owner of ComputerLand, William Millard, 53, built a billion-dollar business on an old-fashioned notion: it is better to be feared than loved. Since the firm's start in 1976, Millard has ruled his 1,100 employees and more than 800 franchisees with an autocrat's hand, making unilateral decisions and railing against anyone who challenged his judgment. Until recently, that style worked wonders. ComputerLand (1984 sales: $1.4 billion) is the world's largest chain of computer stores, with 820 outlets in 24 countries, including China. Profits are expected to reach $20 million this year. Millard, who is probably worth more than...
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