San Francisco, USA – E be like say wahala don land for food giant Nestlé as dem fire their CEO, Laurent Freixe, just like that. And wetin him do? Na because of some romantic mixing with one of the staff wey be him subordinate.
Dem remove Freixe fast-fast after investigation show say him relationship don cross company boundary wey no suppose dey crossed. As dem talk am, this kind behavior dey against Nestlé’s Code of Business Conduct. E no need to tell you say dem no gree give am any exit package – e just dey waka out bare like say him no sabi wetin him dey do for office.
Paul Bulcke, wey be chairman for the board, talk say: “This was a necessary decision.” E go fit sound like mouth service but we all sabi say leadership no be for joke. Freixe, wey don spend just one year for the CEO position after him predecessor Mark Schneider waka go, been dey carry big wahala for body since e enter.
As soon as dem announce say Freixe don go, dem quickly carry one long serving executive, Philipp Navratil, come replace am. Navratil don dey with the company since 2001, so e go dey take over with plenty experience. Bulcke even praise am say: “Philipp is recognized for his impressive track record of achieving results in challenging environments.” Na him know wetin dey happen, no be small.
Na true say na serious matter as this kind issues always dey shine light on how workplace romance fit turn bad when plenty power dey for one side. Romance for office no be new, but when person wey hold management position dey mix with subordinate, na when wahala go come dey show. We don see cases for many companies wey allow this kind development lead to drama wey fit scatter company reputation.
Freixe no dey play with Nestlé profit as well – under am, dem report say company dey face plenty wahala like declining sales and high tariffs. His exit just dey add another layer of concern for shareholders wey dey watch their investment like hawk. Na so wahala fit come disguise as romantic issue but e dey bigger than that for the business world.
Philipp Navratil no go fit enjoy smooth sailing as Dem chook eye for am. E need to prove say e fit carry Nestlé go where dem suppose go make them regain their standing for the market. Na serious job be this o, and everybody dey watch as dem get plenty work ahead.
This whole saga na just reminder say power dynamics fit influence how we relate at work – some even say e fit spoil better things if we no dey careful. Companies suppose do better to manage relationships wey dey go on between them people, especially those wey fit end up for executive suite. We dey watch as Nestlé dey try rearrange their strategy and fit this one just dey be the beginning.
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