True Stories of Disastrous Projects and Cowboy Managers

Equally as surreal as the companies where our character John has worked, is the now-defunct company Fusion Ltd.

This section submitted by Dino Fancellu and Robin Sharp.

Here is a genuine memo passed around to the development team:

The parable of the Tom Cat and the Black Hawks

Gentleman, please.

Paul Barkers abilities have been instrumental in the extending and
broadening of engagements with IPC, Merchants and TBN, and as such is a linchpin on all 3 projects and has I believe earned not only these clients but also those Fusion employees appreciation and respect in the "real world" of these projects.

The last 8 weeks have been unsettling for us all as I juggled the
requirements of the team, the company and the clients.
I am confident in the abilities of you all and believe that we are the
"dream team" of 96 and to paraphrase Scot McNelly "I believe that having achieved fame, fortune will follow".

However, on the (off the field) behaviour front I really must insist that
the internal sniping stop forthwith.

"I am expendable". This is the one thing Catherine McGuigan and I agreed on, so was contrary to her opinion she; as are you. Therefore to prevent any further infection I am adding an addendum to the employment contract under section 12.4.

"The communicating of a personally offensive nature to employees of the Company will be deemed as gross misconduct, and can in certain instances lead to instant dismissal".

We have all seen examples of this and it will not be tolerated by me.
I find myself feeling like the headmaster of a Rhodean, rather than Norman Schwartzkopf. If you have any concerns it is my responsibility to address them, I can only make myself available to you.

For those of you who prefer tittle tattle and passing the blame, please
consider neither of these behaviours are adult let alone professional and if you wish to behave in such a fashion you are not part of Fusion.

Heroism, cowardice fool hardiness, I can't change your behaviour, but I can insist on professionalism and as 96 unfolds this will bring the rewards we strive for. Whatever the outcome I know it will be my fault.

This matter is now closed.

John O

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