Yesterday on CNBC, I heard about the CEO of "Whole Foods Market posted messages on a Yahoo! chat forum under an alias for years, talking up his own company while predicting a bleak future for Wild Oats Markets, the rival it has since sought to acquire." (CNBC.com, 2007)
It seems that this guy took a play on his wife's name and made it his screen name. Then he proceeded to rip apart Wild Oats Markets while under that other persona.
What was this guy thinking?
He had a great thing going on at Whole Foods and he shot himself in the foot. Seems like some people are not happy unless they are stirring the pot. I personally LIVE for the stirring the pot. However, I do it when it has to be done and not for the sake of just doing it.
Moving on, so you ask how did he shoot himself in the foot?
Well it seems that he wants Whole Foods Market to acquire Wild Oats Markets. OK, so what's the big deal one company wants another company? The big deal is that this guy got caught making statements about a company that he wants to acquire. Why? To drive down the value thus drive down the price.
Isn't this the American way?
It may have been in your father's day but in a post- Enron world you can bet your ass it ain't the American Way. The American Way is to be open, transparent, and be above board with everything you do. Failing to do that, as John Mackey is finding out will lead him down a difficult path. The FTC has sued to prevent the acquisition from going through. Whole Foods Markets stakeholders, both internal and external, are wondering if his actions were illegal because they most certainly were unethical.
So where is the narcissism?
This guy really thought he would not get caught. Now that he is caught he acts like the FTC trapped him, was out to get him, and he should not be held accountable for the something he wrote in private. He event as far as saying "posted on Yahoo! under a pseudonym because I had fun doing it. Many people post on bulletin boards using pseudonyms."(CNBC.com, 2007) Sounds like he truly believes he has done nothing more than have a little fun. Meanwhile, this just proves that one bad ORGANIC apple does spoil the whole bunch.
Nice try buddy, next time how about recruiting some of the competition's customers and let them sink that ship, if it is as bad as you say.
You can check out the story at: http://www.cnbc.com/id/19700361
No comments:
Post a Comment