It's been 2 years since MLS took over. It's apparent by now that as a first-time CEO she's made a lot of rookie mistakes. Sales are way off on the FSS side, ditto on the higher ed side. She wiped out the previous executive team in higher ed that had a common background and experience in their industry. Higher Ed is in the hands of a failed and disfunctional team. I.T. is in shambles with a CIO clearly in over his head. Product direction is indecisive. Those that cared deeply about the company and its associates have been let go. And the impact of those former executives being let loose is starting to show up in increased competitiion on the higher ed side. So while I think MLS will be successful in her next job, when does the family realize their hope for a 3 year turnaround and sale isn't going to happen and they replace her?
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Dummies
angry, scared, betrayed, unmotivated. yep, that about sums it up.
It is a demonstration of how poor Follett's management is. They spent tons in human capital to drive employees from the company. The results are a fractured work force that is angry, scared, betrayed and who has recently become unmotivated. They can recruit from other failed retail corporations but no where else. Competent management would have constructed a real plan and dispatched their teams to get it done. This management team failed.
It's been said in previous posts. They should have offered buyouts to anyone wanting to leave before firing so many people. Follett employees would have rallied together to find solutions. Oh well.
50897, discourse plagues Follett. And it is only getting worse as new management have no clue......CLEARLY! It was idiotic to drive all the assets out because MLS created an environment that didn't appreciate a challenge. Although she said "challenge the processes".
Nice to see the level of discourse has been raised by this post.
Along the same lines I almost feel sorry for DG. He's making mistakes as well as a first-time president and is handicapped by the obstacles from MLS's mistakes. At least until I think of his actions and arrogance. Sitting in Westchester I'm not sure what Follett stands for anymore.
Did you say "corrective action"? LOL! Remember, that's where the demise starts.
the problem is that they not only have to recognize that their 'plan' isn't working; they also have to admit it and take corrective action. I will probably die of old age first.
I agree with all of you polemic except So while I think MLS will be successful in her next job. I believe that MLS has demonstrated that she is so insecure in her leadership skills that her comfort level required she rid Follett of all the previous leadership team (that knew the business) and replace them with HER team that owes their loyalty only to her. That is NOT a strong leader nor does it imply success in her next job. Some of the brilliant ideas she implemented at Follett were ideas that were tried and failed in the ‘90’s. She has failed, her management team has failed and she brought untold harm to those associated who were loyal to Follett but weren’t her hand picked bootlickers.