Free Who Moved My Blackberry? by Lucy Kellaway Page A

killer in men.
    My athlete’s foot has also flared up horribly. Do you think this is connected to the other symptoms?
    Love you, M x
    From: Roger Wright
    To: All Staff
    Re: weekly HODs meeting
    As you know, Barry Malone has invited me to act as Chairman of a-b glöbâl (UK) until further notice. I shall be convening the first in a series of regular weekly meetings for all heads of department to discuss forthcoming issues in Meeting Room 305 at 08:15hrs tomorrow. There are 39 items on the agenda and it is imperative that everybody attends promptly.
    Roger Wright

Chairman, a-b glöbâl (UK) (Acting)
    From: Martin Lukes
    To: Graham Wallace
    Hi Graham—Rog’s dictatorial tendencies to the fore … would make me feel ill if I wasn’t so ill already.
    Martin
APRIL 2
    From: Barry Malone
    To: All Staff
    Howdy!
    This morning I issued an announcement to the SEC that our earnings for the first quarter would show an 18 percent decline on last year. This is due to adverse exchange rate movements, and to hypercompetitive conditions in our market space. Our underlying position remains strong and I would like to thank each of you for making this happen and for bringing your passion and integrity to work every day.
    Today I am delighted to announce the next step on our journey towards achieving Peak Performance Permanently.
    Our number one goal is to raise the talent bar. At a-b glöbâl we should have zero tolerance of low bench strength. We are a home for A players and B players. C players do not belong here.
    In alignment with our caring values, we will treat every existing a-b glöbâl coworker with human dignity. Those of you who stay will be rewarded by working with highly motivated colleagues. Those who do not stay will be free to pursue jobs someplace else where you will feel more passionate and more effective.
    I have tasked Keith Buxton, Chief Talent Officer, with implementing the program. He will contact you shortly.
    I love you all
    Barry S. Malone
    From: Martin Lukes
    To: Graham Wallace
    Graham—Don’t like the sound of this ABC thing … share price tanking, which means my options are all underwater—but as I’ll probably be dead by the time I can exercise them, it doesn’t make much difference.
    Drink later?
    Mart
    From: Martin Lukes
    To: Keri Tartt
    Hi Keri—
    I’m really impressed at how perceptive you are about my illness. I agree this is my body giving me a major wake-up call about the multiple stresses I am under. You can’t go on firing 120 percent on all cylinders indefinitely, can you?
    I’m off to see the doctor in half an hour, so we’ll see what he has to say. Can you call me a cab?
    M
    PS Ta muchly for the crystals … really sweet of you.
    From: Martin Lukes
    To: Jenny Withers
    Darling—
    Just seen Dr. Stewart, and the news is very bad. Obviously he couldn’t say anything about the bowel cancer at this stage, but he’s sending me to a top specialist for a colonoscopy. Am feeling very poorly indeed. Would appreciate high-fiber supper and then whiskey and bed.
    M xx
APRIL 5
    From: Martin Lukes
    To: Pandora@CoachworX!
    Hi Pandora
    A query from left field: I remember you telling me that you were diagnosed as having cancer, and that your doctor gave you six months to live but you coached yourself out of it.
    It appears that I may have contracted bowel cancer myself, and would be interested in a program of coaching targeted specifically at helping me towards remission.
    Bestest
    Martin
    From: Pandora@CoachworX!
    To: Martin Lukes
    Hi Martin!
    I am delighted to see that you are working through the SARAH cycle, and have reached the resentment/acceptance stage. Yes I would be delighted to recommence our program. However it is imperative that you sincerely renew your commitment to me and to the Executive Bronze Program. Coaching is not something that you dip in and out of. For it to succeed you must commit now to completing the