If Nortel’s board had selected a different person to succeed Bill Owens as CEO in 2005, do you think things would be much different?
What if Nortel had somehow been able to convince John Chambers that after a long and successful run as Cisco’s CEO, Nortel represented the ultimate challenge in his professional career – and that if he did well, there would be glory, generous compensation and the enduring gratitude of investors.
What would Chambers have done differently?
My sense is he would have moved more aggressively, ruthlessly and decisively to get Nortel back on the right strategic direction. Much like ex-Cisco executives Gary Daichendt and Gary Kunis wanted to give Nortel an extensive makeover right away, Chambers probably would have embraced the same tactic.
And he would have been able to convince the Nortel board to go along with his plan.
Second, Chambers would probably have made some major strategic acquisitions to jump-start Nortel’s new direction. We’re talking $500-million to multi-billion dollar deals that would have been executed much better than Nortel’s $9-billion purchase of Bay Networks. In comparison, Nortel has made four acquisitions and spent less than $150-million since Zafirovski joined Nortel.
Chambers would have also hired a different kind of management team with solid telecom and enterprise experience. A guy like Mike Volpi might have been hired to lead the enterprise business, and then be groomed as Chambers’ successor.
Of course, hindsight is 20-20 but that’s why it’s so much fun to look back at what if.
So, what do you think Chambers would have done differently?
When/if Nortel disappears, so will AAN. That's the hard reality but life goes on.
Truth be told, I've been already planning ahead, which is why I recently launched a new blog on Twitter – twitterrati.com. If you're into Twitter and microblogging, check it out.
Mark
less
I think Chambers would've doffed the “simplicity trumps complexity” mantra and instead encouraged folks to “buy Nortel stuff”, not just stock.
yes4aapl
Now you are just jealous that D J is on my side of the equation. Let me ask you, who supports your understanding of the stock market? Show some links supporting your idea of hedge funds destroying NT stock! You are just a naive poster who will stir the pot to do diversion! Nt does what NT is! POS stock, the biggest fraud ever! $400 bill market cap which is now $300 mill. Why don't you just go and find a chat room in which you will find friends and understanding for your level of your integrity?
NeuteredZ
DJ…
I am not into personal attacks but I think the only person besides yourself that though Steve Slippery added value was AlexP from the Belleville Mafia.
NT has a few good execs, but Cisco can have Slippery.
NZ
notsure
I think Z should follow Goldman Sachs CEO's lead by not taking any bonuses, raises or stock options in 2008. Do you think that will happen? Pffttt!!!!
What Would John Chambers Have Done?
If Nortel’s board had selected a different person to succeed Bill Owens as CEO in 2005, do you think things would be much different?
What if Nortel had somehow been able to convince John Chambers that after a long and successful run as Cisco’s CEO, Nortel represented the ultimate challenge in his professional career – and that if he did well, there would be glory, generous compensation and the enduring gratitude of investors.
What would Chambers have done differently?
My sense is he would have moved more aggressively, ruthlessly and decisively to get Nortel back on the right strategic direction. Much like ex-Cisco executives Gary Daichendt and Gary Kunis wanted to give Nortel an extensive makeover right away, Chambers probably would have embraced the same tactic.
And he would have been able to convince the Nortel board to go along with his plan.
Second, Chambers would probably have made some major strategic acquisitions to jump-start Nortel’s new direction. We’re talking $500-million to multi-billion dollar deals that would have been executed much better than Nortel’s $9-billion purchase of Bay Networks. In comparison, Nortel has made four acquisitions and spent less than $150-million since Zafirovski joined Nortel.
Chambers would have also hired a different kind of management team with solid telecom and enterprise experience. A guy like Mike Volpi might have been hired to lead the enterprise business, and then be groomed as Chambers’ successor.
Of course, hindsight is 20-20 but that’s why it’s so much fun to look back at what if.
So, what do you think Chambers would have done differently?
Technorati Tags: mike zafirovski, Nortel, john chambers