With the recent sacking of Andre Villas-Boas and Roman Abramovich looking for his eighth permanent manager since buying the club in 2003, what can we in the business and recruitment world learn from the saga?

*Money doesn’t necessarily bring you success – AVB spent £82m on buying new players this season! Deep pockets may help but are no guarantee of being the leader in your field.

*Don’t bite off more than you can chew – was AVB just too young and inexperienced for such a big job, despite the fact that he had won four trophies with Porto?

*Make sure you understand exactly the nature and influence the “man in the big chair “, your very own Roman Abramovich will have before you accept a job.

*What about the team you will join and or manage – as the Chelsea saga has indicated, no amount of talent will compensate if a team doesn’t work as a team and respect the manager.

Contrast the Chelsea situation with that of Martin O’Neill – he took over at Sunderland when they were 17th (out of 20) in the Premier League on Dec 6th and they have now moved out of the relegation zone and into 12th place. He must have some lessons for us all……..

We hear a lot about “fat cats,” and the curbing of executive pay, pensions and bonus pots…..but in reality isn’t it fair to say that we need this business elite? In order for Britain to remain a strong economic power, we need the best business leaders to want to base their companies here. This business elite, directly and indirectly creates opportunities for all of us ….from the employment created to the money spent on goods and services not only by them but by those they employ.

I do take issue with executives being handsomely rewarded for failure, but for running successful, profitable businesses……then they should be well rewarded. The tax system should support this (so the 50% tax rate should go?) and we should allow the most talented business leaders to come to the UK (increasing visa restrictions will limit the leaders of tomorrow from coming to the UK to study and work).

Otherwise we are in danger of becoming seen as anti business. Some of our biggest companies will follow the lead of the Prudential which is reported to be considering relocating out of the UK in response to the restrictions imposed by Solvency II.

That’s not an attractive prospect for any of us.

It’s not the winning, it’s the taking part that counts. But to be honest, we’re pleased to have won. Not the 100 yard dash, but the Top-Consultant readers poll for best management consultancy recruitment consultancy 2012, and Don’s individual management consultancy recruiter accolade.
A big thank you to everyone who voted. We appreciate it.