Bad Moguls Of 2007
53A Look Back At 2007's Notorious Moguls
It's now time to reflect a little on the year that just passed in MogulDom.
It's always a bit educational (not to mention just plain entertaining), to look back at some of the infamous Mogul activities from the previous year.
So I simply developed a very short list of highly notable and infamous Moguls that graced the business world in 2007. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Rather, it's more of a memorable list because these people made me laugh and cringe!
Here they are.
Who: Conrad Black
Industry: Newspapers
Company: Hollinger International (Chicago)
Title: CEO
Offense: Convicted of stealing $6 million from Hollinger shareholders
Question: Why steal from company shareholders ... Had you already looted the local orphanage funds and needed a little more spending change?
Who: Heinz-Joachim Neubürger, former CFO; Karl-Hermann Baumann, former Chairman; Johannes Feldmayer, former board member.
Industry: Telecommunications
Company: Siemens (Germany)
Titles: CFO, Chairman, Board Member
Offenses: Allegedly implementing a $2 Billion (that's 9 zeroes folks!) bribery scheme involving government officials in various exotic global locales such as Nigeria and Russia.
In other words, "You buy our equipment and we'll make you a deal you can't refuse."
Question: Is it too late for me to get on the bandwagon? I currently hold a post as Telecom Cabinet Minister in the small country of Payupstan. Call me!
Who: Rolandas Milinavicius
Industry: Auto Dealer
Company: R.M. Auto International (Fulton County, GA)
Title: Owner
Offense: Allegedly killing 2 employees after they asked for raises.
Question: Couldn't you just fire them instead?
In the next few days I'll look at 2 or 3 other notable Bad Moguls Of 2007!
In the meantime, do you have your own list of Notorious Moguls?
I'd like to see what you come up with!
moguls
 | Amazon Price: $7.98 List Price: $24.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $14.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $12.95 |
 | Amazon Price: $3.97 List Price: $14.95 |
Doug Stowell 4 years ago
Blake's "moguls" list calls attention to whole issue of "Executive Ethics" in the21st Century. Have they really deteriorated in the last 50 years, OR, do we have more efficient means of "calling them out"?
i.e, web-logs, "fast-breaking news", investigative reporters, text messaging, etc.
My guess is that its a function of both, a decline in business ethics AND advancements in communications technology which raises awareness!