Leica CEO Fired

[infocusf8@earthlink.]

It was announced today that Leica CEO Steven Lee has been "removed." This is an interesting turn of events and will change the direction Leica is taking. Here is the link.
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/Leica_Camera_sacks_CEO_Steven_K_Lee_news_182225.html

 

[35mmdelux]

Change might be a good thing. We do not know what got screwed up. Lee was hired before the last consolidation and that might be the reason for his departure.

 

[rsl]

We do not know what got screwed up.

Eh? Come again?

 

[pizzahut88]

A CEO gets removed for one thing and one only.
Under-performance.
No right minded board of directors will fire a CEO when he is bring in the cash.

 

[jaapv]

But not like this. I that case there are the usual face-saving evasions, three-month hand-over etc. This summary dismissal suggests an acute personal conflict with the owner, one should not suppose something more sinister, but I guess even that is possible.

 

[pizzahut88]

Sometimes good CEO gets fired for the wrong reasons.
Steven Job left Apple once . . . now he's back . . . and there's iMac, iPhone, iPod. . . .

 

[infocusf8@earthlink.]

Oh good, an i9 with full frame sensor and MP3 storage!

 

[rsl]

Sometimes good CEO gets fired for the wrong reasons.
Steven Job left Apple once . . . now he's back . . . and there's iMac, iPhone, iPod. . . .

Steve Jobs got too successful too young and developed a bad case of hubris. But he's a brilliant guy and once he grew up he came back and did the heavy lifting Apple needed to survive.

 

[Ben Z]

But not like this. I that case there are the usual face-saving evasions, three-month hand-over etc. This summary dismissal suggests an acute personal conflict with the owner, one should not suppose something more sinister, but I guess even that is possible.

I don't know about how European corporations work, but in the US (and Lee is an American with considerable corporate experience) a CEO's hiring would be contractual, not be what we call here "at will", meaning, he can't be summarily dismissed without cause. There would be certain causes for which he could be immediately dismissed such as unethical or illegal conduct. Firing a CEO because the chairman of the board didn't like his personality, not to mention making a public announcement that removes all chance of face-saving, and damages his chances at finding another position of responsibility with another corporation, would most likely result in that CEO filing a ton of lawsuits against his former employer and walking away with an enormous settlement. Again, I don't know how it works in Germany, but as an outsider who can only filter it through American thinking, it comes off as if Lee committed some kind of very serious offense. If that is not the case, given that he probably will come back to the USA, I hope this doesn't ruin his career. I only met him once, and briefly, and he seemed like a personable sort. Utmost he was a Leica user and fan long before he was considered for the CEO-ship.

 

[kuzano]

I'm sorry....

I'm sorry....

Sometimes good CEO gets fired for the wrong reasons.
Steven Job left Apple once . . . now he's back . . . and there's iMac, iPhone, iPod. . . .

u-what? u did what?

 

[mw_uio]

I think that Leica is working with consultants link Mckinsey or similar fashion, devising a corporate long term strategy. It is now or never for Leica for survival. Sink or swim!

Mark
Quito, EC

 

[neelin]

Utmost he was a Leica user and fan long before he was considered for the CEO-ship.

hmm...I wonder if his kit is up for sale. I wouldn't want to be him sending it in for warranty adjustment/repair. 😉
r

 

[parsec1]

Lee was fired for th M8 debacle and so he should be.
Just to think at one time I was considering buying TWO of the things.

 

[Rangefinder Man]

I heard he fired a lot of good people and a certain Leica people are happy!

 

[Rangefinder Man]

Also when I was at Leica last year, Porchse Consulting were helping Leica and have a temporay office at Solms. One day I'll upload some photos.