You would think in an era when everyone is talking about accountability that CEO’s would would be under more pressure to “get things right”. That isn’t the case for some iconic brands who are going to pay a huge price for their blunders.
Consumers don’t forgive and forget easily. The power of the Internet gives them a collective voice whose echo can be heard all the way to the CEO’s office. Here are some examples..
1ne: Microsoft – I, for one, thought Microsoft was on a roll, but the problems with the new version of Office for Windows and the Mac are causing quite a stir online. It seems that Office for the Mac is crashing with the new version of OS X and that the inability to share documents within Microsoft’s cloud are pushing people to look more closely at Google Doc’s. Microsoft’s response? “We’re working on it”. That is unacceptable.
2wo: Keurig – The single serve coffee company recently bombed with machines that used only licensed Kcups and there has been a huge backlash against their non-environmental friendly single serve plastic cups. They won’t have a fix for another year, which has caused an outcry from environmentalists. To add to their woes, they have introduced a single serve soda machine which is getting horrible reviews online because the machine is noisy, huge and each serving costs more than a dollar. Keep in mind that soda consumption in the US is declining rapidly.
3hree: Volkswagon – What they did, or didn’t do, could put the company out of business. Their CEO has been canned, but he leaves with a very healthy severance package while the rank and file are surely going to get pink slips.
Make no mistake about it, consumers are going to hold these brands accountable, which is going to lead to trouble for their brands. But why should their CEO’s worry when they can just lay off more people and leave with golden parachutes?
