Management Turnover as Change Agent

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Walmart Family's Support of CEO Lee Scott?

Is Wal-Mart WMT (NYSE) CEO, Lee Scott, feeling a little like Senator Thomas Eagleton in 1971? At the time, then Democratic Candidate for President, Senator George McGovern, announced he continued to support his decision 1,000% to have Eagelton as his Vice Presidential candidate. McGovern's backing came despite the news that Eagleton had previously been treated for severe depression and had undergone electric shock treatments. For those who do not remember or were not even around yet, one might think Scott is in a similar boat to Eagleton. As an aside, Eagleton left the ticket and was replaced with Sargent Shriver.

As Walmart's star continues to fade a bit and shareholders constantly moan about the company's performance, Scott seems to find new ways to get himself embroiled in problems he does not need.
At last week's annual meeting, Wal-Mart Chairman Rob Walton said, "The board and the Walton family have absolute confidence in your leadership, Lee. We appreciate you and we thank you."
Continuing corporate strategy failings, labor problems, environmental related problems, spying controversies and the Julie Roehm firing fiasco all point to a possible change at the top, despite protestations from the bigwigs.

Stay tuned.

For more on Scott's fate and problems check out:

Blogging Stocks
CNN Money/Forbes
Seeking Alpha

No comments: