Ed The Serial CEO Makes A Balls Up

'It's clear to me', he confides to his diary, 'that our marketing is woeful. Our telecommunications ICs especially don't seem to be creating any buzz in the industry.'

Ed decides to hold a company jamboree for customers and press to promote the product line.

Using an outside PR company, Ed oversees the choosing of a prestigious venue - Highclere Castle in Berkshire, the arrangements for top class caterers, and the provision of first-class accommodation for overnight guests.

'I can't understand why there are so few takers', he writes in his diary, 'we sent out invitations to 100 customers and press and have had less than 20 acceptances.'

Reluctantly Ed takes his worries to the general manager of the comms division.

'He listened, looked at the plans and budgets for the event and then asked:

"What day are you having this?"'

'"February 16^th", I told him.'

'"Hmmmmmm" muses the general manager, "right in the middle of Mobile World Congress".'.

'Bugger!' writes Ed, 'well, it's only 277 days to go to the IPO, and I'm off somewhere sunny with a stonking stash of cash.'