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Shape up or ship out: Paul Polman's business mantra


 Polman cautions that while businesses would go through troughs as their new models find their feet, it is important for leaders to focus on the long-term instead of succumbing to quick fixes to protect shareholder interest.




In an environment where recession and revolution seem to be moving together the top boss at the world's largest consumer company, Unilever, says the secret to staying in business is simple; shape up or ship out. Paul Polman's business mantra It's a fast moving world. Only those businesses that can keep up with the pace of change will reach the finish line, according to Unilever CEO Paul Polman, who believes the current socio-economic and geopolitical events this generation is witnessing will have widespread ramifications. It will include the shifting of power from the west to the east and the end of over consumerism and abundance. All of this is catalyzed by the social media revolution that has connected a billion consumers around the world. Using the Egypt movement as an analogy, Polman cautions that businesses have no room for complacency now and that consumer is still the king  “If you can topple an ingrained nation in 17 days, consumers can close an irresponsible company in nano-seconds”, says Paul Polman, Global CEO of Unilever. You can't say it is the role of politicians or let free market trade decide. You have to change your business models or become a dinosour. 'No room for complacency' Simultaneously Polman cautioned that while businesses would go through troughs as their new models find their feet, it is important for leaders to focus on the long-term instead of succumbing to quick fixes to protect shareholder interest. Polman says, “As society focussed on short-term, 75 percent of American CFOs will avoid tough situations or NPV if they can show a good picture today. Most businesses are being run for shareholder interest. How many businesses were created for shareholder interest? None.” As demands and desires change, according to Polman, marketeers will have to keep pace by making a case for sustainable basket of products, one that 

Read more at: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/cnbc-tv18-comments/shapeor-ship-out-paul-polmans-business-mantra_981107.html?utm_source=ref_article

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