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“They’re getting restless, wondering what we are talking about. Make the announcement. It’s probably best to get it over with nowanyway.”
He sighed as he looked at me. I planted a fake smile on myface.
“I’m excited about this new opportunity,” I said, hoping to bring our mind-set back towork.
“I can’t tell what you’re thinking, that annoys me,” hewhispered.
“Back at you with that one,” Isnapped.
He stared at me. “I’m not here to fight with you,” hesaid.
“I’m not either. I’m just answering your question. You called me in here. I’ve explained why I was a little hesitant about your announcement. But I’d like you to go ahead with it,” I said, hoping I’d made myselfclear.
He turned away and beckoned to those staring through the window, to join us. Mackenzie sat at the head of the table. He tapped the place to his left and Isat.
“Thank you for joining us, and I apologise about the impromptu meeting. I would have waited for Gabriella to make this announcement, but she’s otherwise engaged. As you know, I intend to merge this company with another of mine, Trymast. Although both companies are involved in media there are areas they, and you, operate in that are differerent. However, there is an overlap. It’s that overlap that we have to workon.
“You’ve had details of Trymast, you can see their offices are in Canary Wharf, and as a company, are much larger. One of our proposals is to move all business and staff to thatlocation.”
He paused as he scanned the room. It was the first piece of information anyone had been given about themerger.
“The second announcement I have is that Lauren Perry will be heading Trymast. Our current CEO, Alex Duchovany has other areas of my businesses to concentrate on, and we believe Miss Perry will be a perfect replacement. Not only has she headed the marketing team here but has been with Jerry from day one. There’s not much she doesn’t know about thisbusiness.”
A murmur ran around the room. I covered my discomfort but taking a sip of mycoffee.
“So that means she’ll be our boss?” I heard, recognising the voiceimmediately.
“Yes, that’s exactly what it means. So, you guys have a decision. You can work with us, and I include Miss Perry in theus, or you can have a hard think about yourfuture.”
I nearly choked on his words. They were rather harsh. But I liked his use of the word ‘us.’
“I’ve met you all individually, so I hope you have a little idea on how I work. I have a team of CEOs that run each of my businesses for me. That allows me to develop the organisation; direct it’s growth, without being bogged down in the day-to-day running. My second in command is Gabriella, who you’ve already met. In my absence, she has completecontrol.”
“How will this work?” Gary, Head of Accounts,asked.
“I will be honest, I will look at each head of section, both here and at Trymast, and the right person will get the job. As Gabriella previously explained, we don’t like to let go of valued members, but I cannot guarantee that everyone will keep their jobs. Those that don’t will be offered alternative posts should they wish to accept those. Of course, there will be fair remuneration if they choose to leave. Miss Perry will be leaving her post shortly and transfer to Canary Wharf. We have a head of marketing that will take over her teamimmediately.”
He turned to me. “I’ll leave you to address your team, perhaps latertoday?”
“Of course,” Ireplied.
“In the meantime, I hope you’ll continue to work to the best of your abilities. I appreciate that there is a little uncertainty at the moment. I’ll be here for the rest of today, using Jerry’s office, and the door is open should any of you wish to speak with me privately. You’ll all receive details of the move shortly; I understand Gabriella has that all in hand. I would also like to thank you for your patience while this merger occurs. If anyone has any questions they’d like to ask, fire away,” hesaid.
No one asked a question initially. I guessed it was because they were still absorbing the information. Mackenzie had repeated some of what Gabriella had already said, so job security wasn’t new but the move to Canary Wharfwas.
“I live in the opposite direction to Canary Wharf, where we are now is pretty convenient and getting across town is going to cost,” Garysaid.
“Trymast has a higher salary rate than here. I’m sure what you would lose in additional travel expenses would be adequately covered,” Mackenzieanswered.
Gary nodded, satisfied with the answer. “If there isn’t anything else, then remember, my door is open all day,” Mackenzie said, then stood. “Miss Perry, please joinme.”
We left the boardroom just as the chatter started. Mackenzie didn’t pause to listen but strode along the corridor to Jerry’s office. Jerry wasn’t in and I wondered why. I was under the impression there was a handoverperiod.
“Where’s Jerry?” Iasked.
“He and I have a little project we may work on, he’s over at Trymast,” he said as he closed hisdoor.
“I thought you had an open doorpolicy.”
