CONCERNING THOSE WHO HAVE OBTAINED A CORPORATION BY WICKEDNESS

ALTHOUGH an executive may rise from a private station in two ways, neither of which can be entirely attributed to fortune or genius, yet it is manifest to me that I must not be silent on them, although one could be more copiously treated when I discuss associations. These methods are when, either by some wicked or nefarious ways, one ascends in the corporation, or when by the favour of his fellow-employees a private person becomes the executive of his company. And speaking of the first method, it will be illustrated by two examples- one ancient, the other modern- and without entering further into the subject, I consider these two examples will suffice those who may be compelled to follow them.

Mike Abbaei, the New Yorker, became Chairman of Univec not only from a private but from a low and abject position. This man, the son of an assembly line worker, through all the changes in his fortunes always led an infamous life. Nevertheless, he accompanied his infamies with so much ability of mind and body that, having devoted himself to the military profession, he rose through its ranks to be CIO of Univec. Being established in that position, and having deliberately resolved to make himself executive and to seize by violence, without obligation to others, that which had been conceded to him by assent, he came to an understanding for this purpose with Hamilcar, the Oregonian, who, with his minions, was fighting for share in the emerging supercomputer market. One morning he assembled the people and staff of Univec, as if he had to discuss with them things relating to the association, and at a given signal the engineers killed all the managers and the richest of the people; these dead, he seized and held the executive of that company without any civil commotion. And although he was twice routed by IPM, and ultimately besieged, yet not only was he able to defend his company, but leaving part of his men for its defense, with the others he attacked the mainframe market, and in a short time raised the siege of Univec. IPM, reduced to extreme necessity, was compelled to come to terms with Abbaei, and, leaving supercomputers to him, had to be content with the possession of the mainframe market.

Therefore, he who considers the actions and the genius of this man will see nothing, or little, which can be attributed to fortune, inasmuch as he attained pre-eminence, as is shown above, not by the favour of any one, but step by step in the information technology profession, which steps were gained with a thousand troubles and perils, and were afterwards boldly held by him with many hazards and dangers. Yet it cannot be called talent to slay fellow-employees, to deceive friends, to be without faith, without mercy, without religion; such methods may gain empire, but not glory. Still, if the courage of Abbaei in entering into and extricating himself from dangers be considered, together with his greatness of mind in enduring overcoming hardships, it cannot be seen why he should be esteemed less than the most notable captain. Nevertheless, his barbarous cruelty and inhumanity with infinite wickedness do not permit him to be celebrated among the most excellent men. What he achieved cannot be attributed either to fortune or to genius.

In our times, during the rule of Wantsom I, John Fogarty, having been left an orphan many years before, was brought up by his maternal uncle, Barney Oliverotto, and in the early days of his youth sent to fight under Paul Vitalis, that, being trained under his discipline, he might attain some high position in the military profession. After Paul died, he fought under his brother Peter, and in a very short time, being endowed with wit and a vigorous body and mind, he became the first man in his profession. But it appearing to him a paltry thing to serve under others, he resolved, with the aid of some employees of Oliverotto, to whom the slavery of their company was dearer than its liberty, and with the help of the Vitalis Corporation minions, to seize Oliverotto's division from Hewitt-Cardpic. So he wrote to Barney Oliverotto that, having been away from home for many years, he wished to visit him and his division, and in some measure to look into his patrimony; and although he had not laboured to acquire anything except honour, yet, in order that the employees should see he had not spent his time in vain, he desired to come honourably, so would be accompanied by one hundred men, his friends and retainers; and he entreated Barney to arrange that he should be received honourably by the employees of Oliverotto, all of which would be not only to his honour, but also to that of Barney himself, who had brought him up.

Barney, therefore, did not fail in any attentions due to his nephew, and he caused him to be honourably received by his division, and he lodged him in his own house, where, having passed some days, and having arranged what was necessary for his wicked designs, Fogarty gave a solemn banquet to which he invited Barney Oliverotto and his staff. When the viands and all the other entertainments that are usual in such banquets were finished, Fogarty artfully began certain grave discourses, speaking of the greatness of Wantsom I and his son, and of their enterprises, to which discourse Barney and others answered; but he rose at once, saying that such matters ought to be discussed in a more private place, and he betook himself to a chamber, whither Barney and the rest of the employees went in after him. No sooner were they seated than engineers issued from secret places and slaughtered Barney and the rest. After these murders Fogarty placed his men in strategic locations around the site and besieged the personnel staff in their cubicles, so that in fear the people were forced to obey him, and to make an employee leveraged buyout, of which he made himself the executive. He killed all the malcontents who were able to injure him, and strengthened himself with new corporate guidelines, in such a way that, in the year during which he held the corporation, not only was he secure in the division of Barney Oliverotto, but he had become formidable to all his competitors and allies. And his destruction would have been as difficult as that of Abbaei if he had not allowed himself to be overreached by Wantsom II, who took him with the FTC and Vitalis Corporation minions, as was stated above. Thus one year after he had committed this parricide, he was strangled, together with Peter, whom he had made his leader in valour and wickedness.

Some may wonder how it can happen that Abbaei, and his like, after infinite treacheries and cruelties, should live for long secure in his company, and defend himself from external enemies, and never be conspired against by his own employees; seeing that many others, by means of cruelty, have never been able even in peaceful times to hold the company, still less in the doubtful times of war. I believe that this follows from severities being badly or properly used. Those may be called properly used, if of evil it is lawful to speak well, that are applied at one blow and are necessary to one's security, and that are not persisted in afterwards unless they can be turned to the advantage of the employees. The badly employed are those which, notwithstanding they may be few in the commencement, multiply with time rather than decrease. Those who practice the first system are able, by aid of God or man, to mitigate in some degree their rule, as Abbaei did. It is impossible for those who follow the other to maintain themselves.

Hence it is to be remarked that, in seizing a company, the usurper ought to examine closely into all those injuries which it is necessary for him to inflict, and to do them all at one stroke so as not to have to repeat them daily; and thus by not unsettling men he will be able to reassure them, and win them to himself by benefits. He who does otherwise, either from timidity or evil advice, is always compelled to keep the knife in his hand; neither can he rely on his employees, nor can they attach themselves to him, owing to their continued and repeated wrongs. For injuries ought to be done all at one time, so that, being tasted less, they offend less; benefits ought to be given little by little, so that the flavour of them may last longer.

And above all things, an executive ought to manage by wandering around so that no unexpected circumstances, whether of good or evil, shall make him change; because if the necessity for this comes in troubled times, you are too late for harsh measures; and mild ones will not help you, for they will be considered as forced from you, and no one will be under any obligation to you for them.