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<p>Irish–owned telecoms company, Digicel Jamaica has seen 6 CEOs come through its doors between 2012 and 2019.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/Digicel-Logo-1024x505.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2091" /></figure>
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<p>They are namely: Mark Linehan, Andy Thorburn, Barry O’ Brien, David Butler, Justin Morin and now Allison Cole Philbert who took up the position earlier this month.</p>
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<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/Allison-Cole-Phillbert.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2095" /><figcaption>Allison Cole Philbert, newly appointed Digicel Jamaica CEO</figcaption></figure></div>
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<p>Only last month, the first Jamaican to hold the role since the company began operations in 2001, Justin Morin demitted the CEO spot after less than two years.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/Justin-Morin-former-CEO-of-Digicel-Jamaica-1024x580.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2080" /><figcaption>Justin Morin, former CEO of Digicel Jamaica</figcaption></figure>
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<p>One reason mooted for such a revolving door is the high level of expectation to deliver results. Another is the constantly changing nature of the mobile phone business and the impact upon it by the over-the-top (OTT) players like WhatsApp. </p>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p> The average tenure for a CEO is 7 years plus or minus two.</p></blockquote>
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<p>Digicel is now looking to transition from being solely a mobile phone operator to a company that also offers digital and data services while also entering the media business.</p>
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<p>Ironically, Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries, writing in the Harvard Review says the average tenure for a CEO is 7 years plus or minus two. </p>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p> Across corporate Jamaica, the CEOs that stand out, that have shaped and grown their companies have been around for a while.</p></blockquote>
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<p>He is of the view that by that time maximum effectiveness generally tends to be extracted with the CEO going through 3 phases: <br> <br> 1. <strong><em>Entry</em></strong> (The “ honeymoon period” where the CEO can learn, experiment, innovate and take risks)<br> <br> 2. <strong><em>Consolidation</em></strong> (After establishing his or her leadership in terms of direction, style and strategy, good results are delivered and the CEO should feel secure in the role)<br> <br> 3. <strong><em>Decline</em></strong> (When the job becomes routine and there are no new markets and products. Also, when the CEO becomes ineffective and has no new ideas to grow the business).</p>
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<p>“ When you look across corporate Jamaica, the CEOs that stand out, that have shaped and grown their companies have been around for a while; Patrick Hylton at NCB, Jeffery Hall at Jamaica Producers, Chris Williams at Proven, Don Wheby at Grace, Richard Byles at both Pan Jam and Sagicor Jamaica.</p>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p> The average tenure of a Digicel Jamaica CEO, as it currently stands is 16 months. </p></blockquote>
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<p>“I guess it comes down to performance and my guess is this has been the underlying reason for the decision to regularly change CEOs by the Digicel Board.<br> <br>“ Mind you, it’s hard to have faith in a CEO in Jamaica if you feel that person possibly won’t be there in a year’s time,” said Makhulu. <br> <br>The average tenure of a Digicel Jamaica CEO, as it currently stands is 16 months.<br> <br>Is Digicel changing its CEO for its Jamaican operations far too frequently?</p>
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<p>Tell us what you think.</p>
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