Why I would not recommend Sage to a friend or family member
Pros
Sage has a bold and ambitious strategy. Unfortunately people ('colleagues' in Sage language) need to execute the strategy and my view is that we will not see this fantastic business strategy realized. Certainly not under Stephen Kelly's current leadership practices.
Cons
Stephen Kelly's customer obsession is admirable but who serves the customer? His 'colleagues' do. Its common sense that engaged colleagues are far more likely to be better at serving customers. Unempathetic rounds of retrenchments, dis-empowerment, condescending language, poor C level hires, scape-goating, lack of investment in talent and ability to retain talent, and a culture of fear and imbalance typify Kelly's leadership style. This may be construed as merely the words of a disgruntled employee but, Mr Kelly, to put your mind and those of your shareholders at ease, why don't you conduct a employee Net Promoter Score on your leadership i.e. a simple NPS rated question as to whether your colleagues would recommend you as CEO to another similar global company's employees? If what I feel and what I hear on the ground is anything to go by, you would be horrified at what your colleagues think of your leadership.
