Nothing is a secret anymore in the social media age.
T-Mobile CEO John Legere learned this the hard way when he fell victim to a cleverly laid trap in an ongoing feud set by Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure.
Claure, seemingly overcome by Christmas spirit, sent holiday baskets to T-Mobile employees, with a note stating, “Our companies compete to take business from each other throughout the year, but this is the season of giving. So enjoy these treats from Sprint. Happy Holidays, Marcelo.” The baskets were full of Christmas cheer, candy, snacks and…the URL for the Sprint Career webpage.
In a predictable move, Legere reportedly ordered recipients of the basket to dispose of it and keep it off of social media channels. Unfortunately for him, at least one employee didn’t listen…and one is all you need. Once information is out there on the world wide web, it is impossible to contain.
By ordering disposal of the baskets, Legere has effectively made himself look like the Grinch. Though this isn’t the most serious of issues, it is always better to get ahead of a problem than to try to cover it up. A better move would have been to thank Claure for the basket, and respond in kind. Perhaps next year!