May 21, 2005

Open Letter to Indra

Dear Indra,

This is not a comfortable letter for me to write. To say I am disappointed is a vast understatement. To say I am angry is a bit closer to my current emotions.

In your speech on May 15, 2005 to the graduating class of the Columbia Business School it appears you have lost your ever lovin' mind. What were you THINKING?!!?!??

Having spent 5 years working for PepsiCo, and loving every minute of it - I'm appalled at your lack of judgement. You were someone I admired, someone I looked up to.......someone I believed in.

During my time at PepsiCo, I watched you. I listened to you. You were a woman with values and morals. Loyalty and judgement. I saw you climb the corporate ladder based on YOU. You didn't play the race card, you never played the female card. You let your work, your actions speak for you. And you were rewarded. I took hope in that. I actually celebrated your successes.

But you blew it. Oh - you didn't play any of those cards - there is no need to any more. What you did was worse. You forgot your place.

You are the CEO/CFO of a MAJOR Fortune 500 company. You are NOT a politician. You were invited to speak at Columbia due to your success. It was NOT the forum for politics and your personal thoughts. Even though YOU were the invitee - you still represented several other groups. First and foremost you represented your company. But beyond that you represented women and minorities. You were NOT invited because of you expertise on world affairs nor was that the proper forum to air your personal beliefs.

So......as much as I can't believe I'm going to say this. I'm done. You've managed to squash my loyalty. No more Pepsi products for me while you are running the show. No more Quaker Oatmeal. No Gatorade. No Fritos. And - ouch - No More Tropicana OJ.

Do I think my little boycott will make a difference? No, not in the grand scheme of things. But it soothes my mind. I need to make some kind of a statment letting you know - you've ticked me off. You've crossed the line. You've gone too far.

Tammi

Posted by Tammi at May 21, 2005 06:57 AM | TrackBack
Comments

HUH? Splain...Was she another anti-war loud mouth speaker?

Posted by: TNT at May 21, 2005 08:18 AM

You go girl!

Posted by: Sissy at May 21, 2005 08:27 AM

TNT - click the link, but short answer... yeah. She compares the 5 populated continents to the fingers on her hand. Here's a money quote:

This analogy of the five fingers as the five major continents leaves the long, middle finger for North America, and, in particular, The United States. As the longest of the fingers, it really stands out. The middle finger anchors every function that the hand performs and is the key to all of the fingers working together efficiently and effectively. This is a really good thing, and has given the U.S. a leg-up in global business since the end of World War I.

However, if used inappropriately –just like the U.S. itself -- the middle finger can convey a negative message and get us in trouble. You know what I’m talking about. In fact, I suspect you’re hoping that I’ll demonstrate what I mean. And trust me, I’m not looking for volunteers to model.

Posted by: Harvey at May 21, 2005 08:55 AM

Yeh. Pepsi was the last big name pop product I could stomach drinking. Not all that much to give up. And their other products? Glad to p*** on them, after this speech. A boycott of Pesico products, if it caught on would hurt the lil folks, folks who just work for the witch. But you can't pity the orcs just cos Sauron's evil.

heh

(Just re-read that. *sigh* Short on coffee this a.m. Not even caffeinated anough to try to fix it.)

Posted by: David at May 21, 2005 09:54 AM

Just checked out Pepsi's site and Indra has posted an apology.

Tammi boycotting Tropicana?! *thud*

Posted by: Lee Ann at May 22, 2005 08:01 AM

But I don't WANT an apology.

I want her head on a stick.

Or at least her ass in an unemployment line.

Posted by: Harvey at May 22, 2005 08:48 AM

To Indra:

I salute you with my United States finger

Jackass

I think a nice letter to Pepsi is being called for in this situation.

Posted by: Machelle at May 23, 2005 06:56 AM