For many of us who have worked for multi-national corporations Mumbai (formerly Bombay) was always on the itinerary for international travel. India long has been one of the biggest developing markets for most companies. So, the incidents of the last week in that city, hit close to home.
But no more so than the folks at Unilever, who were in a banquet room at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai when the attack began. Around the table were the incoming and current CEO of the company (Paul Polman and Patrick Cescau) along with other Unilever executives including the president-Asia, Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and at least four other current or former top executives. They were there to bid farewell to the outgoing CEO.
Their dinner plans changed when the hotel was attacked by terrorists, and the execs were trapped for hours until rescued by police and firefighters.
The events should give pause to every corporate executive, and event planner to examine the secuirty procedures whenever a group of high level executives travels abroad--even to "friendly" countires.
Source: Advertising Age
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