As 2015 draws to a close, the topic of the week seems to be succession.
Apple has just shuffled it's senior management team in the hope of preserving durable competitive advantage and improving financial performance. As a touchstone for innovation and a company that analysts find difficult to value, talent retention and succession planning will be important strategic considerations.
And in the world of sport, the anticipated but not unexpected departure of José Mourinho yesterday from Chelsea Football Club will prompt a merry-go-round of movement across global football managers. The search for better results after a dire season to date, has prompted the board to call time on their enigmatic manager.
Great boards take succession planning seriously but the best of plans can be derailed by unexpected events and the vagaries of human beings.