As some of you may recall, last year in an interview with the Finanacial Times, Bob Diamond revealed the secret to Barclays success: “a no-jerks policy on hiring, taken seriously from the top executive suites on down.” Unfortunately, despite a rigorous interview process, some pricks still slip through. Deadly serious about not having time for these types, Diamond said last week that he does not hesitate to can their asses, in some cases boxing up their belongings himself. And yet. The numbers quoted by The Enforcer seem suspiciously high. Read more »
Bob Diamond
First order of business: bonuses. Bobby’s been working on something he thinks you’re gonna love.
Bob Diamond will stamp his authority on Barclays next month, when the incoming chief executive announces a radical overhaul of the way it pays its top bankers as part of a broader strategic review that could see the group shed staff and put increased pressure on underperforming businesses. According to people close to the plans, Mr Diamond aims to use innovative bonds – so-called contingent convertibles, or cocos – to pay a large portion of the bonuses for more than 1,000 bankers, those ranked at managing director level and above.
Next up: layoffs. Read more »
“Bobtimistic” is how Rich Ricci, Barclays Capital’s new co- chief executive officer, described Diamond’s eternally upbeat attitude to assembled executives in September as he introduced a five- minute video send-off tribute, featuring a digital scrapbook titled “The Wonder Years,” with clips of Diamond hiking up his yellow suspenders in 1997 as he talked about making Barclays Capital a bond market leader; a mock image of him dressed like the children’s cartoon character Bob the Builder; his first pep talk to Lehman employees after acquiring the bankrupt broker-dealer in 2008; and photos of him with Rolling Stone Mick Jagger, soccer stars of London’s Chelsea Football Club and pro golfer Phil Mickelson. [Bloomberg]
The (Alleged) Secret To Barclays’ Success: Strict Enforcement Of Hiring Rule Generally Waived At Other Banks
By Bess Levin
This is the first bold claim in a Financial Times article today on how Barclays Capital has done so well for itself over the last 14 years: “most investment banks claim to have a ‘no-jerk’ policy on hiring.” Of course, on occasion, said rule is overlooked. Not too many times, once, maybe twice at Goldman Sachs. But at BarCap? NEVER (“at BarCap the policy is taken seriously from the top executive suites on down.”) It’s just one of the many ways the firm keeps its people grounded and in doing so has been able to consistently make it rain. Others include: Read more »
In the former category: almost everyone. No specific numbers yet, but Barclays is expected to announce next week that only about 38% of revenue generated will go towards payouts (one of the lowest levels in the firm’s history). In the latter category: Bob Diamond. The Barclays Capital chief’s take home will be clocking in at about £20m, though it’s going to be deferred for three years so, you know, it’s not that great. Certainly nothing to be envious about, unless you’re this li’l fella, who’s making less than everyone this year. But lest any of the Barclettes think Bobby’s not worth every penny, let us remind you, he works hard for the money.
[Bob] has a habit of taking off his suit jacket and slinging it over his shoulder before sitting on the edge of one of the trading desks — a habit that his traders describe as his move, as in, “he has this thing he does with his jacket, when he wants to talk to us, it’s his move…”
Everybody’s pissed off at everybody at the World Economic Forum. It’s not the love fest it used to be. Not even humanity-lover Bono is showing up this year.
Here’s a roundup:
Barclays President Robert Diamond would like to point out that everyone at the bank is “immensely proud” that the bank didn’t take any direct money from any government anywhere in the world. A word of acknowledgment would be much appreciated, thank you.
“I think that what goes unnoticed is that the banks which stayed strong and were well managed through this are angry at the banks (that) had poor management (and) were allowed to have poor management and ineffective regulations,” Diamond said.
We’ve just started reading the monstrously long Esquire article on Barclays buying Lehman (ten pages online? Be serious), but wanted to get this out there now in case any of you are in the midst of a dry spell and were looking for some inspiration re: how to nail an employee from one of the greats:
He has a habit of taking off his suit jacket and slinging it over his shoulder before sitting on the edge of one of the trading desks — a habit that his traders describe as his move, as in, “he has this thing he does with his jacket, when he wants to talk to us, it’s his move…”
If anyone else– Llloyd– has some patented seduction techniques, whether your own or ones that have been used successfully on you by your boss to share with the group, please do so at this time.
- Use the Bloomberg command
NH BLG_DEALBREAKER <GO>
to access Dealbreaker
