CEO Congratulates Employees for Trouncing the Competition (Insider Comms From Citadel)
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Here’s a change of pace: an executive memo about good news.
Last year Citadel brought in so much money the hedge fund doubled its lead over the nearest competition.
The record year lifted Citadel’s all-time gains to $74 billion, nearly $20 billion more than its rivals D.E. Shaw and Millennium. Imagine working for a company that so obviously dominates your rivals.
Founder and CEO Ken Griffin was gleeful, sending a congratulatory note to employees with the chest-thumping subject line: “Citadel Widens Lead as Most Profitable Hedge Fund of All Time.” (Read it below.)
Compare Griffin’s memo to that of Sony's chief (🔒) cheering on employees during a rough patch.
Unlike Sony, Citadel is celebrating from a position of strength.
Insider Comms is a series that shows how other corporate comms professionals communicate with their audiences—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Citadel’s memo has several things going for it. Griffin:
Keeps it short, just 133 words.
Emphasizes key metrics to show how impressive the achievement is.
Acknowledges the difficulties faced over the year.
Expresses gratitude for everyone’s contributions.
Offers a forward-looking cheer, motivating employees to achieve future goals.
Avoids singling out a team. All employees contributed to the success, even if one team or department made a pivotal breakthrough.
What could make the memo better? Here are five ideas:
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