Once upon a time, there was a cluster of barren rocks on a massive land mass occupied by a foreign power for more than a century. Thanks to the hard work, versatility and entrepreneurial spirit of the inhabitants, the borrowed place has become a ringing success.
Both by design and by default, Golden Goose Inc, as it is called, has developed its own unique systems and conventions, culture and practices that every city has tried to emulate.
Faced with the enormous task of keeping her parent company afloat after decades of instability, the proprietor of the Golden Goose has been happy to leave it alone as long as it made profits.
Time flies. The proprietor finds her feet. With the temporary ownership of the company about to expire, she comes to a deal with the foreign power on the handover of management.
While keeping the power to appoint the chief executive officer of Golden Goose, the proprietor promises not to tinker with its operations in an effort to allay fears among its staff and investors over the changeover.
Mr Nice Guy, who runs his own company but has no experience in modern management, has earned sufficient trust from the board chairman to be tasked with navigating Golden Goose through the uncharted waters of the changeover.
He looks set for a smooth passage, but soon after the changeover, Golden Goose takes a direct hit from a devastating storm. As business falters, the staff begin to complain about the lack of good leadership and management.
Investors grow doubtful about the company's medium- and long-term outlook.
Caught off guard by the sharp deterioration of the business environment, Mr Nice Guy is in a desperate rush for a quick fix. He initiates half-baked projects with little success.
Frustrated with the failure of his senior aides to deliver in accordance with his instructions, he brings in his own team after securing a contract renewal from the parent company's board of directors.
Expectations of the new team briefly rise, only to be dashed as blunders and cases of mismanagement occur one after another, culminating in a big staff protest. They demand the removal of Mr Nice Guy and the right to choose their own helmsman.
Embarrassed by the ill-fated ownership change, the board of directors pump in more money to enliven the business of the Golden Goose at the expense of other much-needed projects.
It moves to quell the demand for greater participation in electing the chief executive officer by ruling out early changes.
Faced with enormous pressure for him to go, Mr Nice Guy begins to test the waters at meetings with the new board chairman and his deputy.
But with Golden Goose still in the doldrums, the new leadership hopes Mr Nice Guy will stay on.
Meanwhile, the new board sends trouble-shooters to keep a closer watch on company operations. It gives direct instructions on major issues to Mr Nice Guy in the hope of keeping the company in good shape before his contract expires.
With the days of Mr Nice Guy numbered, the board feels increasingly uneasy about the intensifying power struggle in the company. Now that Golden Goose's business is back on a growth track and a succession plan mapped out, it gives hints to Mr Nice Guy that the board would let him go if he decides to do so. Quiet negotiations for a dignified retirement follow.
In an attempt to forestall fierce infighting for key posts, the company board decides to give a short-term contract to the next chief executive officer, allowing it more time to plan for a relaunch under a new management team and structure.
Left in the dark about the boardroom politics, the Golden Goose staff greet the imminent shake-up with a mixture of relief, anxiety and uncertainty, wondering what lies ahead under a more visible and hands-on board of directors.
Chris Yeung
South China Morning Post