propagate through ineffective accountability and in turning a blind eye often resulting in the exodus of frustrated talent. Active within this decay is the resistor who rebukes any kind of change as well as the insipid member of the job-worth clubs – accompanied by the adversity of the naysayer, the incompetent and the lowly coward. All of whom conspire by administering ambiguity and bureaucracy in their quest for mediocrity. An indiscriminate layer that prey on feeble management and dogmatic support personnel in a bid to pervert effective communication between strategy and operations. It is their only means of continuance, for they have no purchase or place of refuge in an open and dynamic environment. The removal of this cancer is invasive and requires courageous leadership along with the invested capacity of shareholders backing them to do what is required to nurse the company back to health. There can be no place for authoritarian empire building and the apathetic manager, the mundane buyer, ponderous HR or impassive sales teams. Rather, an inclusive culture of mutual development where everyone adds value, has a say and is encouraged to participate. Uncurtailed, this imperviable layer will render the largest of retailers defunct. Incapable of embracing change let alone exploiting opportunities to pioneer a way for the next generation in retail. Too many have already succumbed to the disease and even more are terminal unless they acknowledge their prognosis and accept the necessary surgery. Dave Farrell is a retailer with three decades of experience on three continents. He can be reached at alliance@vodafone.co.nz.