In 1996, sunbeam, a US appliance manufacturer, was in serious financial trouble. AI Dunlap, known as ‘Chainsaw AI’ for his approach to cutting staff, was appointed to save the company. Over the next two year, the business reported dramatically improved results. Investors chased after the shares as the price rocketed. There was talk of a bid, which would make the investors, and particularly Dunlap and his colleagues, a lot of money but no bid came.