DESCRIPTION:
TOUGH LOVE is a screenplay masquerading as a business book. Injected throughout the storyline are breakout business lessons and thought-provoking business advice. TOUGH LOVE is entertaining, insightful, and tactical – both the format and the content inspires readers to think and act in positive ways to address universal business issues.
LOGLINE:
A rags-to-riches entrepreneur confounds his relentless critics to build a global iconic brand. His fortunes dramatically reverse until he learns life rewarding and business saving advice from unlikely sources.
FULL SUMMARY:
A trio of Galaxy Coffee marketers, Vivian Kane, Denny Williams, and John Coffey, begin their day laughing and celebrating Vivian’s ten-year anniversary with Galaxy. However, during a company-wide meeting, they learn David Pearl, Galaxy’s CEO, announce his retirement and hand over the leadership reins of the company to his trusted long-time cohort, Henry Olsen and to Shelley Day, a long-time Galaxy employee.
Soon thereafter, Denny and John inform Vivian they are also leaving Galaxy. Vivian is saddened by the news, but is comforted by the opportunities ahead of her with Galaxy.
With Henry Olsen running the show at Galaxy, the economy turns sour and the Galaxy business suffers dramatically. Tim Slayer, loudmouth financial television personality, uses his on-air pulpit to mock and criticize every move Galaxy Coffee makes. Within a year, Galaxy’s stock price has lost 35% in value and David Pearl decides to return as CEO to right the wayward ship. He makes swift changes, including firing Henry Olsen and promoting Shelley Day.
During this time, Vivian continues to forge ahead by managing important Galaxy marketing programs. She reunites with both Denny Williams and John Coffey. The three Galaxy marketers spend a weekend together reliving old times and dissecting how Galaxy Coffee has lost its once golden roots. Vivian defends Galaxy and all the company’s actions but resolves to share with Galaxy management the marketing ideas they discussed during the weekend.
Despite the laser-focus on improving the Galaxy business, David Pearl cannot right the wayward ship. He is forced to layoff thousands of employees and close hundreds of stores. His management style changes and he loses confidence in Shelley Day after she recommends Galaxy file for bankruptcy. The Galaxy Board of Directors, on the other hand, begins losing confidence in David Pearl.
Throughout the turmoil inside Galaxy Coffee, Vivian tries her best to be optimistic. Eventually, Vivian has had enough and she resigns. But before she resigns, Vivian contributes to a chain of events that forever changes her life, David’s life, and the life of Galaxy Coffee.