You’re the chief executive of a company that is attracting the unwanted attention of a larger rival. The last thing you want is to be bought. You hire the best bankers and the best lawyers; you smile for the cameras and cajole the press. You sandbag, construct a macaroni defence and hatch poison pill plans. It all fails. Your company is acquired and you are out on your ear with only your golden parachute to keep you company.

Perhaps you should have killed someone instead.