While acknowledging the failure in management over the Stafford Hospital scandal had been "deeply embarrassing", he also believes good managers are a force for good.

BBC: Is the NHS really over-managed?

Cisco dropped that suit after Huawei agreed to remove its router products from the market and change them, but the incident was deeply embarrassing for the Chinese company.

WSJ: Motorola's Suit Poses Challenge for Huawei's Success

Although it has produced hits such as the Xbox gaming console, it has also had some deeply embarrassing misses, including Zune, a portable music player that has failed to rival Apple's iPod.

ECONOMIST: Microsoft in pursuit (2)