Imagine the situation. From being a stock market darling a little over two years ago, the company you work for has seen its share price plummet in a dramatic fashion.

The press is on its back, bringing out a stream of bad news stories – not of all them true – on what seems like a daily basis, leaving management bruised and defensive. Commentators are lining up to make dire predictions that it is only a matter of time before the whole thing goes up in smoke.