Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Manager: Be like Napoleon at Waterloo

|
|
 
  
Published: April 8, 2008 at 4:01 PM

MILAN, Italy, April 8 (UPI) -- An official with an Italian telecommunications company apologized after urging staffers at a conference to use Napoleon's "victory" at Waterloo as inspiration.

Luca Luciani, general manager of domestic mobile services with Telecom Italia, gave a speech that was later posted on YouTube that encouraged the company's workers to take inspiration from French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's leadership during the 1815 Battle of Waterloo, ANSA reported Tuesday.

Luciani seemed unaware during his speech that Napoleon's forces suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of British and Prussian forces.

"He had five great nations against him ... but with strategy, clear ideas, determination and strength, Napoleon made Waterloo his masterpiece," Luciani said.

"Go ahead and score like Napoleon at Waterloo," he told the salesmen in attendance.

However, the manager later admitted to his mistaken view of history and apologized for the gaffe.

''I recognize that I made a mistake and apologize to you all,'' he said Monday.

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
Notable deaths of 2012 AmfAR Cinema Against AIDS gala Indianapolis 500
BAFTA awards Golden Gate Bridge turns 75 Memorial Day around the nation
Additional Odd News Stories
Your Daily Horoscope
The almanac
1 of 25
President Obama awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom in Washington
View Caption
President Barack Obama awards the the Presidential Medal of Freedom to singer/songwriter Bob Dylan during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House in Washington on May 29, 2012. The Medal of Freedom is our NationÕs highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. UPI/Kevin Dietsch
fark
Problem solved: Officer responds to distress call about woman lying in the street by running her...
Honestly. Who mails a foot?
UPDATED - TORONTO FARK PARTY - June 2nd. 1pm Red Sox @ Blue Jays, 8pm variety show at The Comedy...
Hey, honey, can you drop me off at work? No? Well here's a punch in the face
Actual headline: Filipino govt. resumes talks with MILF. Giggity
Sacramento Fark Party, THIS SATURDAY June 2nd 7:00pm Streets of London