Brian Kennedy, the Sharks' owner, said in a statement: "John was brought in on a consultancy basis with a view to the possibility of being employed in a longer-term position within Sale Sharks.
Now you have a good sense of how they work, and how well they work: and if you're not happy with what you've seen, just swing the axe and (effectively) fire them, by not offering them a longer-term position.
However, he was unable to secure a longer-term position, and pursued his scholarly interests independently.
He worked for two months in Saudi Arabia in 1975, helping them run their national football team; it was intended to be a longer-term position, but he missed his wife and new daughter so much that he decided not to return after his first holiday back to the UK.
More important, though, Mr. Schrager says that working with Marriott will instantly cast him into his rightful place as a major player in the "lifestyle" market segment, and in the longer term position him to build a mass customer base for his innovations, à la Apple, Nike and Sony.
Dr. Hollingworth said he would also consider his "longer term" position while waiting for the court decision on the allegation, an accusation by a former nurse who has since died, that he raped her at a church youth camp 40 years ago.
Increasing the number of longer term positions will, of course, be likely to lead to there being fewer of them.
Councillor Reg Adair, cabinet member for finance and property, said: "Prudent financial management and taking a longer-term view have put us in a strong position.
Academics, however, take a longer-term view.
Indonesia, a major producer of oil and gas, appeared to be in a strong longer-term position as China looks to invest there to double its oil consumption in the next decade, he said.
