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BUSINESS BOOKS

The 13th Labour of Hercules

Yannis PalaiologosGrantaDescribed by The Economist as a ‘searing account of Greece’s nightmare of the past five years’, The 13th Labour of Hercules provides a riveting insider’s account of the social, cultural and political forces

behind the country’s recent financial crisis and the ensuing fallout. Based in Athens, Yannis is a features editor at Kathimerini newspaper and in this book seeks to answer the question: How did a prosperous, seemingly advanced economy in the heart of Europe collapse so precipitously? Through a series of compelling real-life stories, Yannis reveals the combined social, cultural and political forces that left Greece so utterly defenceless when the global financial crisis hit, and seemingly incapable of recovering.

Winning in Your Own Way

Robert Bean Management BooksAccording to Robert Bean, whether we like it or not, everyone is engaged with branding on some level, either due to our own needs to understand and express ourselves, or through defining and expressing the brand of a business. Winning in Your Own Way shows that CEOs, most importantly, need to rely on the business brand as the glue that binds all the myriad responsibilities they face. Through relaying real-life stories on his work with businesses — spanning over three decades across companies such as BMW, The Body Shop and Glaxo SmithKline — Robert explains his ‘nine and a half golden rules of branding’ in a way that will help CEOs, and those who think like them, to embrace the beauty of brands and learn how to create them.

Saving Capitalism

Robert ReichIcon BooksRobert Reich, a former US Labor Secretary, can see how America’s economic and political systems have become fundamentally flawed, and claims to know how capitalism can be fixed.

Robert hankers for a return to a time when the average wage of a teacher, salesman or mechanic was enough to buy a house and two cars, plus raise a family. Today, this type of middle class is rapidly disappearing: American income inequality and wealth disparity is the greatest it has been in 80 years. Robert, who served in three US administrations, argues that the threat to capitalism is no longer communism or fascism but a steady undermining of the trust modern societies need for growth and stability.

Why Deals Fail & How to Rescue Them

Anna Faelten, Michel Driessen and Scott MoellerProfile BooksThis guide to the benefits and pitfalls of mergers and acquisitions is a must-read for business leaders. With its prevalence as a growth strategy, M&A touches most business leaders at least once. Most executives will experience a takeover at some point in their careers — either as buyer, seller or intermediary. Yet, despite M&A’s obvious attractions, deals often fall short of expectations and in extreme cases can go disastrously wrong, with devastating consequences. Citing case studies from big businesses such as Diageo, Microsoft, Kraft, HP and even UK football club Manchester United, the writers explain their Three Big Mistakes of Deal-Making through fascinating stories, lessons and expert advice.

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Y our life, career and future are up to you and you alone. Your biggest challenge and greatest achievement will be finding what you were

put on this earth to accomplish and how to use that knowledge to create something phenomenal that inspires and opens the hearts of others.

You’ll learn that success comes down to three factors: hunger, desire and hard work. Don’t assume it will be easy. You will need to push yourself if you want to be the absolute best you can be.

Listen up: don’t let anyone tell you that you aren’t good enough. If you find that mainstream schooling isn’t for you, that’s okay. You have talents and gifts that no school can teach, but you must find your purpose.

You’ll make mistakes along the way, but they won’t define you. In fact, the lessons you choose to find in your mistakes will shape who you are and how you evolve.

Never let stereotypes or labels define who you are; it’s who you surround yourself with that will influence the

After losing everything in the 2008 GFC, Ramzey Choker was inspired by childhood memories of his parents’ farm to open The Grounds of Alexandria in Sydney. Here’s what he’d tell his younger self.

person you become. There’s only so much you can do to help others. At the end of the day, if they don’t want to help themselves, listen to your instincts and know when to let them go.

No matter what happens, or how bad a situation gets, always take the time to reflect. Look for the good in the situation and turn that experience into a great opportunity.

When you find your purpose, take the time to be the best you can be through using coaches and mentors. Look to the greats outside your field to learn about how they achieved success; their knowledge and lessons will be invaluable to you.

Always push the boundaries and challenge the status quo; don’t look at things in the same way as everyone else. You were blessed with a creative mind for a reason. Don’t accept ‘no’ for an answer and don’t be afraid to break the rules, so long as it doesn’t get you into too much trouble.

When you come across roadblocks, channel your thirst for knowledge into books and people, and you’ll be able

to solve every problem. Always remember you can learn anything and everything you put your mind to.

Always remain grateful for what you have and show appreciation to those who have helped you in life. Support your family and be there for them; help them grow and help them to improve.

When it comes down to it, you are responsible for your own opportunities. The harder you push yourself, the greater opportunities you will create.

Above all, believe in yourself. You have a vision and a purpose. Find out what you love to do and share it with the world. Channel your hunger to become the best version of you. Never stop learning so you can continue to lead, inspire and teach others along the way.

Be relentless, and remember, there’s always a way — you just need to find it.

Ramzey Choker

Dear Ramzey…

WITH HINDSIGHT

As featured in The CEO Magazine

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Indulge in Iririki Island

paradise

IN SPIRING T HE BU SINE S S W O RLD

IN SPIRING T HE BU SINE S S W O RLD

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IN SPIRING T HE BU SINE S S W O RLD

IN SPIRING T HE BU SINE S S W O RLD