The Universe of Risk: How Top Business Leaders Control Risk and Achieve Success - Softcover

Shimell, Pamela

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0273656422 ISBN 13: 9780273656425

Publisher: Financial Times Prentice Hall, 2002

Synopsis

Managing business risks in the 21st century New Economy is very different to managing risk in the closing years of the 20th century. Whereas, in the past, risk management used to be confined to finance and operational functions such as crisis management, today's smart companies know that survival and growth involves managing a whole raft of risks posed by external stakeholders, the knowledge explosion and the new economy. In her enlightening new book, Pamela Shimell talks to top managers from the world's leading multinationals who have successfully managed these challenges to corporate survival as well as some that have had a baptism of fire. The Universe of Risk provides a comprehensive, colourful guide to risk management, incorporating the new drivers of risk, and a fresh model for business success. Executives featured in The Universe of Risk include: Steven A. Ballmer, President and Ceo, Microsoft Corporation Arthur C. Ciccolo, Department Group Manager, Information and Knowledge Management, Ibm Allan Leighton, Ceo, Going Plural, Chairman, lastminute.com, and bhs Sir Peter Michael, Founder, Classic Fm Peter Morgan, Chairman, Baltimore Technologies David Gamble, Executive Director, Airmic Peter Morris, Global Head of Information Risk Management, Kpmg Brian Fullerton, Global Director of Risk Management, Merrill Lynch Investment Managers Jon Symonds, Chief Financial Officer, AstraZeneca Heiko Haasler, Brand Manager, De La Rue Philip Thomas, Director, Risk Management, Bass Richard Gossage, Head of Group Risk, Royal Bank of Scotland Group "Shimell's book is an important addition to the business library. She has secured in-depth interviews with an impressive array of senior business figures." Rory Godson, Business Editor, The Sunday Times "This eminently readable book provides a valuable service by arguing for a universe of risk strategy. It should be read by every company director, shareholder and business student." Ceri Jones, Editor, Investors Chronicle

About this title

Review:

  "This is a timely book. If the events of 2001 – the collapse of the Internet companies, the twin-towers disaster and the war on terrorism – have taught us anything it is that organisations must be better prepared to manage risks.  Traditionally, risk has been "managed" in specialist departments or by external advisers. But, in the New Economy where information moves across the world at the speed of light, Risk Management must be a prime concern of top management and the board.  In this fascinating book Pamela Shimell interviews senior executives from old and new economy companies, banks, insurance companies, stockbrokers and venture capitalists and she produces a 360° view of risk and how to manage it.  Executives in companies large and small will find this book readable and thought-provoking. It has the potential to change the way you think about your business."  Professor Bernard Taylor, Executive Director, Centre for Board Effectiveness, Henley Management College       "Shimell's book is an important addition to the business library. She has secured in-depth interviews with an impressive array of senior business figures."  Rory Godson, Editor, Sunday Times Business News  "The turmoil in world stock markets in 2000/2001 showed that shareholder interests are poorly protected by existing risk reporting systems.  Serious lapses in corporate governance; remuneration committees with vested interests; and mis-reporting of the true profit-and-loss situation have led shareholders to lose money unnecessarily.  EBITDA has been used to pull the wool over shareholders' eyes by its tendency to strip out so many business costs that even severely haemorraging balance sheets look healthy. This eminently readable book provides a valuable service by arguing for a universe of risk strategy - and more emphasis on the Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow scenario.  It should be read by every company director, shareholder and business student." Ceri Jones, Editor, Investors Chronicle "Fascinating, and certainly makes the point that 'risk' is truly a universe.  The case studies and the views of business leaders are intriguing and instructive.  I cannot pretend that I have remembered all that I read - I intend to read the book again - but the overall impression was that this is a major and unique contribution to one of the key issues facing business.  Congratulations to Pamela on producing a very thorough professional work." James White, CEO, James White Associates (JWA), Specialists in Leadership Coaching   

From the Back Cover:

"Shimell's book is an important addition to the business library. She has secured in-depth interviews with an impressive array of senior business figures."

Rory Godson, Editor, Sunday Times Business News

Managing business risks in the 21st century New Economy is very different to managing risk in the closing years of the 20th century. Whereas, in the past, risk management used to be confined to finance and operational functions such as crisis management, today’s smart companies know that survival and growth involves managing a whole raft of risks posed by external stakeholders, the knowledge explosion and the new economy.

In her enlightening new book, Pamela Shimell talks to top managers from the world’s leading multinationals who have successfully managed these challenges to corporate survival as well as some that have had a baptism of fire.

The Universe of Risk provides a comprehensive, colourful guide to risk management, incorporating the new drivers of risk, and a fresh model for business success.

About this edition

• Publisher: Financial Times Prentice Hall
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0273656422
• ISBN 13: 9780273656425
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 316