David Helfgott, arguably one of the transcendent pianists alive in our time, played at the Tonhalle in Zurich on Wednesday. It was an experience I will likely never forget. His piano recital of works by Scarlatti, Beethoven and Liszt was brilliant. But it was the man and his being that roused the audience to several standing ovations and four encores. Helfgott, who is mentally ill and whose life story was movingly portrayed in the Oscar-winning movie "Shine," showed us something rare: being completely yourself, utterly unguarded and connected with all others around you without armor or mask or censorship. It is a lesson that we as leaders and managers might all heed in a world of egos, hidden agendas and power plays.
Interest: of the devil. Speculation: a sin. Exorbitant profits: amoral. It sounds like a bailout package at the height of the crisis. In reality these are the ground rules of Islamic banking, based on Sharia law and stemming from the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet Mohammad in the 7th century but offering just about any banking solution of conventional banking, from currency swaps to structured products. What can Islam teach us at a time of greed, growth at all costs, and white-collar financial crime? Is Islamic banking viable for the 21st century? or is it an irrelevant, dogmatic ideology not suited to today's needs? The answer is not trivial: the sector is estimated at $400 billion to $1 trillion that analysts say is growing at 25% annually.
Last April, Warren Buffett spoke at Coca-Cola's annual meeting and warned the beverage giant of being too complacent about its success. His words could hardly have been more prescient. About a year later, Coke is facing major challenges from competitors, health activists and consumers. How can the company weather these strategic assaults? How can it end its dependency on its flagship products, diversify and regain its leadership, especially among young people? Above all, how can Coke show that it cares about its customers' best interests?
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