Ancient Wisdom for Modern Management: Machiavelli at 500

Machiavelli lives. 500 years after Niccolò Machiavelli has written 'The Prince', this classic of the mechanisms behind success in management has not lost its relevance. In an intriguing and inspiring interplay of quotes, interpretations and examples, Dr Ralf Lisch develops Machiavelli's most famous work into a practical guide providing Ancient Wisdom for Modern Management. Many have heard about Machiavelli but few have really read and understood him. Ralf Lisch's analysis of ’The Prince’ proves that widespread associations with evil management are a thorough misunderstanding. He has done away with historic ballast and abstains from a moralizing approach that does not do justice to Machiavelli's works. Instead, he lets Machiavelli have his say and provides a positive and pragmatic interpretation of the wisdom of 'The Prince' from a management perspective. It is a fresh approach that combines theoretical analysis with a practical focus. Dealing with a wide range of essential management topics like careers, success, intellect, decision-making, trust, change management, knowledge management, mergers and acquisitions, networking, sustainability, business ethics, working processes and many others, this book proves that the basics of management have hardly changed over half a millennium. Ancient Wisdom for Modern Management is an amazing insight into the essentials of management and a workable guidance to success in daily business. This open-minded and compelling exploration of 'The Prince' combines reading pleasure with a great opportunity to participate in Machiavelli's truly timeless wisdom.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Machiavelli and the Prince; Chapter 2 Roads to Glory; Chapter 3 Manus Agere – The Common Manager; Chapter 4 Staff – The Unknown Creature; Chapter 5 Dealing with Your Staff; Chapter 6 Problems, Decisions, Change – and Resistance; Chapter 7 Mergers and Acquisitions; Chapter 8 Advice; Chapter 9 Intellect; Chapter 10 Morality; Chapter 11 Luck; Chapter 12 Friendship; Chapter 13 Chew on it!;

About the Author :
Dr Ralf Lisch is an independent consultant and writer based in Singapore. He studied sociology and social psychology with major focus on organizations and human resources as well as empirical research at universities in Germany and the United States. He started an academic career as research fellow and lecturer at various German universities and was later an Associate Director at a university in Singapore. He also spent almost a decade in consumer affairs and quality testing. From there, he moved on to the global logistics industry where he held senior management positions and was Managing Director of various companies in Europe and Asia. In these roles, he established new organizations, managed takeovers, did restructuring and post-merger integration, and is well versed with all peculiarities and imponderables of life in management. Ralf Lisch is a published author and he has conducted workshops for practicing managers on Machiavelli and practical management.

Review :
’It is a brilliant idea of Ralf Lisch to use the 500th anniversary of Machiavelli’s political treatise The Prince (printed version 1532 but distributed as manuscripts 1513) as a mirror in order to reflect upon modern management methods from the perspective of Machiavelli’s ancient wisdom. And like a brilliant, many facets are illuminated. Amazing, how up-to-date some principles are!’ Professor Dr. Jürgen Kriz, University of Osnabrück, Germany ’Ancient Wisdom for Modern Management is not the first but a great rediscovery of Machiavelli’s reasoning on governance and management in his timeless book Il Principe. With perspicacity and personal expertise, Ralf Lisch tackles the eternal problem of gaining and staying in power in the light of Machiavelli’s arguments. This is a compelling, knowledgeable, and very readable book spiced with a sense of humor.’ Professor Dr. Ansgar Weymann, University of Bremen, Germany ’This book is like a TARDIS...packed full of good, appropriate and very practical advice for practising managers at all levels...I admire Ralf Lisch for resurrecting this ancient treatise and opening my eyes to its poignant content. I do therefore thoroughly recommend it to all who are involved with the practice of management from student to seasoned professional.’ Dr Martin Graham in Project, October 2013