High-Fashion Adventure
Le DealHe quickly finds himself up against strange and powerful forces for which he is ill prepared.. It is the true story of Byrne Murphy, a businessman who abruptly moves to Paris with his wife and baby daughter in a quest to riegnite his career and his fortunes. is an adventure story involving raw entrepreneurship, high-level politics, and a young American family in foreign lands
Just days after landing in France, Byrne reads that the newly instaled prime minister has declared a moratorium on all new retail development, apparently snuffing out Byrne’s proposed new venture---discount fashion malls---before it’s even startedCounterbalanced against these are a series of mostly charming encounters with nearly al members of the British Royal Family, capped off by a tour with Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, which nearly ended in a royal embarrassment of epic proportions.. He and his company will engage in a mano a mano struggle with the prime minister (which reaches all the way to France’s Supreme Court); encounter a ruthless political ambush in Germany by the son-to-be chancelor, Gerhard Schroeder; and face a threatening (“Is this the Mafia?”) wouldbe partner in Italy
From proposals for dalliances to a harrowing experience with a local and dangerous disease during pregnancy, they are reminded time and again that surprises can be ever present in foreign cultures.. Byrne and his wife, Pamela, expereince the joys and risks of living and growing their family in foreign lands
Those eforts created nearly 8,000 jobs, opened 1,500 stores featuring 500 brands, atracted nearly 40 million shopping visits per year, and spawned an array of competitors. Over eight years the company (McArthurGlen Europe) grew from nothing to generating approximately a billion dolars in sales from 11 centers across Europe. In short, an industry.
The book ends with a message about the need for twenty-first-century Americans who work in international affairs to truly take “context” into account; to realize, in our quest to accomplish more in less time, that investing the time to understand the nuances of foreign cultures with which one may be working is a key to prospering in this multicultural, polyglot, interconnected, globalized world.. Along the way, the author learns what he, and Americans in general, do and do not know about life beyond our borders 9780312359034
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Should I buy the Le Deal: How a Young American, in Business, in Love, and in Over His Head, Kick-Started a Multibillion Dollar Industry in Europe?
A fascinating personal story
The American economy is absolutely dependant on American businesses being able to successfully sell their goods and services abroad. Exports are vital to American economic health and well being. That's why there are so many "how to" books published every year for the American business community and aspiring entrepreneurs seeking success in foreign markets. What is unique about "Le Deal: How A Young American, In Business, In Love, And In Over His Head, Kick-Started A Multibillion Dollar Industry in Europe" is that it combines J. Byrne Murphy's personal story that took him to Europe and Asia where for fifteen years he conducted his business activities with the riveting elements of a true life adventure story. Of special note are the cultural differences he encountered with respect to how business is conducted. For example, the Italians readily agree to new ideas -- but have a tendency to delay implementation of them. The French are cautious about accepting new ideas and examine every aspect of the concept to extraordinary lengths before implementing them. The Germans (no surprise) are rigid about following rules no matter how outdated and in need of revision they may be. All this contrasts sharply with Americans who tend to move quickly and easily get frustrated when having to deal with other cultures and their approaches to business decision making. Very highly recommended reading, "Le Deal" is a real life case study that combines a fascinating personal story with entrepreneurial and corporate insights that will well serve any who aspire to engage in commerce abroad.
Fascinating story
J. Byrne Murphy has written a very rare "business" book. It is a personal story first, with humor and many subtle points about life and business and morals that are all tied together at the end. Very well written. Could not put it down. As a real estate developer who experiences these same struggles it was an inspiration and reminder that we do what we do for love, family, and for life.
A must-read for those interested in real estate development and/or international business!
Murphy's memoir is light-hearted, witty, and very personal, but it simulteneously offers very serious lessons to any aspiring ex-pat entrepreneur. He also does a great job describing social, cultural, and geopolitical context (very important, of course) in addition to the business story. A must-read for those interested in real estate development or international business!
Motivating
Being at a similar age as Byrne was during his plunge into the unknown, I can relate and feed off the energy. Motivating book and very well written.
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