CSI Chat

#44 - Bill Jelen

We are joined by "Mr. Excel" himself, Bill Jelen.  There are very few on the planet who know more about Microsoft Excel then Bill Jelen.  Bill started the "Mr. Excel" website in 1998 and since then, has authored over 70 books and runs seminars all over the world on the use of Excel.  He also has several other "special talents", including winning the Grand Prize in a local "Stupid Human Tricks" competition by stopping an electric fan with his tongue!   We talk to Bill about: - How did he get started in becoming an "Excel Expert"?   - What are some of the best tips for beginners and advanced users on Excel?  What is Bill's favorite function in Excel? - What are the MS Excel World Championships and is it true that Bill was once a commentator? Bill is a fascinating guy and I hope everyone enjoys the conversation!

#43 - Guido Palazzo

We are joined on CSI Chat by Guido Palazzo.  Guido is a professor of business ethics at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland and a business advisor.  During our "Chat", we talk about Guido's latest book, "The Dark Pattern:  The Hidden Dynamics of Corporate Scandals" whereby Guido reviews several corporate scandals and identifies certain trends and commonalties across each of these.   During our "Chat" with Guido, we discuss: * The balance between "Human Morality" and "Shareholder Returns/Capitalism".  * Trending of corporate scandals over time and whether the issue has declined.  Guido also discusses a number of case studies in his book. *  The "9 Building Blocks of the Dark Pattern" and how they were evident in each of his case studies.   I hope everyone enjoys the "Chat"!

#42 - Feng Gu and Baruch Lev

We are joined by business Professors Feng Gu and Baruch Lev to discuss their latest book, "The M&A Failure Trap:  Why Most Mergers and Acquisitions Fail and How the Few Succeed".   We talk to Professor Gu and Professor Lev about: * The process of analyzing historical acquisitions and how they reached the conclusion that most M&A ends in failure.  * Over time, has the M&A failure rate improved or gotten worse?  The statistics are surprising.    * What are some of the main reasons why M&A ends in failure?  The Professors have also put together a "M&A Checklist" which should help companies in their M&A process.   It is a very interesting discussion with Professor Gu and Professor Lev and I hope everyone enjoys it!

#41 - Pav Gill

We are joined by Pav Gill, formerly of Wirecard and perhaps the most famous whistle-blower on the planet.  Despite serious risk to Pav's physical well-being and his professional reputation, he made the courageous decision to blow the whistle on the issues he was seeing within Wirecard.   During our "CSI Chat" with Pav, we talk to him about: - His decision-making process to originally join Wirecard as legal counsel and how long it took him to realize that there may be serious issues within the Company.   - What were some of the issues he was seeing within Wirecard and why didn't anyone listen to his concerns?   - At one point, Pav was instructed by his superiors at Wirecard to travel to another country for a "business trip".  Pav later realized that if he decided to hop on the plane, it would be a "one way trip".  Pav explains.   I hope everyone enjoys the "Chat" with Pav!

#40 - Dan McCrum

We are joined by Dan McCrum, an investigative reporter from the Financial Times who wrote extensively about Wirecard and was the author of the terrific book, "Money Men:  A Hot Start-up, A Billion Dollar Fraud, A Fight for the Truth" which chronicles the story of Wirecard, the large German payment processing company which collapsed.  During our "CSI Chat" with Dan, we discuss: -  The role of an investigative reporter and the extensive research which goes into articles produced by the Financial Times.  There is an incredible amount of work involved prior to hitting "Print".  How does Dan sleep the night before a big story?  Dan explains during the chat.   - Dan outlines how he first crossed path with Wirecard and the early signs he uncovered which indicated there might be a problem.  Dan also outlines his interactions with some of the executives at Wirecard.   - Dan explains the risk he encountered to both his safety and his professional reputation while pursuing this story.  From Russian poison recipes to plots to plant drugs in the back of Dan's car, this is an example whereby the truth is stranger than fiction! I hope everyone enjoys our "CSI Chat" with Dan!