Biography
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.
’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
