Risk Is a Four Letter Word: Turning Risk into Opportunity

by RonaldCohen (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2007

  $3.46

  In this ground-breaking book, a globally respected figure in the business community uses his expertise to rethink attitudes to risk in business. RISK IS A FOUR LETTER WORD aims to encourage and advise the potential entrepreneur, divulging Cohen's own experiences and approaches to business to give the reader the skills necessary to turn daunting possibilities into successful ventures. Risk becomes a profitable opportunity when properly understood. Sir Ronald Cohen's own 'risk for profit' was to found Apax Partners in 1972, fighting against a predictable career and a sceptical environment in order to pursue his vision of creating an international firm that invested in companies capable of changing the world. Today, Apax Partners is a leading private equity firm, illustrating Cohen's Midas touch and validating his authority on the concept of risk. Cohen offers essential insights into every element of risk-taking. He addresses skills such as awareness, focus, determination and decisiveness while introducing crucial comparative tools, methods of risk calculation and risk psychology in order for the reader to effectively measure, manage and cope with risk in every type of investment.

• Used

  Hardcover
  2007

  $4.46

  In business, everyone can see the first bounce of the ball. It is the second bounce that is uncertain. Ronald Cohen, one of the world's leading private-equity investors, argues that the entrepreneur's aim is to take advantage of that uncertainty: for it is only in situations of uncertainty that significant gains can be made. Putting it another way, successful entrepreneurs know how to turn risk into opportunity. The Second Bounce of the Ball is the distillation of Cohen's 33-year career building Apax Partners into a firm employing more than 300 people, with offices in eight countries and billions under management. He draws upon Apax's experience of backing entrepreneurial businesses in many countries, among them AOL, Apple, Computacenter, Tommy Hilfiger, Immarsat, Kabel Deutschland, Calvin Klein, Molnlyke, Panrico, Q-Cell, Travelex, Waterstone's, Virgin Radio, Vueling and Yell. The book is essential reading for entrepreneurs, wannabe entrepreneurs and all those who want to apply entrepreneurial approaches in all walks of life. It provides relevant background on the development of entrepreneurship and of the venture-capital and private-equity industry through the prism of Cohen's experience at Apax. It provides guidance about how to take advantage of business opportunity: the right people and the right money and the roles played by personality and luck and underlines the importance of ethics. The Second Bounce of the Ball's insights on entrepreneurial strategy provide a unique insider's guide to turning risk into opportunity. 'One of the best books written on entrepreneurship in recent years. It will reward any reader, from start-up to City banker.' Financial Times