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| Ambitious acquisition |
| The oil industry is facing a defining moment. As renewable sources become more viable and crude prices remain at near-record lows, the sector is bracing for a spate of mega-mergers and rig closures. Shell, the world's second-biggest oil company, is attempting to stay ahead of the curve with the acquisition of UK-based rival BG Group. CEO Ben van Beurden will aim to use the merger to secure Shell's bottom line and guard against further industry turbulence.
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| Five keys to management success |
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The robotification trend: safety vs innovation
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| Turkey's new socioeconomic dynamic |
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Tidjane Thiam
Credit Suisse |
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Pascale Richetta
AbbVie |
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Rajeev Suri
Nokia |
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Carsten Spohr
Lufthansa |
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| A personal touch |
| Year after year, Google is named the planet's best employer, while simultaneously leading innovation as one of the world's sharpest technology firms. The secret to this dual success may well be the company's unique approach to HR, which sees hard data replacing subjective decisions. Far from being treated coldly, however, this method results in a more personal, caring attitude to employees.
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| All the fun of the festival |
| Festivals were once muddy affairs, favoured by students and famed for reckless hedonism. Now, however, they have been embraced by the mainstream. Attendees are affluent and fashionable, and are able to rub shoulders with celebrities while watching the world's biggest artists. As a result, sponsorship has exploded, with major brands fighting to associate themselves with the trendsetting scene. |
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| Democratising tech |
| US technology giants dominate the sector in Europe. Suspecting foul play, the European Commission has launched antitrust and tax avoidance investigations into key players like Google, Apple and Facebook. It may be a coincidence, but curbing the ambitions of the US giants will clear the way for the Commission's Digital Single Market project, promoting domestic European startups. |
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| Crafting excellence |
| Boating has long been associated with a luxury lifestyle. However, vessels can vary greatly in quality and design. Bahama Boatworks offers a range of boats that boast elegant design and hi-tech efficiency, designed by experienced sailors for clients who appreciate finesse in every detail. Customer service that goes above and beyond the call of duty completes the Bahama Boatworks package. |
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| DIY revolution |
| Print publishing was dealt a hard blow when Amazon's Kindle digitised literature. Now, the industry's main players are facing a second shock, as authors turn to self-publishing as a means to avoid contracts that are increasingly one-sided in terms of intellectual property and unviable in terms of remuneration. Publishers must transform themselves or risk irrelevance in their own industry. |
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| A stormy sea |
| The North Sea was once the oil industry's most fruitful source of raw material. Over the last few years, however, it has seen crude oil reserves dwindle. Now, as the industry deals with persistent low prices and a bad reputation, profitability in the North Sea is increasingly rare. Many firms are jumping ship, with only a few considering one last major investment to revive the region's fortunes.
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