Summer is finally here, and it’s the perfect time to unwind with a good book. As you plan your getaways or enjoy some downtime, the FERMA team has curated a list of recommended reads to enrich your summer. Our selection spans a range of thought-provoking topics and engaging narratives, offering fresh insights and perspectives. Whether you’re looking to dive into new ideas or simply enjoy a compelling story, our top picks are designed to keep you inspired and informed.
The Gray Rhino: How to Recognize and Act on the Obvious Dangers We Ignore by Michele Wucker
A “gray rhino” is a highly probable, high-impact threat that is obvious and often discussed, yet frequently neglected. Unlike the ignored elephant in the room or the rare black swan, gray rhinos occur after visible warnings. Leaders often fail to address these dangers before they escalate. Michele Wucker’s book explores why some leaders respond to these threats while others do not, offering a five-stage framework to help decision-makers counter them. The book, filled with real-world examples and practical advice, is essential for managers, investors, and policymakers. Gray rhino theory is used globally, influencing markets, financial policies, and even pop culture.
We are very glad to have Michele Wucker as a guest speaker at the upcoming FERMA Forum 2024 in Madrid. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from the mind behind The Gray Rhino. Register now and join us for an enlightening session!
The Failure of Risk Management: Why It’s Broken and How to Fix It by Douglas W. Hubbard
A practical guide to accurate risk analysis, The Failure of Risk Management addresses significant faults in current methods. Conventional approaches often lack accurate quantitative methods, leading to ineffective strategies. Many fail to measure performance, resulting in poor risk management. This book offers expert insights into risk assessment, evaluation methods, mitigation strategies, and common errors in quantitative models, emphasizing probability modeling and empirical inputs. Douglas W. Hubbard, a leader in risk management, combines science-based analysis with real-world examples. The revised second edition includes updated data sets, innovative statistical methods, and new case studies on data breaches and natural disasters. The Failure of Risk Management is essential for business leaders, policymakers, managers, consultants, and practitioners across industries.
The Future is Asian by Parag Khanna
Dive into The Future is Asian by Parag Khanna. This compelling book reveals that the “Asian Century” is much more expansive than anticipated.
Khanna illustrates how Asia is evolving into a multi-civilizational order, linking five billion people from Saudi Arabia to Japan, Russia to Australia, and Turkey to Indonesia through trade, finance, and diplomatic networks. While China leads in building the new Silk Roads, Asia’s influence extends far beyond any single nation. The book highlights Asia’s return to historical patterns of commerce and cultural exchange, suggesting that the future will be shaped by Asian interests on the global stage.
Recomended by Sabrina Hartusch, Global Head of Insurance Risk at Triumph Group and President and Board Member at SIRM
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Daniel Kahneman, Nobel Prize winner in Economics, wrote Thinking, Fast and Slow in 2011. A leading figure in behavioral economics, Kahneman is known for his research on judgment and decision-making and in this groundbreaking book, he explores the two systems that drive our thinking: System 1, which is fast and intuitive, and System 2, which is slower and more deliberate. With over 2.6 million copies sold, Thinking, Fast and Slow reveals how these systems influence our judgments, from corporate strategies to personal decisions. Kahneman provides practical insights into when to trust our instincts and when to engage in deeper thinking. It remains a contemporary classic, essential for understanding human behavior and decision-making.
Recomended by BELRIM.
#Nego: Comment ne plus avoir peur de négocier by Eric Blondeau
This book offers a unique exploration of behavioral mechanisms and questioning techniques, leading to self-discovery and a deeper understanding of others. Negotiation is a daily activity, yet often feared due to lack of techniques, with our brains setting traps during interactions. #Nego teaches you to identify and avoid these traps, highlighting common communication blunders. Discover how to transform constraints into opportunities, understand universal decision-making mechanisms, and influence without manipulation. With step-by-step guidance in questioning and listening, #Nego helps you navigate negotiations without fear, radically transforming your relationships and achieving common goals.
The book is currently available only in French.
Recomended by Typhaine Beaupérin, Chief Executive Officer at FERMA.
The Capital by Robert Menasse
If you’re looking for a break from risk management and want to enjoy a captivating novel, we recommend The Capital. Written by Robert Menasse, this inventive novel immerses you in the cobblestoned streets of modern Brussels. It features a rich array of characters, from Fenia Xenopoulou’s controversial European Commission project to Inspector Émile Brunfaut’s high-level murder investigation. With its mordantly funny and urgent critique of a fracturing Europe, The Capital offers a fresh and engaging perspective on contemporary issues.
Recomended by the FERMA comms team
If none of these titles pique your interest, explore the lists prepared by our colleagues at BELRIM, for even more great options.
And if you speak Spanish, AGERS has an extensive library with publications, guides and studies, all of them related to risk management and insurance. We suggest in particular Como generar valor en las empresas con la Gestión de Riesgos, written by Alejandro Garcia Bravo, risk and insurance director at CoxaAbengoa.
Enjoy your summer reading!