PANOS

The book is about the history of Natuzzi, Italy's largest furniture house. Founded back in 1959 by Pasquale Natuzzi - current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - in a small village in the South of Italy, Natuzzi is today among the largest players in its sector, with seven manufacturing plants, twelve commercial offices and more than 1200 points of sale worldwide. This book tracks the history of the company, using stories and anecdotes collected through interviews and reading the house organ magazine and the press releases since 1990. The beauty of the company's history lies in putting its social ethical mission at its heart since the beginning while still adopting industrial techniques.

China's economic rise and influence have been one of the most significant developments in the global economy of recent times. A driving force behind this expansion has been the private entrepreneurs and companies of China, some of which have literally redefined the economic and business landscape, both inside and outside of China. Dong Mingzhu is one such entrepreneur. Gree Electric is one of the powerhouses of the air-conditioning industry, and owes its success to the entrepreneurial and management tenacity of Dong. As a young widow, aged 36, she travelled south and began work at Gree as an ordinary salesperson. Four years later, in 1994, she became head of sales. By 1996, she was deputy president, and by 2001, president of Gree. During this time, Dong challenged and transformed industry norms through her innovations in sales, service and employee policies. This is the story of one of China's most inspiring and innovative business leaders.