The World Economic Forum at Davos is in the news these days, as it is every year at this time. The world’s leaders - political, business and financial - gather to rub shoulders and, very occasionally, achieve something more than self-congratulation. Going back a quarter century, however, the WEF wasn't nearly as famous as it is today.
And that's when yours truly comes into the story..
It was around 1992 when I saw an ad in The Economist for a position at the WEF. They were looking for someone that combined knowledge in engineering/energy with finance. It fit my profile pretty nicely so I sent off a resume, mostly on a lark since I wasn't quite ready to move from the Big Apple to Geneva or some remote village in the Swiss Alps, no matter how glamorous.
About a month later, however, I was surprised to get a call inviting me for an interview to be held in Manhattan. More surprising still was that the lady on the phone spoke Greek and introduced herself with a last name that was instantly recognizable: a very, very large Greek tycoon shipping family.
She explained that Professor Klaus Schwab - the founder of WEF himself - was in NYC for a few days and would I mind if I met him on short notice? The meeting would take place at her apartment in Midtown, just a few blocks from my office. I agreed.
On the appointed hour the door was opened by an attractive middle-aged lady who showed me to the living room and explained that the Professor was running a bit late, would I care for some refreshment in the meantime? A crudites, cheese and cracker platter was set on the coffee table.
We sat down and engaged in some idle remarks which quickly petered out.. that's when I noticed a portrait hanging prominently over the fireplace.
"That's a very nice painting, almost like an El Greco" I said, eager to re-start the conversation.
I will never forget the icy hauter in her voice as she responded:
"It IS an El Greco".
Professor Schwab came in a few minutes later and we proceeded with the interview, but it might as well have not happened. My faux-pas with the painting had sealed my fate, since the WEF was - and still is - much more of a diplomatic institution than anything else...
I chuckle every January as news and images from snowy Davos hits my TV...
And that's when yours truly comes into the story..
It was around 1992 when I saw an ad in The Economist for a position at the WEF. They were looking for someone that combined knowledge in engineering/energy with finance. It fit my profile pretty nicely so I sent off a resume, mostly on a lark since I wasn't quite ready to move from the Big Apple to Geneva or some remote village in the Swiss Alps, no matter how glamorous.
About a month later, however, I was surprised to get a call inviting me for an interview to be held in Manhattan. More surprising still was that the lady on the phone spoke Greek and introduced herself with a last name that was instantly recognizable: a very, very large Greek tycoon shipping family.
She explained that Professor Klaus Schwab - the founder of WEF himself - was in NYC for a few days and would I mind if I met him on short notice? The meeting would take place at her apartment in Midtown, just a few blocks from my office. I agreed.
On the appointed hour the door was opened by an attractive middle-aged lady who showed me to the living room and explained that the Professor was running a bit late, would I care for some refreshment in the meantime? A crudites, cheese and cracker platter was set on the coffee table.
We sat down and engaged in some idle remarks which quickly petered out.. that's when I noticed a portrait hanging prominently over the fireplace.
This wasn't the painting, but close enough..
"That's a very nice painting, almost like an El Greco" I said, eager to re-start the conversation.
I will never forget the icy hauter in her voice as she responded:
"It IS an El Greco".
Professor Schwab came in a few minutes later and we proceeded with the interview, but it might as well have not happened. My faux-pas with the painting had sealed my fate, since the WEF was - and still is - much more of a diplomatic institution than anything else...
I chuckle every January as news and images from snowy Davos hits my TV...
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