Prologue
Claudio Feser, David Redaschi, and Karolin Frankenberger
It was an unusually sunny and chilly day in November when Franziska stood nervously at the entrance to the CEO's office, waiting to meet the new CEO. Franziska was the assistant to the CEO of Alpina Travel Group, ATG for short, a large tour operator based in Zurich, Switzerland. The last CEO, Jack Mayer, had been quite strict and unapproachable. He always kept his distance and never cracked even a tiny smile. For this reason, Franziska was quite surprised when Isabelle Dubois arrived. The woman with the warm expression and dark hair had to be ATG's new CEO. She came straight up to Franziska.
Franziska gulped, “Good morning, Mrs. Dubois, I am Franziska Knecht, your assistant.”
“Pleased to meet you, but call me Isabelle,” Isabelle said, extending her hand.
Franziska then reached for Isabelle's beautiful but worn bag. Isabelle immediately picked it up herself. “That's fine, thank you, you do not have to carry the bag for me,” she said firmly, but pleasantly. “Is this my new office?”
Franziska nodded, though she was quite confused by Isabelle's self-confident yet inclusive, non-hierarchical appearance, that starkly contrasted with that of Isabelle's predecessor.
“Thank you for welcoming me,” Isabelle said. “Have you been with the company long?”
“For about three years, Ms. Dubois,” Franziska said as they entered the CEO's office. “I worked with your predecessor, Dr. Mayer.”
“Please call me Isabelle,” the new CEO said ...
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