159. J. Byrne Murphy. Le Deal.
J. Byrne Murphy
April 15, 2021
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“Entrepreneurs are like explorers, constantly operating in uncharted territory, dealing with new experiences, stumbling across surprises. Sometimes those surprises can be highly unwelcome. Such unexpected moments can result in resounding victories or devastating defeats, and often it’s a thin line that separates the two.”
- J. Byrne Murphy, Le Deal (March 2021)
Since its original publication more than a decade ago, J. Byrne Murphy’s captivating memoir, Le Deal, has inspired entrepreneurs to follow their dreams. Required reading in many business schools, this re-release of his memoir has a new Foreword by William Conway, Jr. (co-founder of the Carlyle Group) and an updated Prologue and Epilogue. It will surely continue to provide valuable lessons for students, entrepreneurs and business leaders.
In today’s podcast Byrne discusses his book and shares some of the business insights and lessons his experiences elucidate.
Topics include:
Why he doesn’t think it’s hyperbolic to describe the testing time of a new business as an “excruciating process”.
Why a common language shouldn’t be confused with a common culture.
How the metier of the presser provided a cultural insight that proved to be the key to moving forward – even when legal appeals were pending.
The pros and cons of working with hired guns.
How culture affects “teamwork” and what to do when you’re the odd one out.
The pattern recognition at the heart of all of his business ventures.
Byrne Murphy is the Founder and Chairman of the award-winning company DigiPlex, the largest operator of data centers in the Nordic countries and known as having some of the most sustainable centers in the world. Harvard Business School will publish a case study about the company.
His book LE DEAL focuses on his earlier experiences as co-founder of McArthurGlen, the developer/owner of the first fashion designer outlet centers in Europe. During his tenure, McArthurGlen projects were launched in eight countries, eventually creating billions of dollars in asset value and creating over 8,000 jobs.
Murphy also developed Europe’s first private residential club, Palazzo Tornabuoni, by partnering with the Fingen Group to renovate the 15th century Medici palace in Florence, Italy. A full city block, Palazzo Tornabuoni contains luxury retailers, offices, and restaurants as well as residences. Harvard Business School published a case study about project in 2016.
Byrne Murphy has won numerous business awards and honors. Among them, he was named by Data Economy magazine as one of the world’s “Top 25 Finance and Investment Movers and Shakers.” InsightsSuccess magazine named him one of “The 30 Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs of 2018. Murphy graduated cum laude from Harvard College and received his MBA from University of Virginia.
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