Global leaders look up to Turkish strategist

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Turkish strategist and businessman Yılmaz Argüden has inspired world leaders with his new book, ‘Keys to Governance,’ the cover of which is seen in the photo below. DAILY NEWS photo, Emrah GÜREL

Turkish strategist and businessman Yılmaz Argüden, who serves as a board member for leading local and international firms, continues to inspire world leaders with his new book, “Keys to Governance.”

Argüden writes for world-class publications, including leading business journals such as Insead Knowledge and the Harvard Business Review blog. His books are published by the prestigious publishing house Palgrave MacMillan and followed by world leaders in government, the business world, nongovernment organizations, as well as academia.

Argüden told the Hürriyet Daily News about his journey from professional businessman to a globally renowned author of business books on governance.

“The essence of good governance is ensuring trustworthy relations between the institution and its stakeholders,” Argüden, chairman of Istanbul-based ARGE Consulting, said in his previous book which aroused the interest of world leaders.

 A few months after the publication of “Boardroom Secrets” in 2009, the book was ranked by London-based periodical Professional Manager as one of the best books written on corporate governance.

“The unfolding financial and economic crisis has fundamentally been due to a wide-ranging failure of corporate governance. Argüden’s book, focusing on governance as a culture and a climate based on insights coming from long experience, will be invaluable to all who must try to rebuild the world economy on more solid foundations,” Kemal Derviş, director of the Global Economy and Development Program at the Brookings Institution, said in his review of the book.

In “Keys to Governance: Strategic Leadership for Quality of Life,” published in December 2011, Argüden gives hints on how to improve the governance of global institutions like the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and European Union to be more effective global players. He also elaborates on the role of nation-states, companies and NGOs while discussing improvements to the quality of governance and democracy.

“Good governance is the key to the sustainability of our organizations and success of humanity in improving the quality of life for all global citizens,” said Argüden, noting that governance was much more than a set of rules or regulations. “Governance is a culture and climate of consistency, responsibility, accountability, fairness, transparency and effectiveness that is deployed throughout an institution.”

Leaders praise his works

World-renowned figures have expressed admiration for his works. “Argüden outlines the keys to good governance and sustainable development …. and what this means for the actors in the world, for the political and economic elites,” former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder said in his review of the book. “The book provides new insights into how the global community can be a better place economically, socially, politically, and culturally,” said Nobel Laureate Mohammad Yunus. “It is must read for all,” said Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive of The Coca Cola Company. “In his book, Argüden provides holistic solutions to complex issues.”

Argüden is a leading strategist, adviser and board member of major public and private institutions and NGOs. In addition to his role as chairman of ARGE Consulting, Argüden is also the chairman of Rothschild investment bank in Turkey.