The Awakening Read Online Free PDF Page B

Andrew. “I knew you were smart, AA. Acquiring this lovely lady just shows me how clever you are.” He sighed triumphantly, gazed somewhere into the future. “Great Blizzard has a great future. Carmen Whyte has an even greater one.”
    Andrew felt compelled to speak. He needed to take advantage of Victor’s good humour. “Carmen has an MA in literature and business management. I knew she was more than a sports star. From the moment we first met and talked, I knew she could help take the company forward. I knew she believed in what you – what we all believe in, Victor.”
    “If companies like us don’t act responsibly, don’t actively care for the environment then who else will? Our profits remain strong. Our readers are loyal. The board is entirely happy.”
    “But Victor, “Andrew ventured, “surely we are in a position to take some risks, to push our advantage? Shouldn’t we list on the Stock Market? Look at Utopia. Their profit has sky rocketed since they listed last year. And Pacific Moon is going the same way.”
    Victor smiled indulgently, swirled the wine in his glass thoughtfully. He had heard this all before. He guessed Andrew felt it was a good time to float the idea again. After all everyone was in a good mood and Carmen’s presence meant they would both behave entirely professionally, neither wishing to show themselves up badly in her eyes.
    “Andrew,” Victor began softly. “I know your feelings on this matter. I understand your position. You wish to increase profit. You see the floating of the company as the correct pathway to greater profit. You see it as the obvious next step for a company as successful as ours. Your examples support your premise. But, and I thought you understood this, Andrew, we are not all about profit. If we were we would not be Great Blizzard, we would be some other entity. This company is founded on supporting the environment in every way we can. Out paper is 100% recycled; we support Green-Earth , Living Waters and Free the Animals by publishing their materials for cost and making large donations to their organizations. We have our own plantations and contribute to the local economies in many parts of the world. We contribute to –”
    Andrew held up his hand. “I know all of this, Victor. I have been your MD for five years. I know exactly what the company does and what it stands for. My point is that through greater profit we could do more. Much more for your many causes than we do now.”
    Victor nodded. “Yes, it is a compelling idea. But, my dear Andrew, as well you know, once we list, once we become a public company we are beholden to our share-holders and they may not endorse our current philosophy, our mission as an ethical, environmentally responsible company. I hardly think they would endorse the amount we give to our causes. Profit, your god, is a very sexy beast and many compromises would be made in the name of it. Believe me. We have greater freedom this way.”
    “You mean you have, Victor.” Andrew looked his boss squarely in the eye. It was what he needed to say. It wasn’t about the board: it was all about Victor. “You are the company, Victor.”
    Victor shrugged. “Indeed I am, AA. And I guess while I am we will not become a public company. One day I will no longer be here and perhaps then what you dream of will transpire. If you are still here.” Victor leant into Andrew, still smiling, not obviously threatening him. “Perhaps you will be able to prove to your father that you can be successful without his support, without playing his game. After all Andrew you really are only here until the time is right to move into your father’s domain, aren’t you? Perhaps you will realise your ambitions for Great Blizzard. But you may have a long wait.” Victor took a sip of his wine, his voice as calm and soft as it had been throughout the exchange. “Perhaps, AA, you need to find a place where your beliefs about profit and stock markets match