Final Word from Wednesday, May 27, 2009
"He's apparently the most influential person in the Czech Republic," wrote Bohumil Pečinka and Miroslav Cvrček in Reflex. "Some people referred to him as a half-premier." The article is about CEO Martin Roman of ČEZ, but if it had been written a few years ago, it might easily have been about Stanislav Gross. He was also highly influential, and he was also half a premier. The two have more in common. They're consensus-builders, not pound-the-fist initiators. They're communicators. They're more image than substance, and they made piles of money by being in the right place at the right time. They're straw men for people of much greater power and influence. They'll serve their purpose and then live out their days in relative obscurity. Roman is no more the brains behind Appian Group than Gross was behind Moravia Energo. To understand Marty, think Stan. To understand Appian, think Moscow.[Czech Republic prime minister magazine energy]
Glossary of difficult words
Stan and Marty - used for literary purposes only; these are not their nicknames;
Reflex - after clicking, you must scroll down to the Reflex article - it is still not available on Reflex's web site;
consensus-builder - someone who strives to avoid conflict and find a common language with all involved;
pound-the-fist (or fist-pounding) - making a point or expressing anger by hitting the table with one's first;
initiator - a person or thing that initiates someone or something;
straw man - a person who is set up as a cover or front for a questionable enterprise.