Book Review: "Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar..."

President Trump shakes hands with Von der Leyen.

In BL_Books, we ask senior finance leaders to share their book recommendations and how they are incorporating the insights they have gained into their role within the finance function. This month's reviews include How Big Things Get Done by Mike Clark, Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar by Thomas Cathcart and David Klein, and Performance Evaluation Under Scrutiny: Current Trends.

Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar…
Thomas Cathcart and David Klein


Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar… by Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein cleverly uses humor to introduce and explain complex philosophical concepts. 


Through jokes, witty commentary, and light-hearted examples, the book breaks down dense philosophical ideas from metaphysics and epistemology to ethics and existentialism, making them accessible and entertaining. 

The authors use the punchlines of classic and original jokes to illustrate how philosophy grapples with life's big questions, providing both clarity and amusement.

Each chapter focuses on a different branch of philosophy, such as logic, language, or political theory, using humor to highlight the often absurd or contradictory nature of philosophical debates. 

For instance, the authors use a joke about a talking dog to explore the philosophy of language and a Groucho Marx quote to delve into identity and the self. This approach not only demystifies philosophy but also underscores how philosophical reasoning underlies everyday thinking and humor alike.

Beyond the jokes, the book offers brief but meaningful insights into the ideas of major philosophers like Plato, Descartes, Nietzsche, and Sartre. While it is not a substitute for rigorous study, it succeeds in sparking curiosity and providing a digestible overview of the main themes in Western philosophy.

Ultimately, the book's charm lies in its ability to make readers laugh while encouraging them to think more deeply about the world around them.

"Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar…" can also be surprisingly useful for managers and CFOs by sharpening their critical thinking and decision-making skills through the philosophical insights presented in an engaging and memorable way. 

The book explores fundamental questions about knowledge, logic, ethics, and the nature of reality, all of which underpin strategic reasoning and leadership. 

For example, understanding logical fallacies and the limits of certainty helps executives evaluate arguments, assess risk, and avoid flawed assumptions in business planning and financial forecasting.

Moreover, the book promotes a more reflective approach to leadership by presenting ethical dilemmas and existential questions with humor and clarity. This is especially relevant for CFOs and managers who often face difficult decisions involving people, values, and trade-offs. 

By encouraging readers to reflect not only on effective strategies but also on ethical considerations and the deeper significance of their actions, the book cultivates a more reflective and principled approach to management. 

This encourages leaders to evaluate their decisions through a moral lens, fostering a culture of integrity and purpose within their organizations.


by Aline de Oliveira, Chief Financial Officer - Sustainable Industries and Buildings, Veolia North America. 



How Big Things Get Done
​Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner

Reading this book as you embark on a large project is insightful and terrifying but ultimately enlightening. Big projects are often late, over-budget and under-deliver – so how can yours avoid that fate and deliver successfully for you, the eventual recipients and the wider stakeholders along the way.


The book was recommended by Professor Scott Anthony of Tuck Business School and it’s a summary of many years of practical experience and academic study into the area by Bent Flyvbjerg on what makes massive projects a success and what categorically does not. 


A book cover of a book AI-generated content may be incorrect.


It covers how sometimes you can be lucky, but how those who serially deliver in this area have learnt, or learn, quickly the approaches, skills and techniques which stand them in good stead?

 

Delivered in a storytelling and conversational style it delivers the lessons of some of the great successes and those that, well, could have gone better, whatever the eventual outcome! These include the Sydney Opera House, the Guggenheim Bilbao, the movie Jaws, Jimi Hendrix’s Electric 

 

Lady studios, the Empire State Building, London Heathrow’s’ Terminal Five and Robert Caro on writing a biography.

 

Lessons abound in 11 ‘heuristics’ or rules of thumb which you can apply to keep yourself on track.

 

by Mike Clark, VP Finance Strategy and Transformation, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners.

"La evaluación del desempeño a examen: Tendencias actuales"
​(Performance Evaluation Under Scrutiny: Current Trends)
Editorial Kolima (several authors)


I highly recommend the book "La evaluación del desempeño a examen: Tendencias actuales" (Performance Evaluation Under Scrutiny: Current Trends) (Editorial Kolima, 2022), a comprehensive and timely work authored by a diverse group of professionals including human resources directors, lawyers, psychologists, and a CFO.


This book, written in Spanish, is particularly relevant in today's rapidly evolving business landscape, where traditional performance appraisal methods are being challenged and reimagined. 

 

The inclusion of "Tendencias actuales" (Current Trends) in the title underscores its focus on cutting-edge approaches and emerging best practices in performance management.
 
An additional key strength of the book lies in its authors' backgrounds. Many of them are not only academics but also professionals actively working in prestigious business schools and relevant multinational companies such as Microsoft, EY, Skechers or Mediaset. 

 

A cover of a book AI-generated content may be incorrect.


This unique combination of academic expertise and hands-on industry experience ensures that the book offers more than just theoretical concepts.
 
I found the book interesting for any reader, and for us, finance leaders, I found following key benefits:


1. Real-world experiences with multidisciplinary and Cross-industry perspective: Thanks to the diverse expertise of the authors, offering a 360-degree view of performance management that includes financial, legal, psychological, and HR aspects with insights valuable across different sectors and company sizes.


2. Up-to-the-minute relevance: With authors working in dynamic business environments, the book captures the most current challenges and solutions in performance management.


3. Strategic alignment: To understand the importance of aligning performance appraisal trends with your company's strategy and goals.


4. Risk management: The book will help you to understand the legal and psychological implications of new evaluation trends, helping you mitigate risks associated with employee assessment processes.
 
As financial leaders, understanding these current trends in performance appraisals will enable us to make more informed decisions about human capital investments, productivity improvements, and overall organizational efficiency.


by Rosa Allegue, Chief Financial Officer - Iberia, Skechers USA. 

 



Deepali Ram is a Reporter for the Bottom Line Brief.