BACKSTORY: Dermalogica CEO Aurelian Lis
We question the chief executive officer of personal care company Dermalogica Aurelian Lis
If you could have dinner with any three people (alive or dead), who would they be? The sculptor Giambologna, Emperor Aurelian (214–275 CE) and Richard Branson. What’s your favourite novel? Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan — it’s entertaining. What’s your one top tip for doing a deal? Dream of the disruptive possibilities that the deal enables and of which everyone wants to become part. Which phrase or word do you overuse? "Iterate relentlessly". In the search for change I bring this up in many conversations, iterating the variations of saying the same thing. What was your first job? An oil-field engineer working [off the Mumbai coast]. Flying on slightly dodgy Russian helicopters out to the oil rigs. What’s the worst airport you’ve been in? Beijing. I love attention to detail and workmanship. For the investment they made, this airport is missing both. What is the one investment you wish you had made, or made earlier? I saw Kehinde Wiley’s paintings in 2000 and should have acted; 18 y...
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