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How not to win friends and influence people

--Original Message--

From: Alan Lewis

Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2005 11:34 AM

To: Daniel Loeb

Subject: CV

Daniel,

Thanks for calling earlier today. Enclosed is my cv for your review. I look forward to following up with you when you have more time.

Best regards,

Alan

Alan D. Lewis

Managing Director

Sthenos Capital Ltd.

--Original Message--

From: Daniel Loeb

Sent: 27 March 2005 23:08

To: Alan Lewis

Subject: RE: CV

what are your 3 best current european ideas?

Daniel Loeb

Managing Member

Third Point LLC

--Original Message--

From: Alan Lewis

Sent: Monday, March 28, 2005 1:03 AM

To: Daniel Loeb

Subject: RE: CV

Daniel,

I am sorry but it does not interest me to move forward in this way. If you wish to have a proper discussion about what you are looking to accomplish in Europe, and see how I might fit in, fine.

Lesson one of dealing in Europe, business is not conducted in the same informal manner as in the U.S.

Best regards,

Alan

--Original Message--

From: Daniel Loeb

Sent: 28 March 2005 09:50

To: Alan Lewis

Subject: RE: CV

One idea would suffice.

We are an aggressive performance oriented fund looking for blood thirsty competitive individuals who show initiative and drive to make outstanding investments. This is why I have built third point into a $3.0 billion fund with average net returns of 30% net over 10 years.

We find most brits are bit set in their ways and prefer to knock back a pint at the pub and go shooting on weekend rather than work hard. Lifestyle choices and important and knowing one's limitations with respect to dealing in a competitive environment is too. That is Lesson 1 at my shop.

It is good that we learned about this incompatibility early in the process and I wish you all the best in your career in traditional fund management.

Daniel

--Original Message--

From: Alan Lewis

Sent: Monday, March 28, 2005 4:08 AM

To: Daniel Loeb

Subject: RE: CV

Daniel,

I guess your reputation is proven correct. I have not been in traditional fund management for more than eleven years. I did not achieve the success I have by knocking back a pint, as you say. I am aggressive, and I do love this business. I am Half American and half French, and having spent more than half my life on this side of the pond I think I know a little something about how one conducts business in the UK and Europe.

There are many opportunities in the UK and Europe, shareholder regard is only beginning to be accepted and understood. However, if you come here and handle it in the same brash way you have in the U.S. I guarantee you will fail. Things are done differently here, yes place in

society still matters, where one went to school etc. It will take tact, and patience (traits you obviously do not have) to succeed in this arena.

Good luck!

Alan

--Original Message--

From: Daniel Loeb

Sent: 28 March 2005 10:23

To: Alan Lewis

Subject: RE: CV

Well, you will have plenty of time to discuss your "place in society" with the other fellows at the club.

I love the idea of a French/english unemployed guy whose fund just blew up telling me that I am going to fail.

At Third Point, like the financial markets in general,"one's place in society" does not matter at all. We are a bunch of scrappy guys from diverse backgrounds (Jewish Muslim, Hindu etc) who enjoy outwitting pompous asses like yourself in financial markets globally.

Your "inexplicable insouciance" and disrespect is fascinating; It must be a French/English aristocratic thing. I will be following your "career" with great interest.

I have copied Patrick so that he can introduce you to people who might be a better fit-there must be an insurance company or mutual fund out there for you.

Dan Loeb

From: Alan Lewis

To: Daniel Loeb

March 28 2005

Hubris.

From: Daniel Loeb

To: Alan Lewis

March 28 2005

Laziness.

author-card-avatar
AUTHORAnonymous Insider Comment
  • An
    Anonymous
    25 May 2007

    Jeez :rofl

    I have been interviewied more than i care to remember and Loeb's first question is fine, if direct. Maybe he should establish some kind of interest before 'stealing' people's trade ideas...

    But, in any case, Lewis started with the snotty shit and, then, Loeb was happy to wallow in silly cliches.

    As a french male, i take offense at us being pompous, as one lady suggested!! ;) I think, like for the english, it applies only to a minority. Maybe that minority is a bit over represented in the London trading rooms (maybe) but i'd say there is a difference between pompous and arrogant...

    In any case, good luck to both! And 'vive la meritocracie'.

  • Fr
    François
    2 May 2007

    Alan Lewis is right. Loeb's first answer was very impolite and rude.

  • Am
    American Living in London
    27 April 2007

    So what's the problem with a prospective employer 'testing' a candidate about his/her industry knowledge!!!

    Oh! In the UK, the Brits prefer to operate with 'tact and patience!

    Here are a few of my experiences of interviewing in London...
    At one company, I was 'told' I was 'too Americanised' by HR during the interview. At another company, I was asked during the interview 'how is my marriage since relocating to London?' And during another interview, the hiring manager made an offer to one candidate and continued to interview other candidates!

    Needless to say this is how they prefer to conduct business and interviews in the UK... I guess this is what they call 'tact and patience?' Sounds like something else to me.

  • Ni
    Nix
    24 April 2007

    Ha, as an Englishwoman who has worked for US banks in the UK and now lives in Paris, I can totally understand why these 2 have ended up at each other's throats. The French guy does sound totally pompous - they generally do I find (I should know, I married one!) And the American guy has got that typical "all Limey/European bankers went to public school, belong to Gentlemen's clubs and spend all day in the pub" attitude.

    They're both dumb, the French guy for doing the usual French snotty, "we don't do it like that here," thing and the American guy for being naive enough to think that the French and the English operate in the same way... Although I looove the "French/English unemployed guy" line!

    Definite proof though that Banker should really have a capital "W" at the beginning instead of a "B". Bang their heads together and send 'em to stand in the naughty corner if they're going to squabble like kids!

  • An
    Anonymous
    23 April 2007

    HAHAHA

    Big swinging dicks trying to out do each other whilst their wives cheat on them.. classic

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