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Per Thau

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Per Thau

World Traveller & Former CEO

 

About the interview

  • The lessons learned and challenges faced over a year of travelling
  • Wonderful stories from places as diverse as Peru, the Philippines and Australia
  • How travelling can alter your worldview and your approach to leadership
  • The impact of plastics and global warming on the natural world

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About Per

World Traveller & Former CEO

  • Previously CEO at Drafoga
  • Strong business development professional
  • Energetic and inspirational leadership style
  • Looking to new horizons after a year of travel
If you could invite 1 person to a dinner party – who would it be and why?
Richard Branson who has lived his life to the full and at the same time created something big in the world. He dares to try new and uncertain things.
What motivates you? Makes you happy?
When I make a difference in the world creating something new, when helping people to grow and when I am together with good friends and my family.
What advice would you give your 10-year-old self?
Trust yourself and follow your instincts. Do not be afraid to follow a route that is different. Keep doing what your find fun in and become good at it. That will lead your life.
If you could make 1 global change – what would it be?
No plastic in the oceans. Neither plastic bags and bottles, nor microplastic. The oceans are a very important resource for our long-term survival as mankind. There are other important resources such as our forests, but as a sailor the water is closest to my heart.
What are your Top 3 achievements?
1. Creation of a nationwide successful MENY supermarket chain in Denmark from scratch in a short time.
2. Successful closedown of the unprofitable discount chain KIWI in Denmark with good support from the 2500 employees and with a good economic results.
3. Balancing a great career on the top with being present with my family and kids.
What does sustainability mean for you?
Sustainability is the balance between the resources that we take from the nature and its ability to rebuild. Sustainability is a compromise between meeting the present needs without compromising the future. When you cross the mountains with your rucksack it’s about managing yout garbage and taking nothing from the nature that it cannot recover easily. When you run a business, it is basically the same just on a larger scale – leave no tracks.
What was the most important event/influence that changed your perspective?
My kids growing up. I have been dreaming about taking a tour around the world with my family for many years. Seeing them growing up made me realise that I could not wait forever if I wanted all three kids with me and my wife, whereas my next job can wait for a year or two.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
If you are ever in doubt about taking a break from your job or career and do something that you have been dreaming about, then do it. You are going to come back stronger and much happier. Job and career are important and exiting, but life is also about making your non-career-dreams come through. Moreover, it is very healthy to try to be left with nothing but yourself, instead of being somebody because of your job.

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