Corruption Arts in Third World International Business: Traps, Swizzles, and Swindles Used by the Master Players is based on the true story of a large American firm WestCo, Inc. that launched a joint business enterprise with the Indonesian government and two domestic companies. In the book, Gottbreht-consultant and businessman-describes how WestCo found itself mired in struggles with a myriad problems that created an entirely different business environment than had been expected. Corruption turned into an art form became the leading factor behind the eventual failure of WestCo.
Gottbreht outlines the unfavorable business environment that overwhelmed WestCo and traces it to the political, economic, and cultural structures that prevailed in Indonesia. The subsequent collapse of the Indonesian economy, accompanied by violent riots in Jakarta in May 1998, currency devaluation and the concentration of wealth by six powerful families contributed to the failure of WestCo. Language barriers and cultural issues among all of the venture's participants helped drive the final nail into WestCo's coffin. The author points out, however, that Indonesia does not have a monopoly on corruption; it exists in many other developing countries.
The recent earthquake-driven tsunami in the Indian Ocean has again brought South Asia to the forefront of international headlines. The terrible tsunami tragedy that included Indonesia, gives the world an opportunity to come together with other countries to help the common people in those areas, says Gottbreht. "It would be an opportunity wasted if we allow ourselves to once again become unintentional allies of third world corrupt leadership because we did not pay attention to corruption and high integrity leadership development issues at the same time." Corruption Arts in Third World International Business is required reading for any American businessperson, educator, or student interested in doing business in or with third world countries.
SUE COLLIER began her career in publishing as communications editor for the College of American Pathologists in Chicago during the late 1980s. She later moved on to a position as production editor for the American Society for Quality Control in Milwaukee, handling all facets of production for approximately twenty-five Quality Press titles annually. In 1991, she relocated to the Denver area and accepted a position as managing editor for Fulcrum Publishing, a trade publisher where she spent more than four years, working with dozens of authors, freelancers, and staffers on a myriad of projects.
In the mid-1990s, she began working with self-publishing authors and small presses. Since then, she began collaborating with well-known publishing guru Marilyn Ross. Sue took over for her mentor in 2007 as the owner Self-Publishing Resources. Working as a coach and consultant, Sue handles all book writing, packaging, and promotions project work for SPR. She is coauthor of The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing,5th Edition (Writer's Digest Books, 2010) and the upcoming Jump Start Your Books Sales, 2nd Edition (Communication Creativity, 2011).
Sue has degrees in English and education from the University of Wisconsin. She is a licensed real estate broker in Colorado (inactive status) and a member of Toastmasters International.
