Overview

"When Michael Woodford was made president of Olympus--the company to which he had dedicated thirty years of his career--he became the first Westerner ever to climb the ranks of one of Japan's corporate giants. Some wondered at the appointment--how could a gaijin who didn't even speak Japanese understand how to run a Japanese company? But within months Woodford had gained the confidence of most of his colleagues and shareholders. Unfortunately, soon after, his dream job turned into a nightmare. The trouble began when Woodford learned about a series of bizarre mergers and aquisitions deals totaling $1.7 billion--a scandal that threatened to bring down the entire company if exposed. He turned to his fellow executives--including the chairman who had promoted him Tsuyoshi Kikukawa--for answers. But instead of being heralded as a hero for trying to save the company, Woodford was met with vague responses and hostility--a clear sign of a cover up. Undeterred, he demanded to be made CEO so he could have more leverage with his board and continue to search for the truth. Then, just weeks after being granted the top title, he was fired in a boardroom coup that shocked Japan and the business world at large. Worried his former bosses might try to silence him, Woodford immediately fled the country in fear of his life and went straight to the press--making him the first CEO of a global multinational to blow the whistle on his own company. The result is a deeply personal memoir that reads like a thriller narrative. As Woodford puts it, ""I thought I was going to run a health-care and consumer electronics company, but found I had walked into a John Grisham novel."""

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Reviews

"""Exposure treats readers to a fascinating inside look at bare-knuckled corporate governance."" -- ""Economist"" ""A gripping chronicle by a corporate whistle-blower who achieved a stunning victory."" -- ""Kirkus Reviews"" ""Michael Woodford took a considerable risk in exposing wrongdoing. He was a study of boldness in action."" -- ""Lionel Barber, editor, Financial Times"" ""Woodford's reaction to the corporate malfeasance and corruption he discov-ered once he reached the top is even more noteworthy, though perhaps not surprising. Throughout his life he had demonstrated a willingness to speak out against what he perceived as treachery, even when it could result in financial harm or personal danger."" -- ""Bloomberg BusinessWeek"""

Author Information

Michael Woodford grew up in Liverpool and joined Olympus as a medical equipment salesman, rising through the ranks to run its UK, MEA and European businesses. In April 2011 he was appointed President and COO of the Olympus Corporation - the first Western 'salary-man' to rise through the ranks to the top of a Japanese giant. That October he was made CEO, but only two weeks later was dismissed after querying inexplicable payments approaching $2 billion. He was named Business Person of the Year 2011 by the Sunday Times, the Independent and the Sun, and won the Financial Times Arcelor-Mittal Award for Boldest Businessperson of the Year. He lives in London with his wife and two teenage children. Michael Woodford grew up in Liverpool and joined Olympus as a medical equipment salesman, rising through the ranks to run its UK, MEA and European businesses. In April 2011 he was appointed President and COO of the Olympus Corporation - the first Western 'salary-man' to rise through the ranks to the top of a Japanese giant. That October he was made CEO, but only two weeks later was dismissed after querying inexplicable payments approaching $2 billion. He was named Business Person of the Year 2011 by the Sunday Times, the Independent and the Sun, and won the Financial Times Arcelor-Mittal Award for Boldest Businessperson of the Year. He lives in London with his wife and two teenage children.

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