D Tuesday, October 6, 2009 METRO Experts ode on a Grecian downturn STRESSES and strains that led to the collapse of Greek democracy 2,400 years ago are similar to the ones we face today, a historian has said. Cambridge Universitys Dr Michael Scott said the implosion of Athenian society which occurred during an economic downturn was a warning from the past. Its a period of history wed do well to think about right now, says Dr Scott. His new book, From Democrats To Kings, shows how an earlier generation responded to similar challenges and which strategies succeeded. The story of this period is perfectly suited to that of our times, he says. France Telecom boss quits over spate of staff suicides THE chief executive of France Telecom has quit after weeks of mounting criticism over the companys handling of a spate of suicides by employees. Unions say the formerly state-run companys restructuring could be to blame for some of the 24 suicides in the last 18 months. The latest suicide was last week, when a 51- year-old man jumped off a bridge on to a highway. In a note found in his car, the father of two blamed the atmosphere at his workplace. France Telecom, which employs 100,000 people, laid off some 22,000 people in the last three years. Louis-Pierre Wenes will be replaced by a former government aide Stepane Richard.Stephane Richard Setanta was almost dictator-like in his style, said Ms Fleming. His rudeness towards Geraldine on the phone and also towards Ruth in delegating tasks was un- acceptable and was a master class in how not to manage your teams. His opponent was not rated much high- er: Breffny was far too laid back, even openly admitting he didnt have the knowledge or experience to lead a team in this task. He was extremely lucky to have the team he did, she added. Setantas indecision was his ultimate undoing the idea to use cakes as im- agery, inspired by the software being a piece of cake to use, somehow became Rubiks Cubes and was eventually aban- doned. Back in the boardroom, the TV3 shows boss, Bill Cullen, was not as indecisive. You dont have the people skills to lead any team. So, Setanta, you are fired, he said. This crocodile was arrested for loitering and held in a cell for three days. The 2m (7ft) female was nicked after it made a home in Gunbalanya, in Australias Northern Territory, and worried residents. I wanted to do a Steve Irwin and wrestle it into the back of a van but the rangers wouldnt let me, said Sgt Adam Russell. She was rehomed at a crocodile farm near Darwin Picture: Splash lEast wantEd setantas C is foiled by boss Cullen IT WAS the stuff of legend: Setanta be- came the hound of (Bill) Cullen and was sent from the boardroom with his tail between his legs. In Irish folklore Setanta and Cchu- lainn were one and the same, but last night Team Cchulainn were delighted to dump Setanta Landers on to Team Platinum, as he made a hames of the task. Another female Apprentice winner is now increasingly likely as the third boy in a row was fired. Despite mixing up the teams thanks to Team Cchulainns dwindling member- ship, and despite Setanta dragging two girls into the boardroom with him, it was the failed team leader who became the third loser. Mairad Fleming, director of Bright- water Recruitment and The Apprentice: Youre Fired aftershow panellist, said management skills were not in abun- dance this week. Sadly, none of the skills demonstrated by the would-be apprentices are acceptable in todays working environment, she said. The task to create a 12-month print ad- vertisement campaign for payroll soft- ware company Big Red Book saw Bref- fni Morgan and Setanta display dramatically opposing skills as project managers. BY ROSS McDONAGH Not impressed: cullen index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html