Pasquale Pistorio, who took the loss-making, $100 million revenue Italian chip company SGS, and transformed it into the highly profitable, $10 billion revenue, top ten chip company STMicroelectronics, tells an amusing tale of leaving Motorola in 1980, where he was worldwide director of marketing, and the first non-American ever to be elected to the Motorola baord.
"So you're leaving Motorola to joinn SGS?" asked John Welty, CEO of Motorola Semiconductors.
"Yes, John," replied Pistorio.
"Is SGS a good company? Is it in good shape?"
"No John, they are losing their shirt. They are really in difficulties".
"I see. Well is Italy a very nice environment to work in?"
"No John, terrorrosts are killing one executive a week, and the unions are really dominating the scene."
"Are they paying you more?"
"No John, they are paying me less."
"Pasquale, are you crazy?"
"Yes, John, I am crazy."
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