Core Insights - Reading is considered the most cost-effective investment, breaking down cognitive barriers in a rapidly changing world [1][2] - The article recommends 15 classic books to enrich oneself during the National Day holiday [2] Book Summaries - **"Upward Management: Getting Results from Leaders" by Melody Wilding**: Focuses on effective communication with leaders and provides practical strategies for various workplace scenarios [4][6] - **"Heart Philosophy" by Kazuo Inamori**: Discusses the philosophy of management intertwined with personal growth and altruism, emphasizing the importance of mental strength for all roles [7][9] - **"Winning" by Jack Welch**: Shares management wisdom from one of the greatest CEOs, focusing on strategy, change management, and collaboration [10][12] - **"The Leadership Code" by Dave Ulrich**: Explores the essential qualities of leadership through five key areas, helping individuals enhance their leadership skills [13][15] - **"Deliberate Practice" by Anders Ericsson**: A guide on effective learning methods, emphasizing the importance of focused practice and feedback [17][18] - **"Effortless" by Greg McKeown**: Advocates for simplifying tasks to achieve better results, promoting a smarter work approach [21][22] - **"Execution" by Ram Charan**: Highlights the critical role of execution in leadership, detailing processes for effective implementation [23][25] - **"Influence" by Robert Cialdini**: Analyzes the principles of influence and persuasion, enhancing the reader's ability to impact others [26][28] - **"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey**: Identifies key habits that lead to personal and professional success, emphasizing proactive behavior and continuous improvement [29][31][32] - **"Built to Last" by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras**: A study of enduring companies, providing insights into their success and management practices [33][35] - **"The Climber" by Konosuke Matsushita**: Shares philosophical insights on human respect and the importance of mutual trust in business [37][38] - **"Dare to Dream" by Michael W. Sonnenfeldt**: Offers entrepreneurial guidance through shared experiences of successful business leaders [40][42] - **"The Leadership Pipeline" by Ram Charan**: A practical guide on leadership development across different organizational levels [42] - **"The Effective Executive" by Peter Drucker**: Discusses the essential practices for effective management, emphasizing that everyone can be a manager [44] - **"First Lessons for Managers" by Andy Grove**: Provides management strategies based on extensive experience in the tech industry, focusing on maximizing output [46]

Core Insights - The company reported solid results in Q2 2025, driven by strong volume in container liner services and high activity in logistics, although global freight rates significantly declined, impacting margins in the forwarding segment [1][4]. Financial Performance - Revenue for Q2 2025 was EUR 201.1 million, a decrease of EUR 6.1 million or 2.9% compared to Q2 2024 [2]. - Total expenses amounted to EUR 179.9 million, down by EUR 3.8 million or 2.0% year-on-year, with salary expenses increasing by EUR 3.8 million, reflecting a 10.0% rise due to collective wage increases [2]. - EBITDA for the quarter was EUR 21.2 million, a decline of 9.8% from EUR 23.5 million in the same period last year, resulting in an EBITDA margin of 10.5%, down from 11.3% [2][3]. - Net earnings were EUR 4.5 million, compared to EUR 7.9 million in the same quarter last year, primarily affected by lower results from affiliates due to the weakening of the US dollar against the euro [2]. Operational Highlights - The liner system experienced strong volume growth of 7.9% compared to previous quarters, although revenue growth did not keep pace due to lower average prices [6]. - Logistics and agency segments showed good results with increased activity in trucking and growing volume in warehousing, despite lower terminal activities compared to the same period last year [4][6]. - The company decided to sell the vessel Lagarfoss and temporarily reduce the fleet by one vessel in response to changing market conditions, including rising operational costs [5]. Strategic Developments - Starting September 1, the company will add weekly calls to Rotterdam, enhancing connectivity for exports from Iceland and the Faroe Islands [6]. - The company remains optimistic for the upcoming months, anticipating sustained strong volumes in the liner system and solid performance in logistics, with expectations of somewhat higher volumes in international forwarding despite lower global freight rates [10]. Corporate Social Responsibility - The company emphasizes corporate social responsibility, having sponsored the Football Association of Iceland and supported women's football initiatives [8]. - The company graduated its fifth class from the international leadership program, with a total of 157 employees participating, highlighting its commitment to equal opportunities in leadership roles [9].