The Watson Dynasty: The Fiery Reign and Troubled Legacy of IBM's Founding Father and Son

Richard S Tedlow

Physical

In Circulation

For an extraordinary fifty-seven-year period, one of the nation's largest and fastest-growing companies was run by two men who were flesh and blood. The chief executives of the International Business Machines Corporation from 1914 until 1971 were Thomas J. Watson and Thomas J. Watson, father and son. That great corporation bears the imprint of both men -- their ambitions and their strengths -- but it also bears the consequences of a family that was in near-constant conflict.

Sometimes wrong but never in doubt, both Watsons had clear -- and farsighted -- visions of what their company could become. They also had volcanic tempers. Their fights with each other combined with their commitment to leadership and excellence made IBM one of the most rewarding, yet gut-clutching firms to work for in the history of American business.

We are accustomed to describing professional behavior as if men and women leave their emotions and vulnerabilities at home each day. In the case of the Watsons, filial and sibling strife could not be excluded from the office. In closely studying the desires and frustrations of the Watson family, eminent historian Richard S. Tedlow has produced something more than a family portrait or a company history. He has raised the nearly forbidden issue of the role of emotion in corporate life.

This book explores the interplay between the person- alities of these two extraordinary men and the firm they created. Both Watsons had deeply held beliefs about what a corporation is and should be. These ideas helped make "Big Blue" the bluest of blue-chip stocks during the Watsons' tenure. These very beliefs, however, also sowed the seeds for IBM's disasters in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when the company had lost sight of the original meaning behind many of the practices each man put into place.

Tracing the family's idiosyncratic ability to cope with each other's weaknesses but not their strengths, The Watson Dynasty is a book for every person who ever went to work but didn't want to check his personality at the door.

What will you learn from this book

  1. Founding and Early Years: Exploring the founding of IBM and the initial years of the company under the leadership of Thomas J. Watson Sr.

  2. Leadership Principles: Understanding the leadership principles that Thomas J. Watson Sr. implemented to shape the culture and success of IBM.

  3. Expansion and Global Reach: Insights into IBM's expansion strategies and how it became a globally recognized and influential technology company.

  4. Succession Planning: The book may cover the dynamics of leadership succession within the Watson family and its impact on IBM's trajectory.

  5. Technological Innovations: Exploring IBM's contributions to technological innovations, including developments in computing and information technology.

  6. Corporate Culture: Understanding the unique corporate culture fostered by the Watson family and its influence on IBM's identity.

  7. Challenges Faced: The book likely delves into the challenges and crises that IBM encountered over the years and how the company adapted to them.

  8. Social and Economic Impact: Examining the broader impact of IBM on society, the economy, and the technological landscape.

  9. Family Dynamics: Insights into the dynamics of the Watson family and how family relationships played a role in the management of IBM.

  10. Legacy of IBM and the Watson Family: Reflecting on the lasting legacy of IBM and the Watson family in the business world and the technology sector.

Language English
ISBN-10 0060014059
ISBN-13 9780060014056
No of pages 340
Font Size Medium
Book Publisher Harper Collins Publishers
Published Date 04 Nov 2003

About Author

Author : Richard S Tedlow

6 Books

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