When he took over at ibm in 1993, they were moving downward at a frightening speed, and what he did to turn the company around will probably be studied in business schools in future generations. Gerstner iii, the son of the former chief executive of international business machines, died on thursday. Nov 11, 2002 the book is interesting, even for longtime ibm followers, because it is gerstners own story. This is a well written book, very practical and full of information on how lou gerstner saved and transformed ibm. Garr states in his fulldisclosure notes at the end of the book that big blue has never cooperated on a book written about ibm or an. Lou gerstner shares some blame for ibms current mess. This book is dedicated to the thousands of ibm ers who never gave up on their company, their colleagues, and themselves. Ibm s turnaround under lou gerstner who says elephants cant dance describes how louis gerstner lead the organizational turnaround at ibm when it was at the verge of extinction. Gerstner jrs memoir about the turnaround of ibm and his transformation of the company into the industry leader of the computer age. Feb 26, 2020 lou gerstner, american businessman best known for the pivotal role he played in revitalizing the ailing ibm in the mid1990s. At ibm, lou gerstner was a famously private individual. I wrote this book without the aid of a coauthor or a ghostwriter which is why its a good bet this is going to be my last book. He was a virtual recluse when it came to interviews and public appearanceshe doesnt try to hide his disdain for the mediaso his words offer a rare opportunity to hear his point of view. In this video tribute, friends and colleagues share memorable moments and lessons learned from this iconic.
Taking readers deep into the world of ibm s ceo, gerstner recounts the high. The conventional wisdom about ibms ibm is that louis v. He was a virtual recluse when it came to interviews and public appearanceshe doesnt try to hide his. Who says elephants cant dance inside ibms historic. Gerstner spilled the beans in his book on ibm dec 16, 2002. Todays deals your gift cards help whole foods registry sell disability customer support. If ceo compensation was performancedriven, which i believe it was in ibm s case, nobody would ever argue. Louis gerstner on how he started to turn around ibm without a vision statement a lesson many senior managers could stand to learn.
I am responsible for any mistakes or confusion the reader may endure. I believe it might be of interest to briefly outline of his achievements so as. Leadership lessons and turnaround tactics of ibm s lou gestner. I think, to get the full picture, you may also want to read. If the shareholders didnt make billions and billions of dollars, i wouldnt make. Ibm had become like a musicpublishing company run by deaf people. I strongly recommends this book to any one passionate about change management, transformation, leadership, customer focus and strategy execution. I believe it might be of interest to briefly outline of his achievements so as to draw some conclusions about sound management.
He is largely credited with turning ibm s fortunes around. Offering a unique case study drawn from decades of experience at some of americas top companies mckinsey, american express, rjr nabisco gerstner s insights into. Entrepreneurship in americas public schools, and more on. Elephants is the story of ibms unlikely turnaround, told in first person by gerstner. The international business machines corporation ibm is an american multinational information technology company headquartered in armonk, new york, with operations in over 170 countries. Lou gerstner ibms digital transformation change master. Instead, gerstner took hold of the company, making the bold decision to keep it together, defiantly announcing, the last thing ibm needs right now is a vision. Louis gerstner iii passed away last wednesday while dining alone at lenox hill grill. He died after choking while dining in a restaurant, according to a paid death notice in the new york times. He retired from that position in october 2008 and remains a senior advisor to.
Although he has his critics, gerstners book tells how he turned ibm from a. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Offering a unique case study drawn from decades of experience at some of americas top companies mckinsey, american express, rjr nabisco gerstner s insights into management and leadership are applicable to any. Oct, 2009 the firsthand story of an extraordinary turnaround, a unique case study in managing a crisis, and a thoughtful reflection on the computer industry and the principles of leadership, who says elephants cant dance. The book explains how important is execution, focus and behavioural change. The book is interesting, even for longtime ibm followers, because it is gerstner s own story. Gerstner, the rjr nabisco executive who became ibmsceo and chairmanin 1993, righted the ship, taught the elephant to dance, and insertwhateverturnaroundmetaphoryouwant here.
Gerstner was formerly ceo of rjr nabisco, and also held senior. This book is dedicated to the thousands of ibmers who never gave up on their. He told henry kravis of kkr that he would take up the job. Taking readers deep into the world of ibms ceo, gerstner recounts the highlevel meetings and explains the pressurefilled, noturningback decisions that had to be made. For a hard look at ibm s books, see that old financial magic by bethany. Gerstner was a great leader who made important changes in ibm, but didnt go far enough. Gerstner served for four years as chairman and ceo of rjr nabisco, inc. Gerstner s father, louis gerstner jr, 71, became the ceo of ibm in 1993. Ibms turnaround under lou gerstner who says elephants cant dance describes how louis gerstner lead the organizational turnaround at ibm when it was at the verge of extinction.
But thats not something about which gerstner is boasting in his book who says elephants cant dance. Share lou gerstner quotations about ibm, culture and technology. Louis gerstner was the chairman and ceo of ibm from april 1993 to march 2002. Gerstner had led ibm back to the top of the computer industry and initiated one of the worlds greatest success stories. Gerstner jrs memoir about the turnaround of ibm and his. Lou gerstner and the business turnaround of the decade book online at best prices in india on.
At the time, the technology giant was in dire straits, but gerstner was able to transform the struggling company on the. While gerstner gets the cover photo, you learn that its cfo jerry york that was the backbone of the efforts. Information and hightechnology industry experience are highly desirable, but not opposed to considering extraordinary business leaders. The book spans the years from 1993 to 1998 lou retired from ibm about 2002. Who says elephants cant dance leading a great enterprise. He remained chairman of the board through the end of 2002. Now at the helm of carlyle, the private equity firm, he can maintain his privacy in both home and business affairs. The company began in 1911, founded in endicott, new york, as the computingtabulatingrecording company ctr and was renamed international business. When gerstner became ceo of ibm in 1993, shares were in free fall and the company was on the verge of collapse. Ibm and lou gerstner, in strategic management from an islamic perspective.
Lou gerstner and the business turnaround of the decade. In this video tribute, friends and colleagues share. In january 2003, he assumed the position of chairman of the carlyle group, a global private equity firm located in washington, d. Nov 08, 2014 in ibm, stock ownership was a minimal even for top management. I believe it might be of interest to briefly outline of his achievements so as to draw. Jun 09, 2014 in a book excerpt posted on recode, cringely writes. Apr 28, 2015 i recently read a book that proved to be a valuable business restructuring case. By 1993, the company was on a watch list for extinction, victimized by its own lumbering size, an insular corporate culture, and the pc era ibm had itself helped invent. This book describes some of the details of his early, premckinsey life that werent previously in the public domain. Jun 07, 20 the first paragraph of every obituary on louis v. Aug 21, 20 the 41yearold son of a former ceo of ibm has died after choking on a piece of steak at a new york city diner. Dec 09, 2002 1292002 ibm was in deep trouble when louis v.
Lou gerstner on how to turnaround a company bloomberg. Ibm s corporate owners need to implement a philosophy of lou gerstner s when he sermonized in his book. Gerstner is the author of who says elephants cant dance, the bestselling account of ibms transformation. Learn more about gerstner s life and career, including his work with other businesses. The author makes a point of saying upfront that he wrote the book without the aid of a ghostwriter. Gerstner s nine years at the ibm helm will be remembered as the era of greed. Nice assessment of the first part of lou gerstners tenure at ibm. Inside ibms historic turnaround, and reinventing education. Author doug garr chronicles gerstner s rise, his arrival as the first steward from outside the. Gerstner intended when he wrote it, but chief executives are people too. Ibm redux is a pretty indepth look at all the people and events that went into gerstners effort to turn ibm around. Here is the first unauthorized and indepth look at ibm s recovery and the manwho is leading it, louis v. Gerstner, one of the most accomplished chief executives of his time, knows this.
Lou gerstner and the business turnaround of the decade by doug garr 1999, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Garr states in his fulldisclosure notes at the end of the book that big blue has never cooperated on a book written about ibm. Lou gerstner shares some blame for ibm s current mess, according to new book. Oct 26, 2015 former ibm ceo and chairman lou gerstner discusses company turnarounds and his tenure at ibm. Lou gerstner saved ibm from a previous crisis in the 1990s, and then went on to set the company up for the crisis of today. Told in lou gerstner s own words, this is a story of an extraordinary turnaround, a case study in managing a crisis, and a thoughtful reflection on the computer industry and the. The state of ibm was so bad in 1993 that it took the unprecedented step of bring in an outsider to run the company. Gerstner came on board as chairman and ceo almost a decade ago. The book is interesting, even for longtime ibm followers, because it is gerstners own story. They are unprecedented in ibm corporate history when it comes to plutocratic selfdealing by the top big blue brass. The future of ibm lou gerstner seems to have pulled off a miracle.
The future of ibm lou gerstner seems to have pulled off a. Lou gerstner, american businessman best known for the pivotal role he played in revitalizing the ailing ibm in the mid1990s. He also offers his hardwon conclusions about the essence of what makes a great company run. In a book excerpt posted on recode, cringely writes. The last thing we need right now is a vision statement. Evaluating ginni romettys market performance as ibms ceo. Learn more about gerstners life and career, including his work with other businesses. Lou gerstner was born in mineola, new york on march 1, 1942. But as he told mba students at harvard business school, he wasnt the only one responsible for the change. Lou gerstner has succeeded in writing a book which both provides valuable insights into the computer industry and the situation and success of ibm, as well as providing a roadmap for leaders seeking to effect strategic change in any industry. Ibms prospects for survival are very bleak, wrote the authors of the book computer wars. Until then, we have ibm redux, by doug carr, a very entertaining and instructive look at gerstner and the company he revived.
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