zlacker

>>gwintr+(OP)
Recently read The Man Who Broke Capitalism by David Gelles which is an excellent review of the Welch years, how he worked, and how he sent his minions out across the corporate world to wreak havoc. Wonderful read and really provides perspective on why modern corporate America is what it is.

Light Out by Gryta and Mann follow up by focusing on the Immelt years and how he tried to keep the ball rolling despite the hole that Jack left him in. Also an excellent read.

Sounds like Power Failure covers a lot of the same material as these two earlier books perhaps with some historical material.

>>squeed+ub
As an engineer I always had just blamed nebulous “MBAs” as the reason we can’t have nice things, but the Gelles book makes a very strong case that it was Welch specifically that changed the rules of engagement to what they are now and follows the thread through his career showing the weaknesses he exploited, the benefit that he gained from it and how he spawned the modern cult of the Imperial CEO.

Many people have tried to run the same playbook with some success, but Welch had unique resources that let him continue the game far longer than anyone else.

As an aside, Gelles publisher made him add a hopeful last chapter on the social benefit corporate movement and the few corps that were able to resist welchism just so the book wouldn’t leave the reader feeling hopeless!