Who Says Elephants Can't Dance? cover art

Who Says Elephants Can't Dance?

Inside IBM's Historic Turnaround

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Who Says Elephants Can't Dance?

By: Louis V. Gerstner
Narrated by: Edward Herrmann
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About this listen

Writing in an exciting, fast-paced narrative style, Gerstner takes readers through his experiences at IBM -- from the high-powered recruiting pressure to take the Chairman's position, to first days on the job learning the strengths and weaknesses of IBM, to formulating and successfully implementing a turnaround strategy.

Filled with Gerstner's personal insights as he explores the company, institutes changes, and rebuilds IBM for the 21st century, readers will have unprecedented access to the mind of the CEO. Refreshing and candid throughout, Gerstner pulls no punches as shows readers what he did and why he did it.

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Gerstner repaired IBM because he didn't belong there. Funny that, but it worked! Fascinating. Keep in mind that he had been in the same ring with this elephant before with other companies. See ourselves as others see us.

A nice little job

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struggled at times. often had to re-listen to parts. narrator not the best. otherwise good.

interesting but a difficult listen

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The book is really in 2 halves. I found the 1st most interesting as it was more narrative.

Useful insights

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Lou tells a compelling story of the fall and rise of a monolith company. He changed the culture and made it competitive again. Many large corporations could learn a lesson from this journey even today, more than 20 years later. A recommended read.

Great insight into the 1990s Big Blue turnaround

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I have worked hands-on daily with IBM hardware, software and services for well over a decade, some of which overlapping with Lou Gerstner's period as CEO of the company, so I picked this up expecting not to learn much I hadn't already known about IBM. I was entirely wrong. This is a really engaging and honest account of the turnaround of a company that was literally falling apart as it failed to adapt to the changing world in which it was operating. The clarity of purpose which Gerstner, as a 'non IT person', brought to the company and it's strategic direction shines throughout. The book could be accused of being one-sided, but the performance of IBM during Gerstner's time at the helm is so remarkable that some element of victors writing the history is understandable. The insight into 'bet the company' decisions and simple management strategies applied to the giant organisation that is IBM is really fascinating. Great read, highly recommended.

Great read

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