Business Stories C

This book was very inspiring. It is a very quick read because all of the biography is concise and to the point. Some of the people I had never heard of before and that made it all the more interesting. I don't know whether I would have called it the greatest business stories of all time or not but they certainly are up among the best. Every story was great and very interesting telling how they started and where they finished up. Also how people borrowed huge sums of money in order to buy a business that wasn't making money at the time only to turn them around. Like the guys at Harley for example putting together $1 million of their own and then borrowing $81 million to buy the company. Unbelievable. Everyone who reads this will enjoy it as it was written very well. You will learn some valuable business and marketing concepts from the leaders of industry. Anyone will enjoy this one especially if you don't have the time to read a long biography. This is a great place for someone to start if they haven't been much of a reader of biographies because this is full of true life people overcoming against the odds!

This is a quick read of 20 different stories that have historically and tremendously impacted all of us. This book is inspirational and instructional in content, and although I had heard many of these stories before I gleaned many ideas for my own business. The other issue I noticed is that these stories impacted the world and they all took place right here in the US, yet they continue to influence globalization today.

I'm not a business-minded person, but after reading so many reviews here that complained about how _boring_ this book is, I picked it up and read thru one story -- about Ray Kroc and the founding of the McDonald's restaurants. And what a great read! Such a quirky story, to follow the progress of the first guy to figure out the concepts behind assembly line fast food. Did you ever wonder how and why the food at McDonalds tastes the same everywhere? Or why every facility looks familiar? Nowadays, factory-assembly line food production is old news to our jaded modern palates. But in the 1950s and earlier, it was innovative. And Ray Kroc was a pioneer in the development of the franchise restaurant. He made his millions scouting real estate locations for franchisees. And then he made their leases dependent upon their adherence to his ideas about what a McDonald's restaurant should be. This was definitely a great story and an interesting read. I recommend this book.

A great book about the people who made a real difference in shaping the present that we live in and influencing the future as it will become.From Robert Morris to Bill Gates; the books takes you on a promonade into their kingdoms. Explaining to the reader many valuable information about each "tycoon's" personality, enterprise, industry, and the general business environment in his particular era.I personally enjoyed the chapters on David Ogilvy, Ray Croc, Sam Walton, Walt Disney, Joseph Wilson, Henry Ford and Harley Davidson.The book portrays many successful personalities and companies that will be of interest to people in varying specializations within Business.An enjoyable read and a good reference.Also read "Lessons from the Top" and "Radical Marketing"

Each chapter offers a profile of a major contributor to the evolution of American business history, beginning with one of my ancestors, Robert Morris (America's "first real businessman"), and concluding with Bill Gates ("Microsoft's cofounder and guiding spirit"). In between, Gross and his associates also examine other great leaders such as McCormick, Rockefeller, Morgan, Ford, Merrill, Sarnoff, Disney, Johnson, Ogilvy, Kroc, Wilson, Ash, Walton, and McGowan as well as major corporations such as American Express, Intel, Harley-Davidson, and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. The reader is told, "This book is about heroes" and it really is.Using the most effective strategies and devices of a storyteller, the authors examine biographical information within an historical context, sustaining interest with anecdotes while providing insights as to the causes and effects of each subject's accomplishments. For Morris, essentially the economic survival of thirteen colonies during their struggle for independence. For McCormick, the industrialization of agriculture. For Rockefeller, the creation and development of the modern corporation. For Morgan, saving a nation's financial system. For Ford, mass-producing affordable personal transportation. For Merrill, broadening the base of stock ownership to include those, among others, for whom the Ford Motor Company manufactured automobiles. Each of the other "heroes" discussed made equally important contributions.A brief review such as this can only suggest (albeit inadequately) the wealth of information to be found in Greatest Business Stories of All Time. The prose has snap, crackle, and pop. The focus is crystal clear. The lessons to be learned from the careers examined are of incalculable value. Although this book will be of interest to almost anyone, it will have special importance for school, college, and university students who may sometimes wonder if there are any "secrets to success." The answer is yes. The specifics are to be found in the lives of those who are discussed in Greatest Business Stories of All Time.